How far is the Santa Marta Marriott Playa Dormida from the airport?

The resort is conveniently located just under 10 minutes from the Simón Bolívar International Airport (SMR), and a taxi ride will cost you around $7.

How can I fly to Santa Marta, Colombia, from the U.S.?

While there are no direct flights from the U.S. to Santa Marta, several airlines offer 1-stop or connecting flights, including Avianca, Copa Airlines, Delta, and LATAM.

Does the Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida charge a resort fee?

The resort does not charge guests a resort fee.

Is the Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida located directly on the beach?

Yes, the resort is located directly in front of Playa Dormida, a cleaner, quieter beach than other beaches in Santa Marta.

Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida in Colombia [In-Depth Review]

Updated: May 28, 2025, 8:00am CDT

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Table of Contents

Booking the Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida
Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida Location
Check-In
King Guest Room
Amenities
Food and Beverage
Service
Final Thoughts

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The author stayed as an invited guest of Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida. All opinions are the author’s own, and Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida had no input in any part of this review.

When you think of a coastal city in Colombia, many Americans picture Cartagena, the delightful colonial town brimming with history. Cartagena has definitely become a popular destination in recent years, but I feel it has lost some of its charm due to the tourist boom.

Meanwhile, just under 150 miles away from Cartagena on the beautiful Caribbean coast lies another charming coastal city that has become a favorite escape for Colombians: Santa Marta.

During my summers growing up, I had the privilege of spending time in Bogotá with my grandmother and other family members. But despite spending so much time in Colombia as a child, I had never visited Santa Marta.

This year marks a special occasion for the city, the first Spanish settlement in Colombia and one of the oldest cities in South America, as it celebrates its 500th anniversary. I was thrilled to return to Santa Marta during this momentous year and stay at the Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida, especially since I enjoyed my previous visit to the city so much.

Continue reading to learn about my experience at the Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida and what you can expect if you visit this gorgeous resort on the Caribbean Sea.

Booking the Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida

If you’re looking to enjoy a beachfront vacation in Santa Marta using your hotel points, the best options are the Hilton Santa Marta, which I stayed at and reviewed last year, and the Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida.

What’s better is that rates are reasonable, with award nights starting at just 23,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. However, during December and the holidays, when many Colombians travel to Santa Marta for vacation, award nights can reach up to 46,000 points per night.

Marriott Santa Marta May Points Calendar — Award nights can be had for as few as 23,000 points per night. Image Credit: Marriott

In general, the off-peak pricing means your 35,000-point free night certificates can get you a free night here relatively easily. These certificates are perks of cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card.

During my 2-night midweek stay in April 2025, the award price for the “Guest room, 1 King, Sofa bed, Balcony” was 27,000 points per night, totaling 54,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for the entire stay. On the other hand, a cash booking would have cost me $405 for 2 nights. We value Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.7 cents each, so redeeming points for my stay would have provided 0.74 cents apiece in value — on par with our valuation.

Hot Tip:

There are multiple ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points, including staying at Marriott hotels or using a Marriott Bonvoy-branded credit card. You can also transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, or Bilt Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio.

Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida Location

Currently, there are no nonstop flights from the U.S. to Simón Bolívar International Airport in Santa Marta (SMR). Avianca operated a nonstop flight from Miami (MIA) in 2024, and the airport is currently in the process of expanding its runways to accommodate international flights.

One great way to experience Santa Marta is to make it a stop on your broader journey through Colombia. For example, experience the wonderful diversity of Colombia by exploring vibrant cities like Bogotá and Medellín, visiting the charming coffee region of Quindío, and wrapping up your adventure with a relaxing beach vacation in Santa Marta.

Santa Marta Marriott balcony view — After leaving the airport, you can be at the resort in less than 10 minutes via taxi.

The beachfront resort is conveniently located just under 10 minutes from the airport, and a taxi ride will cost you around $7. Situated on a stretch of coastline with just hotels and condominiums, the resort is about 7.5 miles (about a 15- to 20-minute drive) from downtown Santa Marta.

