Sofitel Legend Santa Clara

Colombia

Rooms

124

Floors

Pools

Restaurants

Location

in-town

key features

Luxury Choice

Great Pool

Delicious Food

Excellent Location

The modern-day comforts and amenities of the 5-star luxury Sofitel brand, but set in a historic convent in Cartagena’s colonial walled city. The place to be in Cartagena, it’s one of the city’s most popular hotels.

Why we like it for families

FAMILY-FRIENDLY LUXURY. As parents, we sometimes wonder whether our kids will be welcome at high-end hotels. Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena is a five-star hotel with incredible style and character and luxury-level service and amenities. But there is no question that it welcomes families with open arms, offering childcare, kids’ menus at all the restaurants, and a large pool with a fantastic shallow end. If you prefer the familiarity of an international brand over a small, boutique hotel, this is the property for you.
THE POOL. Many families choose to stay outside the walled city in the Bocagrande neighborhood when visiting Cartagena with kids to have pool and beach access. We strongly recommend staying in the old town, and the Sofitel Santa Clara offers an urban oasis. The courtyard pool is inviting enough that you could spend a whole day there with your kids, but you also have the vibrant walled city at your fingertips. In some ways, it’s the perfect blend of a city hotel and a tropical resort.
THE FOOD. Restaurant 1621, set in the Santa Clara’s 400-year old dining room, is one of the best gourmet dining options in the city. But a stay at the Sofitel Santa Clara also comes with easily accessible dining options for kids, including kids’ menus by the pool and room service.
CHILDCARE. Cartagena has a lot to offer families, with its bright colors, live music, and horse-drawn carriages. But it has a lot to offer adults too, and parents will enjoy having the option to get some time away. The Sofitel Legend Santa Clara will help to arrange babysitting to make that happen.

Tour of Amenities

General

Rooms

For Kids

Activities

Getting to Sofitel Legend Santa Clara takes 14 minutes from the Rafael Nuñez International Airport.
There are only five properties in the Sofitel Legends Collection, and one of them is in Cartagena. This special collection includes historic properties that have been updated with the amenities of the modern Sofitel brand. In the brand’s owns words, a place where “past meets present.” Past absolutely meets present at the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, a former convent, now widely regarded as one of Colombia’s most luxurious hotels.
The historic design, infused with fine French art and 17^th century accents, will take you back in time. But you will get the best-of-the-best modern comforts here, as the hotel was fully renovated in 2018 to make the rooms more contemporary without losing the hotel’s historic charm.
The hotel has 124 guestrooms, including 15 suites, each unique, all located in the building surrounding the courtyard and pool. In the rooms you’ll find crips white linens and pearl touches. Because of the Santa Clara’s location near the edge of the walled city, many rooms offers views of the stunning hotel and also the Caribbean Sea beyond.
What used to be the convent’s orchard is now the largest pool in Cartagena’s walled city. Sun loungers and patio umbrellas surround the pool where guests can relax and unwind, taking a break from the Cartagena heat.
Sofitel Legend Santa Clara has five restaurants and bars (plus, you’re only steps from the dining options in the walled city.) Jardin Santa Clara, in the courtyard, has a wide selection of Mediterranean and Caribbean cuisine, plus burgers and pizzas that will keep the kids satisfied. It also offers a poolside BBQ on the weekends. For a fine dining option, the elegant 1621 Restaurant sits in the property’s 400-year-old dining room, serving French cuisine. For cocktails, do not miss the rooftop bar with sweeping views, Botika Santa Clara (a great place to unwind after the kids go to bed). Or stop by El Coro Lounge Bar downstairs for a mojito and live music. Finally, the Pool Bar is open all day for poolside cocktails and light fare, such as ceviche, salads, sandwiches, and grilled chicken or fish for the kids. Room Service is available around the clock, and includes the kids’ menu as well.
Childcare can be arranged through the hotel in advance, a great perk for parents. Use the babysitting option to go explore Cartagena, or to take advantage of the hotel’s many unique experiences. From a top-notch spa and fitness center to yoga classes to various tastings (coffee, wine, chocolate, rum), you’ll never be bored. You can even splurge on an extravagant 6-course lobster menu served at tables that are actually in the pool.

Best Rooms for Families

The hotel has 11 categories of rooms, ranging from Classic Room to Presidential Suite, but these ones have the best room configurations for families.

