Travel

Top Santa Marta Boutique Hotels

Santa Marta is the quick getaway from the US that you go to when you want a slower pace of life. One where digital devices don’t rule your days, and you can get sun, sand, and sea all in the same day. 

It’s no secret that Colombia has recently become one of my favorite places to visit. While living for a month in Colombia, I got to jet off to Santa Marta for one of my final weekends, and it was heavenly. I had never heard of the coastal Colombian town, but the idea of a relaxing beach getaway was just what I needed. A change of pace from the busy streets of Medellin.

Full disclosure: I stayed in an Airbnb during my visit to Santa Marta. Due to our group size, upwards of 10 of us, we were able to book a stay at La Casa Del Piano Hotel Boutique which is a beautiful property that is great for large groups of people. Each person gets their own bed and bathroom, and there’s even a private rooftop pool. There are a ton of stairs, but the space alone is worth it, so check it out if this applies to your travel group. At the time, it was available for bookings via Airbnb.

Nonetheless, I’ve still done my due diligence to find and share the top boutique hotels worth considering in Santa Marta. This is a town where major chains and reward points are few and far between. You’re more likely to find boutique gems that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else in the world.

Best Hotels In Santa Marta

Looking for a place to stay in Santa Marta, but not sure where to get started? Not to worry, there are several gorgeous hotels to choose from.

Hotel Boutique Don Pepe

hotel room at Hotel Boutique Don Pepe
Photo credit: Booking.com

Hotel Boutique Don Pepe is fitting for both couples and solo travelers. This beautiful hotel is a gem that is centrally located, which is great for exploring the city on foot. Don Pepe is a luxury accommodation in Santa Marta, and definitely worth the splurge.

Features include free WiFi, personalized a la carte breakfast, a restaurant, a spa, a hot tub, and an outdoor pool. Every room and suite offers plenty of space to spread out, in addition to amenities like private bathrooms, a minibar, air conditioning, iPod docking stations, and an LCD satellite TV. Breakfast is also included in the room rate.

The beach is a short 3-minute walk from the hotel, and the commercial center is a similar distance away. It’s only 8 miles from Simon Bolivar Airport and free private parking is available for those who decide to rent a car.

Alko Hotel Cotona

hotel room at Alko Hotel Cotona in Santa Marta
Photo credit: Booking.com

Alko Hotel Cotona is dripping in relaxation and luxury with pricing similar to what you would find in the States. Once a private home, Alko Hotel Cotona is now a quaint hotel near the historic district and the beach.

Enjoy the outdoor rooftop swimming pool, a bar, a shared lounge, and a garden during your stay. The hotel features a 24-hour front desk, a shuttle service, room service, and free WiFi throughout the property. Rooms are spacious with a contemporary design. Continental breakfast is also included for guests staying at the hotel.

Nearby things to do include Lipe Beach, Santa Marta Marina, and Santa Marta Cathedral. Simón Bolívar International Airport is only 10 miles away, which is a brief 30-minute drive.

Hotel Boutique Casa Carolina

hotel room at Hotel Boutique Casa Carolina in Santa Marta
Photo credit: Booking.com

Fair warning– a stay at Hotel Boutique Casa Carolina might make you never want to leave Santa Marta. Hotel Boutique Casa Carolina is in close proximity to Santa Marta Beach and Simón Bolívar Square in the historic city center.

During your stay, be sure to soak in the sun while enjoying the outdoor pool or the rooftop hot tub once the weather cools down. The property even has its own speedboat, offering private tours to Parque Tayrona.

Casa Rosa Hotel Boutique

hotel room at Casa Rosa Hotel in Santa Marta
Photo credit: Booking.com

Casa Rosa Hotel Boutique is a dreamy option for boutique hotels in Santa Marta. Located in the heart of town, the hotel stands out with its vibrant pink facade–a very Instagram-worthy moment, for sure. The look and feel of this hotel embody quintessential Colombian architecture but with the more cozy feeling of a private home.

As for the stay itself, rooms are outfitted with all the standard amenities one might expect. Room features include a wardrobe for clothing, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linens, towels, and a minibar. There are three accommodation types: standard rooms, deluxe rooms, and an apartment, which is perfect for families or smaller friend groups. The 4-star hotel also has a shared lounge, free WiFi, a terrace, and 24-hour front desk service.

Nearby points of interest include Santa Marta Beach, the Santa Marta Gold Museum, and Simon Bolivar Park. Airport transfers are available, and the hotel is only 9.3 miles from the airport.

Taganga Casa Thalasea

hotel room at Taganga Casa Thalasea in Santa Marta
Photo credit: Booking.com

Taganga Casa Thalasea is technically considered a hostel, but it’s one of the nicest you’ll find. This accommodation makes the list of top boutique hotels in Santa Marta for its sea views and stellar service. One guest even described their stay as “a magical place to recharge your batteries, disconnect, and rest.”

