ESTELAR Playa Manzanillo

★★★ ⭐ 4.7 / 5 · 11,177 reviews 📍 130008, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia Typical check-in 15:00 · check-out 11:00
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ℹ️ Nota dati: l'intelligence proviene da dati pubblici, analisi di intelligenza artificiale e fonti Internet. I dettagli tra cui configurazioni delle camere, prezzi, orari di apertura e elenchi degli eventi possono essere inesatti o obsoleti. Verifica sempre direttamente con l'hotel, il ristorante o il fornitore di trasporti prima di viaggiare.

️ Il tuo soggiorno

Previsioni dal vivo per le tue date · Cosa c'è su · Qualità dell'aria e polline

📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Cartagena.

Questa proprietà

Opposite the Caribbean in the heart of El Laguito, ESTELAR Playa Manzanillo feels like a cheerful gateway between city buzz and shorefront calm. Its unfussy white façade and open lobby, cooled by sea breezes and the hum of a poolside bar, suit mid-range travellers wanting direct beach access without resort isolation. The vibe is practical yet warm—towels are handed out with a smile, and the rooftop terrace offers sweeping views of Cartagena’s modern skyline. Best for couples and families who prioritise location and unpretentious comfort over luxury frills.

💬 What guests say

⭐ 4.7 / 5 · 11,177 reviews

Guests overwhelmingly praise the hotel's friendly, professional staff and exceptionally clean, comfortable rooms, with many highlighting the prime beachfront location. However, recurring complaints mention the property feels run-down and dated, with issues like long meal lines, inconsistent service at the adult pool, and average food quality. Some also note limited English-speaking staff, though this is often viewed neutrally when travellers plan accordingly.

★★★★★

“I recently stayed at this hotel, and it was truly an exceptional experience from start to finish. The staff was incredibly friendly, professional, and always willing to help with a smile. The rooms were spotless, beautifully decorated, and very comfortable — I especially loved the attention to detail in the design and ”

— willy reyes, 7 months ago
★★★★

“We enjoyed our stay. Opportunities: Food was average, no towels or beverages are distributed at the adult pool. Chocolate croissants at buffet each meal. Neutral: Not many could speak English. Not that they should have to, just plan for that with translator app handy and don’t rely on bilinguals. Kudos: Great laid-b”

— Jenny Leigh, 5 months ago

“I stayed in this hotel very recently and my experience was, let’s say, not nice. But let’s start at the beginning. The condition of the hotel is currently very bad. The external facade is super old, dirty and dilapidated. It seems it hasn’t been renovated during the last 15 years. The room was ok, but we had 3 of 4 d”

— David, 5 months ago
★★

“If you've ever stayed at any all-inclusive hotels other than in Colombia, this is 2 out of 5. This run-down hotel left a lot to be desired. Longest lines for any meal, half the pool doors closed, inefficient processes for anything, mold in the bathrooms, stained pillow cases and bedsheets. No welcome cocktail or even w”

— Ekaterina Ledyaeva, 4 months ago

️Croniche di Cartagena

Founded in 1533 by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Heredia on a former indigenous Calamarí settlement, Cartagena quickly became the empire’s chief Caribbean port for gold and slaves. Its 11-kilometre-long colonial wall, begun in 1586 after Sir Francis Drake’s sacking, encloses a kaleidoscope of pastel mansions, balconied plazas and cobblestone streets that earned it UNESCO status in 1984. In the 20th century, the Bocagrande and El Laguito peninsulas rose as a high-rise tourist district, while the Getsemaní neighbourhood evolved from working-class barrio into a vibrant arts-and-nightlife hub. Today, the city pulses with a dual identity: deep colonial gravitas in the Walled City and a brash, beachy modernity along its Caribbean strip.

️ Il momento migliore per visitare

Guida completa della città

I migliori mesi

December to March (dry season, clear skies, moderate humidity) and July (mini-dry period, fewer tourists than peak).

🔥 Peak / Festival Surge

January (Cartagena International Music Festival) and Holy Week (Semana Santa) – processions fill the streets and hotels like ESTELAR charge 30–50% above base rates; advance booking essential.

Stagione budget shoulder

April and November offer the sweetest balance: lower prices, thinner crowds, and still-good weather (brief afternoon showers possible but mostly sunny).

Meteo e confezionamento

Cartagena’s humidity hovers above 80% year-round, making high-noon shade essential; pack a lightweight, quick-dry towel and at least one long-sleeved cover-up for the ferocious midday sun—especially if you plan to walk the colonial wall.

