Blue Apple Beach

Blue Apple Beach, Cartagena, Colombia: A Comprehensive Review (Michelin Key Selected)

Blue Apple Beach in Cartagena, Colombia, stands out as a "Michelin Key Selected" property, signifying a notable and recommended stay. Guests consistently describe it as a unique blend of a lively beach club and a tranquil boutique hotel, offering a luxurious and laid-back escape just a short boat ride from Cartagena.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Blue Apple Beach is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests describing it as "paradise" and a "nice chill spot" for a relaxing beach day. It boasts excellent ratings, including 4.8 stars from over 1,200 reviews on Google. The sentiment highlights a perfect balance between vibrant energy during the day and a quiet retreat in the evenings.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise several aspects of Blue Apple Beach:

• Design & Atmosphere: Inspired by beach clubs in the South of France and Ibiza, the hotel offers a chic, open-air restaurant and bar facing a turquoise-tiled pool. The ambiance is often described as intimate yet vibrant, with a focus on sustainability reflected in the decor and practices. The landscaping around the pool area is lush and tropical.
• Food & Drink: The fresh, flavorful, and remarkably high-quality food is a recurring highlight. Blue Apple Beach is noted for having an executive chef with Michelin experience and a dedicated menu for vegetarians, emphasizing their serious approach to cuisine. Rosé flows freely, and DJs spin Afro-Latino beats, contributing to the lively atmosphere.
• Amenities & Activities: The property offers a wide range of activities including a gorgeous pool, group games, hammocks, massage services, and stand-up paddleboarding equipment. There's also a PADI scuba center nearby and a yoga deck that doubles as an outdoor cinema at night. For hotel guests, there's complimentary access to the beach club and reserved sunbeds.
• Exclusivity & Escape: Its location on Tierra Bomba island, just 20 minutes from Cartagena by boat, provides a convenient yet secluded tropical escape, less crowded and more relaxing than other popular islands.

3. Room Quality

Blue Apple Beach features just eleven rooms, described as spacious and colorful. Each room is unique, showcasing cheerful stripes and patterns in oceanic hues, artisan-crafted wood furnishings, and stone-lined bathrooms with walk-in showers. All rooms come with a private bathroom, hot water, air conditioning, balcony or terrace, minibar, cable TV, and Wi-Fi. Many rooms also include hammocks and plunge pools. Larger cabaña-style bungalows offer outdoor showers, king-sized daybeds, and sea views. Guests frequently mention the beautifully designed and incredibly comfortable cabanas, with some appreciating private hot tubs and open-air bathrooms that connect guests to nature. Comfortable beds with adjustable pillows are also noted.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Blue Apple Beach is highly praised, often highlighted as a key reason for a positive stay. The food is consistently described as fresh, flavorful, and of remarkably high quality, with meals sometimes served directly on the beach for a memorable touch. The family-friendly restaurant serves a diverse range of cuisines including American, Mediterranean, Seafood, local, European, and Caribbean. Brunch, lunch, and dinner are available, complemented by cocktails. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options are also provided. The presence of an executive chef with Michelin experience and a full-time sommelier underscores the hotel's commitment to a high-quality culinary offering.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback on service and staff is largely positive. Reviewers mention friendly and helpful staff who look after guests very well. Small details provided by the staff are noted as making a big difference in the guest experience. The hotel aims for top service and an elevated experience.

6. Location & Accessibility

Blue Apple Beach is situated on Isla Tierra Bomba, the nearest island to the mainland off the coast of Cartagena de Indias, making it conveniently accessible. The boat journey from Cartagena takes approximately 20 minutes. While convenient to reach, it's far enough to offer a feeling of a tropical escape. The island location provides idyllic white sand beaches and a more serene and less crowded environment compared to other popular islands. The hotel also offers pick-up and drop-off services from Cartagena.

7. Value & Pricing

While some guests acknowledge that Blue Apple Beach can be a "bit pricy," many find it to be worth the cost. Day passes typically range from US $40 for boat and access only (food and drinks à la carte) to US $80 for an all-in-one pass that includes boat, access, lunch, and a cocktail (Monday-Friday, excluding holidays and high season). Sun lounger options range from $5 per person for a garden lounger to $50 for a poolside VIP daybed (up to 6 people). Overnight stays in rooms like the Manzana cabaña, with private plunge pool and outdoor bathtub, are priced from $275 US/night, while others start from $250 US/night.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few minor points of criticism or things to be aware of include:

• Some day-pass guests might find a required minimum spend for food and drinks, though many find it easy to meet given the quality of offerings.
• As a popular day-trip destination, the beach club can be lively during the day, which might be a consideration for those seeking absolute solitude throughout the entire day. However, it significantly quiets down in the evenings for overnight guests.

Sources

1. michelin.com
2. blueapplebeach.com
3. historyinhighheels.com
4. cartagenaexplorer.com
5. postcardfromtaylor.com
6. blueapplebeach.com
7. cartagenaconnections.com
8. booking.com