Hotels + Resorts Hotel Openings An Over-the-top Beach Resort Just Opened in Colombia — and You Can Arrive by Yacht This LEED-certified property is setting new standards for beachside luxury in Colombia. By Kristen Shirley Kristen Shirley Instagram Twitter Website Kristen Shirley is a New York-based luxury expert, writer, and editor who covers travel, fashion, fine watches, jewelry, wine, and spirits. She is currently a contributing editor to Forbes.com and Nobleman, and a freelance writer for luxury publications including Bloomberg Businessweek, Travel + Leisure, and Robb Report. Passionate about craftsmanship, rare gemstones, and supporting independent designers, Kristen began her career at Elle in the fashion department, where she trained under former style director Kate Lanphear before becoming the associate market editor. She later went on to become the luxury editorial director at Elite Traveler, where she led the print and digital teams and spearheaded a redesign of the print edition and the website. An avid traveler and foodie, Kristen is drawn to tropical destinations where she can scuba dive, sip rosé on the beach, saber Champagne, shuck oysters, and learn about all things caviar. * 10+ years of experience covering fashion, style, fine watches, and jewelry * Received an applied jewelry professional certificate from the Gemological Institute of America * Received the level 3 award in wine from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, which she passed with distinction * Received a bachelor's degree in French at Georgetown University * Studied abroad at Université Sorbonne Nouvelle and attended international high schools in Frankfurt and London * Speaks French * Founder of La Patiala, a luxury encyclopedia that covers travel, food, wine, spirits, style, beauty, watches, jewelry, and lifestyle Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on December 8, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Travelers have long flocked to Cartagena, Colombia, for its art, culture, food, and history, but until now, there hasn't been a true luxury beach resort where you could relax on a gorgeous white-sand beach after you've had your fill of wandering the ancient city's colorful streets. On Dec. 1, Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort opened its doors on the island of Barú, just a 25-minute yacht ride from Cartagena. Courtesy of Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort Once you arrive on Barú, you'll find a tropical island paradise. The resort occupies a mile stretch of beautiful coastline with plenty of biodiversity. It truly makes the most of its surroundings, and it was built to protect the local environment. It's the only hotel on the island to have LEED certification, and it has an on-site nursery that cultivates native plants from the region. "We are very happy to present our project as an environmentally conscious hotel that will contribute to positioning and promoting Barú in the global segment of luxury tourism," said David Mulin, general manager of Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort. "This tropical paradise has it all: biodiversity, natural landscapes, and, most importantly, a cultural identity that makes it unique in the Caribbean." Courtesy of Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort has 187 rooms and suites, and each one faces the sparkling Caribbean Sea. The resort brings a bit of Sofitel's French savoir-faire to the Caribbean through its design, attentive service, and, of course, food. There are three restaurants and seven bars from French chef Patrice Guaus on property: At Calablanca Restaurant and Bar, you'll find a blend of Colombian and Mediterranean cuisines with a farm-to-table ethos; Humo is a robata grill with influences from Asia, France, and Peru; and La Pérgola is the place to be at sunset, with a stunning rooftop terrace. There are also three poolside bars where you can find refreshing cocktails. Courtesy of Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort The resort offers many activities that will immerse you in the local culture and nature. On land, you might head out on an ecological-focused walking tour or see the island by bike. Head down to the water to paddleboard, snorkel, or scuba dive; There are 60 different species of coral here. You can also charter a catamaran for a day at sea or take a special trip to see the bioluminescent plankton. Little ones will love the resort's Kids Club, which has plenty of activities to keep them entertained while you visit the spa or take a yoga class. Courtesy of Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort We recommend you see the best of Colombia by starting your stay at Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena to explore the city, then heading to Barú by yacht for some beach time. Courtesy of Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort Rooms begin at $390 per night. For more information or to book, visit the hotel's website. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit