Vacation Rentals by Owner

always a pleasure!

Guest: Susanne A.
Date of Stay: 05/18/12 Review Submitted: 05/22/12

location is just the best in every sense, inside the walled city, view over the ocean, close to restaurants and attractions.. The terrace (largest in cartagena, I would say!) offers a almost 360 degrees view over looking the ocean, Las Bovedas in front and part of the city, the apartment is well maintained, clean and exactly like in the listing description. Perfect for everyone! I would definitely recommand the place!

Recommended for:

Perfect Vacation in Cartagena

Guest: Krishna (Los Angeles, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/26/12 Review Submitted: 04/17/12

The condo was exactly as described and in a great location inside the old wall cities. There was a supermarket two blocks away, a small store 1 block away and plentiful taxis since we were located on one of the main roads in the Old City. Also, the condo was well within walking distance of all the major restaurants bars and sights inside the Old City. We had a group of 6 friends had more than enough space. The terrace overlooking the water was absolutely amazing and provided for some great lounging time. The one thing we appreciated the most was the wait staff as we had what I would like to call a butler and maid/cook. They looked after us and were very helpful in finding a boat to rent, cooking breakfast everyday and cleaning up after us. The only surprise I guess was the pool which is more of a wading pool than swimming pool. Despite that, when we come back to Cartagena, we will definitely stay here again. Thanks again a very memorable vacation!

Owner response:It was a pleasure having you stay at our penthouse in Cartagena. We´re very pleased that you had a great stay and hope you come back some time in the future. We really appreciate your feedback. Best regards, Alberto Chueca

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car.

The "Ultimate Cartagena Experience"

Guest: SCOTT D.
Date of Stay: 03/18/12 Review Submitted: 03/29/12

The penthouse apartment was the perfect way to experience this beautiful city by the sea. Spacious rooms, expansive outdoor living, and amazing views of the city and ocean provided a comfortable and luxurious oasis. Clean and modern design, comfortable furnishings and modern amenities enhanced our experience. Our maid was extremely warm and welcoming and helpful, not to mention wonderful meals and service. The apartment was kept in immaculate condition, making indoor / outdoor living seamless. The building is perfectly located within the walled city. Close to everything, but just a few steps outside the hustle and bustle. An easy walk to tourist sites, shopping, great restaurants and bars. But lounging in the pool, overlooking the sea and the old wall is the best way to enjoy city!

Owner response:Many thanks for your feedback, Scott!. I´m glad you had a great stay with was. It was a pleasure having you at home and hope you come back in the future. Very best, Alberto

Recommended for:

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

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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:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

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:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

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:

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.

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:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A great place in a phenomenal city

Guest: Chris (Miami, FL USA)
Date of Stay: 09/03/10 Review Submitted: 09/06/10

This penthouse is an awesome find! The bedrooms are very spacious and the entire place was spotless. There is a retractable ceiling in the living room that allows rain to fall in between the living room and dining area creating a really cool effect if you want. (There is a drain on the floor.) The upper level offers a true 360-degree view of Cartagena. I think the pool is more for aesthetic purposes, but that didn't stop one of the members of my party from lounging in it from day one. Besides, I don't think there are many large swimming pools in Cartagena as space appears to be very limited. The hot tub is available for use although I didn't have enough time to take advantage of it. The wireless internet and DirectTV are bonuses as well. The maids Rodolfo and Adelaida are extremely friendly and accomodating. You would hardly know they were there if it weren't for the fresh fruit and coffee that was ready for you every morning, the delicious lunches, them asking what you wanted to eat for dinner everyday, your laundry being done and ironed, and your bed being made. Not exactly a bad thing, ha. The owner was extremely hospitable as well. He was always available by phone. He even volunteered to call in a special cook to prepare dinner for a dinner party if we wanted to hold one. Had I been able to stay in town longer and knew more people there, I would have definitely accepted. Location is great as you are within the walled city. A large grocery/department store called Exito (almost like their version of Super Walmart) is within 5 minutes walking distance. There are a number of local stores within minutes as well. As in many parts of the city, there are always taxis available the moment you step out the door. And if not, Rodolfo or Adelaida will call one for you. If you're looking for very spacious, clean lodging with very hospitable maids and owner, then this is the place for you. It would be a very economical alternative for a group of 3 or more in comparison to the surrounding luxury hotels that would offer similar facilities.

