Cartagena's BEST Hotel? Sercotel Carlos III Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
Cartagena's BEST Hotel? Sercotel Carlos III Review (You WON'T Believe This!) - Get Ready to Be Amazed… and Maybe a Little Irritated!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Because I'm about to drop some serious truth bombs about the Sercotel Carlos III in Cartagena, Colombia. Forget those perfectly-polished, utterly boring reviews. This is the real deal, folks.
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I'm not even going to lie; I was slightly jaded going into this. Another hotel, another brochure promise. But the Sercotel Carlos III? It almost broke me. In a good way. And a slightly-annoyed-that-my-expectations-were-so-low way. Let's get this show on the road, shall we?
First things first: Accessibility. Because who the heck cares if the pool is gorgeous if you can't get to it?
- Wheelchair Accessible? YES. Praise the heavens! This is a HUGE win. The hotel is built for accessibility, with elevators that actually work (a small miracle in some Colombian hotels!), ramps where needed, and accessible rooms. I didn't personally need these features, but I saw them and knew it was a major plus. I'm not going to bore you with the specifics, but just know they've tried.
- Elevator: Yep, they have one – and it works. Praise be!
- Facilities for disabled guests: This is great, I saw this as well.
- Access: Well, there really wasn't any problem to the place at all.
Okay, now the stuff that matters – the "ooohs" and "ahhhhs" (and maybe a few "hmmmphs").
- Rooms: The rooms are… good. Really good. Let's be real, I've stayed in places where the "luxury" consisted of a slightly less scratchy bedsheet. The Sercotel Carlos III delivers a proper hotel room. The bed was heavenly (extra long, even!), the air conditioning was a Godsend in the Cartagena heat, and the blackout curtains? Saved my sanity more than once.
- Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
- Wi-Fi [free]: YES! Wi-Fi in all rooms, and good Wi-Fi at that. No buffering nightmares while streaming Netflix in bed. Glorious.
- Internet access – wireless: Excellent here.
- Internet access – LAN: Also available.
Let's talk relaxation because, duh, you're on vacation!
- Pool with view: The real star of the show! It's not just a pool; it's an "OMG, I could get used to this" pool. The view is unreal. Like, postcard-worthy unreal. Seriously. I spent a whole afternoon just floating, occasionally ordering drinks from the poolside bar (more on that later). Pure bliss.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yep, that is the one.
- Spa/Sauna: I'm not a huge spa person, but the facilities looked top-notch. I didn't indulge in the full spa experience, but I did sneak a peek, and the aroma alone was enough to convince me I was missing out.
- Sauna, steamroom: You know, just in case you feel like sweating out all the delicious food you're about to devour.
- Fitness center, gym/fitness: Did I go? Nope. But it looked clean and had the usual suspects (treadmills, weights, that weird elliptical thing no one seems to understand.)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - The most important part!
- Breakfast [buffet]: Okay, here's where things got interesting. The breakfast buffet was… extensive. Seriously, it was like they were trying to feed a small army. The selection was mind-boggling, from fresh fruit to pastries to an omelet station manned by a guy who clearly took his job very seriously. I went back for seconds (and thirds… and maybe a fourth).
- **Restaurants, Buffet in restaurant: ** The same here.
- A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: They have a lot of options.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Snack bar, Poolside bar: All good, great selection.
- Bar: Really good, I loved it here.
- Breakfast service: Really good breakfast.
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes, I used this quite a bit. Don't judge me! Being able to order room service at 3 am is a dangerous perk.
- Bottle of water: The always-important bottle of water.
- Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast: All this is availble as well.
- Happy hour: Ohhhhh yeah. Happy hour. Need I say more?
Cleanliness and Safety - Let’s be honest, it matters.
- Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: I felt pretty confident that things were handled. They definitely took safety seriously, which is crucial, especially these days.
- Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: Good, just in case.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: This is an interesting (and great) feature.
- Shared stationery removed: Another great one.