Situated less than a quarter mile from Taganga Beach, this hostel offers an outdoor pool, free private parking, a restaurant, a bar, and free WiFi. There’s also a hammam on the property for those looking for self-care activities and room service to dine in the comfort of your room after a long day. Guests can select a sea-view or ocean-view room and each stay includes an American-style breakfast at the highly-rated accommodation.

Taganga Casa Thalasea is less than 13 miles from Simón Bolívar International, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.

Casa Verano Beach Hotel

rear view of Casa Verano Beach hotel and pool
Photo credit: Expedia

Casa Verano Beach Hotel is a great hotel option for simple, yet updated decor that’s both kid-free and reasonably priced on the nightly rate. A short 10-minute drive from Simón Bolívar International, a stay at Casa Verano also comes with breakfast and parking included.

Other amenities on the property include a well-designed pool, hot tub, and poolside bar. Free wifi is available for guests, and for those who need extra care, room service and laundry are available too. A 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle can be arranged for an additional fee, although ride-share apps do work in Santa Marta.

This hotel is the perfect stay for those who want the feel of a private home with the perks of a hotel.

Villa Tayrona

hammock on balcony at Villa Tayrona in Santa Marta
Photo credit: Expedia

The final recommendation offers a different view of the types of boutique hotels Santa Marta has to offer. Villa Tayrona is an off-the-grid option with modern, nature-inspired furnishings. It’s a bit farther away from Santa Marta city center, situated only a 12-minute walk away from Tayrona National Park. Simon Bolivar Airport is a little over an hour away.

Even though you’ll be tucked away in the forest, there are still plenty of amenities to enjoy on the property. A terrace, garden, restaurant, massage and spa services, and wifi are available for peak guest enjoyment. Guestrooms are outfitted with hotel standards, though its cabana-style layout makes it far from traditional. Room styles at this boutique hotel are flexible depending on the size of your travel group. Lofts are typical 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom spaces, while the parlor suite comes with a living space and four beds. The full-floor penthouse double suite also has four beds but includes a hot tub in addition to garden and mountain views. When it comes to natural views and vibes, it doesn’t get much better than Villa Tayrona.

Nearby, several outdoor activities await the adventurous, with Playa La Piscina and Enchanted Pools less than a 10-minute drive away. Several restaurants, including Buca, Restaurante Las Acacias, and The Coconuts, are also a short distance by car.

Whether you decide to venture out near Tayrona National Park or stick closer to the city, you’ll notice the more relaxed pace of living. Each of the recommended stays offers a different accommodation style and vibe, but they’re all highly rated and offer their own special something. As long as you’re soaking in the Santa Marta sun, you can’t go wrong with any of these hotel picks… enjoy the Colombian coast!

Looking for other resources on Santa Marta? Start here:

I love discovering the best products, services, and businesses to recommend. If you purchase something by clicking on one of the affiliate links on this website, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. 


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Website and Digital Marketing Strategy for Network of Financial Education Brands

CLIENTS

Brunch & Budget

Pockets Change

See Change Financial

ROLE

Website Design & Strategy

Digital Marketing

Email Marketing (Newsletters)

Copywriting

Graphic Design

AGENCY

SC Creative Group (freelance)

OPPORTUNITY

From 2017 to 2021, I worked alongside the passionate team behind several brands to lead their website, email, and brand design strategy. What started as a 5-month marketing management project for one brand (covering brand asset consulting, advertising & social campaigns, social media and website design and strategy), expanded into 3-years of on-going collaboration across three brands in the financial education space. 

The network of brands included: Brunch & Budget, affordable financial planning for people of color; Pockets Change, an organization that builds intergenerational financial resilience with students, families, and educators through hip-hop pedagogy; and See Change Financial, a radical financial community for creators of color who are taking control of their finances as a liberatory catalyst to lead value-filled lives.

ACHIEVEMENT

During our 3-year client/consultant relationship, our work together supported the increased visibility and brand amplification they sought to achieve in unifying their brand message, mission, and visual identity. 

We redesigned the site architecture, layout, copy, and visuals of each brand, creating an engaging, ever-updated online presence that kept each community informed and engaged. I also led the creation and implementation of marketing management systems including newsletter and social media content planning, design, and scheduling.

By helping Pam, Dyalekt, and Andrea (the creators) spend less time on promoting their business, they were able to lean into more programming and serving more educators, young adults, parents, and youth. In addition to re-purposing their decade-plus history of financial planning wisdom via their Brunch & Budget podcast, I also made sure during our time working together that they leveraged all opportunities to raise awareness, dollars (fundraising), and impact through storytelling.

