Best hotels in Colombia

Nestled within Cartagena's ancient, cobblestoned walled city, the Casa San Augustin is a boutique hotel with a fascinating history. Every space celebrates the original design, like the wooden beamed ceilings or the library's glorious frescoes. The hotel is actually three houses in one, connected by a 17th-century aqueduct (complete with original stone gargoyles), which stands grandly above the central pool. And if you're left wondering what that lovely aroma is, it's Casa San Augustin's exclusive perfume, which is sprayed in every room. When you're ready to do some exploring, hop on one of the waiting bicycles and take a meandering ride through the city's quaint streets.

Nestled in the heart of Medellín, this chic boutique hotel offers a seamless blend of modern luxury and Colombian flair. Boasting a rooftop pool with breathtaking cityscape vistas, an acclaimed restaurant helmed by a celebrity chef, and stylish, contemporary rooms, this haven is perfect for both relaxation and indulgence. The hotel’s prime location in the vibrant El Poblado district makes it an ideal base for exploring the city’s cultural hotspots and nightlife, ensuring an unforgettable stay in the City of Eternal Spring.

Set in a rather unassuming building in Bogota's well-heeled Zona Rosa, this iteration of the Four Seasons is set apart by its size and sensibilities. However, there's nothing unexpected about its outstanding quality of service. The staff are very happy to recommend the must-see spots in Bogota, including the Zona Rosa's eateries and glamorous bars - although, you'll definitely want to spend an evening or two at the in-house restaurant, helmed by one of the most prominent chefs in Colombia. The rooms are swish and sophisticated suites complete with high-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and light-filled living rooms.

Completely immersed in the wild world of La Serrania de la Macarena, where monkeys chatter and birds fill the air with song, La Manigua is an eco-lodge through and through. Built sustainably with local materials, the entire lodge is solar-powered and a mere 10-minute boat ride away is the Cano Cristales Nature Reserve, where its namesake river runs in shades of red, yellow and green (the very photogenic result of an aquatic plant). There's plenty to do while you're here too, including epic hikes and horseback rides through the forest. The team is wonderfully attentive and will have you quickly feeling like family.

Having inspired the makers of Disney's Encanto, Barichara is a magical little spot hidden deep in the Colombian Andes where charming streets lined with terracotta-topped buildings take visitors on a journey through time. Partially built in the 1800s, Casa Yahri sits on a series of terraces overlooking the town and the acres of lush forest and mountains beyond. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual, and with just four rooms, it's wonderfully intimate. Spend all day meandering through the town or hiking into the scenic surrounds, then return for a dip in the huge swimming pool.

A 30-minute speedboat ride away from the shores of Cartagena, Blue Apple Beach is equal parts a Mediterranean beach club and a boutique hotel. Occupying a prime seaside location on the southern end of Tierra Bomba Island, it's an idyllic, sun-kissed escape from the city's hustle and bustle - and one that also has a passion for the environment. The hotel is 100% solar-powered and all ingredients used in the restaurant are ethically-sourced. Inside, the beach cabana rooms are bohemian and breezy, each with its own plunge pool, perfect for relaxing beside after a day of exploring the island. The service is exceptional and harnesses a real sense of community.

On the northern coast of Colombia, there's a secret, serene corner where the river meets the ocean and it's right here that you'll find the Villa Playa Tayrona. Just five minutes away from the entrance to Tayrona National Park, the seaside escape has the best of all worlds. We're talking a private stretch of Caribbean shore, epic hikes into the forest and river adventures — and much more! This is the kind of place where you can be as active or idle as you like, the latter of which takes the form of a hammock swaying gently beneath the palms.

Down streets lined with white-washed buildings and draped in bougainvillea, you'll find Casa Terra. Built in a traditional Spanish style, the casa enjoys views of cactus- and flower-filled gardens and the surrounding grassy hills. The rooms are authentic and stylish, filled with beautifully-patterned fabrics and Colombian artwork. There are bicycles ready and waiting for explorations throughout the town of Villa de Leyva, whether you fancy eyeballing intricate churches in the largest downtown plaza in Colombia, or exploring one of the many museums. This is the kind of place where time slows to a gentle pace and it's worth taking the time to really soak up the atmosphere.

Separated from the real world by acres of luscious rainforest, Morromico Lodge is the seaside hideaway you've been dreaming of. To reach it, you'll zoom up Colombia's Pacific Coast in a speedboat and find yourself in a world that few humans ever enter. The lodge has a limit of 10 guests at a time and, as a family-run spot, your visit will be wonderfully personalised. Each day will take form as you choose, whether you that's lolling in a hammock for hours, trekking through the bird-filled Utria National Park, or snorkelling with every manner of creature in the indigo water.