Services and Conveniences - The little things that make a difference.
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: They have everything, really.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Covered as well.
Things to Do - Beyond the Blissful Pool
- CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: You can do various things outside as well.
- Airport transfer: They offer them, make your life easier.
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Good for families, they think about that.
- For the kids, CCTV in common areas: They keep the kids safe.
The Anecdotal (and Slightly Rambling) Bits
Okay, so here’s the thing. I got to the pool and just… melted. I’m not usually one for lounging, but the view, the cocktails (the mojitos were particularly dangerous!), the gentle breeze… it was pure, unadulterated vacation.
One slight hiccup: I accidentally locked myself out of my room at 2 AM. (Don't judge. Jet lag is a beast.) The staff, bless their hearts, were incredibly patient and helpful. They got me a new key, and I was back in my room in record time, which, let’s be honest, says a lot about their service.
The Verdict?
Look, I'm not going to pretend it's perfect. Nothing is
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to embark on a Cartagena adventure at the Sercotel Carlos III, and let me tell you, it's gonna be a ride. Forget pristine itineraries, this is a messy, beautiful, slightly-hungover-on-a-Tuesday account of a trip.
Day 1: Arrival (and the Great Tapas Debacle)
- Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Barcelona airport, I was so, so, SO ready! After arriving in Barcelona, I thought, "Cartagena, here I come!" Then the flight went smoothly, and I got my luggage without a hitch (miracle!) and the Taxi. The Sercotel Carlos III, it's supposed to be pretty swanky, right? Fingers crossed. Now, I got to the Hotel and and it's looks as advertised. check in was simple and I got to the suite.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Cartagena, baby! We're here, and I'm already sweating. Not just from the heat, but from the sheer, overwhelming beauty of the city. First impressions: wow. Seriously, wow. Ramblas. Seriously, the sheer number of people is amazing. It's like walking through a living, breathing painting. I'm half-expecting a flamenco dancer to leap out at any moment.
- Evening (5:00 PM - onwards): Tapas time! Oh, the tapas. I'd been dreaming of salty olives, paper-thin jamón, and tiny, delicious bites of… well, everything. Found a place with a cute name and a terrace. Picture this: a perfect evening, the sun setting over the harbor, a glass of crisp white wine in hand. Reality? We ordered, the food came…and it was… well, disappointing. The patatas bravas were soggy (a serious crime against potatoes!), the chorizo was bland, and the "special" of the day tasted suspiciously like airplane food. I was heartbroken, I tell you! Devastated! I mumbled something about "cultural differences" to my travel buddy, (she rolled her eyes) but inwardly I was plotting my revenge. Going to find a new spot.
- Late Night: After the tapas disaster, we stumbled (literally) into a bar that was a little rough around the edges. But hey, a little dive bar charm never hurt anyone. It was lively, with a mix of locals and tourists, and the beer flowed freely. I may or may not have attempted to learn a few flamenco steps from a very patient (and slightly tipsy) grandmother. Don't ask me to demonstrate.
Day 2: History, Heights, and a Whole Lotta Sunscreen
- Morning (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM): The Roman Theatre. Holy Moly. That is some seriously impressive architecture. I mean, they built that thing back then? Mind. Blown. The history here is just incredible. We walked around for ages, just gazing at the ruins, imagining what it must have been like to be there in Roman times. Honestly a history geek.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Okay, so, I have a confession: I am TERRIBLE with heights. But I figured, "When in Cartagena… climb up!" The panoramic views from the Castillo de la Concepción are breathtaking. I nearly had a panic attack at the top. Seriously, butterflies were having a rave in my stomach. But I did it! And the view! Magnificent. Completely worth the near-death experience. We took pictures. Lots of pictures.
- Evening (5:00 PM - onwards): Seafood on the waterfront! I'd learned my lesson from Day 1 (tapas trauma), so I spent hours researching restaurants. Found a place that looked promising, and thankfully, it delivered! Fresh seafood platter with grilled octopus, and the best calamari I've ever eaten. Happiness restored! Followed by a leisurely stroll along the waterfront, watching the boats bobbing in the harbor. Life. Is. Good.
