Hotel Las Islas
Selected
Check Availability & Prices
Find the best rates for Hotel Las Islas.
Check Availability on Booking.comView the official listing on the MICHELIN Guide.
Hotel Details
Location
Cartagena
Colombia, South America
Explore More Hotels
Key Highlights
- ✓Beautiful Design**: The entire property is noted for its calm, luxurious, and beautifully designed aesthetic, down to the smallest detail.
Expert Review: Hotel Las Islas
Hotel Las Islas, Cartagena: A Luxurious Escape into Nature
Hotel Las Islas in Cartagena, Colombia, a distinguished Michelin Key Selected property, offers guests an exceptional and immersive luxury experience amidst the stunning natural beauty of Isla Barú. Widely praised for its unique design, unparalleled service, and commitment to nature, it stands out as a top-tier destination for discerning travelers seeking tranquility and a deep connection with their surroundings.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Hotel Las Islas is overwhelmingly positive, often described as "exceptional," "magical," "peaceful," and "deeply relaxing." Guests consistently rate it highly, with many considering it a "world-class experience" that surpasses expectations. The resort is lauded as a luxurious oasis that harmoniously blends with its natural environment.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently rave about several key aspects of Hotel Las Islas:
- Immersion in Nature: The resort's design places nature at its forefront, offering a truly eco-friendly experience within the mangroves and alongside the Caribbean Sea.
- Unique Accommodations: The luxurious treetop bungalows and sea-level villas, many with private pools or jacuzzis, are a major draw.
- Attentive Service: The staff are frequently highlighted for being incredibly kind, attentive, warm, and helpful, contributing significantly to a magical stay.
- Extensive Activities: A wide array of activities is available, including snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking through mangroves, bioluminescent plankton tours, and astronomy sessions.
- Beautiful Design: The entire property is noted for its calm, luxurious, and beautifully designed aesthetic, down to the smallest detail.
3. Room Quality
Hotel Las Islas offers 55 luxurious bungalows and one suite, designed to provide a serene and comfortable stay. Accommodations are available as both Treetop Bungalows, offering panoramic views of the canopy, and Sea-Level Bungalows, with some providing direct access to the ocean or private pools. Each bungalow, typically spanning at least 70 square meters, features a distinctive conical thatched roof, a furnished deck often with a hammock and hydromassage hot tub or private pool, excellent air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are well-appointed, often including double vanities, large showers, Japanese-style bidet seats, and premium amenities like Hermes products. While generally praised, some guests have noted beds can be on the softer side and water pressure might be spotty at times, which is not uncommon for a remote setting.
4. Dining Experience
The resort offers a diverse gastronomic experience across its three main restaurants: Las Guacas, Tía Coco, and Choco Bar & Restaurant, along with the Los Mangos Cafeteria & Ice Cream Bar and various bars.
- Tía Coco: This overwater restaurant serves a luxurious buffet breakfast featuring Caribbean favorites and local specialties like arepas and fresh fruit, and also caters to lunch. Guests can even swim up to the restaurant.
- Las Guacas: Surrounded by lush greenery, this signature restaurant offers Colombian and international gastronomy for dinner, crafted by the resort's executive chef.
- Choco Bar & Restaurant: Located on the beach, it offers casual fare for lunch, including oven-fired pizzas, sandwiches, grilled seafood, and skewers.
- Los Mangos Cafeteria: This spot is ideal for quick snacks and famous Colombian coffee.
Overall, the food is described as fresh, varied, delicious, and excellent, with an emphasis on local, international, and Caribbean cuisines. However, there have been occasional mentions of service delays or limited wine availability at the bar.
5. Service & Staff
The staff at Hotel Las Islas receives consistent commendation for their exceptional hospitality. They are described as incredibly kind, attentive, warm, and always ready to help without being intrusive. Many guests highlight the genuine care felt for every guest's comfort. Over 90% of the staff are from the local community, contributing to an authentic experience. While the service is generally hands-on and personalized, a few guests have noted that responses to requests via phone or WhatsApp can occasionally be slow. Knowing some Spanish can enhance the experience, though staff are often able to communicate in English.
6. Location & Accessibility
Hotel Las Islas is located on Isla Barú, approximately an hour's drive (or 45 minutes by boat) southwest of Cartagena, Colombia. It's situated within the Rosario Islands National Park, making it an eco-friendly retreat deeply immersed in nature. The journey from Cartagena to the hotel is part of the experience, often involving a private car to the port followed by a speedboat transfer, although private boat and helicopter transfers are also options. The remote location ensures a feeling of being a world apart from the bustling city, offering peace and quiet.
7. Value & Pricing
As a luxury resort and a Michelin Key Selected property, Hotel Las Islas is positioned at the higher end of the pricing spectrum. While specific recent prices vary, previous mentions indicate bungalows can range from approximately $675 to $735 USD per night during the regular "green season," with higher rates during peak "gold season." Despite the cost, many guests feel they receive excellent value for their money, emphasizing that the unique experience, luxurious amenities, and exceptional service justify the pricing. However, some guests have expressed that on-site food and drinks, such as an Aperol spritz for over USD 20, can feel overpriced.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring minor criticisms and complaints include:
- Service Delays: Occasional slowness in responding to requests, particularly via phone or WhatsApp.
- Bugs and Lizards: Being in a natural, jungle setting, insects and lizards are to be expected, though mosquito nets and repellents are provided in rooms.
- Water Pressure: Some guests have reported inconsistent or spotty water pressure in showers.
- Bikes: The complimentary bikes provided for getting around the large property can sometimes be old or have flat tires.
- Pricing of Amenities: Food and drinks purchased at the resort can be expensive.
- Beach Quality: While the hotel has a private beach, some reviews mention limited beach areas and average water quality compared to expectations.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring minor criticisms and complaints include:
