Sofitel Cartagena Santa Clarais
Founded in 1533, Cartagena de Indias, is today Colombia';s main travel destination. Its walls that once served as the city’s defense, now harmonize with colonial balconies and republican structures reminiscent of the splendors of its past. In recognition of its vast cultural wealth and architecture UNESCO declared Cartagena’s walled city and fortresses World Heritage Site in 1984.
Originally built as a convent in 1621, the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena is a legendary landmark in the heart of Cartagena';s walled city. Transformed into a luxury hotel in 1995, the Sofitel Santa Clara, unique in style, combines the allure of history with local hospitality and the art of French savoir-faire. Mixing Colonial and Republican-style architecture with modern comfort, the hotel features gourmet cuisine, exceptional service, a world-class spa, meeting facilities and state of the art technology for events, conventions and weddings.
After more than a decade in service, the hotel has been recognized as “Best Hotel in Colombia” in Travel + Leisure';s Spanish edition. Since then, its high standards of excellence have gained national and international recognition. In 2009, the hotel is pleased to be included in Condé Nast Traveler prestigious Gold List for the first time and a proud member of Virtuoso';s exclusive travel network.
A Legendary Hotel Following her death in 1607, Doña Catalina de Cabrera, a leading philanthropist in Cartagena, left an endowment of 2.500 pesos together with a modest terrain within the ancient orchards in Jayüeyes for the founding of a Clarist Convent. Fourteen years later in 1621, her wishes became a reality when the Spanish sisters of the Order of Saint Clair settled into the completed building that would become the Convent of Santa Clara.
During 240 years, the Santa Clara Convent served as a monastery, it was both witness and victim to invasions and sieges; protagonist to scandals such as the Cessatio a Divinis; the epicenter of natural disasters and the origin of many, many legends.
After 1861 when a government order forced the nuns to abandon it, the ancient Clarist cloister became host to a range of other institutions such as a penitentiary, a charity hospital and a school of medicine among others. A series of reforms throughout the nineteenth century gave the cloister a new look for the most part after the construction of the Republican wards. The Sofitel Santa Clara opened its doors on October 15, 1995 on the occasion of the Non-Aligned Countries Summit.
Rooms& Suites The hotel boasts 123 beautiful guestrooms, 19 of which are suites. Distributed along a Colonial and Republican wing, the stylist guestrooms overlook the Old Town, the Caribbean Sea as well as the hotel';s poolside and interior courtyards. Tastefully decorated in contemporary or authentic colonial style, guestrooms offer comfortable, versatile spaces and feature the Sofitel MyBed concept for a calm and peaceful sleep guaranteed.
Designed to transform body and soul, LeSpa at the Sofitel Santa Clara is an open invitation to wellness. An exclusive 800 square meters facility with fully equipped cabins and professionally trained staff at your service. Whether solo, as a couple or with your friends, select from an array of facials, deluxe treatments, rituals or special packages all year round.
Indulge in SoSpa services: 800 square meters One duo cabin Two VIP suites 5 luxury treatment rooms Manicure and pedicure stations Relaxation area Hammam Solarium Fitness center Individual tea service.
Sofitel Cartagena Santa Clarais a member of exclusive Virtuoso travel network. Book online or contact our Virtuoso Travel Advisor [email protected] for more details.
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