Casa Yahri

There’s no question that the place itself is special. Located in Barichara, an impossibly picturesque Colombian village that feels frozen in time, Casa Yahri is a gorgeous colonial villa set amid lush greenery and tropical flowers, its sun-drenched terraces overlooking the vast Chicamocha Canyon. But what’s truly exceptional about Casa Yahri is the extent to which every detail is considered, every need anticipated. Whether functioning as a four-suite boutique hotel or privately rented, the house is fully staffed and the experience is all-inclusive, from home-cooked meals served at the time of guests’ choosing to guided adventures into the wilderness.

If only travel could always be this easy. Especially in a place as remote as this — Casa Yahri is several hours by car from the nearest airport — one expects to be glued to the guidebook or struggling to book excursions using a weak wi-fi signal. But the hotel’s bilingual staff takes care of literally everything, with a dedicated team of concierges and guides to plan everything from cooking classes and coffee plantation visits to whitewater rafting and hiking in the canyon. It frees up travelers to kick back and relax by the bougainvillea-framed outdoor pool or on their private palm-shaded patios.

The suites are all individually decorated; those in the original 1800s house have knotty wood-beamed ceilings, whitewashed stucco walls, ceramic tile floors, king-sized beds with high-end linens, and furnished outdoor space. The largest suite has a spacious terrace with its own plunge pool. The other two are simpler but just as charming, with colorful textiles and artisan-made objects, and open onto a shared terrace. Casa Yahri’s resident chefs prepare delicious Colombian cuisine at any time of day; the homemade arepas served piping-hot at breakfast can't be missed. A seemingly endless range of cultural and outdoor activities awaits, and the absence of tourists in this far-flung region is a rare luxury.