Santa Marta hotel suggestions?

[Pete E]

I am taking my no 1 girl to Santa Marta next week,she has 2 weeks off from work.It the only place in Colombia I have not yet gone that I really want to go to.
I want a first class hotel on the Beach in Rodedero.Something nice.I have someone working on it but I get no real imformation on the hotels and don't want to make a mistake.

Pete

[Pete E]

... in response to Santa  Marta  hotel  suggestions?, posted by Pete E on Feb 22, 2005

We got a 3 day pachage,3 meals plus drinks and airfare for 545,000 pesos each,about $235 each.The airfare alone could be almost that.I paid 500,000 each to Cartagena last miniute flight.The minimum airfare is 360,000 pesos but that requires a 14 day advance purchase.
The hotel is the DeCamaron Galeon,Looks like up the beach from Rodedero,they say 15 min walk.The one I wanted to stay at,the Irotama,would have been 525,000 pesos more each,or a total of 1,050,000 pesos,$450 more for 3 nights at a different hotel,$150 more a night.
Hope the place is good.Looked OK from the brochure,right on the beach.
We leave Monday,back Thursday.I will do some pictures.

Pete

[Gator]

... in response to Santa  Marta  hotel  suggestions?, posted by Pete E on Feb 22, 2005

Try checking on the Hotel Tamaca, Santamar (their bungalows are not on the beach), Irotama & Zuana.  None of these places are cheap but apparently that does not worry you. Any questions about SM just ask.

Tours: http://www.monumentaltoursca.com/paq-surame.htm

Irotoma  http://www.irotama.com/ (will translate to english)

Santamar http://www.hotelsantamar.com/

Zuana  http://www.zuana.com/ or a reservation site http://www.intervalworld.com/iw/cs?a=1503&resortCode=ZUA&parentResortCode=ZUA

Here are some more hotels in Santa Marta (El Rodadero which is the tourist beach area about 3 miles out of Santa Marta)

A google search may have information on some of them.
 
Apartahotel Tiskirama  Carrera 2 5-159 El Rodadero
422 8864 - 422 8899    
Hotel Bariloche  Calle 13 2-59 El Rodadero
422 7140  
Hotel Betoma  Calle 8 1-58 El Rodadero
422 7339  
Hotel Boca Salinas Km 8 Vía Rodadero Pozos Colorados
432 0041  
Hotel Cabañas Costa Azul Calle 18 2-40 El Rodadero
422 9749  
Hotel Cabañas La Guajira Carrera 3 5-177 El Rodadero
422 0914  
Hotel Camelot  Carrera 4 Calle 13 Esq El Rodadero
422 7270  
Hotel Cañaveral  Carrera 2 11-65 El Rodadero
422 7002 - 422 9710
422 8076  
Hotel Charmín  Calle 13 2-41 El Rodadero
422 8253  
Hotel Chayrama  Carrera 2 9-31 El Rodadero
422 7182  
Hotel Cooedumag  Avenida Tamacá Calle 21A Rodadero Sur
422 9205 - 422 9377
422 9205
Hotel El Milagro Calle 19 2-57 Rodadero Sur
422 7665  
Hotel Irotama  Km 14 Vía Cartagena
432 0600  
Hotel Mansión del Mar Carrera 3 7-48 El Rodadero
422 7612  
Hotel Mar Azul Carrera 3A 5-146 El Rodadero
422 7712  
Hotel Medellín Rodadero Calle 19 1C-30 El Rodadero
422 0220  
Hotel Mendihuaca Caribean Resort Carrera 3 7-87 Ed Reina I El Rodadero
422 0070  
Hotel Palmarena  Calle 19 1B-63 El Rodadero
422 7879  
Hotel Palmeras  Calle 17 Carrera 5 El Rodadero
422 2505  
Hotel Repúblicano Colonial Calle 17 2-43 El Rodadero
421 2942  
Hotel Santamar  Km 8 Vía El Rodadero
432 0419 - 432 0486  
Hotel Sol Arhuaco Carrera 2 6-49 El Rodadero
422 7166    
Hotel Suites Sorrento Carrera 3 6-54 El Rodadero
422 0346  
Hotel Tamacá Beach Resort Carrera 2 11A-98 El Rodadero
422 7015 - 422 7018
422 7028
Hotel Taybo  Calle 6 2-43 El Rodadero
422 8335
422 8335  
Hotel Tucuraca  Carrera 2 12-53 El Rodadero
422 7493  
Hotel Valladolid  Carrera 2 5-67 El Rodadero
422 7464    
Hotel Villa Queen Entre El Rodadero y Plenomar
422 7754  
Hotel Yuldama Rodadero Inn Carrera 3 10-40 El Rodadero
422 9236 - 422 9252
422 9232
Hotel Zuana Beach Resort Bello Horizonte
432 0455
 

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Santa  Marta  hotel  suggestions?, posted by Gator on Feb 23, 2005

Thanks for all the good imformation,leaning toward Irotama,haven't got the price yet.

