Kacee

I certainly understand the hotel's perspective . . . if they let guests take unopened cans from the lounge, they will literally have Americans lining up with coolers emptying the lounge refrigerator. Especially if there are cans of beer in there. I know we sometimes feel exceptions should be made when "it's just me, and it's a minor exception" but that's a dubious thought process to begin, and as you mention especially unlikely to work in Colombia, where they tend to be sticklers for these sorts of rules. Isn't there a supermarket right around the corner from the HR?

conde

There's a supermarket behind the Bocagrande Mall (Bocagrande Square Mall?), which is next to the hotel. I stayed at the Hyatt Regency in Cartagena last month.

I found the lounge to be enjoyable, with good service from the hotel staff. It never seemed too crowded at breakfast or happy hour times. Other parts of the hotel had uneven service, but overall, I would stay there again. Hotel management seemed willing to try to make up for shortcomings. During my stay, my room's windows needed a good cleaning on the outside, as it was difficult to get a clear view.

Colin

They upgraded my paid Junior Suite to Suite at checkin, plus 9AM check-in & the room was ready.
They upgraded my 2nd room paid cheapest room to Suite at check-in and got room at 12N.
And the hotel was fully sold out.
Free bottle of white vino in room plus welcome chocolate treats.
Never had a problem walking out of lounge with a full glass of wine.
Towel card system never enforced - just took the towels I wanted, sometime giving room number, never returning the towels, and no charge on folio.

escape4

I think you will do what is best for you and your family and nobody is going to dispute that. The purpose here is not bashing, it's about providing fair and objective information for the benefit of other readers who might have not decided yet if they will stay at HR Cartagena or not.

I have been to very expensive hotels before which were fantastic in many ways and well worth the money, however some of them occasionally make a bonehead decision to charge guests for petty stuff, for example a cappuccino at breakfast. I think it makes no sense at all and I don't like it. However, I return because... well... they are fantastic hotels. I won't deprive myself of all they have to offer because of $5-10 charge for cappuccino that I get for free at lesser hotels. Same for water in the lounge, especially since what they enforced is not all that unusual.

With all that said and done, you might be right that Hilton Santa Marta could be better than HR Cartagena - it will be interesting to compare. More choices is good. I was not aware there was a Hilton under construction there so thank you for bringing it up. ^

Cara332

Are there any updates on how VAT is handled on hotel bills? I stayed at this hotel in the past on all points, but this time will be paying for 3 nights. On other booking websites they don't include the VAT, but on hyatt.com it is included. I have read online that hotels should waive the tax for non-Colombians. Is that true?

Colin

carnalismocc

I stayed at this property the first week of April with my wife and kids, and there is large grocery store right behind the hotel. You're literally inside the store less than two minutes after walking out of the hotel's main doors. I also didn't like the policy of not being allowed to take beverages out of the lounge (which I asked about before deciding whether or not to upgrade), so I decided to just keep my regular room instead.

Overall, the hotel was a great place for my family and I. We enjoyed everything about our stay, we enjoyed the heat of Cartagena (we knew it was going to be hot), and we'd definitely stay at the Hyatt again.

Raskage

Anybody been here recently know if they've switched to bulk shampoo/conditioner?

TheTravelPlaybook

Here's a short video from my stay on property back in October. I thought the club lounge was great, and the views from this hotel are some of the best at any Hyatt in the world, in my opinion.

River in Sight

Beautiful views and the hotel looks great. Does the club lounge have similar views to what you show from the pool / your suite?

TheTravelPlaybook

Yes, it looks similar, just a lower floor. Photo from club:

jmgriffin

Any recent trip reports from this property during COVID-19? We're planning a 7 nights stay in Jan and were wondering what the experience is like at the moment in light of the "limited services":

"LIMITED SERVICES - Spa, Food services, Fitness center, Pool, Regency Club, Kids Club."

Thanks!

coleslaw

Did you end up staying here? If so, how was your trip?

FlyerTalker324193

The question was not addressed at me. Let me reply anyhow.

I recently stayed there. The stay was quite short (due to me arriving almost 36h later than planned) so I could not check out spa and pool. The pool was open though, I was told.

As for the club: Closed in the morning, guests were directed to have breakfast at the main restaurant. Breakfast was a la carte only, your ordered from the menu which you pulled up on your smartphone after scanning a QR code on the table (as is fairly common these days).
In the afternoon, they opened the club for two hours. There was a fairly small, serviced buffet. Nothing to write home about. Wine, beer, soft drinks. Roughly four or five salad bar items and a small variety of sandwiches each day.

Occupancy was quite low everywhere. Social distancing was not a problem. I think the hotel hardware, including the rooms, are quite nice for this type of property and hotel category. F&B and the service were a bit unremarkable. No complaints, though. Or, if I was looking for skeletons in the closet specifically, I might remember that they did not upgrade me as an explorist.

cmw021

For explorists who use a club access award to upgrade, do we get breakfast in the club? I saw a review outside of FT that said breakfast in the club lounge was for globalists only.