This resort area is located directly in front of Playa Dormida, which translates to “Sleepy Beach.” As its name would suggest, this stretch of the Santa Marta Coast is known for its serenity and lack of crowds.

Hot Tip:

If you want to fly to Santa Marta using points and miles, you can redeem Avianca LifeMiles or Copa Airlines ConnectMiles to book your award flight. Avianca LifeMiles can be transferred from Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Citi Thank You Rewards at a 1:1 ratio and from Marriott Bonvoy at a transfer rate of 3:1. Copa ConnectMiles can only be transferred from Marriott Bonvoy at a 3:1 ratio. Additionally, you’ll receive a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred.

Check-In

I arrived at the hotel to check in just a couple of minutes after landing and getting into a taxi.

Santa Marta Marriott exterior entrance — The valet entrance is unassuming.

As I approached the double doors, which opened automatically, I was struck by the space’s wood and rock features and the sound of water running from the outside corridor leading to the hotel’s entrance.

Santa Marta Marriott entryway entrance — Once you walk down the path to the automatic glass doors front entrance, you get a better feel for the resort.

Once I arrived, the front desk was directly in front of me, so I walked up to the only check-in associate available and provided my name.

Santa Marta Marriott Reception Lobby — There are 3 check-in desks available, so you likely won’t ever have to wait long to check in.

I gave him my passport as identification and handed him my Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card to cover any incidentals. This card earns me 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on purchases at Marriott hotels. I also took a moment to ask if the resort charged a resort fee. He informed me that they did not — great news!

I went through the standard check-in process, and it was uneventful and very efficient, though I found it a bit robotic.

Santa Marta Marriott Lobby Decor — The lobby area has beautiful lighting and tons of seating.

Within 2 minutes of arriving at the hotel, I was heading toward the elevators to find my room on the sixth floor.

Santa Marta Marriott elevators — The palm tree wallpaper and brown wood contributed to the natural vibes inside the resort.

King Guest Room

The resort has 168 modern rooms and suites across 9 floors, with every room featuring partial or full ocean views.

Santa Marta Marriott hallways — The guest room hallways were pristine and smelled fresh and clean. A good sign!

When I stepped inside the room, the first thing that caught my eye was the natural light coming from the distant balcony.

Santa Marta Marriott room entrance — Natural light streaming into a hotel room is always appreciated.

I always head straight to the balcony to take in the views whenever I have a room with a water view. I spent a lot of time on this balcony, enjoying the iron chairs and the small table during the evening hours as the sun went down.

Santa Marta Marriott balcony with 2 chairs and table — This balcony was my favorite room feature.

Back inside the room, the bed was the centerpiece. I found it incredibly comfortable — I slept well each night. Despite being a notoriously light sleeper, the room was sufficiently soundproof, and the bed was heavenly.

Santa Marta Marriott king bed room — I was comfy in this room and slept incredibly well.

Beside the bed, there was a sofa bed with 2 wooden ottomans.

Santa Marta Marriott king room sofa — The sofa doubled as a sofa bed, perfect for guests with kids.

There was a long wooden desk that appeared to be made from the same material as the ottomans. I spent several hours each day working there.

Santa Marta Marriott king room desk — This long desk was my workstation for 2 days.

Above the desk, there was a 50-inch flat-screen TV that offered local cable channels and streaming options, so I could easily watch my favorite shows on Netflix.

Santa Marta Marriott king room TV and desk — Luckily, I could stream my favorite Netflix shows with ease.

Electrical outlets on the nightstands (also available on the long desk) allowed me to charge my MacBook and phone effortlessly.

Santa Marta Marriott nightstand light lamp — If you’re visiting from the U.S., you won’t need a plug adapter as Colombia uses Type A/B plugs.

A large closet was located at the room’s entrance; inside it was a safe, an ironing board, and an iron. Since I was only staying for 2 nights and was solo on this trip, I didn’t need to store any of my clothing or luggage, but it was nice knowing the closet was large enough to accommodate more items if I were to visit again with my family.

Santa Marta Marriott closet — A full closet provided ample space to store my belongings if I had chosen to use it.

I found a seating area made of mesh that worked perfectly as my luggage storage area.

