Amazing Find!!

Guest: Juan-Pablo (Philadelphia, PA USA)
Date of Stay: 06/03/10 Review Submitted: 06/11/10

This home is without a doubt one of the nicest places I have ever had the pleasure of visiting. The location defies description, with the Caribbean on one side and numerous historic sites in plain view from almost every direction. The massive outdoor space and smartly decorated interior, with mature plantings everywhere, and the unique position within the historic walled center of Cartagena, set this home apart from any other I have seen. The location is utterly ideal, just near the entrance to the city when arriving and returning to the airport and within easy walking distance to the main attractions in the heart of the historic district. The house managers, Adelaida and Rodolfo, could not have been sweeter and more accommodating. I've already told a dozen of my closest friends and family to put Cartagena and this unique home on their short list of places to visit!!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+.

4 College Students

Guest: Dirk (United States)
Date of Stay: 03/12/11 Review Submitted: 12/21/11

This penthouse was absolutely amazing to stay in. The maids cooked us amazing meals every day and the location was perfect to stay in. Sleeping on hammocks and waking up to overlook the Caribbean was more than any of us could have imagined. This was definitely one of the best vacations that we have taken and we will definitely come back here should we decide to return to Cartagena.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Think Value, Not Price -- Luxe-Living at a Huge Discount

Guest: Robert(o) (Los Angeles, California, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/13/11 Review Submitted: 08/11/11

I have often found, the more one pays, the greater the value per dollar one recieves. Pay twice as much for something but get 3-times the product/service is a great deal, yet one generally missed (or under-appreciated) by someone who gets hung up on the price. This is more true in real-estate (buying, leasing, short-term rental) than most things. Can 2 couples stay for less within the old city? Yes, but not much really. Try to cut the price in half and you're probably staying in a hostel w shared a bathroom. A better question is what do you get at the Sofitel Santa Clara for that price? Or any nice hotel? Well you don't get the square footage. The scale of this place is like the sickest of Presidential Suites you'd find in a fine hotel in a major world city. 10,000 square feet (US) of patio with 360 degree views (180 of it the wall and sea!) are you kidding? Upon arrival, my friend said we'll need to make an effort to sit and spend a bit of time in each of the sitting areas. After a week she pointed to a group of chairs on a side patio and said, we haven't sat there yet.. And you don't get the same domestic assistance (even if you found a Presidential Suite and were able to use your frequent flier miles to get the price down- lol!). A hotel will tidy up and make your bed. And you could get room service. But room service won't go grocery shopping for you (bringing you the receipt) then cook a meal, serve and clean up after it. Claudia and Ovi did for us a few times. Coffee and juice every morning. They also did laundry and would iron upon request. A nice hotel, however, gives one recognition from others and a sense granduer (enhanced by being seen as part of that granduer) that is not apparent from outside the apartment. The entrance is a regular modern apartment building. There is a doorman 24-hours. Functional not colonial. But it's like a secret hide-out, a hidden gem. I stayed there for two weeks at the end of last month, it was great. The wireless worked fine and I used it every day. I was able to be productive a few mornings sipping fresh juice on the upper patio, the reassuring sea an easy gaze away from my laptop. The location is great. Unobstructed sea view means unobstructed sea breeze. A balcony room on a square within the city is great, but there's less natural cooling than on the city walls. Walk the wall, wander the streets, perfect corner from which to do it. Beds were great. A safe in each bedroom closet was easy and reassuring.

Owner response:Many thanks for your kind feedback. It was great having your party at home and hope you come back one day. Alberto

Recommended for:

Simply Outstanding

Guest: ExhaustedChairman (New York City)
Date of Stay: 06/03/11 Review Submitted: 07/12/11

I just spent an entire month at the penthouse, recovering from the pressures of the business year. I can not think of a more ideal place to relax and completely unwind. The staff is simply excellent, and catered to our every need. I very much look forward to my next visit, which I am already planning.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, age 55+.

IMPRESSIVE PROPERTY!!!

Guest: Jogger (Washington D.C.)
Date of Stay: 05/27/11 Review Submitted: 06/17/11

We recently stayed at this amazing penthouse and had a fantastic time. Incredible huge space, tastefully decorated, beautiful views over all the city monuments and gorgeous sunsets over the ocean which you can see and hear. With all expected amenities, stereo, satellite tv, broad-band wifi internet and more. Nice couple of maids made our stay very comfortable. All in all and incredible find and a excellent deal. Many thanks for making our holiday one of the best in our lives.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

A GORGEOUS EXPERIENCE

Guest: Frank (Washington, D.C. USA)
Date of Stay: 04/24/11 Review Submitted: 04/29/11

Just came back from this amazing property and wanted to report right away that this has been the best place we´ve ever visited. The penthouse is huge, beautifully decorated with a nice taste of contemproaty architecture. The views are just extraordinary, with unforgettable sunsets over the Caribbean which not only you can see but also hear. Charming staff attend you as if you were in a 5 star hotel. The place is also suited with all kind of amenities, flat satellite tvs, wifi internet, stereo, etc. I strongly recommend it!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Sunset views

Guest: MC (Bogota, Colombia)
Date of Stay: 04/18/11 Review Submitted: 04/24/11

This is an excellent apartment. I rented this apartment to help my parents celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary and they were thrilled as was I. The apartment has stunning views and a rooftop deck with two floors, you really feel spoiled. The location couldn't be better, inside the walled city and walking distance to a big supermarket. Someone mentioned the small size of the pool, which I was concerned about as well, and though you can't swim in it, you certainly can submerse yourself and stay cool. The apartment is best for two couples. The waitstaff are really nice and helpful and keep the place spotless. I highly recommend this apartment and hope to be able to return to it again!

