Grupo Valorem To Open Four Seasons Hotel In Cartagena’s Getsemaní Neighborhood
Luxury hotel brand Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Grupo Valorem subsidiary San Francisco Investments, have announced plans to open a luxury hotel and private residences in Cartagena, Colombia’s dominant Caribbean tourism destination.
Located in Getsemaní, a neighborhood adjacent to Cartagena’s convention center and the historic walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Cartagena plans to revitalize and restore several culturally significant buildings dating as far back as the 16th century, including the Cloister of Saint Francis (Claustro de San Francisco) that includes the 16th-century Saint Francis Church; the Club Cartagena, a 1920s Beaux Arts venue; and four historic theatres, Teatro Cartagena, Teatro Calamarí, Teatro Bucanero and Teatro Rialto. Four Seasons plans a careful restoration aimed at preserving the iconic facades and historic architecture. Situated in the Getsemaní neighborhood, the Hotel and Private Residences will provide guests and residents with convenient access to Cartagena’s burgeoning culture and entertainment scene, and numerous architectural landmarks. The hotel also will offer easy access to Cartagena’s convention center, which constantly attracts international events.
“We are proud to partner with the iconic Four Seasons brand to build a new luxury Hotel and Private Residences in the vibrant city of Cartagena,” says Carlos Arturo Londoño, President, Valorem. “Paired with Four Seasons exceptional service, the newly restored Hotel and Private Residences will be the most sought-after destination to live and visit and will transform the hospitality landscape in Cartagena.”
“This new Hotel and Private Residences is the perfect project for us to expand our presence in South America, providing us with the rare opportunity to convert such an exceptional collection of historic buildings within a marquee location in one of the region’s most alluring cities,” says Bart Carnahan, Executive Vice President, Global Business Development and Portfolio Management, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “Together with our partners at Valorem, we look forward to bringing the very best in luxury hospitality to Cartagena.”
With interiors designed by François Catroux and Wimberly Interiors, the new Hotel will feature 131 rooms, including a Royal Suite and a Presidential Suite boasting 4,200 square feet (390 square meters) and 3,500 square feet (325 square meters) of living area respectively. The hotel will offer six unique AvroKO-designed food and beverage concepts with both indoor and terrace dining as well as an atrium lounge inside Club Cartagena. The rooftop pool will offer views of Cartagena Bay and the ancient walled city where guests can access the pool bar and grill from private cabanas and day beds. A Four Seasons spa and fitness center will also be available.
Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Cartagena will also include approximately 16 Private Residences, the first branded residential alternative in Cartagena’s historic district. The hotel will also include 16,000 square feet (1,485 square meters) of meeting and event space.
Founded in 1997, Valorem is a Colombian conglomerate owning or controlling Caracol Television, El Espectador newspaper, Cromos magazine, CineColombia movie theater chain, the D1 convenience store chain (Koba S.A.) Refocosta timber, and Ditransa cargo, among other investments.
As of December 2017, Grupo Valorem’s assets and sales were USD $1.2 billion and USD $1.3 billion respectively (based on ownership in subsidiaries).
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