Il Live City Briefing

  • The Transcaribe bus rapid transit now extends to El Laguito, offering a cheap (COP 2,800) air-conditioned link to the Walled City’s Centro stop.
  • Construction of the new ‘Malecon del Caribe’ waterfront promenade (phase 1) continues along the southern edge of El Laguito, peddling access from the hotel to the Marina Park; expect some footpath disruptions and loose gravel through 2026.
  • Cartagena’s city council has introduced a seasonal ‘sargassum’ seaweed warning system for El Laguito beaches during June–August; check the local ‘Red de Monitoreo’ app before planning a swim.

🏨 Room Intelligence

✨ AI-generated

Before you check in to ESTELAR Playa Manzanillo, here's what to know about choosing the right room.

Best rooms to request

Ask for a room on a higher floor away from the elevator and any common areas to reduce foot traffic noise.

⚠️

Rooms to avoid

Avoid rooms adjacent to the elevator shaft, stairwells, or any on-site bars or restaurants, as these can be noisy.

🪟

Best views

Request an upper-floor room facing away from the main road for a quieter experience and potentially better views.

😴

Quietest floors

Higher floors are typically quieter due to less street noise and footfall.

🔊 Noise notes

General hotel noise can come from hallways, neighboring rooms, and public spaces; bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper.

💡 Insider tips

1. Book directly with the hotel or via a reputable online platform, and specify your preferences (e.g., quiet room, high floor) at booking. 2. Check recent guest reviews for specific tips on room locations within that property.

How to request your preferred room:
  1. Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
  2. Add a note in your booking comments field
  3. Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available

Le strutture alberghiere

📶
Wi-Fi

Free basic Wi-Fi for all guests (up to 10 Mbps); a paid premium tier at COP 20,000/day for higher speed (up to 50 Mbps). Login via room number and surname.

🛗
Lift / Elevator

The hotel has one elevator serving all 5 guest floors; there are no stairs-only sections.

📰
Media & Newspapers

No complimentary digital newsstand; physical newspapers are available at the lobby for COP 5,000 each. The building is a modern 1960s property, no heritage quirks.

🕒
Check-in / Check-out

Check-in from 15:00; luggage can be dropped from 08:00; late check-out until 13:00 with a fee of 50% of the night's rate, if available.

🧳
Baggage Storage

Complimentary luggage storage at the front desk for early arrivals or late departures.

Accessibility

Step-free access via a ramp at the main entrance; one wheelchair-accessible room on the ground floor; no lift to the basement pool area.

🅿️
Parking

No on-site parking; nearest public car park is 'Estacionamiento Centro' (Calle de la Moneda, 500 m away, COP 25,000/night). No EV charging.

Tariffe, tasse e depositi

City / tourist tax: None (Colombia does not impose a separate city/tourist tax; IVA is included in rates).

Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment or credit card guarantee required at booking; a COP 300,000 incidental hold on a credit card at check-in.

Moneta e moneta

Get a travel card →
💵
Local currency

Colombian Peso, COP

🏦
Where to exchange

Use ATMs in the Old Town or Bocagrande for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchange kiosks due to poor rates.

💳
Cards & contactless

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops; contactless and mobile pay (e.g., Apple Pay) are less common in smaller establishments.

🪙
Tipping etiquette

10% service charge is often included; if not, leave 10% in restaurants. Round up taxi fares; tip hotel staff 2,000–5,000 COP.

Mangiare, fare shopping e viaggiare su un budget

Cheap car hire →
Cheap coffee

A small tinto (black coffee) at a local café or street stall costs about 1,500–2,000 COP.

🥪
Best-value lunch

A set lunch (corriente) at a typical eatery in Getsemani costs around 10,000–15,000 COP.

🍝
Affordable dinner

An arepa or empanada with a drink at a casual spot costs about 8,000–12,000 COP.

🌮
Street food & cheap eats

Getsemani Plaza and the streets around Plaza de la Trinidad are popular for affordable street food like arepas and empanadas.

🛒
Budget groceries

Éxito and Ara are common budget supermarkets in the 130007 area.

👕
Affordable clothes

Local markets and high-street stores in the city center offer affordable clothing; look for sales on Calle del Sargento.

🎫
Cheapest way around

Buses (busetas) cost around 2,500 COP per ride; from the airport, take a local bus (Ruta 5 or 6) for about 2,500 COP instead of a taxi.

