Las Islas Colombia
Las Islas
Ciénaga de Cholón,
Barú,
Colombia
www.lasislas.com.co
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
Grupo Aviatur
Shareholders
Privately owned – Owner: Mr Jean Claude Bessudo
Date of Creation
July 2018
Hotel General Manager
Mr Samy Bessudo – Owner of the property
Hotel Positioning
5 star eco-luxury resort LHW
Development Strategy
Active participation in trade fairs and marketing efforts of global sales will help the links between B2B and B2C business for the hotel in Colombia and abroad. The Leisure segment is the biggest portion of the travel industry in Cartagena. It’s crucial to visit international and local high-end DMCs to promote our hotel.
Be part of luxury consortias will allow us to increase revenue and daily night rate, in addition to a very high position in the worldwide luxury tourism industry. Also, to be member and have partnersihps of the main tourism entities that are key to gain new businesses for the hotel in the luxury segment. Fam trips and press trips focused on this segment, at least 2 per year (brand owned).
Las Islas
History & Story
Hotel Las Islas in Barú, Cartagena de Indias – Colombia is a social and environmental project that born three years ago by the company Grupo Aviatur owned by Jean Claude Bessudo, main owner of this eco-luxury property. The Hotel was opened on July 1st and we had the honor to receive our ex-president of Colombia, Mr Juan Manuel Santos.The Hotel is inside the National Natural Park Corales del Rosario and was built along with the community respecting the surrounding of the land and the sea, any tree was destructed. Nowadays 80% of our employees are natives from Barú and we support the local community not only through employment but also with education, training, private health-care systems, security, elementary services such potable water and lighting. Locals have an immense sense of belonging as they were part of the project since day one and the additional 6,3% of the employees are bilingual or trilingual professionals that are willing to teach the best standards to the community.
The Hotel is inside the National Natural Park Corales del Rosario and was built along with the community respecting the surrounding of the land and the sea, any tree was destructed. Nowadays 93,7% of our employees are natives from Barú and we support the local community not only through employment but also with education, training, private health-care systems, security, elementary services such potable water and lighting. Locals have an immense sense of belonging as they were part of the project since day one and the additional 6,3% of the employees are bilingual or trilingual professionals that are willing to teach the best standards to the community.
We care for the development of the town along with the positioning of the Hotel by supporting the woman of Barú through the “Aviatur Foundation”, a mission to help them sell local artistries in our crafts store. In addition, artisans are also welcome as stakeholders of the hotel by acquiring products and services from them such as fresh sea products. Also, the community is getting prepared progressively in different professions to offer the best for tourist in the region: snorkeling with natives, discovering the flora and fauna of the hotel, bioluminescence night tours and birdwatching guided tours are only some of the best attractions in Las Islas for unique travelers looking for a peaceful stay.
Sandra Bessudo President of “Malpelo Foundation”, daughter of Jean Claude Bessudo is recovering the coral reef of the Natural Park Corales del Rosario in a partnership with our local diving center so we can teach tourists how to experience a natural environment by protecting the sea.
The Hotel also supports the “Barú Foundation” by teaching kids how to play different instruments and giving them all the resources. They also play some concerts for our guests when they want to be involved with the community.
Date Renewal
N/A
Date added extensions
N/A
Main Strengths, Special Touch
The hotel offers a complete relaxing atmosphere, allowing the guest to enjoy the sounds of the nature with all the luxury of a 5-star hotel. 56 bungalows with private pools facing the sea or jacuzzis on treetop and the warm service of our native employees.
Location
The hotel Las Islas is located at the end of the Ciénaga de Cholón, Barú, 45 minutes away on a speedboat fromthe city of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.
Key sites/activities in the area
• Rosario Islands
• Cooking Classes
• National Aviary
• Boat tours
• Canal del Dique
• Canoe rides
• San Bernardo Island
• Day tour in Isleta (private island of the hotel)
• Bioluminescence night tour
• Snorkeling & Diving
• Mangrooves tour
• Kayaks
• Helicopter Tours
• Paddle boards
• Astrotour
• 2 Bycicles per bungalow
Fun Facts
We care for the development of the town along with the positioning of the Hotel by supporting the woman of Barú through the “Aviatur Foundation”, a mission to help them sell local artistries in our crafts store. In addition, artisans are also welcome as stakeholders of the hotel by acquiring products and services from them such as fresh sea products. Also, the community is getting prepared progressively in different professions to offer the best for tourist in the region: snorkeling with natives, discovering the flora and fauna of the hotel, bioluminescence night tours and birdwatching guided tours are only some of the best attractions in Las Islas for unique travelers looking for a peaceful stay.
The Hotel also supports the “Barú Foundation” by teaching kids how to play different instruments and giving them all the resources. They also play some concerts for our guests when they want to be involved with the community.
Children’s Corner
• 0-2 years old: we include cribs on each room (4 cribs available)
• 3-11 years old: can sleep only in room # 21 for security reasons, room subject to availability
• 12 years and up are considered as adults and they have to be in an additional bungalow
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• Number of suites: 0
• Number of Luxury rooms: 55
• Number of rooms, (keys) in all: 57
• Sea view bungalow with private pool: 70-80 squared meters room, including a private pool and a deck. Sea View Room with Double-bed (king or twin accommodation) – 180x2mt/90x2mt, air conditioning, roof fan, private intercom, technological facilities and a bathroom with Hermes products, washlet, fresh water shower (hot & cold water) and VIP amenities. (18 bungalows). Some of these room types have private access to sea.
