Estancia de La Mantilla — Hotel in Cartagena

The hotel recently underwent a renovation. We may have been the first guests since their opening. Minor problems will always occur but it's how staff handles them that makes the difference for me. There are no words to express the gratitude I feel towards the staff. From the moment we arrived (welcome drink) to the charismatic front desk staff to the overall lovely attitude they greeted us with, made us feel comfortable and excited about this vacation. The very first night they helped me with a small surprise for my partner's birthday. They helped with the white lie to get back into the room and they went ABOVE & BEYOND what I was expecting. So much so, that I was also surprised. In addition to rose petals, there was a bottle of champagne (or similar - was too excited to even care) AND a small and beautiful cake. The note was personalized and it made us both feel so special. I know people write these kind of over the top reviews all the time, but I don't. I usually don't post reviews all that often, but this trip Cartagena has me typing away. There was an issue with the water and plumbing the 2nd night - as I said these things happen. Staff communicated with us and almost immediately offered a couple of solutions. One was to use their sister hotel for a shower and our immediate needs. The second option was to simply move hotels. We actually wanted to stay at la Estancia because that's how much we loved it. So we decided to go to the "nicer" hotel just to shower. Unfortunately the problem was going to take longer than expected. They promised the transition would be fast and seamless and IT WAS. The sister hotel was around the block so we told them we'd take our bags - no big deal. They were absolutely not going to let that happen. They had someone waiting to take our bags and someone to receive us when we arrived at the other property. It was a shame to not have been able to stay with them because honestly they were so special. Again, problems happen but the way they handled it made this trip...

This is an adorable boutique hotel in Cartagena's walled city. It is convenient to all attractions in the walkable old city and also near the waterfront. Because it is a historical property, the rooms are small. I needed to work, but I couldn't do so in my room because there was no desk. I had a room with a balcony, which was amazing. However, the balcony also meant I was subjected to lots of noise at night. The hotel has a rooftop with a darling view, and it has a small pool. The pool area is nicely landscaped and charming. The hotel provides breakfast, which is mediocre at best. The coffee is weak, and the buffet offerings are meh. Think stale bread and cheap yogurt with lots of sugar in it. The hotel will make you eggs to order any way you like, so that is a small consolation. You will have to knock at the hotel's main entrance every time you return to the hotel. I never had a problem getting in, but it is inconvenient to have to knock. One night I returned, and the person working the front desk had not met me. He asked me my room number, and he followed me upstairs to my room. I couldn't tell whether he was a pervert or if he thought I was lying about being a guest at the hotel. Fortunately, the other hotel employees were kinder than this weirdo whom I encountered on the final night of my stay. Overall, this is a nice hotel. I enjoyed my stay. If you require 5-star service or quiet, thought, I suggest you...

Our stay at Casa La Mantilla was absolutely amazing! From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with genuine warmth and hospitality. The hotel is full of charm, beautifully decorated with local touches, and perfectly located in the heart of Cartagena, just steps away from everything! The rooms were spotless and cozy, the breakfast was delicious and fresh every morning, and the courtyard and pool area felt like a peaceful oasis. Every detail was thoughtfully curated, making our experience truly unforgettable. Highly recommend Casa La Mantilla for anyone looking for a unique and...