Pete

[Calipro]

... in response to Santa  Marta  hotel  suggestions?, posted by Pete E on Feb 22, 2005

Pete,

I hope you are going to be in Cali on March 10th. I have to swing by your place to pick up my stuff.

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Santa  Marta  hotel  suggestions?, posted by Calipro on Feb 23, 2005

Looks like it will be Feb 28 - March 3 in Santa Marta.I will definetly be back before the 10th,my girl hasto be back at work the 7th.Plus if there ever is no one here Adrian will be able to let guys in ect.
I have ordered some things that if I get them I may want to have you bring them.I was going to ask you when you were coming.

Pete

[Seeker]

... in response to Santa  Marta  hotel  suggestions?, posted by Pete E on Feb 22, 2005

Hi Pete,

I was a little naive about Santa Marta when I invited my girl from Bucaramanga to go there on a vacation. I made the mistake of arriving to Santa Marta in the evening without a reservation. Big Mistake! We ended up staying at the Hotel Zuana Beach Resort in Rodadero which was very expensive and disappointing. We looked at 3 to 4 star hotels the next day in Rodadero and decided to stay at one of these for a few days. However, no rooms were immediately available, so we left our luggage with hotel security and went to the beach.

As we were walking along the Rodadero, we were approached by various guys offering us furnished apartments. When I inquired about the price, I couldn't believe it was actually cheaper than our hotel. We started looking at a few within walking distance and then took a taxi to look at a very beautiful one-bedroom apartment, with a huge balcony and a hammock overlooking the ocean. It was on the 15th floor or there abouts. It had a pool on the roof, very secure and only two blocks up from the beach. Within a few hours, we had returned to the hotel to get our luggage. As we were waiting for a taxi, a friend of the agent passed by on a Chiva. She asked him to take us on the Chiva to the high-rise a few miles away. He agreed and before you know it, here I am in the middle of Rodadero, with a beautiful chica, riding on a Chiva in the middle of the day, heading towards this luxurious apartment. You may not want to go through this hassle...Our "broker" is a stylist. Her name is Clara Ines and her number is 422-8417 in Rodadero. Although it may seem that there are many different agents, they seem to work together and will cooperate to find you what you want.

Make sure you go to Taganga. Santa Marta is nice, but I found Rodadero more exciting and this is where we stayed. Lastly, book a trip to Parque Tayrona. It will be very worthwhile. Another great place is the Quinta of San Pedro Alejandrino. You'll see the bed upon which Simon Bolivar gave his last breath.

Don't be surprised if you start making plans to move to Santa Marta upon returning to Cali. You're going to love it. Good luck.

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Santa  Marta  hotel  suggestions?, posted by Seeker on Feb 22, 2005

S,
Thanks for all the great imformation.I had forgotten about the apartment option,even though I did that in Cartagena,a friend set it up for us.
I am inclined towards staying at Idotama I think its spelled.It a huge complex with lots of restaurants,all inclusive plans including food drinks and water sports and little bungalos you can stay in. My friend stayed there in his honeymoon in 2001.Said it was$100 anight including food and drinks and recreation.BUT it might be more expensive
now,we will see.Bungalo near the beach appeals more than a high rise.
Funny you should mention living there.I had forgotton about that.On poor but happy a guy came on saying he had lived there for 20 years,dropped out of the rat race and never wanted to go back,loved it.I could never get him to respond with any more imformation.It was number one on my mind for awhile,then I forgot it.I can't believe I went to Cartagena 3  times last year without getting to Santa Marta.The first 2 times I was exploring living there,the second time just a lark following  my friend.
I am still wondering what I really want to be doing,I feel like I am treading water here untill it happens.And I love beaches.We will see.I could be really open to something different.Cali is great for the women,kind of boring otherwise.
Hmm.I woke up thinking about lots of things.Business and investment ideas.Whats up in my love life.Some of the opportunities I missed by coming here.If I had just hung on to one of those condos I would have another $200,000.I was a real estate bull but didn't think it had anything left in it.I was wrong.But I'm not sorry I came,I wouldn't have really taken advantage of the opportunities  considering what was going on in my life anyway.
But my life is easy here.I start talking to my maid and know I have it made.Problems I do not have.Dilemas what to do,yes,but they are not pressing.
Hmm.
Thanks for the informative and thoughtfull post.

