THE FIRST LUXURY BEACH RESORT IN COLOMBIA

 The exclusive French luxury chain arrives with all its charm and sophistication with the inauguration of the Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort, the only one in the Colombian Caribbean with LEED certification 

Barú, 2021 – Cartagena. Nestled in a natural and tropical paradise with turquoise blue waters and a white sand beach, the Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort officially opens its doors this December with a value proposition inspired by experiences that will connect hospitality, culture and biodiversity in one place, becoming the first luxury beach resort in the country. 

Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort is one of the most anticipated openings in Colombia that joins the set of exclusive properties of Sofitel, part of Accor group's luxury brands, which arrived in the country in 1995 with the opening of Sofitel Legend Santa Clara. 

Each of its spaces combine the charm, sophistication and refinement of French style with genuine Caribbean hospitality and culture amidst a natural and biodiverse environment where fun and relaxation have no limits. 

David Mulin, General Manager of the Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort, affirms: “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. This tropical paradise has it all: biodiversity, natural landscapes and, most importantly, a cultural identity that makes it unique in the Caribbean.” 

For his part, Nicolás Pesty, Delegué Luxe Colombia, says: “this new development is the largest resort in the country, the first Sofitel opening in more than 20 years, and one that arrives to reinforce the Accor group's luxury brand. Likewise, we want to create a synergy and offer our guests a unique and unparalleled experience where our properties complement each other: on the one hand, Cartagena, a historical and romantic destination and on the other Barú, an island paradise with relaxing nautical activities that deliver our guests the best of both worlds.” 

The Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort is the result of the vision of a group of Colombian investors who saw in Barú a real possibility for promoting luxury tourism in international markets. They are Grupo Argos, the landowner and development partner; Arquitectura y Concreto, manager and builder; and the largest real estate investment vehicle in Colombia, Pei. The hotel is operated by Accor. 

All this is complemented by the more than 8,000 square meters of beach along the Colombian coastline which is part of the island of Barú, a treasure with endless combinations of landscapes thanks to its immense biodiversity with more than 60 species of coral, 153 species of crustaceans, 244 species of mollusks, 513 species of fish, as well as migratory birds that adorn this paradise of a turquoise blue sea and that can be admired from anywhere in the hotel. 

This hotel complex, which has a developed area of 19,750 square meters, manages to balance architectural design with nature, betting on environmental sustainability. It is the first and only hotel in Barú and in the Colombian Caribbean to have LEED certification, recognized worldwide for sustainable construction. This endorsement demonstrates the hotel's commitment to achieve a sustainable and environmentally friendly operation. 

The project meets international standards that include harmony with the natural environment, respect for the ecosystem, minimizing the consumption of potable water and energy with the use of state-of-the-art technology, and incorporating clean energy, responsible materials and finishes. Likewise, there are spaces that promote thermal and acoustic comfort, accompanied by adequate air quality inside the buildings. 

On the other hand, the hotel directors and Arquitectura y Concreto have been in constant contact with the local community of the island of Barú to work hand in hand with different social and economic projects that seek to strengthen the development and growth of the island. This includes actions such as the construction of a children's park in the village of Ararca, as well as projects to promote local products and crafts from the region, among others. 

In this sense Ingrid Velásquez, Director of Marketing and Sales for Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort, says: “we are very involved with the communities and are working with them to create winning experiences that are only available at the hotel, with unique activities tailored to our guests. These native resources that the community creates are very valuable and our goal is to transform them into high quality services so that they are appreciated by the guest in quality and price. " 

The hotel, which is just 25 minutes by boat from the historic and romantic city of Cartagena, has 10 towers with 187 modern and comfortable rooms, including 22 suites and the presidential suite; 3 high-end restaurants that take you on a culinary journey through the most exquisite of international cuisine; 7 bars, where cocktails have a privileged place; Sofitel Spa with four cabins, sauna, Turkish bath, and a yoga room for wellbeing and relaxation; and more than 932 square meters of meeting space distributed in 6 rooms for events with the latest technology. 

The French chef Patrice Guaus has in his hands the task of launching a unique gastronomic proposal for an impressive culinary journey. The Calablanca restaurant and bar will feature local flavors of the traditional Colombian and Mediterranean cuisines, accompanied by ancestral techniques and farm to table ingredients. The dinner-only Humo restaurant and bar has a robata grill concept inspired by Japanese, Chinese, Thai, French and Peruvian cuisines. 

The Bahia restaurant, located on the beach with an exclusive slow-cook grill, will offer delicious dishes that will be perfectly combined with Caribbean cocktails. The Lobby lounge bar will have an extensive list of classic spirits and cocktails; La Pérgola, a rooftop terrace bar is the perfect place to watch Barú's sunsets; and for the ease of guests and visitors, this hotel complex has three poolside bars. 

The magical stories and ancestral traditions of Barú, and the exorbitant nature that surrounds the island have been more than a source of inspiration for each of the experiences that the Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort has for guests and visitors. 
According to Ari Bialikamien, Director of Food and Beverage, all of these elements have joined the latest world trends that have defined the way of living and enjoying a beach hotel. "We will have experiences where you will be immersed in the Arab and Mediterranean worlds, the French Riviera… the Calablanca Floating Breakfast and Cinema Under the Stars are just a few of them." 

Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort has unique landscapes in a paradise of a turquoise blue sea and white sand beaches with the best climate in the Caribbean, perfect for celebrating dream weddings. The hotel has prepared the best settings and services that offer an exquisite and elegant touch to immortalize these moments in a surprising and fantastic atmosphere. 

The opening of the Sofitel Calablanca Beach Resort confirms that Colombia continues on the radar of premium tourism, and continues the commitment of large international luxury chains such as Sofitel to strengthen and develop the industry in the country. 

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