Entering the Suite #1 at the Hotel Agua Baru is crossing into a separate reality. Your world shrinks and its horizons expand. Cross the threshold and let your clothes fall to the floor, you will not need them again till you leave. The entire Hotel was created by interior designer Gustavo Pinto four years ago.
Reaching the island brings you out the bay of Cartagena, past the old Spanish guard towers with their ancient chain winches, and past miles of mangroves. You can take a public boat to the town of Baru and then local transport, or you can spring for James Bond Speed Boat. There is nothing quite like relaxing on the padded bow and speeding across the blue waters with the sun shining high, the wind in your hair, and the world slipping past. At 250,000 per person, it is not in-expensive; but then if you are heading here saving money is not your priority.
Yes you can leave the room … but why? The bedroom and veranda give stunning views to the Caribbean down the long slope leading up to the top of the island where the cabaña is located. It is a good 10 min walk up a wooden staircase that winds through a garden. The private infinity pool is constantly refreshing and totally secluded from view. As the sun bakes your naked body, you find yourself plunging in many times a day.
If you wish to put on clothes and dunk in salt-water, Agua Baru offers free boat trips to a private, but not exclusive, beach across the bay. There you can play in the crystalline waters, but you will have bathers from other hotels and the ever-present beach vendors to share it with. You can also hire the hotel boat for a tour of the islands or a visit to the town of Baru.
If there is a weak point in the whole experience, it is the restaurant. It is pretty much your only option, you have to set your menu prior to arrival (as your ingredients travel via the same boat) and the quality is not the finest. The breakfast is a nice continental spread, and then the suggestion is to stick to local fare: Seafood, Ceviches, etc. Have all your meals brought up to the room, while the dining room is stunningly designed in bamboo and decorated by the owner of the Hotel, interior designer Gustavo Pinto; you can marvel at it on your way in and out of the hotel. Dining on the veranda overlooking the sea in your robe is a much nicer experience!
We highly recommend the suite #1 due to its superior privacy and high altitude views (a seating area is built on the top of the room to give you a 360º view at the highest point on the surround isles). This just may be the best hotel room in the entire country of Colombia!
Hotel Agua Baru
57 (5) 664 9479
57 (5) 660 1552
Km 2 via Las Pisinas
Baru – Cartagena, , Colombia
wow.. nice place.. so very relaxing.. and just now, so eager to go here. its really beautiful especially the sea and also the private pool just outside your room. feels like you own it.
Planeamos tour familial 9 habitaciones o 9 familias (cada una de dos o tres personas) desde Noviembre 30 a Deciembre 3, 2013. Por favor envienos informacion con precios approximados. Muchas gracias
We are a travel blog. Please contact the hotel directly. The information is on the same page.
Thank you
~abv