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Inside the Cartagena Boutique Hotel Starring in The Night Manager
The highly anticipated second instalment of the gripping spy thriller may have concluded, but dedicated superfans can now immerse themselves in the action by visiting the spectacular Colombian hotel that played a starring role throughout the series.
The Night Manager's Dramatic Return
The long-awaited second season of The Night Manager has now reached its explosive conclusion, leaving audiences on a dramatic cliffhanger after a thrilling finale. Following a substantial ten-year hiatus, Tom Hiddleston triumphantly reprised his role as Jonathan Pine, the ex-soldier turned hotel night manager who becomes a crucial recruit for British intelligence.
This season transported viewers to multiple new international locations as Pine's dangerous mission took him to Colombia, where he became entangled in a deadly plot involving arms dealing and guerrilla army training. While production filmed across Medellín, London, and various Spanish coastal areas, one particular establishment in Colombia's historic port city of Cartagena emerged as a central character in its own right.
Casa Pestagua's Starring Role
Throughout several episodes, attentive viewers can spot the elegant Relais & Châteaux boutique hotel Casa Pestagua, which served dual purposes during filming. The property not only accommodated the cast and crew but also provided the atmospheric setting for numerous pivotal dramatic scenes.
Show producer Matthew Patnick revealed to Time Out: "We ended up buying out the hotel for two and a half days. The show is going to change it forever, like the Es Saadi Palace in Marrakech in season one, which is still associated with The Night Manager ten years later."
Architectural Grandeur and Design
Housed within an exquisite 18th-century colonial palace, Casa Pestagua comprises ten luxurious suites and six beautifully appointed rooms. Each accommodation features impressive double-height ceilings and distinctive arches inspired by traditional Moorish design principles, creating an atmosphere of timeless elegance.
Within the palace walls, guests discover enchanting gardens featuring large, unfurling leaves that drape gracefully across walls and over a picturesque terracotta-tiled courtyard pool. This very pool gained screen prominence during a memorable raunchy dance scene in episode three, when production designers transformed it with paper lanterns and champagne-filled dining tables for filming. In reality, visitors can enjoy the poolside area from plush loungers or relax in the comfortable seating arrangements under the shaded veranda.
Luxurious Accommodations Revealed
The series offers intriguing glimpses into the hotel's sleeping arrangements, with Jonathan Pine appearing to occupy the property's Grand Suite. This spacious accommodation includes a private patio, separate living room, and substantial king-sized bed, all positioned beneath an impressive vaulted ceiling with exposed wooden beams.
Remarkably, this is not even the largest accommodation available at this boutique establishment. The magnificent 140-square-metre "Count of Pestagua Suite" offers three separate rooms, exclusive lift access, and a generous terrace complete with a veranda and private jacuzzi that overlooks the historic port town.
All rooms at Casa Pestagua maintain a light and airy aesthetic, tastefully decorated with four-poster beds, rattan furniture, freestanding baths, and private balconies that enhance the colonial charm.
Culinary Excellence and Additional Amenities
Sheltered beneath the property's characteristic colonial arches, guests will find AniMare, the hotel's celebrated restaurant that showcases the vibrant flavours and sophisticated techniques from Colombia's Caribbean and Pacific coastal regions.
Diners can indulge in exquisite dishes including Pacific red tuna, truffled oxtail cannelloni, traditional corn tamales, and fresh ceviche. The hotel's bar serves innovative cocktails incorporating local fruits such as soursop and tamarillo, providing authentic Colombian tasting experiences.
Additional facilities include a fully-equipped on-site gym and access to a comprehensive spa at the sister property, Casa San Agustín, which offers therapeutic massages, rejuvenating facials, and traditional hammam sessions.
Exploring Beyond the Hotel
While Casa Pestagua sits just a few streets from Cartagena's waterfront, the hotel provides guests with exclusive opportunities to book trips to a private beach on Barú Island, accessible via a scenic 45-minute boat journey from Cartagena.
Barú Island is renowned for its stunning white and pink sand beaches and brilliantly clear pastel blue waters. Day visitors frequently travel by boat to enjoy pristine beaches including Playa Blanca, Agua Azul, and Agua Tranquila.
Back on the mainland, Casa Pestagua occupies a prime position within Cartagena's historical centre, a vibrantly colourful city famous for its lively nightlife, popular beaches, and rich Caribbean culture. As the series' tension escalates in later episodes, viewers witness main characters exploring Cartagena's remarkably well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, which has earned the city UNESCO World Heritage status.
The destination boasts one of South America's most extensive and complete military fortification systems, alongside a complex network of churches, Andalusian-style palaces, and colonial buildings including former bullrings that have been creatively transformed into modern shopping centres.
The complete second series of The Night Manager is available for streaming on BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video, allowing audiences to revisit the dramatic scenes filmed at this exceptional Colombian location.
