El Cactus Luxury Apartments in Historic Center

Stayed here a week and very much enjoyed our time here. Our room was very large and quiet. We stayed on the ground floor at the back. The staff were very nice and helpful. Seemed safe to walk to and from the main restaurant and bar area at night. On the downside they provide a coffee machine in the room, but charge for the coffee pods, and they do not provide any drinking water (you can't drink the water in Santa Marta). And if you stay a while and want the room cleaned, you have to pay for the cleaning. But otherwise it's a great place to stay.

Welcoming, professional, competent, English speaking staff at this small hotel with 2, yes TWO, pools and a lot of outdoor space to relax. The rooms are huge, beds and linens are fantastic. Hot water and kitchen basics (2 burner stove, fridge, microwave, basic - and I do mean basic - kitchenware) plus you can use the washing machine for 20mil. We stayed here for 5 weeks and it is close to the Centro, which is safe, close to grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and the shore. We felt very safe at all times, although we don't stay out late. The staff will also advise you if something is not safe, like walking to Rodadero, which is much appreciated. Room 203 has a terrific private shaded balcony and we enjoyed having that additional space. STAY HERE!

Carlos, Yair, Indira and the whole staff are extremely attentive and helpful. They let you leave your luggage before checkin and after checkout and someone is at the front desk all night. The room was large, clean and very comfortable bed and great hot shower. Breakfast was an omelette, tortillas, homemade jam, fruit, juice, coffee and a fried patacon (plantain). I don't eat gluten or dairy so there may be other options (e.g. toast, beans, maybe pancakes) if you do. It's about a 10 minute walk from the main plaza. This makes it quieter than it would be if you were closer to the center. However, if walking back late in the evening, some of the street and another street around the corner seemed deserted and a bit run down. It's probably fine but you would want to be aware of your surroundings. The pool is small but very nice and refreshing. I would gladly stay there again. Muchas gracias Carlos, Yair y Indira!

Wow! I absolutely loved this hotel. The staff were so helpful and efficient, the rooms were simply amazing (really huge and so many amenities!) and the breakfast was excellent and so tasty. We stayed here before and then after our Ciudad Perdida Hike, and it was certainly just what we needed afterwards - a little bit of pure indulgence and luxury! A real sanctuary and perfectly located in Santa Marta. Highly recommend - you could never be disappointed!

Great little boutique hotel with 5 star service from staff. Very clean and well equipped - highly recommend. Good location close walk to everything but very quiet and comfortable and safe. Large units, modern and well equipped.

My husband and I stayed here in the Presidential Suite for 3 weeks on our first visit to Colombia in May/June 2022. I was impressed with the room, light and airy and a very comfortable bed with good pillows too so a very good sleep and it is all kept spotlessly clean by the hotel cleaning team. I think what makes this hotel special are the staff and the really exemplary level of service, inside it feels like a little oasis of calm and its refreshing to find such enthusiastic and helpful attitudes from every single member of staff. Our package included a continental breakfast which was amazing, every morning a smiling girl would deliver to our room a fresh fruit plate, yoghurt with cereal and a choice of hot food including local dishes as well as eggs any way you like or pancakes with bacon. I recommend the Colombian Cayeye and Arepas which are delicious. You can choose to eat on the terrace outside or inside your room. The hotel itself is in a great location for exploring the town and surrounding area, it is not quiet in Santa Marta and there is always noise outside the hotel but inside the room it is sound proofed and very quiet. A huge Thank You to all the hotel staff for a brilliant stay, five star service.