The hype
Travelers love the pool deck and the breakfast buffet but consistently complain about the distance to the Old City and the 'damp' smell in some rooms.
Intercontinental Cartagena
$160-280/ noc
Zarezerwuj to, jeśli You want a reliable, air-conditioned fortress with a killer pool in Bocagrande, and you don't mind taking a taxi to the Old City.
Dlaczego ludzie to uwielbiają
- The 6th-floor infinity pool offers the best sunset views in Bocagrande without the sand
- Soundproofed windows actually block out the chaotic street noise
- Club Lounge access (15th floor) provides a private sanctuary with free happy hour drinks
Szybki przegląd: It's a corporate glass tower that feels like Miami, not Colombia, but sometimes that's exactly the safe haven you need after a day of aggressive street vendors.
Goście, którzy tutaj przebywali, powiedzieli
Reality check
The 'Ocean View' is spectacular, but the 'City View' often just stares at other concrete high-rises and construction sites.
- You prioritize a modern, cold AC room over colonial charm
- You are traveling with kids and need a proper pool deck
- You have IHG status and want a reliable Club Lounge experience
Czystość i Konserwacja
8.5
- Housekeeping: Daily and generally thorough, though they sometimes miss dusting high shelves.
- Bathroom hygiene: Grout is usually clean, but watch out for slow-draining showers in older rooms.
- Maintenance: Good condition, but the humidity takes a toll—expect some peeling paint or rust on balcony railings.
- Linens & towels: Crisp and white, but can feel slightly 'damp' due to the ambient humidity if the AC isn't cranking.
- Odors & scents: Lobby smells like expensive tea; rooms can smell musty/mildewy if not aired out.
Sleepability™
8.2CICHO
0-4GŁOŚNO
4-7.5UMIARKOWANIE
7.5-10CICHO
- Hallway conversations (doors are heavy but not soundproof)
- Low-frequency traffic rumble on floors 6-10
Zanim zarezerwujesz
Warto wiedzieć
- Foreign tourists are exempt from the 19% VAT (IVA) on lodging; ensure your passport is stamped correctly at immigration and show it at check-in.
- Taxis are cheap but unmetered; agree on the price (approx. 15,000-20,000 COP to Old Town) BEFORE getting in.
- The hotel holds a significant deposit on your credit card at check-in, which can take days to release.
Co spakować
- DampRid or moisture absorber bags for your closet (seriously, the humidity is 90%+)
- A light jacket for the hotel interior (they blast the AC to arctic levels)
- Power converter (Colombia uses Type A/B, same as US, but voltage can fluctuate)
Room Genie
Najlepsze wybory
- Classic King Ocean View (High Floor): Unobstructed sunset views and less street noise.
- Club InterContinental Rooms: Access to the 15th-floor lounge is worth the upgrade for the free breakfast and evening cocktails alone.
Pokoje do uniknięcia
- Low-floor City View rooms (floors 7-10): Noisier and often have 'concrete jungle' views.
- Rooms near the elevator bank: High foot traffic noise.
Room Request Genie – skopiuj i wklej
“I am requesting a room on the 20th floor or higher, specifically facing the OCEAN (Sunset side), not the bay. Please ensure the room has been recently aired out to avoid humidity odors.”
FAQ i ukryte porady
Wszystko, co naprawdę chcesz wiedzieć, zanim zarezerwujesz.
Is the beach in front of the hotel usable?
Barely. It's often under construction, the sand is dark/muddy, and vendors are relentless. Go to the islands (Rosario/Baru) for real beaches.
Is breakfast included?
Usually not, unless you book a specific rate or have IHG Diamond status. The buffet is extensive but pricey (~$20 USD/person).
How far is the Walled City?
It's about 2 miles (3.5 km). A taxi takes 10-15 minutes depending on traffic, which can be brutal at rush hour.
Is the area safe to walk at night?
Bocagrande is generally safe and busy, but it has a 'seedy' underbelly at night with street hustlers. Stick to main avenues.
Does the hotel have a shuttle?
No free shuttle. They offer a paid private transfer, but Ubers and yellow taxis are readily available and much cheaper.
Can I drink the tap water?
The hotel says it's filtered, but most guests stick to bottled water to be safe. Housekeeping provides complimentary bottles daily.
Porady dla wtajemniczonych
- ✨
The Club Lounge (15th floor) has a better sunset view than most bars in the city—and the drinks are 'free' if you have access.
- ✨
Walk 5 minutes to 'Plaza Bocagrande' mall if you need cheap snacks, pharmacy items, or an ATM with lower fees.
- ✨
Don't buy tours from the guys standing in the hotel driveway; use the official concierge or book online to avoid scams.
5 rzeczy, które warto wiedzieć przed wyjazdem
💡The elevators can be painfully slow during breakfast hours (8-10 AM).
💡The 'City View' rooms actually have a nice sunrise view over the bay if you wake up early enough.
💡You will be offered massages and sunglasses approximately 50 times just walking from the hotel door to the corner store.
💡The pool water temperature fluctuates wildly—sometimes it's bathwater warm, other times surprisingly chilly.
💡Room service pizza is actually one of the best late-night food options in the area.
Lokalny Podręcznik
Mapa
Sprawdź, gdzie znajduje się Intercontinental Cartagena i co jest w pobliżu.