About
AMARLA BOUTIQUE HOTEL, CARTAGENA
One of the finest
Hotels in Cartagena Walled City
This is the story of how Amarla Boutique Hotel came to be one of the finest hotels in Cartagena walled city. It started years ago, on a visit to Cartagena. The enchanting mix of Caribbean history, traditional Spanish architecture and vibrant colours found within the Cartagena walled city were captivating. The quaint streets and bustling neighbourhoods felt like home. The converted merchant houses and family villas of old, told stories of a past that intrigued and lingered in our minds. And so our search began.
From the moment we stepped through the doors of this beautiful colonial house, we knew we had found AMARLA. It was like walking into a bygone era. It was constructed in an era when Spanish merchants built large stately properties in faraway colonial lands. The building tells a story of centuries of change, turmoil and triumph. The craftsmanship that has gone into its making is no longer seen. We named it ‘AMARLA’, the Spanish word meaning ‘to love’. It summed up our feelings and expresses our desire to become one of the best hotels in Cartagena walled city. A home from home for travellers from around the world.
From the moment you step though the doors you will be welcomed into our beautiful colonial home. Our service is warm and personable. Throughout your stay your host will be on hand to make sure you have everything you need. We look forward to welcoming you and hearing your story soon.
‘It was such a wonderful hotel. We added an extra night because we did not want to leave. The hotel is so beautiful and perfectly decorated. Although the decor is stunning the staff is what made it feel so special.’
‘The hotel is absolutely beautiful and authentic. Nothing commercial about it – it’s stunning inside and out. The staff was amazing. They made us feel so comfortable and could not have been more hospitable. I cannot recommend this place enough!’
The People Behind Amarla Boutique Hotel in Cartagena
You are in the capable, caring hands of a small group of devoted individuals who work in Amarla Boutique Hotel in Cartagena. Each staff member has a unique passion for Amarla playing a vital role in making our home yours.
One of the finest
Hotels in Cartagena Old City
Amarla Boutique Hotel is one of the finest hotels in Cartagena Old City. Often referred to as the walled city, Cartagena Old City is a vibrant, magical place, where rich architectural history, great shopping and lively outdoor cafes collide in perfect synergy. The world class restaurants, authentic street stands and vibrant nightlife make this city one of the most popular places to visit whilst traveling in Columbia.
As you wonder the cobbled stone streets, you will notice the flower filled balconies that jut out of the colourful old merchant homes. Known as “case altas” or two-story houses, these historic homes line the narrow streets creating the most vibrant and seductive backdrop. The ancient defensive walls of up to 20 m thick and 11km long, surrounded the entire city and give this UNESCO heritage site its name. Built to protect the city from pirates, the once dreaded dungeons have since been transformed into a row of artisan shops and a colourful craft market.
With its beautiful buildings, elegant colonial architecture, rich history and lovely people, the walled city is an idyllic place to wonder about and get lost in. The Walled City is the home to the prestigious University of Cartagena and several other schools and government offices. During the day, the bustling streets are filled with with locals students and workers and venders selling anything from fruit to artisan crafts. At night, the streets come alive as the bars and restaurants fill up and the street performers take to the streets, serenading you as you as you dine on the breezy plazas. Horse drawn carriages are also a typical sight on the streets of the old city of Cartagena, evoking colonial nostalgia of a bygone era.
The History of Cartagena Walled City
After almost five centuries of colonial heritage, the History of Cartagena Walled City seems to permeate with every step you take. This is one of the most storied and beautiful cities in Latin America. It was founded in 1533 by Don Pedro de Heredia on the site of the ancient Carib settlement of Calamari. The city’s full name, Cartagena de Indias, is a constant reminder that the Spaniards believed they had sailed not to America, but to the Far East.
Less than 20 years after the Spanish settlers’ arrival came the first of Cartagena’s many tragedies. Along with the city’s wealth, these create the dramatic history of this jewel of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. In 1552 fire destroyed much of the already prosperous town.
