Four Seasons Cartagena: our visit to the opening | TEMPO Colombia

Following our recent visit to the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena, the Tempo Colombia team shares its impressions. This long-anticipated opening further affirms Cartagena’s place — and, more broadly, Colombia’s — as a destination of note within the high-end travel landscape.

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One hotel, two expressions: contemporary, design-led and lifestyle, or historical, colonial and classic

The Four Seasons Cartagena is built on a clear idea: to bring heritage and modernity into conversation. The restoration of the Monasterio de San Francisco (17th century) and the Club Cartagena brings together a collection of 131 rooms, including 27 with a distinctly colonial character — Colonial Rooms (from 36 m²), Grand Premier (up to 57 m²), Studio Suites (67 m²), and the two-bedroom Presidential Suite Catroux (295 m²). Original volumes are preserved, furnishings are bespoke, and the artisanal imprint is tangible. A proposition that speaks to those drawn to history, discretion, and a more classical expression of luxury.

These rooms occupy the former cells of Franciscan monks, which have been entirely reimagined with restraint, preserving high ceilings and Arab-Andalusian architectural references.

In contrast, the contemporary wing (104 rooms and suites) follows a different language: clean lines, open spaces, a confident design identity. François Catroux’s vision — balanced between Spanish heritage and modernity — is reflected in a selection of contemporary Colombian artists, including Alejandro Hernández, Rafael Dussan, Eloin Rivera, Miguel Cárdenas, and Poli Mallarino. Within this duality, traveller profiles and expectations naturally fall into place.

A clearly defined culinary identity

With eight dining venues, the hotel stands as a destination in its own right. Bar Lelarge and The Grand Grill, developed by Major Food Group, offer two complementary experiences: precise, thoughtful mixology in an intimate setting on one side; product-led cuisine — meats and fish — on the other. Each space follows the rhythm of the day: lunch in soft natural light, dinner in a more subdued atmosphere, a cocktail on the rooftop at sunset. Throughout, the same attention to detail, the same quiet, understated elegance.

A rooftop that is truly one of a kind

The two rooftop pools and El Palmar open onto sweeping 360° views over the historic centre, its bell towers, and the Caribbean beyond. In Cartagena, few places offer this vantage point. Beyond its visual appeal, it becomes a defining part of the experience, particularly for a leisure-oriented, high-end clientele.

As a DMC based in Cartagena, TEMPO Colombia has direct access to the property and would be pleased to share further details or assist in shaping your itineraries. We are a travel agency based in Cartagena de Indias, operating throughout the country.

Visiting Cartagena with TEMPO Colombia

Through our network and our close knowledge of the terrain, we design journeys guided by the beauty and the truth of Colombia — exploring what matters, and approaching it differently. We believe our value lies in this ability to shift perspectives: to listen, to open doors, to create encounters with insiders beyond conventional routes, to secure the best rooms within the reserved category, and to accompany each step through a 24/7 concierge service and a digital travel journal.

Get in touch with us at hola@tempocolombia.travel to design your stay at the Four Seasons Cartagena or a tailor-made itinerary in Colombia.