Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena
Cartagena de Indias, Columbia
Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena
Calle del Torno 39-29, Cartagena de Indias, Columbia, 13000 Original Property Opened in 1621 Historic Hotels Worldwide member since 2026In 1621, prominent landowner Doña Catalina de Cabrera donated a sizeable plot of land in the heart of Cartagena for the creation of a convent. For nearly 250 years, the convent stood as a haven for the Order of the Poor Clares. As the building’s use changed over the centuries, the historic craftsmanship of the city’s landmark remained well-preserved. In 1984, the convent and surrounding area known as the Walled City of Cartagena was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena revived the historic convent in 1995, turning the stone archways and lush courtyards into a haven once more. Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena is a luxurious historic hotel with refined dining, a Sofitel SPA, and a rejuvenating tropical atmosphere. Guests to the legendary hotel can explore the perfectly preserved historical elements to enjoy a Caribbean journey like no other.
Discover
- Discover the remarkable Santa Clara Ballroom at Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena. The ballroom was once the chapel of the convent, and the structure retains the high ceilings, large wooden doors, and stone walls of the colonial era.
- Seek out the convent’s symbols woven in the historic structure. The Order of the Poor Clares chose the sun as its emblem to symbolize divine light, spiritual clarity, and devotion. The sun emblem can still be found in different parts of the historic hotel.
- Tour Cartagena de Indias, a historically significant port city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast that connected the heart of South America to African and European nations. The Walled City of Cartagena, of which the historic hotel is a part, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Walled City is filled with colonial architecture, plazas, and centuries‑old fortifications.
Explore
- Explore the tomb of the Santa Clara made famous by the book Of Love and Other Demons and protected as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The crypt was found in the 1940s during one of the excavations made in the former convent. Guests can visit the crypt upon request and hear about the legends of how the burial came to be.
- Explore Pre-Columbian art and jewelry around Cartagena. Cano Jewelry is a well-known contemporary jewelry store known for its unique interpretations of pre-Columbian artifacts. The Gold Museum Zenú in the town center displays pre‑Columbian goldwork and indigenous arts from the Caribbean coast.
- Explore the ocean around Cartagena. The nearby Caribbean beaches are known for their palm trees and white sand. Islands like Isla de Barú boast beautiful coral reefs and are accessible via a short boat ride from the city’s port.
Experience
- Experience the historic grounds and buildings of Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena on a guided tour. The complimentary 30-minute Legendary Tour is led by the hotel’s staff and takes guests into the former rooms of the covenant. Guests will hear how the hotel was used after its time as a convent and about the area’s archaeological excavations.
- Enjoy live music within the city’s historic walls. The Cartegena symphony orchestra captivates audiences with its classical repertoire, while the annual Cartagena Music Festival transforms the Walled City into a vibrant stage. Guests can also enjoy live music at the hotel’s El Coro Lounge Bar.
- Experience the literary heritage of Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena. The hotel’s Gabriel García Márquez Hall is named after the Nobel-Prize winning author who is best known for the novel One Hundred Years of Solitude. García Márquez also wrote a book titled Of Love and Other Demons. The fictional story was inspired by his trip to the former convent of the Poor Clares in 1949. During that trip, García Márquez was invited to view the newly excavated crypt of Santa Clara, the same burial that is now preserved in the historic hotel.
Taste
- Try rum, chocolate, and coffee tastings organized by the hotel’s culinary team. The curated tastings give guests a chance to learn about Colombia’s local flavors, agricultural landscapes, and artisanal traditions.
- Taste cocktails inspired by the history of the area. The hotel’s bar, Botika Santa Clara Bar, takes inspiration from the heritage of herbalism. Herbalists, including those in the convent, would discover masterful formulas with healing properties from combining local plants and minerals. Guests can also try a signature rum cocktail called the “Mariamulata” that is named after a local nickname for a bird more commonly known as the Great-tailed Grackle.
- Join immersive cooking classes at Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena. The lively courses highlight Caribbean cuisine and teach the art of fine gastronomy.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
Featured Offer
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotelsWorldwide.com and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States, a member of the International National Trusts Organisation.