💡
Money-saving tips

1) Eat at local lunch spots (corrientes) instead of tourist restaurants. 2) Use ATMs inside banks to avoid high fees. 3) Stay in Getsemani for cheaper accommodation close to the Old Town.

i️ Buono da sapere

🔌
Plugs & power

Type A/B · 110V

🚰
Tap water

safe in cities

💱
Currency

$1 ≈ COP 3550.11 · COP

🚨 Emergency Contacts

Cartagena
🚔
Police
123
🚑
Ambulance / Medical
125
🚒
Fire Department
119

112

💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.

🍽️ Where to Eat

Reserve on OpenTable →
1
PizzUp Local
££
🚶 3 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
2
Restaurante Las Playas Local
££
🚶 6 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
3
Cocina Local Local
££
🚶 9 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
4
Moon Blue Restaurante Local
££
🚶 12 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
5
Sancho Local
££
🚶 15 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
6
Pizzeria Amadía Local
££
🚶 18 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
7
El Buen Gusto Local
££
🚶 21 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome
8
Feisole Pizzeria Local
££
🚶 24 min walk 🕐 12:00 – 22:00 ✓ Walk-ins welcome

💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Cartagena, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.

🛬 Your arrival

🕒 Check-in is from 15:00. Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.

🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →

Ritorno intorno

Book trains →
🚕
Local Taxi (City Ride) 10,000-15,000 COP

Centro Histórico (Walled City) → Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros

15 min · On demand · 24/7

💡 Negotiate the fare before starting the ride; use short-distance flat rates.

🚌
Transcaribe Bus (Airport Route) 2,500 COP

Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) - Bus Stop → Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros (Nearest stop: Portal de los Morros)

35 min · Every 10–15 minutes · 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM

💡 Buy a prepaid Transcaribe card at the station; exact change not required.

🚌
Transcaribe Bus (City Line) 2,500 COP

Centro Histórico (Stop: La Matuna) → Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros (Stop: Portal de los Morros)

30 min · Every 10–12 minutes · 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM

💡 Use the Transcaribe app for real-time routes; buses have air conditioning.

🚕
Airport Taxi (Aeropuerto Internacional Rafael Núñez) 20,000-30,000 COP

Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) → Holiday Inn Cartagena Morros

20 min · On demand · 24/7

💡 Take a yellow taxi from the official taxi stand outside arrivals; avoid unmarked cabs.

Domande frequenti

What are the best rooms at ESTELAR Playa Manzanillo?

Ask for a room on a higher floor away from the elevator and any common areas to reduce foot traffic noise.

Which rooms should I avoid at ESTELAR Playa Manzanillo?

Avoid rooms adjacent to the elevator shaft, stairwells, or any on-site bars or restaurants, as these can be noisy.

Is ESTELAR Playa Manzanillo noisy?

General hotel noise can come from hallways, neighboring rooms, and public spaces; bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper.

Which rooms have the best views at ESTELAR Playa Manzanillo?

Request an upper-floor room facing away from the main road for a quieter experience and potentially better views.

What are insider tips for staying at ESTELAR Playa Manzanillo?

1. Book directly with the hotel or via a reputable online platform, and specify your preferences (e.g., quiet room, high floor) at booking. 2. Check recent guest reviews for specific tips on room locations within that property.

What time is check-in at ESTELAR Playa Manzanillo?

Check-in at ESTELAR Playa Manzanillo is from 15:00. Check-out is by 11:00.

Does ESTELAR Playa Manzanillo have Wi-Fi?

Free basic Wi-Fi for all guests (up to 10 Mbps); a paid premium tier at COP 20,000/day for higher speed (up to 50 Mbps). Login via room number and surname.

Is there a city or tourist tax at ESTELAR Playa Manzanillo?

None (Colombia does not impose a separate city/tourist tax; IVA is included in rates).

Where can I eat cheaply near ESTELAR Playa Manzanillo?

A set lunch (corriente) at a typical eatery in Getsemani costs around 10,000–15,000 COP.

What is the cheapest way to get around from ESTELAR Playa Manzanillo?

Buses (busetas) cost around 2,500 COP per ride; from the airport, take a local bus (Ruta 5 or 6) for about 2,500 COP instead of a taxi.

When is the best time to visit Cartagena?

December to March (dry season, clear skies, moderate humidity) and July (mini-dry period, fewer tourists than peak).

️ Attrazioni

Plaza de la Aduana Free

💡 Bring water and a hat as shade is limited.

Getsemani Neighborhood Free

💡 Explore Plaza de la Trinidad in the evening for live music and food stalls.

Walled City and Historic Center Free

💡 Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat and crowds.

Museo de la Inquisición

💡 Allocate about 1-2 hours; entrance fee is around $5 USD.

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

💡 Go on a guided tour for fascinating historical insights; weekday mornings are less crowded.