Casa Carolina Sets a New Standard for Conscious Luxury in Cartagena

Source: Casa Carolina

Reported By: Matthew Kennedy

June 2nd, 2025 – A quiet transformation is unfolding within the storied walls of Cartagena’s Old City. In less than five months, Casa Carolina has emerged not only as one of Colombia’s most intimate luxury escapes but as a new benchmark for wellness-driven hospitality. With just 15 rooms and a philosophy rooted in Ayurvedic healing, conscious eating, and community engagement, this boutique retreat offers a deeply intentional alternative to the typical coastal getaway.

Now nominated for Colombia’s Best Hotel Spa in the 2025 World Spa Awards, Casa Carolina is drawing global attention for its holistic ethos and immersive guest experience.

For founder Caroline Soetaert Tchekhoff, Casa Carolina is more than a property—it’s a personal rebirth. After surviving a near-paralyzing accident in 2007, her recovery was shaped by yoga, Ayurveda, and a renewed commitment to living with intention.

“Casa Carolina was born from my own journey to reconnect with body, mind, and life purpose. At Casa Carolina, wellness is not a trend—it is a return to what matters. We invite our guests to slow down, feel restored, and connect—both with themselves and with the rich culture and community of Cartagena. It’s luxury with purpose, designed to leave a lasting impression.”

- Soetaert Tchekhoff

Her vision is palpable in every detail of the hotel’s design and programming—elegant yet understated, immersive but never intrusive. This is silent luxury in its truest form: thoughtful, culturally aware, and inherently restorative.

At the heart of Casa Carolina is a full-spectrum approach to wellbeing. The Yoga Shala, guided by lead instructor Tata Umaña, hosts daily practices in Hatha, Vinyasa, Kundalini, Yin, and Ashtanga, alongside sound healing, guided meditation, and breathwork sessions. Each class is designed not for performance but for presence.

The Casa Carolina Spa focuses on Ayurvedic therapies, bringing centuries-old healing techniques into a serene, contemporary context. Traditional deep tissue massages are offered alongside harmonizing body treatments that restore balance to both body and mind.

It’s an environment that invites self-discovery rather than escape—an approach that resonates with discerning travelers seeking more than surface-level relaxation.

Wellness extends beyond the spa into the kitchen at Just B Wellness Cafe, the hotel’s Ayurveda-inspired dining concept. The menu, curated to nourish both palate and body, features gluten- and dairy-free dishes, cold-pressed juices, and inventive beverages by Ángel Fagundez, a head barista known for his work in conscious coffee culture.

By night, the rooftop becomes a culinary stage for sunset dining and signature cocktails, each ingredient sourced from biodiverse farms and local growers with community impact at their core. The views across Cartagena’s terracotta rooftops are matched only by the integrity of what’s served.

Unlike many luxury wellness offerings, Casa Carolina’s approach is deeply embedded in place. From its collaborations with Colombian artisans to its support of local farmers, the retreat is an ecosystem of cultural preservation and ethical hospitality.

Its architectural footprint is small by design, allowing the retreat to maintain intimacy while minimizing environmental impact. The quiet courtyards, restored colonial details, and warm, minimalist interiors echo the property’s philosophy: less noise, more meaning.

Casa Carolina may be young, but it already occupies a unique space in Cartagena’s hospitality landscape. As wellness travel continues to evolve, properties like this—deeply personal, consciously curated, and community-driven—will lead the next generation of luxury accommodations.