Santa Marta Marriott counter:seating — My carry-on bag fit perfectly on top of the mesh seat area.

Beside the closet, there was a minifridge stocked with refreshments available for purchase.

Santa Marta Marriott minifridge — The hotel provided 2 complimentary water bottles, but items in the minifridge had to be purchased.

Above the minifridge, there was an assortment of chips, chocolates, and other snacks that were also available for purchase.

Santa Marta Marriott snacks — I liked that there were some Colombian treats available.

The room had an espresso coffee machine with complimentary pods, perfect for making myself a shot of espresso each morning in the room.

Santa Marta Marriott Nespresso machine — I started my mornings with a shot of Nespresso coffee.

Bathroom

The bathroom was generously sized for a standard room, and its shower featured a rainfall showerhead and an adjustable wand.

It’s worth noting that there was only a single vanity. That worked for me, but I can see how it could be an issue if I were visiting with someone else or with family.

Santa Marta Marriott king bed bathroom — Unfortunately, if more than 1 person is staying in the same room, they will have to share the sink.

I loved how strong the water pressure was in the shower.

Santa Marta Marriott Overhead rainshower — This hotel passed the water pressure test with flying colors!

The shower amenities came from This Works, a British skincare and wellness brand.

Santa Marta Marriott shower toiletries — The shower toiletries came in full-size bottles that were fixed to the wall.

Bottom Line:

Occasionally, I observe that certain hotel rooms may appear spacious, yet they lack the comforting atmosphere that evokes a sense of home — not here. My king bedroom was warm and cozy, with gorgeous views to boot. I’d venture to say that a couple — or even a couple with 1 child — could comfortably spread out in a standard room and feel content.

Amenities

Beach

Playa Dormida, situated directly in front of the resort, provides a relaxing beach experience.

Santa Marta Marriott Sunset View of Hotel — The resort’s beach is Playa Dormida, meaning “Sleepy Beach.”

Unlike some other beaches in Santa Marta, which are packed with beach vendors offering anything from fresh coconut water to handmade goods, Playa Dormida is more tranquil.

Santa Marta Marriott Playa Dormida — You can expect a few beach vendors here, but they aren’t aggressive, and you won’t feel pressured to buy anything from them — unlike other beaches in Santa Marta.

Even though it doesn’t have the vibrant blue waters that other Caribbean spots are known for, I appreciate its tranquil waters and the resort’s easy access to the beach, complete with complimentary chairs and umbrellas.

Santa Marta Marriott Beach Chairs and Umbrellas — All resort guests receive a complimentary umbrella and 2 chairs.

Hotel guests can soak up the sun or watch the beautiful sunset in the evening.

Santa Marta Marriott Sunset Viewing Beach — Guests lined up their beach chairs to watch the stunning sunset on the resort’s coastline.

Pool

The resort boasts 1 large pool, encircled by palm trees, with comfortable lounge chairs flanking its perimeter.

There are a handful of private pool cabanas available for rent.

Santa Marta Marriott Pool Daybeds Deck — Cabanas are available for rent.

Guests can enjoy poolside service from the pool bar, which offers a selection of refreshing beverages and light snacks. The pool enhances the resort’s beachfront location, providing a serene area for relaxation, accompanied by attentive service.

Santa Marta Marriott Pool View Morning — The resort pool was a happening spot during the day with guests.

I noticed that most guests at the resort preferred the pool to the beach during my stay.

Fitness Center

The resort’s 24-hour fitness center is on the second floor, positioned in front of the spa, somewhat concealed behind a pair of floor-to-ceiling wooden doors.

The space boasted a modern design and was well-equipped with various cardio machines, strength training equipment, and free weights.

Santa Marta Marriott treadmills and weights — The fitness center was well-rounded, with plenty of equipment to get a nice workout in.

One afternoon, I went to the gym for a quick workout and got in a decent sweat.

Santa Marta Marriott fitness center machines — Even with a handful of guests working out at the same time, it never felt too crowded.

There were 2 other hotel guests, but the space was big enough for all 3 of us to work out without bumping into one another.

