Sofitel Baru Cartagena

Amazing place for a couple’s getaway. Although families and pets seemed to be having a blast too. Diego, our waiter at Calablanca was very attentive and helpful. The rest of the staff was also amazing. Loved every moment of our stay.

Excellent service from Javier at Calablanca. He was incredibly attentive, friendly, and made us feel welcome throughout our visit. We especially appreciated how he shared a bit of Colombian history and culture with us during our meals, which made the experience even more memorable.

Our stay at Sofitel Barú was truly unforgettable from beginning to end. The property itself is absolutely stunning, peaceful, luxurious, beautifully designed, and the perfect island escape after spending time in Cartagena. The room felt like a dream, especially enjoying sunset from the jacuzzi overlooking the property. Every detail felt thoughtful and elevated. What truly made the experience special though was the hospitality. The staff went above and beyond for us in every way imaginable. We had an unexpectedly stressful morning heading over after transportation issues caused us to run late for the boat, and the team handled everything with such patience, kindness, and grace. They genuinely made us feel cared for every step of the way. The spa experience was incredible and one of the highlights of our trip. The food was also amazing (still thinking about the tacos), and even the small touches throughout the stay made such an impression. You can truly feel that this resort prioritizes guest experience and overall happiness above all else. I travel often and can confidently say the warmth, attentiveness, and level of care here stood out in such a meaningful way. We left incredibly grateful for the experience and already looking forward to coming back. Thank you again to the entire Sofitel Barú team for such a beautiful stay 🤍

I've been to many Sofitel properties before, so I arrived with high expectations. It was clear very quickly that this property does not live up to the Sofitel standard. First, just getting to the hotel is difficult. You have three choices: boat, car or helicopter. Our group was too big for the helicopter so we chose the car (which was about the same length of time). Getting to the property involves a 60 to 90 minute drive through some dodgy areas, ending in a long, unpaved dirt road that was uncomfortable at best. But hey, I'm always up for an adventure. Once you arrive, the property itself is nice but the service is terrible. The property was not crowded - the opposite, it was quite empty for a festivo weekend but it still took 30 to 45 minutes to get a drink at the pool. Unacceptable. The prices are extremely high. That's fine I guess, if you're at the Four Seasons and you're getting amazing food and impeccable service - but this Sofitel doesn't offer that. The food was mediocre at best, the selection was sparse and the taste was bland and boring. In addition to the high prices (sometimes as much as 400,000 COP for a steak and 60,000 COP for a cocktail), they add taxes on top plus a "service charge". And even though there is a service charge on everything you consume, the waiters still want a tip. If you don't tip, you get a nasty look and attitude. Come on, either include the tip in your service charge or let us tip, but including both is absurd. The beach itself is fine. The sand is not the white sand of the Caribbean but it's OK. Though they do have layers of security to keep hustlers out, the hustlers still find ways to harrass guests by coming via the ocean. Every night we had people arriving in "lanchas" (small boats) who try to sell you on what they are selling. Do better. But the worst part of the experience is absolutely the service. It's uncaring, no smile, and except to wait. If room service says the food will be there in 40 minutes, it'll be there in 90. Order your drinks immediately or you could be at the pool or beach for an hour before you get anything. And because the location is so remote, there are no nearby supermarkets. You're stuck with what they sell, and their prices. For example, I ordered a quart of milk for my young son's bottle. $100,000 COP (about $30). Price gauging, wretched service, OK location, bland food. That's what the Sofitel Baru offers you.

Beautiful Hotel, with great service. Nice place to relax and forget about everything.