Pros

  • Budget-friendly hotel centrally located in Bocagrande
  • Simple, clean rooms with modern amenities
  • Within walking distance of shops, bars, restaurants, and the beach
  • 10-minute drive from Cartagena’s historic walled city
  • Free daily breakfast and free Wi-Fi
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Cons

  • Bathrooms are tiny and hot water can be iffy (common in Cartagena)
  • Most staff members do not speak English (though many try their best)
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Bottom Line

Travelers looking for a low-key, budget hotel in Bocagrande needn’t look further than Hotel San Martin Cartagena. The 40-room property is situated in the middle of Bocagrande, within walking distance of shops, restaurants, bars, and the beach, and is a 10-minute cab ride from Cartagena’s historic walled city. Rooms are sparse and bathrooms are small, but all the necessities — TV, AC, and free Wi-Fi — are present. Plus, the hotel serves free daily breakfast on its charming front patio. Those who would prefer to stay within the walled city should check rates at Centro Hotel, a similar, though more historic property. 

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet
  • Kids Club

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel San Martin

Scene

A budget-friendly hotel that attracts all kinds of travelers 

In a town filled with massive white skyscrapers, the yellow two-story Hotel San Martin Cartagena looks downright charming. With a Spanish-tile roof and large windows, the hotel looks like it would fit right in amongst the walled city’s historic buildings. Inside, the charming lobby feels homey yet subtly elegant. It makes a grand first impression, especially for a budget hotel. Rattan furniture is arranged in a cozy seating area, while bright local artwork livens up the white walls. The majority of guests here are Colombians, but there’s a fair share of Canadians and Americans as well. Though most staff members do not speak English, many do their best to communicate with non-Spanish speaking guests. Travelers who are nervous about a language barrier shouldn’t be hesitant to stay here. Hotel San Martin Cartagena is suitable for all kinds of travelers, including families, businesspeople, solo backpackers, and couples.  

See More Scene

Location

In Bocagrande, within walking distance of shops, bars, restaurants, and the beach 

Hotel San Martin Cartagena is located in Bocagrande, Cartagena’s Miami-like neighborhood with lively beaches and a vibrant nightlife scene. The hotel is located on Avenida San Martin (surprise, surprise), one block from the beach and within walking distance of multiple shops, restaurants, bars, malls, and casinos. Hotel San Martin is about a 10-minute drive from Cartagena’s historic walled city, and about a 20-minute drive from Rafael Nunez International Airport.  

See More Location

Rooms

Small, simple, and clean, with a few nice amenities 

Rooms at Hotel San Martin Cartagena are small and simple. They feature modern, if bland decor but are clean and neatly kept. White walls and white tile floors create a crisp palette for dark clapboard furniture. Beds are dressed in white sheets and blue patterned bed runners, and are arranged as two twins or one double. Framed artwork depicts scenes from Cartagena’s old city, and adds a hint of local flavor to the rooms. 

Amenities include a desk and chair set, a minibar, and a basket of oft-forgotten travel essentials like toothbrushes and dental floss — but the latter two incur extra fees. Rooms are also equipped with flat-screen TVs, electronic safes, and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are tight, but have sleek granite countertops and glass enclosed showers. Some guests complain that hot water can be iffy, while others swear by the water temperature and pressure. Hot water is still considered a luxury in Cartagena — a city that regularly sees temperatures rise over 90 degrees Farenheit — and most budget hotels do not have any.   

See More Rooms

Features

Free continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi 

Hotel San Martin is really just a place to sleep. There aren’t any communal amenities, like a pool, spa, or fitness center, and there’s no on-site restaurant. The hotel does serve a free continental breakfast each morning, which many guests choose to enjoy on the hotel’s pleasant outdoor patio. Hotel San Martin has free Wi-Fi that works well across the property.  

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel San Martin

Scene

A budget-friendly hotel that attracts all kinds of travelers 

In a town filled with massive white skyscrapers, the yellow two-story Hotel San Martin Cartagena looks downright charming. With a Spanish-tile roof and large windows, the hotel looks like it would fit right in amongst the walled city’s historic buildings. Inside, the charming lobby feels homey yet subtly elegant. It makes a grand first impression, especially for a budget hotel. Rattan furniture is arranged in a cozy seating area, while bright local artwork livens up the white walls. The majority of guests here are Colombians, but there’s a fair share of Canadians and Americans as well. Though most staff members do not speak English, many do their best to communicate with non-Spanish speaking guests. Travelers who are nervous about a language barrier shouldn’t be hesitant to stay here. Hotel San Martin Cartagena is suitable for all kinds of travelers, including families, businesspeople, solo backpackers, and couples.  

See More Scene

Location

In Bocagrande, within walking distance of shops, bars, restaurants, and the beach 

Hotel San Martin Cartagena is located in Bocagrande, Cartagena’s Miami-like neighborhood with lively beaches and a vibrant nightlife scene. The hotel is located on Avenida San Martin (surprise, surprise), one block from the beach and within walking distance of multiple shops, restaurants, bars, malls, and casinos. Hotel San Martin is about a 10-minute drive from Cartagena’s historic walled city, and about a 20-minute drive from Rafael Nunez International Airport.  

See More Location

Rooms

Small, simple, and clean, with a few nice amenities 

Rooms at Hotel San Martin Cartagena are small and simple. They feature modern, if bland decor but are clean and neatly kept. White walls and white tile floors create a crisp palette for dark clapboard furniture. Beds are dressed in white sheets and blue patterned bed runners, and are arranged as two twins or one double. Framed artwork depicts scenes from Cartagena’s old city, and adds a hint of local flavor to the rooms. 

Amenities include a desk and chair set, a minibar, and a basket of oft-forgotten travel essentials like toothbrushes and dental floss — but the latter two incur extra fees. Rooms are also equipped with flat-screen TVs, electronic safes, and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are tight, but have sleek granite countertops and glass enclosed showers. Some guests complain that hot water can be iffy, while others swear by the water temperature and pressure. Hot water is still considered a luxury in Cartagena — a city that regularly sees temperatures rise over 90 degrees Farenheit — and most budget hotels do not have any.   

See More Rooms

Features

Free continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi 

Hotel San Martin is really just a place to sleep. There aren’t any communal amenities, like a pool, spa, or fitness center, and there’s no on-site restaurant. The hotel does serve a free continental breakfast each morning, which many guests choose to enjoy on the hotel’s pleasant outdoor patio. Hotel San Martin has free Wi-Fi that works well across the property.  

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Kids Club

  • Laundry

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Room Service

  • Supervised Kids Activities

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.