Spa

The Seishua Spa is on the second floor, next to the fitness center. I had a massage appointment, so I went downstairs to check in.

Santa Marta Marriott Spa Desk — The resort’s spa is located directly next to the fitness center.

The receptionist brought me inside and gave me a quick tour of the facilities.

Santa Marta Marriott Spa interior — Inside, the décor was stylish and cozy, with earthy tones that provided an inviting space.

The tour included the men’s locker room, where she said I could store my items safely while I received treatment.

Santa Marta Marriott Spa Men's Lockers — I stored my belongings in a locker while I got a massage.

The spa has 4 treatment rooms, all with minimalist but modern décor.

Santa Marta Marriott Spa treatment room — The treatment rooms’ windows face the spa’s outdoor patio, from which you can easily hear people talking if they are there.

Spa guests could also enjoy an outdoor patio deck, which offered a Jacuzzi and views of the beach. While I appreciated the spa’s outdoor area for clients, it was not soundproof, so when I was receiving my massage, I could plainly hear other guests’ conversations outside, which detracted from the relaxing experience.

The spa’s treatment offerings include massages, body cleanses, facials, aromatherapy, and more. It also has a steam room and a relaxation room with nutritious snacks and beverages, including water, tea, and coffee.

Santa Marta Marriott Spa Seating Area — I hung out in this relaxation space until it was time for my massage.

Seishua Spa is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Meeting Spaces

The resort offers more than 6,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces.

Santa Marta Marriott ballroom spaces — There’s plenty of space to have a large meeting or other event here.

The ballroom and 4 meeting rooms are on the second floor, just a few steps away from the fitness center and spa.

Santa Marta Marriott ballroom interior — There are 4 meeting rooms available — ideal for corporate events.

Wi-Fi

When I arrived, it took me a good hour to log in to the Wi-Fi, but once I got it set up, it worked seamlessly for the rest of my stay. I FaceTimed my family from the beach in front of the hotel, and I worked from my room with steady service throughout.

Parking

If you’re visiting Santa Marta and renting a car, you’ll be glad to know that the resort has free on-site parking. However, most guests who visit the resort and wish to explore Santa Marta end up arranging tours or a private car service to transport them around the city, as it’s typically fairly inexpensive.

Food and Beverage

1525 Restaurant & Terrace

The resort’s primary on-site restaurant, 1525 Restaurant & Terrace, is located on the lobby level and features both indoor and patio seating.

Santa Marta Marriott 1525 Host Desk — 1525 is the resort’s main restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.

Regardless of the view, I prefer to sit outside when I dine out. Well, the views from this outdoor seating terrace were pretty spectacular, to say the least.

Santa Marta Marriott 1525 Terrace seating — I sat outside for dinner to enjoy the sea breeze.

The cuisine at 1525 combines international and local Caribbean influences.

Santa Marta Marriott 1525 Dining Room Space — This not only is the resort’s main restaurant, but it’s also the largest with the most seating.

I ate dinner here once and ordered the grilled octopus as an appetizer, which was lukewarm and a little chewy … not the finest grilled octopus I’ve ever eaten.

Santa Marta Marriott Octopus Cayeye — I love a good grilled octopus — sadly, this one wasn’t all that great.

For my main course, I had seafood rice wrapped in a palm leaf. It was wonderful, with plenty of freshly steamed fish within.

Santa Marta Marriott Seafood Rice — My seafood rice wrapped in a leaf was divine, on the other hand!

1525 Restaurant & Terrace is also the resort’s breakfast restaurant, offering a well-rounded buffet for approximately $16 per person.

Santa Marta Marriott Buffet Cold items — You can order à la carte or from the buffet, but at $16 per person, the buffet is the better value.

Fruits were abundant, including exotic local options, such as guanabana (soursop) and maracuya (passion fruit), both of which are among my favorites.

Santa Marta Marriott breakfast fruit options — My favorite thing about returning to Colombia is eating local fruits that are difficult to find in the U.S.

The menu also includes various baked goods and heartier hot dishes such as chicken soup, empanadas, arepas, waffles, and breakfast meats like sausage and bacon.

