This is a bare bones hotel and I expected more for the amount I paid per night. It was clean and I didn't have any issues with bugs but I would not stay here again for the price. I'd spend a bit more for something nicer. Breakfast included a fruit plate, orange juice, scrambled (or fried) eggs, toast and coffee. It was fine but not spectacular and also isn't as much food as it sounds like. Also, the website we made our reservation through said minimum eggs and bacon but we never saw any bacon (not that we minded).
One of the big brand guide books noted that this small hotel is built around a courtyard. What it didn't mention is that in the courtyard is a casual restaurant and you can hear people talking and the clinking of the silverware into the night. Also, if you get a room that looks onto the street then you will hear street noise and also the noise of horse drawn carriages until 1am.
The location is great but I think anything in the old city would be in a great location. The old city is quite small and easily walkable. Although this hotel is located in El Centro, it is about a 5 minute walk (or less) to the part of the old city known as San Diego.
Lastly, a safety measure of the hotel is that you have to ring a doorbell and someone will come down the stairs and let you into the door. This results in one being able to hear the doorbell into the night or until the final guest arrives back to the hotel. On the one hand, you feel safer but it is yet another reason to bring ear plugs.
- Centro Hotel Cartagena
