---
title: "Charleston Santa Teresa vs Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand"
description: "Two five-star centro bets — Plaza de Santa Teresa against Carrera 1a — answering whether walled-city polish or free breakfast and port-edge value should win."
url: "https://travelshifu.com/hotels/cartagena/compare/charleston-santa-teresa-cartagena-vs-hotel-caribe-by-faranda-grand-a-member-of-radisson-individuals/"
type: "hotel comparison"
reviewed_on: "2026-08-06"
source: "TravelShifu"
---

# Charleston Santa Teresa vs Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand

Two five-star centro bets — Plaza de Santa Teresa against Carrera 1a — answering whether walled-city polish or free breakfast and port-edge value should win.

## Why this pair

Same star class, same broad job (stay near the old city), different guest stories. Pairing either with a Barú resort would muddle a decision readers actually face between two centro addresses.

## Verdict

Charleston if walled-city walkability and cleanliness scores matter; Hotel Caribe if free breakfast and a softer rate band win — accepting weaker room scores (7.9 against 9.05) and outdated-room complaints.

Neither hotel has POI distances in our seed. Charleston sits at Plaza de Santa Teresa; Caribe at Carrera 1a No 2-87. Location scores 9.55 against 8.9 — both praise centro convenience, Charleston more emphatically.

Guest scores favour Charleston on the headline and the rooms: supplier rating 9.2 out of 10 from 125 reviews against 8.6 from 155, captured 17 January 2026 and 12 December 2025 respectively. Cleanliness is 9.55 against 7.9; room quality 9.05 against 7.9. Caribe’s dirty-room arrivals are the red flag Charleston largely avoids — except for renovations at Charleston, which Caribe does not name.

Facilities split: both list full-service spa and fitness. Caribe lists free breakfast, health club, sauna, steam room and arcade/game room. Charleston lists shopping on site and wedding services. Breakfast is surcharge at Charleston, free at Caribe — a real fork for families.

Value for money: Charleston 8.55, Caribe 8.4 — both soft. Service: 9.55 against 9.4. If you are paying for room quality and cleanliness, Charleston is the coherent buy; if breakfast inclusion and port-edge grounds matter more, Caribe still needs the room caveat read first.

**Best for:**
- Choosing between two five-star centro addresses at similar star class
- Travellers weighing free breakfast against higher cleanliness scores

**Not for:**
- Anyone shopping for a beach-resort escape — both are centro belt, not Barú or Cielo Mar
- Readers who need POI kilometre tables — neither hotel has them in our seed

## Head to head

| Criterion | Charleston Santa Teresa Cartagena | Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand, a member of Radisson Individuals | Edge |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Official classification | 5-star | 5-star | tie |
| Position | Carrera 3 # 31-23, Plaza de Santa Teresa — walled city. No POI distances in seed. | Carrera 1a No 2-87 — historic port / centro edge. No POI distances in seed. | Charleston Santa Teresa Cartagena |
| Supplier rating (our hotel data provider, /10 — display only) | 9.2 from 125 reviews, as of 17 January 2026 | 8.6 from 155 reviews, as of 12 December 2025 | Charleston Santa Teresa Cartagena |
| Location (third-party guest score, /10 — display only) | 9.55 — walking distance to attractions | 8.9 — well-located near popular attractions | Charleston Santa Teresa Cartagena |
| Cleanliness (third-party guest score, /10 — display only) | 9.55 — exceptional cleanliness praised | 7.9 — dirty rooms on arrival named | Charleston Santa Teresa Cartagena |
| Room quality (third-party guest score, /10 — display only) | 9.05 — beautiful, well-maintained rooms | 7.9 — small, outdated rooms named | Charleston Santa Teresa Cartagena |
| Service (third-party guest score, /10 — display only) | 9.55 | 9.4 | Charleston Santa Teresa Cartagena |
| Breakfast | Available (surcharge) | Free breakfast listed | Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand, a member of Radisson Individuals |
| What guests complain about | Ongoing renovations | Room cleanliness; outdated room features | tie |
| Spa | Full-service spa listed | Full-service spa listed | tie |
| Value for money (third-party guest score, /10 — display only) | 8.55 | 8.4 | Charleston Santa Teresa Cartagena |

## Which centro hotel has better rooms?

Charleston on our hotel data provider’s guest scores — room quality 9.05 out of 10 against 7.9 at Hotel Caribe, with dirty-room arrivals named at Caribe. Charleston carries an ongoing-renovations caveat instead.

## Which includes breakfast?

Hotel Caribe lists free breakfast. Charleston lists breakfast available for a surcharge. Confirm your rate on the partner offer — inclusion still varies by booking.

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