Allure Canela

Walking into the lobby at San Lazaro Art Lifestyle Hotel feels like a breath of fresh air. In a city with a lot of colonial architecture and decor, it’s refreshing to see some midcentury modern vibes. San Lazaro’s sleek reception space is filled with exposed-bulb pendant lights, angular, low-lying furniture, and colorful local artwork. A two-tone black and white area rug pulls the room together, while adding visual interest to the floor area. The front desk is a mixed media space, with a butcher block counter and bronze accents. San Lazaro attracts all types of guests, from American couples, to Brazilian families with children, to Colombian business travelers. Most staff members speak at least a little bit of English, so travelers who don't speak Spanish shouldn’t be hesitant about the language barrier.  

Situated across the street from Castillo San Felipe, San Lazaro Art Lifestyle Hotel is located in an up-and-coming neighborhood about a five-minute drive (or 20-minute walk) from Cartagena’s historic walled city. The problem is, the neighborhood hasn’t quite up and come just yet, so some travelers may find the immediate area a bit sketchy. The hotel is the first of its kind in the neighborhood, but San Lazaro management suspects the area will soon become the next Getsamani — Cartagena’s trendy, Brooklyn-esque neighborhood that was previously riddled with drugs, crime, and prostitution. Not to say the neighborhood around San Lazaro is unsafe, it just doesn’t have the same tourist-friendly vibe as the walled city. The hotel provides excellent 24-hour security, which includes armed guards at its entrance (probably overkill, but many guests find their presence reassuring). The hotel is about a 20-minute drive from either Rafael Nunez International Airport or Bocagrande — Cartagena’s popular nightlife and shopping district.  

Rooms at San Lazaro feature the same crisp, modern decor as the hotel’s common spaces. Light gray walls are complemented by white bedding and neutral furniture. Natural grain wood desks bring warmth and texture, while paisley pillows offer a bit of whimsy. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows let in tons of natural light, and some overlook the gorgeous Castillo San Felipe. Unlike many hotel rooms in the old city, rooms at San Lazaro are large and incredibly spacious. Rooms are equipped with nice amenities, like iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, and well-stocked minibars (items are for a fee). Bathrooms are also quite large, and feature gorgeous marble work, massive walk-in showers, and lots of counter space. However, all bathrooms lack bathtubs. There are essentially two room types at San Lazaro, standard rooms and suites. Standard rooms are split into different categories depending on their view and what type of bed(s) they have. Junior suites and suites are larger than their standard counterparts, and have spectacular views of the castle; the Fortaleza Sutie has a terrace.  

San Lazaro has an on-site restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is free for all guests, and includes a wonderful assortment of pastries, fruit, cereals, and freshly made arepas, empanadas, and "pandebono." Guests can also order hot items like eggs and omelets. Lunch and dinner are served a la carte either in the restaurant or outside on the deck. The gorgeous restaurant features an incredible glass wall that provides stunning views of Castillo San Felipe. The restaurant is especially nice at night, when the castle is lit up after dark. Adjacent to the restaurant is the pool deck, which also overlooks the castle. The pool is a bit small, considering the size of the hotel, but it’s rarely crowded. Lounge chairs and towels are set up around the pool for guests to use at their convenience. San Lazaro also has its own 100-seat auditorium. An atypical amenity, sure, but the auditorium is often booked for local events and large-scale functions. While there is no fitness center or spa at San Lazaro, guests can book private massages in their rooms. A massage therapist is usually on call at the hotel throughout the week, but advanced bookings are recommended. Along with free daily breakfast, the hotel offers free Wi-Fi to all guests. The Wi-Fi works across the property, but the strongest signals are in the guest rooms.