Day 3: The Navy Museum, Some Serious Sunbathing, and a Slight Meltdown
- Morning (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): The Museo Naval. You know, I'm not usually a museum person, but this one was actually pretty interesting. It's amazing to see all the old ships and learn some history about the harbor.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Beach time! We found a little cove just outside of town. The day at the beach was amazing. I am a beach person, and just soaking up the sun, letting the waves lap at my feet. Pure bliss. I was also feeling a bit overwhelmed. Too much sun, too many sights… and way too many people. I kind of had to remind myself that it's okay to not do anything for a day. So, I stared at the ocean, listening to my own thoughts.
- Evening (6:00 PM - onwards): Dinner. We had another tapas. Not a disaster, but not exactly a triumph either. The food was fine, but my heart wasn't in it. That's when I really started to feel tired and burnt out. I think I want to head to Barcelona, and I am not the most social person. I decided to go back to the hotel, and watch some TV.
Day 4: Departure (and The Big "Thank You" to Cartagena)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Ugh, packing. Why is it always the worst part of any trip? Did one last sweep through the hotel room. Said goodbye to the view from my window (a beautiful memory to cherish).
- Afternoon (12:00 PM): Bye Cartagena, you wild, wonderful, confusing, beautiful, sun-drenched place. I'm leaving with a slightly sunburned nose, a heart full of memories (and maybe a few extra pounds from all the delicious food), and a renewed appreciation for the messy, unpredictable nature of travel. You were a trip. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Imperfections & Rambles:
- I forgot sunscreen on Day 1. Big mistake. Biggest mistake.
- Met a guy named Carlos who claimed to be a direct descendant of a pirate. Probably a lie, but I played along.
- Spent way too much time Googling "best tapas in Cartagena." Still not convinced I found the holy grail.
- Lost my sunglasses. Probably on the beach.
- Tried to learn some Spanish. Mostly failed. My grasp of the language consists of "hola," "gracias," and "dónde está el baño?"
- I think I would choose it again.
Quirky Observations:
- Spanish people love to take their dogs everywhere. Adorable.
- Everything smells like the sea. And I love it.
- The pigeons are relentless.
- The architecture is stunning.
- The sun is strong.
Emotional Reactions:
Cartagena, you were a rollercoaster. Frustrating at times, exhilarating at others. You were a reminder to embrace the unknown, to laugh at my mistakes, and to always, always, pack extra sunscreen. I wasn't sure I wanted to fly here, but I would not have traded it. And hey, you've got a place in my memory.
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So, is this hotel *actually* the "BEST" in Cartagena? Seriously?
Best? Okay, let's simmer down the hyperbole. (And honestly, "best" is subjective, right?) It's *definitely* got serious potential. The location? PERFECT. Smack-dab in the heart of the old city, close to everything – the castle, the restaurants, the *rum*. Walking out the front door is like stepping onto a movie set. But BEST? It depends what you're after. If you're looking for absolute, flawless, robot-level perfection, maybe keep scrolling. If you want character, charm, and a dash of "oops, that was unexpected," then... *maybe*. Let's put it this way, it really depend of your travel style.
Let's talk location. You said "perfect." Elaborate, darling.
Okay, so picture this: You've just stumbled out of a bar (possibly after one too many margaritas – speaking from experience here). You're swaying slightly, the cobblestone streets are blurry, and you *somehow* need to find your hotel. At the Carlos III? Easy peasy. It's literally steps away from *everything*. Seriously, I could practically roll out of bed and be in the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas. AND, I mean, the noise – glorious, vibrant noise! Street musicians, laughter, the rumble of horse-drawn carriages. It's part of the charm, but, and I'm just being honest, a light sleeper might want earplugs. That's not the hotel's fault; it's Cartagena's party spirit!
