Colonial aqueduct mansion
Daybeds and divans line the shaded central courtyard, where freshwater laps ancient stone arches and birdsong filters through the palms.
“Inside, common spaces feature a mix of Colombian art and artifacts with contemporary wicker furnishings and marble floors.”
Where it shines
Remarkable
South Carolina designer Kelley McRorie paired iron canopy beds with Moorish-tiled bathrooms.
Remarkable
Attentive staff arrange private island boat charters and offer welcome citrus drinks.
Remarkable
Three seventeenth-century colonial mansions preserve original frescoes, stone gargoyles, and an ancient aqueduct.
What they say
Two Michelin Keys
Michelin
Forbes Recommended
Forbes Travel Guide
2026
Also in The 50 Discovery and AFAR.
The stone floors, four-poster beds, and richly tiled bathrooms, though imagined by contemporary designers, certainly evoke the past, perhaps just a more comfortable version of it.
In a lively part of town
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Set inside the walled Centro Histórico, cobblestone streets wind past vibrant colonial facades and leafy plazas steps from the entrance.
The rooms
Canopied king beds and hand-painted tilework rest under restored timber ceilings, with select suites opening to private outdoor jacuzzis.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
Heated freshwater stretches in an L-shape beneath the arches of the preserved 300-year-old stone aqueduct.
The spa
Therapists perform gold massages and body rituals infused with Colombian coffee, tobacco, and volcanic mud in dedicated treatment rooms.
The hammam and jacuzzi
A Turkish hammam steam room sits beside a mosaic-tiled relaxation jacuzzi lit by soft lanterns.
Alma Restaurant & Bar
Alma serves coastal Colombian ceviche and dry-aged beef beneath beaded chandeliers, with live salsa playing on the patio.
Spread across three mansions connected by a 17th-century aqueduct, this boutique bolthole delivers equal doses of exclusivity and coziness.
At the table
The pergola-shaded rooftop bar serves drinks over terracotta tiles, and candlelit tables fill the courtyard under colonial arches.
How it began
Three adjacent seventeenth-century whitewashed mansions were linked around the surviving stonework and irrigation arches of a historic Spanish aqueduct.
“This dazzling retreat, composed of three 17th-century whitewashed houses, features original frescoes, gargoyles, and wood-beamed ceilings in its public spaces and guest rooms.”
Good to know
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Casa San Agustín
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.