I’ve been here eleven years, and people still ask me if it’s safe to live in Colombia. It’s an understandable question. My answer, especially given the news these days, is that Cartagena might feel safer than the USA or Europe.
Colombia is a country where there is a collective will for tomorrow to be better than yesterday. Where family matters. This is a culture where enjoying la vida sabrosa is a bigger priority than counting money in the bank.
In short, it’s about having a good time with the people you love, putting the negative behind you and focussing on the good.
I feel safe here and it makes perfect sense to see Colombian hotels making their way into the Michelin Guide and onto these lists. This culture lends itself to hospitality. Service is welcoming, not subservient. A meal is a connection, not a transaction. Unlike global hotspots that have been consumed by private equity, it is impossible to imagine a trip here without spending time in small businesses like ours, without meeting and engaging with locals.
Blue Apple reflects all that.
When we opened Blue Apple on Tierra Bomba island in 2016, everyone thought we were crazy. But we had a quiet conviction that hospitality is about feeling, something this place has in abundance. We focussed on creating connection - between our guests and the island, our team, our community. We discovered the joy of being environmental stewards (that we can build your bedrooms from your old wine bottles still blows my mind). We became champions for social development (because witnessing transformations like Deimer’s - a boy from the barrios who had never tasted wine and became a sommelier - feels like winning the lottery).
We’ve learned that great hospitality is rooted in shared humanity. Our guests feel it too. It means a lot for a tiny hotel to be voted #1 in the country, #4 in the region (by readers of Condé Nast Traveller). Not just for fame and fortune, but because it’s proof that we’re not crazy and that you, our guests, share our vision.
Thank you for voting for us, for a kinder way to travel, for a better way to do business.
It feels more important than ever to hold on to this: Humanity can be a beautiful thing.
Go out into the world and seek it.
And we’ll hope to see you soon on the island (if you can get a room :)
Gratefully,
Portia
PS: While I have you, we’re up for another award, this time with Travel + Leisure Magazine. These really do make a difference and help us to carry on breaking rules and paradigms! It’s a bit of a lengthy voting process, but if you click this link, select only Colombia, then only Hotels, you’ll find us fast.
This was lovely! really enjoyed reading it, congratulations
Congratulations!!!
Well Deserved!!!