The walls of the old Convent of Santa Clara in Cartagena (Colombia) stand guard over stories of a past that is full of mystery. Today, converted into a luxury hotel, this building is not just one of the country’s most exclusive hotels, but also one of the top ten in the whole of South America according to Conde Nást Traveler Magazine.
The building that today houses the Hotel Sofitel Santa Clara was always destined for great things. Transforming it into a hotel involved the restoration of an old church building dating back to the year 1617, and the task of bringing this derelict building back to life was an impressive crusade in its own right, not only restoring the effects of years of neglect, but also dealing with a succession of architectural additions and poorly executed restoration attempts, which threatened to destroy what was left of the original colonial design.
On its own, this initiative was a titanic task, requiring the constant attention of architects, archeologists, craftsmen and historians over a period of 5 years, and together they “resuscitated” archways, vaults, windows, corridors, doors, pillars, walls and cellars of this building, which had formerly been inhabited by members of the religious order of St Clare.
Throughout this period they worked in the 21,000 square meter area of what is now the hotel, which gives a good idea of the size of the project. Out of this joint effort has arisen a majestic structure in the historic center of Cartagena, where the old cells where the nuns slept, their chapel and vaults today provide generously proportioned guest bedrooms, some up to 500 square meters in area, international standard restaurants, the first spa in the whole of South America to be opened by Sofitel under the LeSpa brand, a delightful swimming pool, all soaked in the magic that comes with buildings of such great age.
It is therefore not difficult to understand why staying at the Santa Clara is a unique experience. Wherever you are in the hotel, as you experience the comforts and luxuries that you would expect from the most luxurious of hotels, you are also aware of the legacy of its long history. A column, a door, the eaves or a wall can all transport the guest to another era, and it is impossible to forget the many uses to which the building has been put during its history: quarters for disabled people, hospital, orphanage, guesthouse, girls’ school, amphitheater…
This place also has a literary association. After all, the old Convent of Santa Clara provided the writer Gabriel García Márquez with the inspiration for one of the characters in his book Del amor y otros demonios (Of Love and Other Demons). Another of the hotel’s attractions is its proximity to the house of this legendary author, winner of the Nobel Literature Prize and one of the most influential literary figures in the Spanish speaking world.
He is not the only famous person to be associated with the Santa Clara. The hotel keeps a long list of famous guests each of whom in turn, have fallen under its spell. From revolutionary leaders such as Yasser Arafat to members of the royal houses of Europe including King Juan Carlos of Spain, taking in multi millionaires like Bill Gates, legendary rock stars such as Mick Jagger and movie stars including Mel Gibson.
They have all experienced the hotel’s aura of mystery, full of past recollections and romanticism, present in all of its 121 bedrooms, which are housed in two different areas of the building: the Colonial and the Republican. These two areas each provide a different aspect, over the Old City with its tall bell towers, red tiled roofs and cobbled streets, the building’s beautiful internal gardens or the vastness of the Caribbean Sea. The hotel’s internal decoration also pays tribute to times gone by. The Presidential Suite is graced by 18th century Peruvian furniture, while the bedrooms of the Republican area are decorated with Colombian antiques and art works.
Also well worth a visit are the restaurants. The Refectorio, which has been located in what used to be the dining used by the nuns of Saint Clare, provides delicious Mediterranean dining against a backdrop of period furnishings. The Café del Claustro stands out for its warm, friendly atmosphere while the El Coro Lounge Bar occupies the exact location where the nuns used to intone their religious chants, and where today you can enjoy a choice of cocktails and martinis.
As it is located in the historical center of Cartagena, the Hotel Sofitel Santa Clara does not have its own beach access. However, this does not mean that guests cannot enjoy a relaxing day at the beach. Far from it – they can make use of a private beach extension located on the Rosario Islands – an archipelago close to the city – where the Hotel San Pedro de Majagua offers 17 bungalows, two beaches lapped by the emerald green sea, a seafood restaurant and dive facility.
After a day of sea and sun there is nothing better than enjoying one of the spa’s elegant rest cubicles, or taking advantage of the evening to walk the cobbled streets of the aristocratic and faithful city of Cartagena de Indias. This is the perfect end to a journey back in time, featuring a hotel that has left behind religious fervor in favor of devotion to the welfare of its guests, excellent service and comfort.
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