Cartagena is a city where colonial history is still visible in the present-day-to-day.
Step through the doors of Casa de Alba, and you feel it immediately. The cool stone walls. The carved balconies. The echo of footsteps in a house that has watched nearly five centuries pass by.
Built in 1576, this colonial mansion is one of the oldest homes in the historic center, and at one point was owned by the legendary pirate Sir Francis Drake, who briefly occupied Cartagena during his raids on the Spanish Caribbean.
Today, the house has been carefully restored into a boutique hotel, but it still feels like what it once was: a grand private residence hidden in the heart of the old city.
And the location is hard to beat. Casa de Alba sits just off Plaza de Bolívar, placing you within easy walking distance of Cartagena’s best restaurants, plazas, churches, and rooftop bars.
For guests who value history, architecture, and location, it’s one of our favorite places to stay in the city.
A Stay Through the Eyes of Our Team
Our WhereNext DMC creative team stayed here while building the country’s first luxury travel content library.
Evenings inevitably ended on the rooftop terrace, cocktails in hand as the light faded over the old city. Just beyond the rooftops rises the golden dome of the Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría, glowing against the Caribbean dusk.
Mornings were slower.
Coffee. Fresh fruit. Breakfast was served on the balcony with a peek-a-boo view toward Plaza de Bolívar as the city gently woke up below.
Cartagena has a vibe. Casa de Alba seems perfectly tuned to it.
The Aldaba
From the street, Casa de Alba reminds you that Cartagena is a city of symbols.
Look closely at the front door, and you’ll notice the lion-shaped aldaba, the ornate metal doorknocker used to announce your arrival.
These knockers weren’t just decorative.
In colonial Cartagena, the size of an aldaba revealed the wealth of the household, while its shape often reflected the owner’s profession or social status. Lions symbolized power and prestige, while other homes displayed lizards, fish, or other animals tied to their trade.
At Casa de Alba, you still use the aldaba to enter.
It’s a small moment, but it feels like knocking on the door of history.
Perfect for Private Buyouts
While Casa de Alba works beautifully for couples, it’s especially compelling for small groups who want the entire property to themselves.
With just seven rooms, the mansion can be privately rented, transforming the space into a fully staffed private residence in the heart of Cartagena.
Two small pools. A professional kitchen and bar. Rooftop terraces for sunset cocktails. Quiet corners where conversations stretch late into the night.
The Rooms
Casa de Alba feels intimate because it is. The property has just seven rooms, spread across several floors of the historic mansion.
Each space retains the character of the original house while layering in modern comfort.
The Classic Rooms (33 m²) offer a cozy retreat tucked within the colonial architecture, perfect for guests who plan to spend their days wandering Cartagena’s vibrant streets.
The Duplex Suites (60 m²) unfold across two levels, creating an airy sense of space rarely found in the old city. High ceilings, warm textures, and thoughtful design make these suites feel more like apartments than hotel rooms.
The Master Suites elevate the experience even further.
