Sofitel Barú Cartagena sits on a quiet cove of Isla Barú, about 40 minutes by boat from the walled city of Cartagena, and gives the area something it has long lacked: a proper beach resort. Cartagena itself is a port city, wonderful to walk but short on sand, so Barú makes an easy counterpart to a few nights in the old town. The resort was the first in the region to earn LEED certification. Interiors by Marcela Villegas use natural materials and earthy tones, with hand-stitched tapestries by the Colombian artist Eloin Rivera inspired by local birds and seascapes. Every room has a sea view, and the suites add terraces with hot tubs, up to the two-bedroom family penthouses. There are three restaurants and several bars. Calablanca cooks Colombian and Mediterranean food at breakfast and lunch, Humo is a dinner-only robata grill drawing on Asian and Latin flavours, and Bahía grills slowly over coals. Four infinity pools, a private beach and a spa keep most guests on site, though the team can arrange sailing, mountain biking and excursions.
- Rooms
- 187 rooms and suites
Insider tip Pair it with two or three nights in Cartagena's old town first, then take the boat across to Barú for the beach days.
Why I choose it The most polished beach stay within reach of Cartagena, and it suits families as well as couples. It gives a Panama and Colombia journey its days by the sea.