Colombia's Spanish conquerors certainly knew how to build beautiful and the 16th century colonial architecture of Cartagena's historic centre contains the pick of Cartagena's luxury vacation rentals.
Since it's foundation in 1533, Cartagena has been home to the country's most impressive holiday homes, a veritable Caribbean playground for Colombia's richest families.
In the last 10 years, they have brought their opulent colonial mansions bang up-to-date, converting them into elegant, regal palaces fit for royalty.
Their stunning swimming pools, rooftop Jacuzzis, designer décor and hi-tech entertainment systems all provide a contemporary sheen to Cartagena's unique, colonial pomp and rich cultural heritage.
More than 50 uber-mansions fit for the world's most celebrated visitors can now be found inside the city's historic 16th century walls.
We've got the keys to nearly all of them.
So if you travel like a prince and want a premium vacation rental in Cartagena with top-notch concierge services to boot, you're in luck. talented team of travel advisors to the test and enlist the help of the A-team to get you booked into a holiday home that's fit for a royal family.
All you need to do is browse through our selection of the very best colonial mansions and luxurious short-stay options in Cartagena. Let us know which palace you like best.
We'll do the rest...
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Casa Pombo
Behind its reassuringly heavy oak door is a world of luxury and opulence, where five private restored suites serve up unique characteristics to ensure your stay is nothing less than enchanting.
In one of the house's five suites, an old cell makes for a quirky toilette, whilst a different suite sports the famous regal bed where Javier Bardem writhed with Italian actress Giovanna Mezogiorno in Mike Newell's 2007 adaptation of Marquez's Love in the Time of Cholera.
Owned by European stars of the silver screen, Pombo retains a magic all of its own and is frequently booked out by film stars and celebrities who rejoice in its discretion and serenity.
You can rent the place in its entirety or simply select one of the five palatial apartments.
A rooftop pool with views of the city's cathedral, a personal chef, private masseuse, full staff and on-hand guide who customizes a private walking tour of the Cartagena landmarks that inspired so many of Marquez finest works are all available.
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Casa Ají
Fluent in the language of cool, this contemporary pad gets some serious kudos for its manicured elegance that still allows some leeway for your #Colonialrelics snaps on Instagram.
Three spacious rooms fit up to ten people that will wake up to Cartagena's fierce sun tucked up in a frothy bed and a Cappuccino-tinged room.
The bedroom's burnt orangey-brown textiles and wooden artefacts are bosom buddies with the large screen TVs and contemporary squishy, leather headboards, and the symmetrical marble and glass dining area aren't offended by the wicker chairs in the grand entrance hall.
Sun worshippers seeking Jacuzzi action can crawl upstairs and fling themselves on the voluptuous sun beds and sunny yellow couches.
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Casa Botero
This 10-bedroom property is one of the most spectacular short-stay options in Cartagena and Colombia. Few luxury vacation rentals in Cartagena can match the luscious mix of contemporary luxury fixtures and fittings and colonial pomp.
One of the first Cartagena mansions to be restored in the 1980s by Gloria de Zea, the first wife of Colombian artist, Fernando Botero, this glorious holiday home was given an interior flourish by their daughter, Lina Botero in 2013.
Lina's stylish re-fit brought the house right up-to-date placing it at the top of the tree when it comes to remarkable Cartagena holiday homes.
Saudi princes and heavy-hitting international art collectors have all been wowed by Lina's immaculate interior design.
There are special details sprinkled liberally through the property, like the rooftop Jacuzzi, Ralph Lauren bedding and designer furniture throughout.
This is a truly glittering destination for a celebrity set that just love visiting or staying in this expansive house when invite.
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Casa del Arzobispado
Ideal for those that want to be in the heart of Cartagena's historic centre, this delightful colonial villa sits on one of the city's most important streets, a short hop from the former governor’s house and Cartagena's imperious cathedral.
It's been called home by some historic figures over the years, not least, Antonio Joséde Ayos, one of the martyrs that fought to liberate Cartagena from Spanish rule in 1811.
A delicious re-fit in 2002, preserved much of the historical house’s character with a rich, colonial style and some great original time pieces dotted throughout but there's more than enough contemporary flourish to meet the exacting standards of a modern brand of visiting.
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Casa Claver
Aspiring to the big city ‘loft style living’ principle, these dreamy boutique digs in the heart of Cartagena’s most picturesque quarter, boast stunning high ceilings and fashionable furnishings.
Life inside the house might be modern, but their’s plenty of Caribbean character flowing through the casa's DNA with the vibrant wall hangings, colourful cushions and fabulous throws draped across the blissful beds.
The house is made up of self-contained apartments that fall into three categories; standard (sleeps 2), deluxe (sleeps 5) and premium (sleeps 6). All apartments are fitted with a private kitchen and laundry room and there is no need to split hairs about who cooks breakfast as your first meal of the day is included in the price of the stay, as well as concierge and cleaning services.
Whilst the premium suite is by far the most impressive, the standard apartment holds its own with its street views letting in plenty of light.
Although the rooms are wonderful, the resplendent rooftop terrace makes it virtually impossible to sleep in. Climb up here morning, day or night and it would never fail to take your breath away.
Stand, or even better lounge, here and it becomes all too clear why the hotel is called Casa Claver—the rooftop practically touches the cupolas of the Cathedral of San Pedro Claver, as well as spoiling you with an unspoilt, 360 degrees view of the city.
Book House
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Casa Nispero
Few of Cartagena's holiday home for the rich and famous have weaved contemporary interior chic into Cartagena's colonial fabric with such stunning effect as this stunning five bedroom mansion.
Owned by a Colombian clothing magnate, this crisp mansion can sleep 10 design connoisseurs comfortably.
Fashionable throughout, Phillipe Starck furniture, luxurious loungers and modern four-poster beds as well as glamorous dining and lounge areas are all made to measure for groups that want to take their contemporary home comforts with them when they go away.
There's no escaping Cartagena's colonial heritage, however, with Cartagena's history writ large on the exposed 17th century colonial walls.
If only walls could talk.
Book House
So if you travel like a prince and want a premium vacation rental in Cartagena with top-notch concierge services to boot, you're in luck.
You just found what you were looking for.
Put our team of talented concierges to the test and get you booked into your royal family holiday home.
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