Accor has announced the opening of its third Sofitel-branded property in the country, complete with unbeatable Caribbean views and a nursery cultivating native plant species.

Already welcoming its first guests, this new property provides a luxurious retreat on the idyllic white-sand shores of Isla Barú.

Celebrating local culture and biodiversity

Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort pairs the luxury hotel brand’s French roots with inspiration taken from its Caribbean coastal setting. The scheme is located 25 minutes from Cartagena amid the natural beauty of Isla Barú.

In total, the resort encompasses 187 stylish guestrooms and suites, including a presidential suite. Moreover, the accommodation options here come with balconies and terraces facing the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

David Mulin, general manager for Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort, said: “We are delighted to present our project as an environmentally conscious hotel that will elevate the tourism profile of Barú and usher the destination onto the global luxury stage. This tropical paradise has it all: biodiversity, natural landscapes and, most importantly, a cultural identity that makes it unique in the Caribbean.”

Reflecting the extraordinary biodiversity of its surroundings, the resort is committed to following sustainable practices. It even has its very own onsite nursery, where a host of native plant species are grown.

“It is the first and only hotel in Barú and the Colombian Caribbean to have LEED certification, recognised worldwide for excellence in sustainable construction,” added Thomas Dubaere, CEO of Accor in South America. “This endorsement demonstrates the hotel’s commitment to being a sustainable and environmentally friendly operation.”

A varied F&B programme

The Sofitel brand’s third resort in Colombia is home to three restaurants and as many as seven bars, each under the culinary direction of Chef Patrice Guaus.

Calablanca Restaurant and Bar serves traditional Colombian and Mediterranean dishes, highlighting local produce and ancestral cooking techniques. Another culinary highlight is Humo Restaurant and Bar, which employs a robata concept, while other prominent social spaces include the Lobby Lounge, the La Pergola rooftop terrace bar and three poolside bars.

Guests can unwind in the resort’s spa, featuring four treatment cabins, a sauna, a Turkish bath and a yoga room. Additional facilities include a Kids’ Club and six-room convention centre for meetings and events.

The resort experience is further enhanced by the addition of a rich cultural and outdoor adventure programme in which experiences are delivered in collaboration with the local community. Among the activities on offer are music classes, ecological walking and catamaran tours, and scuba diving.

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