This is an old-fashioned hotel in a street typical of the Old Town. I stayed for four nights sharing an en suite room with my adult son. The room which contained a double and a single bed was adequately spacious if not generously so. Television, fridge, air-conditioning and safe all worked perfectly although the plumbing was a bit eccentic. We had a view out over the street but did not find it noisy. The rooms are on the first floor balcony around an open courtyard which forms part of the seating area for the restaurant next door. As far as we could see the hotel and restaurant operate as separate businesses. Breakfast is taken on the balcony and was good enough if lacking variety. The staff were uniformly friendly and helpful but spoke little English - fortunately my son speaks fluent Spanish. The location could not be bettered - in the heart of the Old Town just round the corner from the Cathedral and the Plaza de Bolívar and with any number of excellent places to eat within easy walking distance. There may be more luxurious hotels in the area but if I should return to Cartagena (and I hope I do, it is a truely magical place!) I would certainly revisit the Centro. (I feel sorry for the reviewer who suffered theft of travellers cheques while staying there but I think they must have just been very unlucky.)

Absolutely lovely, personal service and a great location in the absolute center of the old city - but on a quiet street. Had a balcony room, and wasn't bothered by noise. Breakfast was included, and really not that great. The room was clean-ish. Not dirty, but a musty small was a bit annoying. TV and safe didn't work (but I didn't complain, so my own bad)

Went with 2 families. We put two full packages of travelers checks in the hotel safe and never had a reason to use them as our cash and credit cards were sufficient. Upon return to US we discovered that checks were missing from each of the travelers checks packages and had been cashed in Cartagena the day after we left. We had liked the central location and helpful staff, but would never recommend or consider any property where the safe isn't even safe. The theft was a clever one, as no suspicions were raised until we were home. Made multiple attempts to contact owner and left our phone numbers. These ended when we were told to call him on his cell phone. Would have expected that theft from an in-room safe would have registered higher on his list of concerns and at least warranted a call to us. Hotel gets worst rating because it could have been cash, passports, cameras, computer, or more.

Stayed here for a few days in April as a start off point for Cartagena. It's in a great location, just spitting distance from the Plaza de Bolivar. All the rooms overlook an open courtyard looking down on to the dining area for the restaurant next door.

Breakfast was included and worth sticking around for: a plate of fresh fruit, freshly squeezed juice, eggs, toast and, of course, coffee! Around the corner is some great alternatives for eating El Bistro is a great option, and there's an awesome pizza place if you turn left out of the hotel and take you first left....possibly best pizzas in Cartagena!

Little English is spoken by the staff. The main guy who seems to run the place has some English, but really that's not an issue with the hotel, I found that to be common across Colombia. It's definitely not Europe so don't expect everywhere to have someone who speaks English!

The staff were all very helpful and attentive. During quiet times the front door is locked but there is usually always someone in the foyer to let you in.

The rooms were air conditioned and roomy. Rooms along one side face on to the street which is generally quiet (except when some builders started working across the street one morning at 8am). Rooms along the back of the hotel may not have windows.

The bathroom is fairly basic, with a cold shower with a temperamental water heater attached to the shower head. But generally speaking, in the heat and humidity of Colombia a cool shower is completely fine.

TV with loads of Spanish language channels and some English channels. A fridge in each room which is well stocked.

By European standards the rooms are fairly basic but I would say this is great option for the price. We paid about £50 per night but soon discovered that that's pretty much on average for Cartagena, easily the most expensive city in Colombia.