• Sea view bungalow – jacuzzi: 70-80 squared meters room, including a Hydro massage bathtub with fresh/salty water supply and a deck. Sea View Room with Double-bed (king or twin accommodation) – 180x2mt/90x2mt, air conditioning, roof fan, private intercom, technological facilities and a bathroom with Hermes products, washlet, fresh water shower (hot & cold water) and VIP amenities. (1 bungalow).
• Sea view bungalow – accessible: 70-80 squared meters room, including a private pool special for disabled guests and a deck. No stairs. Sea View Room with Double-bed (king or twin accommodation) – 180x2mt/90x2mt, air conditioning, roof fan, private intercom, technological facilities and a bathroom with Hermes products, washlet, fresh water shower (hot & cold water) and VIP amenities. (2 bungalows)
• Sea view bungalow – natural pool: 70-80 squared meters room, with private access to the sea. Sea View Room with Double-bed (king or twin accommodation) – 180x2mt/90x2mt, air conditioning, roof fan, private intercom, technological facilities and a bathroom with Hermes products, washlet, fresh water shower (hot & cold water) and VIP amenities. (1 bungalow)
• Tree top bungalow – sea view: 70-80 squared meters room, including a Hydro massage bathtub with fresh/salty water supply and a deck. Sea View or tropical forest view with Double-bed (king or twin accommodation) – 180x2mt/90x2mt, air conditioning, roof fan, private intercom, technological facilities and a bathroom with Hermes products, washlet, fresh water shower (hot & cold water) and VIP amenities. (31 bungalows)
• Grand bungalow – sea view from platform: 100 square meters suite, including one room, living area and an additional private deck 360° view with a hydro massage bathtub – fresh/salty water supply. Sea View Room with Double-bed (king or twin accommodation) – 180x2mt/90x2mt, air conditioning, roof fan, private intercom, technological facilities and a bathroom with Hermes products, washlet, fresh water shower (hot & cold water) and VIP amenities.
• Saling boat house: For a completely different take on the hotel concept, reserve your stay in this spacious catamaran. Located on the sea, it includes two bedrooms with King beds and two sofa beds, as well as a living area and a bathroom stocked with premium Hermes products, as well as a washlet toilet, a freshwater shower and a robe and slippers.
Restaurants & Bars
• Las Guacas restaurant: Located on the first floor of the Club House, special for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Non-formal restaurant.
• Tia Coco restaurant: Located on the sea. We offer delish Caribbean cuisine at breakfast and lunch time. Taste local fish, ceviches or fresh sea food cooked on the grill. If you wish, you can arrive swimming to the restaurant.
• Quisco Bar Choco restaurant: Located on the beach area. Guests can enjoy tropical drinks, sandwiches or skewers on the grill and homemade pizzas cooked in wood oven. Restaurant and bar format.
• Los Mangos cafeteria: Located next to the gym, the place offers refreshing drinks, ice creams, colombian coffee and healthy snacks to recover the calories burned during the exercise.
• Las Islas bar: A place to mesmerize guests with a 360° view of the island with an atmosphere that changes throughout the day.
Wellness
Spa Niña Daniela: A bracing place specially for relaxation at any time during the day. 6 Massage Rooms special for facial and corporal treatments. Reserve inside or outside cabins. Private treatments in the platforms of the rooms, up to availability with a previous request. Massage room equipped with an Easy Dream machine which relaxes and gives a deep repair for mind and body. (Neurostimulator Equipment T-BA 2026). Thalassotherapy jets. Jacuzzi. Turkish bath. Sauna. Salt water pool. Practice yoga at any time of the day. Private classes available upon request.
Pool: Climatized pool. Enjoy refreshing drinks in the pool and surroundings. Guests can find hammocks in different spaces along the beach for rest and relaxation.
Solarium: In the top floor of the hotel guests can benefit from the solarium to be amused by naturism. Here you can find a map of the view to appreciate in a clear day.
Corporate & Celebration Events
Different scenarios with sea view available in the hotel to organize your wedding, event or meeting.
Barú Meeting Room: For clients that want to request a space with air conditioner. With African decorations in honour of the roots of the natives of Barú. Capacity of the meeting room: 130 people.
Isla Grande Terrace: Ideal for breaks or cocktails in front of the pool. Capacity of the terrace: 70 people.
Private Beach: For groups that have reserved 100% of the rooms of the hotel. Capacity: 130pax
Extra Notable Features
• Walking tour on the mangroves
• Tour to the Dique Canal to appreciate birdwatching. Tour to the Islands of the Archipelago of San Bernardo. Tour to the acuarium, Rosario Islands. Tour to the National Aviary of Colombia, Barú Historical center tour.
• Nocturnal tour to dive in the bioluminescent plankton
• Canoe ride with local environmental guides. Walks: 1,9 miles of pedestrian paths to discover the native flora.
• Snorkeling and diving,
• Kayak and paddle boards available.
• Basic cooking classes with local food of Barú
• Free cooking class all days with a Barú Chef
• Helicopter Tours
Hotel and restaurant Awards
N/A
Number of employees
160