Rooms: Pretty or Problematic? Give me the truth!
Okay, rooms... this is where things get interesting. The decor? Beautiful. Think colonial architecture, exposed brick, some serious Instagram-worthy moments. My room… Oh, the tales it could tell! I think it might have had a balcony that faced the pool (which, by the way, isn't huge but is perfectly acceptable for a cool down), but… I wasn't always sure because I was also pretty much lost inside the hotel’s maze-like corridors. Seriously, it was like a treasure hunt every time I tried to find my way back. One day I'm pretty sure I walked into a staff meeting by accident. They just stared at me. I smiled nervously and backtracked slowly. The air conditioning worked *sometimes*. (It's Cartagena, you NEED AC!) Let's just say there were a few "heated discussions" with the lovely, but sometimes slightly overwhelmed, front desk staff. They always fixed it, eventually. It's that "old hotel" charm – it exists.
The Staff: Angels or Agents of Chaos? Spill!
Okay, here's where I have to give HUGE props. The staff are *mostly* wonderful. They're genuinely lovely, and they try *so* hard. They're patient, especially with my awful Spanish (I swear, "cerveza" escaped my lips at least a hundred times a day). There was a gal named Maria, oh, I just loved Maria! Always smiling, always willing to help. The check-in process… okay, maybe a little *long* on occasion. But hey, you're on island time! Take a deep breath and enjoy the process. I would say that they are definitely the heart and soul of this establishment.
Breakfast Buffet - Did it pass the Delicious Test?
Breakfast? Oh, breakfast! If you're a buffet person (and I am!), you'll be relatively happy. Fresh fruit, pastries, eggs cooked to order, the usual suspects. Nothing groundbreaking but definitely decent fuel for exploring. Coffee was *strong* - the kind that makes you feel like you can conquer the world (or at least the next block). And the little pastries? Okay, maybe I went back for seconds (and thirds… and…)
The Pool - Escape to Paradise or More of a Splash Zone?
The pool... Okay, the pool. It's not a massive resort-style pool, but it's perfectly adequate for a refreshing dip after a day of exploring. The water? Cool and clean. The atmosphere? Relaxed. The sun loungers? Yes, but like everything, they were a little crowded at the best times. I spent one gloriously lazy afternoon there, reading, sipping a (probably questionable) cocktail, just letting the world drift by. It was heavenly.
The one experience you wish you could erase? Or maybe one you'd relive?
Okay, I'm going to double down on this, because it's what really stuck with me. The *first* day. Arriving, jet-lagged, hot, and bothered, I waltzed into the lobby, expecting smooth sailing. Wrong. My room wasn't ready. Which is annoying, let's be honest. So, I sat in the lobby, fanning myself with a brochure featuring the hotel’s *wonderful* breakfast. Okay. Then, an hour passed. Then another, and suddenly, I'm basically a puddle of sweat and exhaustion. The front desk, bless their hearts, looked increasingly apologetic. They kept offering me water. Finally, *finally*, they had a room. It wasn't *my* room (the one I'd booked), but it was a room. I dragged myself upstairs, collapsed on the bed, and instantly fell asleep. Waking up refreshed, I realized it wasn't my *booked* room, but it was beautiful! See, it tested me, it was *rough*, but in the end? It became a story. And that's what I remember.
The Verdict: Should You Book This Hotel or Run Screaming?
Okay, after all this rambling? Here's the deal: I'd book it again. Yes, there were a few hiccups. Yes, things weren't always *perfect*. But the location is AMAZING, the staff are wonderful, and there's a certain charm, a realness, that's hard to find in more sterile, cookie-cutter hotels. If you're looking for authentic Cartagena, in all its beautifully chaotic glory, then the Sercotel Carlos III is a fantastic choice. If you're a super-demanding traveler who wants absolute perfection? Probably not. You might lose your mind. But for me? Bring on the slightly creaky floors, the occasional AC malfunction, and thePopular Hotel Find
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