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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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:

• Things To Do In Santa Marta: Colombia’s Secret for Outdoors and Eats
• The Best Santa Marta Beaches To Visit
• 6 Things To Do In Colombia

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