The majority of guests at the Holiday Inn Express in Bocagrande are business travelers. Contemporary rooms seem like they belong to a more upscale chain hotel, like a Marriott or a Hilton. They feature duvet-topped beds with reading lights, desks with ergonomic chairs, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and tons of outlets and storage space. The Holiday Inn Express can host large-scale conferences and business functions for up to 140 people. The five modern meeting and event spaces are located on the second floor mezzanine, just above the lobby. Rooms can be opened up and closed off as necessary, and all have modern audiovisual equipment. Downstairs in the lobby there’s a small business center and a mini-market. The business center is really just a communal desk with a few computers and printers, but it's handy for printing boarding passes or tickets to local events. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are free for all guests. The Wi-Fi is excellent and works well across the property.   

The best thing (or the worst thing, depending on your perspective) about the Hampton by Hilton Cartagena is that it feels like many other Hampton by Hiltons all over the world. If you’re a fan of the chain and know what to expect from it, the brand’s Cartagena outpost does not disappoint. Its swanky lobby, located on the 16th floor, offers sweeping views of Bocagrande and features a 24-hour business center, snack bar, and breakfast room. The majority of guests here are business travelers, but there are also a fair share of vacationing families and couples. 

The four-pearl Sonesta Hotel Cartagena is an excellent option for travelers seeking quiet beachfront accommodations in Cartagena. Located in La Boquilla, a popular tourist area that is quieter and less crowded than Bocagrande, the Sonesta is a 10-minute drive from the airport, and a 20-minute drive from the historic walled city -- unless you’re traveling during rush hour, when traffic can be horrendous. Rooms are on the smaller side, but they’re clean and tastefully decorated with modern decor. The hotel has two pools, a small spa and fitness center, a stylish restaurant, and two audiovisual-equipped meeting rooms. 

The 313-room, mid-range Hotel Cartagena Plaza is an older property that has been refurbished with millennials in mind. The dated lobby now features glitzy Hollywood-esque furniture; in addition, Xbox consoles are set up in common spaces, Wi-Fi is free, and there are several “selfie corners” across the property. If possible, upgrade to the executive floor, which has its own breakfast room, a private concierge, and larger rooms with cool, locally inspired decor. Regular rooms aren’t as exciting as their executive counterparts, but they still feature modern furniture and bathrooms. The hotel has a rooftop pool and activities center, and is across the street from Bocagrande’s bustling city beach. For business travelers, Cartagena Plaza has a business center and several meeting rooms. The modern business center is nicely equipped with ample work space, and several computers, printers, and fax machines. The meetings rooms haven’t been renovated, but they have updated audio-visual equipment.  

Colombian business travelers are the main clientele at the 50-room, budget-friendly Zalmedina Hotel in lively Bocagrande. The hotel is one block from the beach and within walking distance of tons of shops, bars, and restaurants. The stylish rooms have flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, but the bathrooms are tiny, and some rooms are subject to lots of street noise at night. There are two on-site conference rooms, and the hotel offers free breakfast and Wi-Fi.