One of the biggest achievements of supporting their brand growth goals came through a fundraising campaign for Pockets Change. After implementing a new donor engagement strategy and amplifying the initiative across platforms and partner networks at my recommendation, I helped the organization raise $19,000 in November 2021.

RELEVANT LINKS

[Graphic Design] Social Media Content Management

During the era of social highlights via quote cards and brand-forward graphics and insights, I designed a set of social media templates for the team’s internal use. These templates helped onboard their interns into social media management while I supported by spearheaded strategy and copy for social and email behind the scenes.

WEBSITE LAYOUT UPDATES

Pockets Change Website Revamp Preview (2019)

Client Case Study overview image
Client website pages preview - Pockets Change

Brunch & Budget Website Revamp Preview (2018)

SC Creative Group client project - Brunch and Budget Website Design
SC Creative client project example - Web Design for Brunch and Budget

TESTIMONIAL

Simone worked with us at Pockets Change over the course of 4 years to troubleshoot, brainstorm, and make magic happen with our vision. She made ongoing updates to our website to share our stories, impact, and resources. She's a partner in the process of getting the digital details right.
Pockets Change Co-Founder Andrea Ferrero
Andrea Ferrero
Co-Founder & Executive Director, Pockets Change

Greenlight Word-Of-Mouth Marketing Strategy

CLIENT

Greenlight

ROLE

Creative Strategy

Experiential Marketing

Copywriting

AGENCY

Fizz (Atlanta, Georgia)

OPPORTUNITY

Greenlight is a financial technology company on a mission to raise financially smart kids. Through its debit card for kids and application subscription, the company makes it easier for parents to teach their kids about money management while giving them a parent-monitored space to learning about things like saving, stocks, and direct deposits. The “all-in-one money app for families,” Greenlight gives kids independence while giving parents peace of mind.

The fintech company contracted Fizz, a word-of-mouth marketing agency based in Atlanta, to help expand brand awareness as it sought to increase users and identify ways to penetrate the market on a national scale for the first time.

ACHIEVEMENT

As a contracted strategist, I worked alongside the in-house agency team to develop a robust creative WOM marketing strategy that included more than a dozen experiential digital and live brand activations. The goal of the overall strategy was to identify niche sectors within the broader target demographic and pinpoint opportunities (events, life moments, everyday activities, etc.) that would allow the brand to organically make life a little easier – as on-the-go parents and schedule-stacked kids – creating a chance to get curious and engage with GL market managers about the brand.

Working alongside the in-house strategy and design teams, my role was to develop word-of-mouth-marketing concepts into detailed experiences. This included researching a calendar of brand-aligned community and sporting events, developing a go-to-market plan for each concept, and presenting relevant branded swag ideas along with identifying vendors, costs, specs requirements, etc. to pass along to the project manager for execution.

RELEVANT LINKS

The link below is a preview of one of the concepts I spearheaded the research, copywriting, and strategy development on. This concept was part of a larger word-of-mouth marketing strategy deck.

[Word-of-Mouth Strategy Concept] Greenlight ‘Very Invested Parents’ Strategy

Jim Ellis Toyota of McDonough Grand Opening

CLIENT

Jim Ellis Automotive Group

ROLE

Event Planning & Management

Vendor Procurement & Management

Budget Management​

Copywriting

Design

AGENCY

Jim Ellis Automotive Advertising Agency

OPPORTUNITY

One of the joys of maintaining great professional relationships is being able to work with old employers on new initiatives. Jim Ellis Automotive Group is Atlanta, Georgia’s largest family-owned automotive group.

While the company’s marketing manager was out on maternity leave, I was tapped to step into her role. As the interim marketing manager, one of my responsibilities was to lead and execute the grand opening celebration of the automotive group’s 18th dealership –  Jim Ellis Toyota of McDonough Grand Opening – a newly remodeled 57,000 square foot facility.

This project was exciting for a few reasons. Namely, the ability to lean into the breadth of my expertise. During this project, I led every aspect of the event, from securing vendors and media communications to run-of-show planning, invitations, and on-site management.

ACHIEVEMENT

On Tuesday, May 21, 2019, Jim Ellis Automotive Group celebrated the official grand opening of Jim Ellis Toyota of McDonough. By all accounts, the affair was a successful introduction of the trusted Jim Ellis brand to Atlanta metro’s Southern region.

The event was well-regarded by those in attendance including Jim Ellis Automotive’s President, Jimmy Ellis, special guest executives from Toyota HQ, and – most importantly – the dedicated dealership staff, family, and friends. Special guests included Jim McEachern (Vice President, Southeast Toyota Field Operations) and Billy Copeland (Mayor of McDonough, GA).