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

Great location and fab views!

Guest: Jogger (Washington D.C.)
Date of Stay: 08/21/10 Review Submitted: 08/23/10

We´re still pinching ourselves to make sure our memories of this wonderful apartment were not a dream. Best location, great space, beautifully designed layout, the maids made us feel better than at home. The highlight, however, is the impressive sunset over the ocean. All in all, an unforgetable experience!.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

A very nice holiday!

Guest: Greg (Miami)
Date of Stay: 08/20/10 Review Submitted: 08/23/10

WIth my girlfriend we spent a couple of nights at this superb penthouse. Fantastic views of the Caribbean from the huge terrace and roof deck. Very comfortable with flat cable tvs and broad band WiFi. The maids did a great job making us feel at home. Ideal place for a honemoon. This is one of the nices place we have ever visited.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Stunning Views and gorgeus space!

Guest: Edgard (New York, NY. USA)
Date of Stay: 08/18/10 Review Submitted: 08/23/10

Just came back from a wonderful stay at this beautiful penthouse in Cartagena. Tons of space, nicely decorated, super maid services and stunning views to the Caribbean and most monuments of this historic city. Highly recommended!.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

faboulous; thank alberto!

Guest: Gabriele r. (naples)
Date of Stay: 08/06/10 Review Submitted: 08/11/10

Together with my girlfriend and a couple of friends I spent a wonderful vacation in this fantastic penthouse in Cartagena. We liked it so very much. One of those case where reality beats fiction as the actual size, design and views are unbelievable. Generous space inside and impressive open space in the terraces and roof deck made our stay here very comfortable. Adelaida and Rodolfo couldn´t be more helpful and sweet. Can´t wait to come back again.

Owner response:It was a pleasure having you at home. Many thanks for your preference.

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Not what we expected.

Guest: JJ (San Diego, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/29/10 Review Submitted: 08/12/10

I've just returned from a long weekend stay at this "penthouse" apartment in Cartagena. Physically, the property is clean and well-kept with stunning sunset views. The modern styling of the interior did not disappoint. However, this property does not live-up to its verbal presentation for the following reasons: 1) Most importantly, the apartment only has 2 available bedrooms, not 3, as noted in the ad. This was especially awkward, as my party included one couple and two adult males... not very adult orientated. 2) Also misleading in the ad was the number of bathrooms in the unit; there were only 2.5 available bathrooms, not 3.5. A little inconvenient for privacy sake. 3) Think twice before stocking-up groceries. The refrigerator in the apartment barely keeps anything "cool". We had to put most of our food in the freezer to keep it cold. The ice maker definitely doesn't work, so prepare to head to the store daily to get ice for your drinks. 4) If bringing a laptop, make sure to get the WiFi instructions from the owner before arriving. We were never given any "code" for log-on to even verify WiFi access in the place, and the live-in maids were not able to help. 5) The "infinity" pool was a big selling point for our trip, but the reality of the pool was a major frustration. The actual pool measures 15x7 and the majority of it is only 6 inches deep. Definitely not the "infinity" pool we were hoping to use in escaping the hot Cartagena sun. 7) As for either those romantic or fun party nights in the hot tub, forget it! The "hot tub" is only about 3 feet across and 2 1/2 feet deep. Not even comfortable for two adults. Double check with the owner before arriving to make sure the spa is working, as it was empty on our arrival. We seriously expected much more than the actual apartment offered. The unit is in good shape, but if we would have known that apartment wasn't a 3 bedroom/ 3.5 bath "penthouse" with a "infinity pool" and "hot tub", we would have never rented this disappointing unit. Renter Beware!

