Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort

For a country with so much Caribbean coastline, Colombia is surprisingly short on beachfront hotels, particularly in the luxury resort category. Many visitors to Cartagena de Indias discover in short order that this famously picturesque port city isn’t, in fact, much of a beach destination at all. But the nearby Isla Barú, a longtime day-trip destination that’s home to the new Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort, offers a tropical paradise within easy reach.

A scenic 40-minute boat ride away from Cartagena, the hotel is the region’s first LEED-certified property. This stylish modern resort is set on a quiet cove, complete with three restaurants, seven bars, a state-of-the-art spa, four infinity pools, and, of course, a private beach. All rooms and suites are elegant and light-filled, outfitted in natural materials and sophisticated earth tones; a Colombian artist created the original artwork and handmade tapestries, all inspired by native birdlife and seascapes. Even the most basic rooms have balconies with sea views, and higher-level suites have large terraces with Jacuzzis and kitchens with butler service.

A colorful Colombian-style breakfast buffet is served with panoramic water views, and an impressive array of restaurants and bars offer Caribbean and international dishes and drinks with a French twist. Many visitors don’t leave the premises once they arrive, which is understandable, but the resort staff happily arranges sailing classes, mountain biking tours, and other excursions. Otherwise, there’s plenty to do at the hotel, from coffee tastings and spa treatments to film screenings under the stars.