The dealership’s acquisition and grand opening received media coverage locally and in notable national outlets including Business Insider and Auto Remarketing. 

This project is a great example of my ability to work across teams, using my diverse background to easily navigate multiple corporate brand standards and guidelines, coordinate design projects, draft promotional and media-related communications, manage vendors (catering, event decor, entertainment, photo/video) and budgets, handle experiential logistics, and oversee on-site execution.

RELEVANT LINKS

[Blog Post/Press Relase] Jim Ellis Automotive Group Acquires Toyota of McDonough

[Blog Post/Press Relase] Jim Ellis Automotive Celebrates the Official Grand Opening of Jim Ellis Toyota of McDonough

GRAND OPENING PHOTO & VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

REMARKS FROM THE LATE JIMMY ELLIS

TESTIMONIAL

Simone is such a pleasure to work with and has such a diverse set of marketing talents. I have used her services for over three years now to fill in various gaps that arise within my marketing team. She has filled in multiple times for vacant roles on my team, including my own role when I was last out on maternity leave. I couldn’t have found a better person to entrust my duties to. Simone works quickly and thoroughly and always has a high level of professionalism and attentiveness. Additionally, Simone always has a great attitude and is really just a pleasant human being. I always look forward to the opportunities I have to work with Simone.
Loren Roberts
Current Title: Director of Marketing at Jim Ellis Automotive Group

[COPYWRITING]

Long-Form Blog Post: WiFi Artists

How We Spent 30 Days in Medellin, Colombia – WiFi Artists Recap

[COPYWRITING]

Long-Form Blog Post: WiFi Artists

Program Recap: WiFi Artists Remote Work and Travel in Lima, Peru

Jim Ellis Toyota of McDonough Grand Opening

CLIENT

Jim Ellis Automotive Group

ROLE

Event Planning & Management

Vendor Procurement & Management

Budget Management​

Copywriting

Design

AGENCY

Jim Ellis Automotive Advertising Agency

OPPORTUNITY

One of the joys of maintaining great professional relationships is being able to work with old employers on new initiatives. Jim Ellis Automotive Group is Atlanta, Georgia’s largest family-owned automotive group.

While the company’s marketing manager was out on maternity leave, I was tapped to step into her role. As the interim marketing manager, one of my responsibilities was to lead and execute the grand opening celebration of the automotive group’s 18th dealership –  Jim Ellis Toyota of McDonough Grand Opening – a newly remodeled 57,000 square foot facility.

This project was exciting for a few reasons. Namely, the ability to lean into the breadth of my expertise. During this project, I led every aspect of the event, from securing vendors and media communications to run-of-show planning, invitations, and on-site management.

ACHIEVEMENT

On Tuesday, May 21, 2019, Jim Ellis Automotive Group celebrated the official grand opening of Jim Ellis Toyota of McDonough. By all accounts, the affair was a successful introduction of the trusted Jim Ellis brand to Atlanta metro’s Southern region.

The event was well-regarded by those in attendance including Jim Ellis Automotive’s President, Jimmy Ellis, special guest executives from Toyota HQ, and – most importantly – the dedicated dealership staff, family, and friends. Special guests included Jim McEachern (Vice President, Southeast Toyota Field Operations) and Billy Copeland (Mayor of McDonough, GA).

The dealership’s acquisition and grand opening received media coverage locally and in notable national outlets including Business Insider and Auto Remarketing. 

This project is a great example of my ability to work across teams, using my diverse background to easily navigate multiple corporate brand standards and guidelines, coordinate design projects, draft promotional and media-related communications, manage vendors (catering, event decor, entertainment, photo/video) and budgets, handle experiential logistics, and oversee on-site execution.

RELEVANT LINKS

[Blog Post/Press Relase] Jim Ellis Automotive Group Acquires Toyota of McDonough

[Blog Post/Press Relase] Jim Ellis Automotive Celebrates the Official Grand Opening of Jim Ellis Toyota of McDonough

GRAND OPENING HIGHLIGHT REEL

REMARKS FROM THE LATE JIMMY ELLIS

TESTIMONIAL

Simone is such a pleasure to work with and has such a diverse set of marketing talents. I have used her services for over three years now to fill in various gaps that arise within my marketing team. She has filled in multiple times for vacant roles on my team, including my own role when I was last out on maternity leave. I couldn’t have found a better person to entrust my duties to. Simone works quickly and thoroughly and always has a high level of professionalism and attentiveness. Additionally, Simone always has a great attitude and is really just a pleasant human being. I always look forward to the opportunities I have to work with Simone.
Loren Roberts
Current Title: Director of Marketing at Jim Ellis Automotive Group