Hotel Boutique Don Pepe

There’s a rare magic to a place that feels both grand and deeply personal—Hotel Boutique Don Pepe is exactly that. Once a 16th-century convent, its transformation into a haven of understated luxury is masterful. The rooms, few in number but boundless in charm, are designed with a quiet elegance that wraps you in comfort. Ours, with its soaring ceilings and soft, earthy tones, became a private retreat where mornings began with sunlight spilling through antique windows, and evenings dissolved into the gentle lull of the Caribbean night. The true heartbeat of our stay, though, was the terrace. At Bar Solymar, we lingered over glasses of aged Colombian rum, mixed into cocktails that tasted like liquid gold. The staff, attentive without intrusion, seemed to anticipate every whim—a fresh drink arrived as the last sip vanished, and a platter of local fruits appeared just as hunger stirred. Evenings blurred into starlit conversations, the sea breeze carrying the faint scent of gardenias from the courtyard below. What stays with me most is the stillness. The way time seemed to slow in the cloistered gardens, where the only sounds were rustling palms and distant waves. The staff’s warmth felt authentic, their care woven into every detail: crisp linens turned down at dusk, a handwritten note suggesting a hidden beach, the way they remembered how I took my coffee. This isn’t a hotel that shouts for attention—it whispers, inviting you to lean in. By the end, I didn’t feel like a guest, but a confidant of its secrets. I left with sandy shoes, a sun-kissed soul, and the quiet certainty that I’d found a place I’ll return to—not for luxury alone, but for the rare gift of feeling utterly, peacefully known.

Great hotel, really tidy, the food was great, the service was excellent, it was right in the middle of everything, close to all the nice places to visit in Santa Marta and good restaurants too... Overall 5 stars. I Would most definitely return!

This is a very special hotel indeed. I say hotel but from the moment I walked through the entrance I felt like I was in a home, and I was treated like extended family. It’s a beautiful colonial building that has retained much of its original features but it’s been modernised so tastefully. It’s impossible not to love this place. Delicious food and LuisFelipe and all the staff were the most charming and friendly, I really didn’t want to leave.

I can’t express how much my friend and I absolutely loved our experience here!! The hotel is absolutely stunning, the rooms are gorgeous and have beautiful high ceilings, and are very clean. The staff is exceptional, they are extremely friendly and helpful. The food was phenomenal as were the drinks. The location is also perfect for downtown Santa Marta, with many restaurants and services around the block. I can’t say enough good things! I hope to come back one day, all the way from Canada!

This was my second stay at Hotel Don Pepe, and I was once again impressed and pleased with all the hotel had to offer. Every facet of the experience was an overwhelming positive; from the cleanliness of the facilities to the friendliness of the staff, I could not imagine a more welcoming situation. I have visited hotels in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Hotel Don Pepe provides the most pleasant hotel experience which I have encountered in all my trips across the world. With so many positives, if I were to chose one characteristic to place at the top of the list, it would be how accommodating, welcoming, helpful, friendly, polite, and enjoyable I found the entirety of the hotel staff to be. This includes all members at all levels of employment with which I had interactions. Hotel Don Pepe and it's staff provide for the most positively divine and relaxing stay of any hotel at which I have ever been a guest. If you aren't booking your next stay at Hotel Don Pepe, then you aren't just denying yourself the best Colombia has to offer, but you are robbing yourself of the most impressive hotel experience you would ever know.

My wife and I had a terrific time staying at Hotel Don Pepe for 3 nights last week. Don Pepe is an oasis in Santa Marta as it is the former home of a wealthy gentleman ( Don Pepe!) and his large family vs a commercial hotel chain (while Don Pepe gets the name recognition, the real hero was his wife who produced so many children). This makes it a very special find for those who enjoy the taste of an authentic refined experience. - If you want a trendy (“ bougie” ) contemporary type of hotel to be seen/ check out others this is not it. The rooms were clean, cool, and updated (we stayed in 2 different rooms in order to help accommodate another guest). Beds and linens were very comfortable. The staff were courteous, helpful, and sincere. The small pools were cooling/ relaxing. The location is proximate to everything. Santa Marta is a city where most non Colombian tourists will visit in order to take a day-trip either to the mountains by car and/ or to the beaches by boat vs wanting to hang-out in the city itself. We did both of these day-trips. Specifically, we had a terrific experience with going to the small mountain town called Minca for a coffee, chocolate, eco tour, and we took a snorkeling and beach trip the following day ( the front desk at Don Pepe knows who are the better tour operators). Guasimo is a top end restaurant that is 3 blocks away that requires some planning to get a reservation (the front desk at Don Pepe can arrange this). A special shout-out to Edgar who served us breakfast every day and to both the front desk managers. - Gracias.