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Inside the Cartagena Boutique Hotel Starring in The Night Manager
As Jonathan Pine embarks on another high-intensity mission, producers of The Night Manager anticipate that this Colombian hotel featured in pivotal scenes will be thrust into the international spotlight. The long-awaited second season of the acclaimed series has finally arrived on television screens, transporting audiences to new and exotic locations as British intelligence recruit Jonathan Pine journeys to Colombia.
A Decade-Long Return
After a ten-year hiatus, Tom Hiddleston reprises his iconic role as Pine, an ex-soldier turned hotel night manager turned intelligence operative. Following the drama-filled first series, Pine now finds himself in Colombia, plunged into the heart of a deadly plot involving arms dealing and guerrilla army training. While scenes were shot across Medellin, London, and various Spanish coastal locations, it is one particular hotel in Colombia's historic port city of Cartagena that plays a starring role this season.
Casa Pestagua's Moment in the Limelight
In several episodes of series two, astute viewers will spot the luxurious Relais & Chateaux boutique hotel Casa Pestagua, which served dual purposes for the production team. The property was used both for accommodating the crew and for filming significant sequences. 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 suites and six rooms, each boasting double-height ceilings and elegant arches inspired by traditional Moorish design. Within the palace walls, guests discover lush gardens with expansive leaves draping across walls and over a picturesque terracotta-tiled courtyard pool. This very pool features prominently in a memorable dance scene from episode three, when it was adorned with paper lanterns and champagne-filled dining tables for filming.
Luxurious Accommodations Revealed
The series offers glimpses into the hotel's sleeping arrangements, with Pine appearing to stay in the Grand Suite. This accommodation features a private patio, separate living room, and king-sized bed beneath a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams. However, this is not the most expansive room available. The 140-square-meter "Count of Pestagua Suite" offers three rooms, exclusive lift access, and a terrace complete with veranda and private jacuzzi overlooking the historic port town.
All rooms at Casa Pestagua are characterized by light, airy simplicity, adorned with four-poster beds, rattan furniture, freestanding baths, and private balconies. Sheltered under colonial arches, guests find AniMare, the hotel's celebrated restaurant showcasing flavors and techniques from Colombia's Caribbean and Pacific coasts.
Culinary Excellence and Amenities
Diners at AniMare can feast on Pacific red tuna, truffled oxtail cannelloni, corn tamales, and fresh ceviche, while the bar serves innovative cocktails incorporating local fruits like soursop and tamarillo. Beyond dining, the hotel features a fully-equipped gym on site and provides access to a comprehensive spa at its sister property, Casa San Agustín, offering massages, facials, and traditional hammam sessions.
Beyond the Hotel Walls
While Casa Pestagua sits just streets away from Cartagena's waterfront, it also offers guests the opportunity to book excursions to Barú Island's private beaches, reachable by a 45-minute boat journey. Barú Island is renowned for its stunning white and pink sands and brilliant pastel blue waters, attracting day-trippers to beaches like Playa Blanca, Agua Azul, and Agua Tranquila.
Back in Cartagena's historic center, where Casa Pestagua is located, the city dazzles with colorful architecture, lively nightlife, popular beaches, and vibrant Caribbean culture. As the drama intensifies later in the series, viewers will see main characters exploring Cartagena's remarkably preserved Spanish colonial architecture, which has earned UNESCO World Heritage status.
Cartagena's Cultural Heritage
The city 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—some former bullrings now transformed into modern shopping centers. This rich historical backdrop provides the perfect setting for The Night Manager's intricate plotlines.
The Night Manager series two premiered on BBC One and iPlayer at 9pm on 1 January in the UK, with new episodes released weekly. The series is also available globally on Amazon Prime Video, bringing Cartagena's Casa Pestagua and Colombia's captivating landscapes to audiences worldwide.