Owner response:Many thanks for constructive feedback. It was a pleasure having these tenants at home. Hope they come back.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car.

April 11-15, 2011 Apartment review

Guest: Jeff H (Detroit, MI)
Date of Stay: 04/11/11 Review Submitted: 04/19/11

I would like to start by staying I had high expectations for this place based on the reviews. First I requested from the owner a exact address for the location to the property to print off in Google maps. However was only told for things to look for (like a treasure map) when you get there and that all the taxis know this place. (Remind you that this place is not a hotel but a penthouse apartment). So of course we arrive from the airport and show the taxi driver the email and name of the location "la habitacional" and he drives around and attempts to drop us off at the hotel las vegas then we remembered that the apartment was supposed to be close to the hotel santa clara so at least the taxi driver knew that location and dropped us off there. So from that location I tried to call the number given from the owner and was charged 10,000 pesos by the hotel for each phone call because we werent staying at the hotel. The owner also gave me the wrong phone number of the place, he mispelled the last digit of the phone number in the email so of course we got busy signals for the two phone calls. (we were never reimbursed for the money either). The owner did not tell us the color of the building or even tell us we needed to be looking for a doorman. I walked by him 3 times before finally showing him the owners name and he recognized that and called up to let us in. (3 hour stressful ordeal) The place is large, the pool and hottub are nonexistent. (don't bother) Hammocks are nice to relax in. The bed is awful, like sleeping on a rock. forget a nice hotel bed. I would not bother having the maids cook dinner, they are overpriced for the food. You can get a great local meal for 15000 pesos in town at any restaurant. We paid the maids for 4 breakfast and 3 dinners 170000 pesos for groceries and cooking total. (not worth it). The breakfast was nice in the morning. (fruit, eggs, toast) The maids are really nice. (they also always through away our leftovers which we paid for, a huge red snapper which we wanted was just thrown away even though we requested it be wrapped and saved for later. However they are very curtious. For the most part pretty good experience, The apartment is in a very noisy part of town, but its pretty cool the location and is close to many things with a convienent walk. I have mixed reviews about recommending this place, I think you can get a better place for less money. depends on where you want to stay.

Owner response:I am appreciative for this candid feedback. This is the first time a tenant can not find the place easily, as every single taxi driver knows the location, being as it is in the heart of the old city and just one block away of the Santa Clara Hotel, an emblematic building!. Please note that both my phone numbers are listed on the web page! I´m glad the tenant found the place "large, nice and relaxing" and located in a "pretty good location" and "close to everything with a convenient walk". Furthermore, I´m pleased to know that tenant enjoyed meals prepared by our staff and that tenant found the maids "really nice" and "very curtious". Note that the tenant only paid some US$80 ( equivalent to 170000 Colombian pesos )for groceries needed to cook the 4 breakfasts ("breakfast was nice in the morning with fruit, eggs, toast, etc"), and three dinners (...including a "huge red snapper"...), for a total of 14 meals ( 4+3=7X2 persons= 14 meals ), or, approximately US$ 5 per meal, including, shopping, cooking, serving and cleaning up. Very best,

Recommended for:

Amazing vacation rental!

Guest: Alli (Michigan, USA)
Date of Stay: 11/26/10 Review Submitted: 12/11/10

Four of us (two couples) stayed at this apartment for six days this past month, and loved every minute! The location is in a beautiful, quiet neighborhood of the walled city, but within walking distance of restaurants, shops and the grocery store. The property itself is beautiful and well-maintained - the views from the terrace are breathtaking and we spent long hours just sitting outside and looking around at the amazing 360 views. The staff- Adelaida and Rodolfo are wonderful people, and Rosaura (the cook who can be hired for a very reasonable fee) was outstanding. She made us fresh & delicious tropical juices every day, and also made us the best coconut rice that we had out of any place we ate in Cartagena! The owner was very easy to work with, and answered all of our questions very thoroughly; he also called us to check in to make sure everything was going well. I would highly recommend this property - it was truly an amazing vacation, and we hope to be back again!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Incredible views and service

Guest: gmd (boise,id)
Date of Stay: 10/01/10 Review Submitted: 10/11/10

I just stayed in this apt, it was my first trip to cartagena, even though I am from Colombia, The location its priceless, the atention of adelaida and rodolfo is great, The owner even though is far away, was always in contact asking how we were doing. Internet was not working, but who needs that in this paradise city. Whenver I can I will return to this apartment.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+.