Pete

[Cali James]

... in response to Re: Re: Santa  Marta  hotel  suggestions..., posted by Pete E on Feb 23, 2005

"If I had just hung on to one of those condos I would have another $200,000."

Hey Pete, I bet your house in Willow Glenn went up $200,000 since you left also.  It's been a crazy market for sure, continuing to rise for no logical reason that I can figure.  I read in the paper that the median price in Los Banos shot up 74% in 2004.  Now mine hasn't gone up like that because it's on the high end of prices but it has gone up about $100K.

[Malandro]

... in response to Re: Re: Santa  Marta  hotel  suggestions..., posted by Pete E on Feb 23, 2005

the surroundings are spectacular.   If you never set foot in the actual city you will not have missed anything.  I asked a taxi driver to take me to a nice restaurant there and he took me to Frisby's  the fried chicken chain.

El Rodadero is a great beach and on the other side you got Taganga and the deserted Parque Tayrona which probably has the cheapest diving in the world.  I wonder if it is safe to go venturing out into the Park and or up to the jungle.

[Gator]

... in response to Santa Marta, the city, is nothing , posted by Malandro on Feb 23, 2005

Lots to do if you know the place but the best beach is in El Rodadero

[Dr Aaron]

... in response to Santa  Marta  hotel  suggestions?, posted by Pete E on Feb 22, 2005

I think it is beautiful in many aspects. First, the coast lays next to a large mountain range, and there is a desert region nearby. I was not near the desert, but there are cacti on the mountains.

There are numerous beaches in various parts. These beaches are extremely clean and beautiful. The water is clean, not like Cartagena.

Along parts of the coastal regions, the only way to travel is by boat. People use lanchas, regular speed boats. Some people have water speeders. It's great !!!

Near the place where I was staying, there is a beach called La Playa Blanca, which you can only reach by boat. The sand is white, and it can make your feet burn. On the way to this beach, you'll see private houses owned by rich Colombian buisness men, and entertainers. Carlos Vives has a coastal house near there. One Colombian oil tycoon has a house on an island that is right next to the coast. The island shoots up like a mountain, and his house is built right on top.

It is a really great place, and most Colombians like Santa Marta allot better than Cartagena.

I stayed in a 5 star resort area called Hoteles Galeon Decameron. I purchased a cheap package off season. The price was $500.00 USD per person for a five day stay. Food, drinks including alcohol, entertainment and airline travel was all included. The rooms are condo style with two floors.

While I was there, I purchased an international time share for $3000.00 USD. The company has affilations with various resorts in different countries in Europe, USA, Latin America, and even Africa. I also won a free stay in Italy, but I haven't used it yet. With my time share, I can stay at various resorts that they are affiliated with, and I can bring guests. Food, lodging, entertainment, drinks are all included. I haven't used it yet.

Hoteles Decameron in Santa Marta is the best because the planes when they come in for landing glide right over the beach for the resort. I can remember just relaxing on the beach, and watching the planes glide in over the beach and water. It was really slick.

Aaron

[Hoda]

... in response to Santa Marta is extremely beautiful. , posted by Dr Aaron on Feb 22, 2005


I have a few questions about your timeshare.

thanks in advance...

[Pete E]

... in response to Aaron...please contact me!, posted by Hoda on Feb 23, 2005

Not to start a debate here,but the basic advice with a time share is don't buy one.The only way it makes sense is if you buy them on the resale market for 10-20% of what they went for new,which is what you will find out they are worth if you try to sell one.And then you have to be selective.Those time share trades?Just try it.My cousin has 2 in Mazatlan.He can't rent them for the maintenance fee.The most flexible thing is invest to make money,don't confuse it with vacations,then get the best deal and FLEXIBILITY on your vacation by being able to pay cash.
Anyone considering a timeshare desperately needs the course Neal is recommending above.
Sorry Aaron.Don't want to rain on your parade,but timeshares are in there with cash value life insurance as a bad investment.

Pete

[OkieMan]

... in response to Santa Marta is extremely beautiful. , posted by Dr Aaron on Feb 22, 2005

Aaron,
You mentioned that the package you purchased included airfare, as well as accomdations, etc.  So, where did you fly from?  I am asking that because I want to know if that package was priced for a person or couple leaving from another Colombian location (ie Cali, Medellin or Bogota), or the price started with your flight from the States?  By the way, that place does sound nice.  It would probably be a great place to go on a honeymoon, or just a week's getaway, like you did.  Thanks for the info.

                             OkieMan