San Rafael

Beautiful little hotel. My room was very charming. The aircon was glacial—especially what you need in Mompox in July. The breakfast was a real taste of coastal Colombia. My arrival was 8.5 hours late due to a roadblock set up outside Cartagena. But the night porter waited for me and was very kind and attentive. I absolute recommend the Hotel San Rafael in Mompox.

First of all, the fabric of this hotel is a job really well done. The restoration of the ancient (18th century?) house has clearly been a labour of love. The garden, the library, the lounge at the front of the property overlooking the river are all pleasing features. I think the award for the best and cleanest bathroom in Colombia must go to this property. Better than the Four Seasons in Bogota! It's the human details here that were missing. Check in after a very long journey, was off hand. It was odd and uphill. It was like I was interrupting the quiet evening of someone who really didn't' want to work in hospitality. It took several trips up and down the stairs to get the basics sorted out. Like getting the air-con and fan to work. The room was uninhabitable at the temperature it was handed over to me. It took about an hour to cool down. Maybe the hotel could offer a free drink as a welcoming gesture, in the garden, if they don't want to keep the air con on? Or establishing that this was the first hotel on a lengthy road trip that didn't have free bottled water in the room. This needed another trip to the front desk to get a key to a mini bar fridge. . Mompox can easily hit 33 centigrade at mid day and the lack of clean free water to drink was a real missing for this type of hotel. There is a swimming pool, with absolutely no shade. Hardly a tempting option as it boils in the sun. I never saw it being used. Getting a map and locating a few restaurants was another effort. If the front desk is missing in action, maybe have some info in the room? The usual vibe in a Colombian boutique hotel is friendly warmth and the active and supportive presence of an owner or a manager. It is easier to forgive the glitches and head to four or five star reviews when this essential human factor is present. It usually is! This was lacking during my visit, so five star building, two or three star service.

Bella casa reconvertida en hotel moderno de clásica decoración en el frente del río Magdalena. Pequeño y acogedor, muy bien decorado. El personal presta una muy amable y cálida atención. La habitación muy bien dorada y espaciosa. Parqueadero es a 3 cuadras (Como casi todos los hoteles)