Santa Marta Marriott buffet hot food items — At breakfast, you can enjoy authentic Colombian treats or classic American items.

Guests can request eggs prepared in any style at the buffet line.

Santa Marta Marriott Buffet Counter — At the buffet line, guests can pick up made-to-order eggs.

Breakfast is served daily from 6:30 to 11 a.m. The restaurant is also open daily for lunch and dinner from 12 to 10 p.m.

Cayeye Beach Restaurant

The Cayeye Beach Restaurant provides a beachfront outdoor dining experience.

Santa Marta Marriott Cayeye sign — Cayeye is the resort’s outdoor dining venue, located steps from the sand.

There are tables just a few feet from the sand, and there’s even a playground for the little ones. The playground, in my opinion, was a brilliant addition for parents who want to eat lunch or dinner without worrying about their fidgety infants.

Cayeye Santa Marta Marriott Dining View — Parents with young children can dine outside while watching their children play in the sand or on the playground.

Its beachfront location lets guests enjoy the fresh sea breeze while savoring various dishes, including fresh seafood and delicious oven-baked pizzas.

Santa Marta Marriott Cayeye seating — I loved the aesthetics of this restaurant and its location right on the sand.

I enjoyed dinner here once and ordered a fish ceviche with lime juice and a red snapper. The fried snapper was tasty enough, though it didn’t have a lot of meat, which was a bit of a disappointment.

Santa Marta Marriott Snapper — I’ve had better fried snapper.

However, the ceviche was wonderful, and I just couldn’t get enough of it!

Santa Marta Marriott ceviche Cayeye — My ceviche, however, was delicious.

Cayeye Beach Restaurant serves lunch and dinner. It’s open Monday through Thursday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sinku Pool Bar

The Sinku Pool Bar is located on the pool deck, offering guests a convenient spot to sip refreshing cocktails and savor light seafood snacks.

Santa Marta Marriott Sinku — Guests lounging by the pool can order food and drinks from their lounger or sit at the Sinku bar.

The name “Sinku,” which means “sunset” in the Arhuaco language, perfectly captures the bar’s vibe, creating a place to unwind and enjoy the stunning sunset views from the pool area.

Although I didn’t get to relax by the pool myself, this bar seems perfect for those pool guests who want to enjoy the resort during the day and sip drinks and order snacks right from their loungers.

Sinku Pool Bar is open Monday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Room Service

On my check-in date, I arrived at the hotel at 3 p.m. and didn’t have a good lunch because I needed to connect from Bogotá to Santa Marta and didn’t have an opportunity to sit down for a meal.

So, I called room service; I wanted an authentic arepa, and because Santa Marta is on the Caribbean coast and noted for its seafood, I ordered the handmade arepa with shrimp.

This was the most delicious thing I ate during my 2-night stay, and I enjoyed it in the comfort of my own room, on my balcony, with stunning vistas as my backdrop.

Santa Marta Marriott Arepa with shrimp and view — This arepa with shrimp will remain in my memory bank forever.

In-room dining is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, offering various selections, including burgers, sandwiches, salads, and, of course, arepas.

Service

I’ve had the chance to stay at both the Hilton and the Marriott in Santa Marta, and I have to say, I prefer the Marriott because of the high level of service I experienced there.

The staff at both on-site restaurants I visited were the standout service teams at the resort. My first impression of the service came from the front desk, which felt a bit robotic to me. However, everyone I met afterward was friendly and eager to meet the guests’ needs.

Final Thoughts

I would gladly return to Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida the next time I visit the Colombian coast.

Santa Marta is extremely popular among domestic travelers — especially those from big Colombian cities like Bogotá and Medellín — though it’s relatively unknown among U.S. travelers (for now). As a result, Santa Marta has managed to preserve its authenticity and natural charm more effectively than the tourist-friendly city of Cartagena on Colombia’s Caribbean coast.

Additionally, the resort offers exceptionally appealing rates when using points. It is a fantastic deal for those redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points and benefiting from Marriott’s fifth-night free on award nights for an extended stay in Santa Marta.