- After years of restorations, Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena has opened in Colombia.
- The 131-room hotel is located in the vibrant Getsemaní neighbourhood, close to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Walled City and the famed Camellón de los Mártires.
- Four Seasons Cartagena was designed in part by late French interior legend François Catroux.
At the heart of the new Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena sits a signature suite, carved from the remnants of the old Club Cartagena. Once a landmark of Art Deco design and opulence where the city’s high society met, drank and danced, the Colombian outpost has been reborn as a refined take on vibrant luxury.
Inside, you’ll find private elevator access, two bedrooms framed by colonial-era architecture and a handcrafted ceramic fountain by María Cecilia Franco Berón, but it’s the curation that demands attention. One foot in the past, the other in the future, the stunning new suite typifies a classic approach to design harmony that is totally, unequivocally François Catroux.
And it might well be the very last time we see it.
The new Four Seasons Cartagena, which reopened to travellers this month after years of restoration work, marks one of the late French interior designer’s final projects. Catroux passed away in 2020, but not before handing down plans for a modern interpretation of the city’s rich heritage and international influences. Several years and countless iterations later, Catroux’s vision of Spanish colonial character married with contemporary elegance is now a reality, brought to life in rich, vivid detail.
Four Seasons Cartagena
Located in the vibrant Getsemaní neighbourhood, the new Four Seasons Cartagena sits flush amid a myriad of plazas, galleries, shops and cafés. The 131-room hotel is just steps from the UNESCO World Heritage Site Walled City, alongside the famed Camellón de los Mártires, Parque Centenario across the street and the contemporary convention centre.
The hotel itself is housed within a collection of restored landmarks, including the 16th-century San Francisco Temple and the aforementioned Club Cartagena. Designed to merge heritage with modern design, the property tells the story of Cartagena’s vibrant past, reflecting diverse cultural influences from Spain, Africa and indigenous ancestors. As general manager Annie Monnier explained, the recent opening not only celebrates a legacy of design, but also a city brimming with culture.
“Our team is thrilled to share the city we proudly call home with guests from near and far,” Monnier said. “Cartagena is an incredibly dynamic destination – alive with history, colour, and culture – and we’ve curated bespoke experiences that reflect its vibrant spirit. With a deep love for the city, our team is dedicated to crafting thoughtful, personalised itineraries that celebrate what inspires you most.”
Rooms & Suites
While the Four Seasons Cartagena’s proximity to the city’s cultural centre might be enticing, some guests may find it difficult to leave their room. Of the 131 accommodations on offer, the resort boasts 27 colonial-style rooms and suites within its heritage buildings, bridging the city’s rich traditional architecture with modern finishes.
In these rooms, guests will find meticulously preserved heritage features, bespoke furnishings and handcrafted details that bring to life François Catroux’s unique design language. The aptly named ‘Catroux Suite’ is arguably the hotel’s centrepiece, characterised by high ceilings and views of the gardens through the historic arched windows.
Elsewhere, the hotel’s contemporary rooms and suites are accessed through a twisting maze of passageways and courtyards. Inside, soft colour palettes, artworks by Miguel Cárdenas and sculptural elements by Alejandro Hernández help to bring the warm Caribbean coastal city’s relaxed philosophy to life. And it’s hardly a surprise. Across his sixty-year career, Catroux was no stranger to bringing the beauty of the outdoors inside.
François Catroux’s Final Note
A childhood friend of Yves Saint Laurent and husband of fashion icon and model, Betty Catroux, François was one of the most influential interior designers of the 20th century. The French creative famously added his own touch of class to the homes of the Rothschild and Goulandris families, alongside celebrities like Princess Marie-Chantal, Diane Von Furstenberg and Santo Domingo.
What made Catroux’s work so captivating was his ability to traverse genres and styles. From his 18th-century neoclassical town houses to his ultra-modernist settings, Catroux was a master of blending modernity with heritage. The Four Seasons Cartagena is perhaps a perfect final farewell for the French legend.
More Art & Design Stories
Interested in reading more art and design news, reviews and guides? MADE Journal has you covered. In addition to our architecture and design features, we publish regular content focused on new exhibitions, restoration projects and community developments that work alongside local communities. Check out some of our other art and design coverage:
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