Cartagena, the colourful port metropolis on the northern coast of Colombia, will not be precisely a logical getaway if you wish to spend time on the seaside.
However in case you are within the temper for some solar and sand, Cartagena’s finest seashores lie past town partitions on the island of Barú, a 40-minute boat trip from city. The newly-opened Sofitel Barú Calablanca, the place I not too long ago had the pleasure of visiting courtesy of the resort, is the realm’s first luxurious beachfront property. It opened on the finish of 2021 and affords clear, modern design that options an abundance of bamboo, stone, glass and muted impartial tones. The eco-friendly lodge is the one lodge on the island with LEED certification.
Whereas the white sand seaside is an apparent attraction, the 4 infinity-edge swimming pools situated all through the property actually steal the present. For friends wanting a bit extra journey, there’s additionally an onsite nautical middle the place you possibly can ebook snorkeling, kayaking or paddle boarding experiences throughout your keep. And no luxurious resort is full and not using a spa. This one focuses on holistic remedies impressed by the island’s conventional therapeutic practices.
The Sofitel Barú Calablanca is a superb vacation spot in case you’re seeking to chill out, reconnect with nature and benefit from the serenity of this Caribbean gem.
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The rooms
Every of the 187 visitor rooms has its personal non-public balcony or terrace with unobstructed sea views. The rooms are unfold throughout ten towers, together with 23 suites situated on the highest ground of towers 4-10. The rooms convey the identical synergy between modern design and nature, with an emphasis on impartial materials, wooden and stone accents. Most of the suites have each a bathe and a bath, and embrace L’Occitane facilities. Some have non-public whirlpool tubs as effectively.
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The meals
Three eating places and 7 bars (three of that are situated poolside) are unfold throughout the property. Themes and cuisines for every have been developed by chef Patrice Guaus. The beautiful Calablanca restaurant, one ground down from the lodge foyer, serves breakfast (the Sofitel signature buffet that includes fruit, contemporary juices and locally-inspired favorites), in addition to lunch and dinner with contemporary seafood and conventional Colombian and Mediterranean dishes.
Humo affords dinners with pan-Asian, French and Peruvian influences. The rotating menu options native and seasonal substances and dishes are ready over a Japanese-style robata grill.
The open-air Bahía beach grill affords chilly and uncooked dishes, together with a few of the finest ceviche I’ve ever had, in addition to grilled fish, pork stomach and roasted veggies ready over the grill. This was my favourite spot for a chilly cerveza and a few really noteworthy margaritas in a beachy, Bohemian venue.
Talking of cocktails, the rooftop Bar La Pergola is the proper spot to sip a cocktail whereas watching the well-known Isla Barú sundown and having fun with stay music.
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The facilities
Whether or not you’re seeking to lounge and chill out or you may have your sights set on a little bit of journey, the Sofitel Barú Calablanca affords greater than sufficient choices to fill your days.
For friends desirous to decelerate and spend their time absorbing the solar and experiencing some serenity, the four inviting pools or the seaside itself are nice locations to begin. Every aquatic sanctuary has its personal distinct environment and affords numerous cabanas and loungers, in addition to close by bars to order a contemporary piña colada.
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The spa contains 4 therapy rooms, a Turkish tub, steam room, sauna and yoga room. Company can select from a menu of therapy choices impressed by the area’s conventional therapeutic practices, together with a facial designed with natural substances and tropical extracts.
The property additionally affords friends a possibility to study extra in regards to the island’s tradition and historical past with a list of experiences that friends can ebook all through their keep, resembling a crusing lesson, espresso tasting, mixology class, guided mountain bike tour and extra.
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The realm
Attending to and from the property requires a little bit of planning and coordination with the lodge. Company can arrive both by boat or automotive from Cartagena. We opted for the shared Catamaran which picked us up on the Cartagena Nautical Membership and delivered us straight to the resort’s dock the place a golf cart was ready to take us as much as the foyer for check-in — a seamless expertise for each our arrival and return.
For a straightforward exercise close to the lodge, the Aviario Nacional is an unbelievable spot. The aviary is dwelling to greater than 150 species of birds from three distinctive ecosystems, together with a few of the rarest Colombian and Latin American birds. I used to be particularly starstruck by the flamingos, peacocks and vultures.
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The worth
Relying on the time of yr, standard guest rooms begin round $300 USD per night time, whereas the suites vary from round $400 – $800 USD per night time, with the Presidential Suite costing round $4000 USD per night time.
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