These rooms start at $535 (Junior One-Bedroom Suite) and $1000 (larger suites)

Large Room for Families at Sofitel Legend

Republican Junior Suite (One-Bedroom Suite)

Best for families of 3-4
Master Bedroom with king-size bed
Separate living room with sofabed
Private balcony with sea view (located on 5th floor)
Standard bathroom with shower

View on Hotel Website

Deluxe Room (Adjoining Rooms)

Best booked as adjoining rooms
Standard king room with small sitting area
Balcony with ocean views

View on Hotel Website

Suite Legend (Junior Suite)

Best for families of 3-4
One bedroom with king-sized bed
Sofabed in same room as king bed, no separation
Spacious living area with couch, chairs, and dining table
Luxurious floor-to-ceiling windows
Large and full bathroom(with space for crib)
Freestanding bathtub

View on Hotel Website

Amaral Suite

Best for families of 3-5
Master bedroom with king-sized bed and sofa bed
Spacious living room and a dining area
Large and full bathroom with space for crib
Deck with private Jacuzzi
Pergola with a large social area with its own bathroom and shower.

View on Hotel Website

Presidential Suite Botero

Best for families of 3-5
Master bedroom with king-sized bed and sofa
Spacious living room with 2 sofa beds
Kitchenette and dining area
Large and full bathroom with space for crib
Deck with private Jacuzzi
Pergola with a large social area with its own bathroom and shower.

View on Hotel Website

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Location and Activities

Sofitel Legend Santa Clara is 14minutes away from the Rafael Nuñez International Airport – CTG Colombia.

Looking for other Cartagena resources? First, check out Mango Tree’s post about why it’s a brilliant idea to go to Cartagena with kids.

You can also check out these great resources for activity suggestions from other family travelers.

The Traveling Child – Five Days in Cartagena

Cartagena, Colombia with Kids

One question we get frequently is whether Cartagena is safe with kids. Yes! But to put your mind at ease, check out this guide to safe traveling in Cartagena highlighting the safest neighborhoods, places to be extra vigilant, and tips for staying safe.

Traveler Reviews

Absolutely Loved This Hotel My husband and I with our 2 kids stayed for 3 nights. We had switched from another hotel as when I fell upon this walking around in the old city I had to stay here. It’s in a great location in the middle of the old city with walking distance to a ton of restaurants and shop. Unfortunately it was only a 3 night stay. Pool area is so beautiful and very relaxing; also Service by the pool was fantastic. Those guys work hard to please! We had 2 rooms next to each other and they were clean and a nice balcony over looking pool area. Would love to come back here again

 5/5

Reviewed by Leslie M, April 2018, via TripAdvisor

Perfection!!!! This is simply the best hotel in Cartagena. It is a perfect little oasis in the middle of the walled city. The food is excellent, the service outstanding, and the amenities and location unbeatable. I have literally already booked a return visit for later this year – it is truly a one of a kind property with very warm and welcoming staff. We were pleased with the great service a breakfast (get that added to your room – well worth it) and fully enjoyed the pool bar and lunch services with Oscar, Patricia, and Yimi who made everything perfect day by day. I would recommend this for couples, friends, and perhaps families with small kids or older teenagers – there isn’t much to do for the 3yr-14yr old set other than the pool. Thanks for a terrific 4 night vacation!

 5/5

Reviewed by Ayanna C, February 2022, via TripAdvisor

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Other Hotels and Resources

Cartagena has so many delightful boutique hotels to offer, tucked down winding city streets. If this hotel is not the one for you—or is sold out—be sure to check out our other family-friendly favorites.

For a luxury boutique hotel that’s the complete package—a central location, delicious food, lush beds, and an inviting courtyard pool—book Casa San Agustin.

For a rooftop pool your kids will love, and one of the best breakfasts in Cartagena, stay at Bastion Luxury Hotel.

For a chic but cozy guesthouse with spacious family suites, consider Casa Claver Loft Boutique Hotel.

For an off-beat homebase in a hip neighborhood, take a stroll to Hotel Capellan de Getsemani.

And, if you want to escape the city for some time at the beach, you can do so in a treetop or waterfront bungalow at Hotel Las Islas on Isla Baru.

Sofitel Legend Santa Clara

Rooms

Floors

Pools

Restaurants

Location

key features

Luxury Choice

Great Pool

Delicious Food

Excellent Location

Why we like it for families

Tour of Amenities

General

Rooms

For Kids

Activities

Best Rooms for Families

Is this the one for you?

Let’s get you there.

Location and Activities

Traveler Reviews

Other Hotels and Resources

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