Owner response:I sincerely appreciate the candid feedback and the fact that the guest found the property in "good shape"," well maintained" and with "stunning views" over the ocean. I´m also glad the guest liked the modern styling of the interior. As for the guest´s remarks regarding the number of rooms and bathrooms, let me say that there are, indeed, three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms, one of these bedrooms, however, the one behind the kitchen, is used by the couple of live-in maids at the guests service. The refrigerator is in perfect condition and so is the broad-band WiFi internet ( guaranteed ).Pool and jacuzzi are private and not really suitable for laps but all previous tenants found them very enjoyable as the views from there are stunning. I´m grateful to this tenant for constructive feedback.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A jewel of an apartment in the quiet corner of the old city

Guest: Steve (Lyme, Connecticut, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/09/10 Review Submitted: 08/10/10

We were lucky to pick this lovely place from a few available rentals. Our family, with three teens, utterly enjoyed the location, the convenience to historical sites both within the walled city and without. You can walk anywhere easily from the Penthouse, or take taxis, and still enjoy the beautiful views, the nearby shops, the streetlife, the bars and restaurants, while relaxing in the quietest section of the old city. The apartment is open, airy and clean, the caretakers, Adelaida and Rudolfo friendly and very helpful. The outdoor patios, the covered hammocks, the small but refreshing wading pool on the top floor looking out over the sea, give a feeling of repose. We hope to return to Cartagena in the future, and would definitely stay here again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Best of everything!

Guest: CartagenaFan (New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 05/15/10 Review Submitted: 05/24/10

Just got back last night and had to write a review right away because this apartment is amazing! The place is huge, with a ton of space both indoors and out. The decor is incredible, we want to copy the design for our own home. The best feature of this place is the outdoor deck which is the largest I have ever seen. It has so many great places to hang out, with deck chairs, couches, hammocks, etc. We had trouble finding each other on the deck it was so big (two levels). And the views are incredible, overlooking the old city, the castle and ocean. There is so much to see just from the roof! The live-in attendants and owner are fantastic--so sweet, offering to cook meals, do laundry, help with travel, etc. This is the premier location within Cartagena, right in the walls of the old city and easy to walk to all the sights. We will definitely be recommending this place to all of our friends and hope to return again!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Smashing!

Guest: Santiago A. (Washington)
Date of Stay: 05/08/10 Review Submitted: 08/10/10

My brother and I took my mother to this amazing home in Cartagena last May to celebrate together mother’s day. We are officially the best sons in the planet. The apartment is spectacularly decorated with modern paintings that are a perfect fit for the ample rooms. The style is modern with a great energy and positive vibe. The friendly live-in help, Adelaida and Adolfo made us feel at home and treated us like royals. Adelaida is an excellent cook and treated us to some of the most amazing feast that Caribbean cuisine has to offer. The views are spectacular from every point in the apartment, from the larger than life terrace the amazing view of the ocean will leave anybody breathless, it is so close it feels like is part of the apartment. The apartment is located right in the middle of the magical old city, a step away from the most famous houses in Cartagena, including famous writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s house and Claustro Santa Clara, as well as all the trendy and vibrant lounges and restaurants in the city. There is a supermarket a few minutes walking where one can find all that is needed for a great vacation. After posting the pictures of my vacation on Facebook I was inundated with enquiries about this amazing place. I hope to return soon, it was amazing!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Awesome Penthouse in Cartagena!

Guest: Chris (USA)
Date of Stay: 04/22/10 Review Submitted: 08/09/10

I stayed at this amazing place in April. The staff was very helpful. The location is perfect and the views are unreal. The internet and satellite television worked very well. I highly recommend this penthouse!

Recommended for:

Amazing!

Guest: BibiG (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 07/17/09 Review Submitted: 05/13/10

I've been meaning to write this review for months. This was one of the nicest places I've ever stayed. We were there in Cartagena for a wedding and all the other guests and the bride and groom just wanted to come over to our place all the time! The rooftop deck is even more amazing than it looks in the pictures. It's ENORMOUS and looks out over the wall and is breezy all the time. The live-in help, Adelaida, is the sweetest, most helpful and honest lady in the world, and Alberto, the owner, was really nice and called to check in on us to make sure everything was okay during our stay. All in all, wonderful place to stay.

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