Cartagena recovered quickly. Shortly after the port became the temporary repository for much of the treasure that was taken from the indigenous people. The warehouses soon filled with gems and gold. As they sat awaiting shipment to Spain the city quickly because a target for pirates. Perhaps the best-known of these was Sir Francis Drake. Known as ‘El Draque’ or ‘The Dragon’, he is still detested in this part of the world. In 1586 he destroyed Cartagena’s port. Returning to England with 10 million pesos, which was his reward for not turning his cannons on the town. His was just one of many similar attacks. In response the Spanish built forts and the walls that surround the city today.
Wealth and Independence
In 1650 they opened the Canal del Dique linking Cartagena to the ports of the Rio Magdalena. This created more wealth for the city. Its growing prosperity attracted Spaniards, Jews, Turks, Syrians, Italians and Lebanese amongst others. Many of their descendants still own businesses they started. Ensuring that the Cartagena of today remains a vibrant cosmopolitan melting pot of nationalities.
Cartagena had grown to be the most important bastion of the Spanish empire by the end of the 18th century. It wasn’t to last. In 1810 the city became one of the centers of the national liberation movement. It declared independence from Spain. Five years later Spanish forces reconquered the city after a brutal four-month siege. Around 6000 residents died, but the freedom struggle continued.
The city was finally liberated in 1821, two years after Colombia’s capital, Bogotá. The local militia joined forces with national hero, Simón Bolívar. In response he gave the city its nickname, ‘La Heroica.’ No longer a part of the Spanish empire, one of the key reasons for Cartagena’s wealth disappeared. Treasures looted from the Americas ceased flowing through the port on their way to Europe. A period of slow decline followed. Cartagena was hit by a cholera epidemic in 1849, which killed around a third of its 18,000 inhabitants. The authorities of the time attempted to help by firing cannons over the city to ‘purify the air’.
Inspiring and unforgettable
The tragedy undoubtedly helped inspire Nobel Prize-winning author Gabriel García Márquez, to write the novel ‘Love in the Time of Cholera’. Although the novel is set in an unnamed city, decades after the epidemic, many of the descriptions are locally drawn. It’s not surprising. His writing career began in Cartagena where he spent a year as a penniless student. Later, his parents and family moved to the city. Although no longer resident, he remained a frequent long-term visitor. The family still own the house where he used to stay in the Old Town.
Wandering through the cobbled streets it’s not hard to feel the origins of his novels’ famous magic realism. The bougainvillea, bright facades and mysterious interiors seem drawn from dreams. Equally, the cobbled passageways, shops, bars and restaurants are still filled with the sort of characters who jump from the pages of his books.
For much of Márquez’ time Cartagena was in decline, quiet if not quite forgotten. That turned out to be fortunate. The city was spared the ravages of violence and modernization. It’s now the most crazy, colorful, noisy, vibrant, beautiful, steamy, ever-changing, thrilling, historic and unforgettable destination we enjoy today.
Perhaps the best way to discover Cartagena is to wander the city streets.
Here are just a handful of the best-known spots around the Old Town.
Las Murallas. These formidable walls which stretch for 2.5 miles (4km) are what made Cartagena the center of Spain’s Latin American empire. Constructed in the late 16th century. In 1741 they were attacked by over 186 British warships. This was the largest battle fleet attack on recorded until World War 2.
Today the city still bears the scars. Most notably in the Iglesia Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo. The damage from a British cannonball marks the west wall of the church. Las Murallas attracts visitors and locals, who typically come to stroll along side the wall catching the breeze from the sea as the sun sets. Should you want to know about the walls’ construction check out the Museo de las Fortificaciones at Baluarte de Santa Catalina.
El Torre del Reloj clocktower is to Cartagena what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris or the Empire State to New York. It forms part of the original fortified city gate, built over a drawbridge in 1601. The gate didn’t always have a clock. The pendulum clock was added in 1874. In 1937, it was replaced by a Swiss timepiece.
Plaza de los Coches. This former slave market, is now a vibrant triangular plaza flanked by balconied colonial homes. Leading off it is El Portal de los Dulces which, as its Spanish name suggests, is the place to buy local sweets and candies.
Plaza de la Aduana. Originally used a military parade ground, today the plaza is the largest square in the Walled City of Cartagena. The Royal Customs House, from which the plaza takes its name, is now the City Hall.