Casa Yahri

Located in the Colombian town of Barichara, Casa del Presidente is a private villa exuding historical charm with its well-preserved architecture and rich cultural legacy. Once the residence of the late president Belisario Betancur, this five-bedroom villa accommodates up to ten guests, offering an intimate and exclusive retreat complemented by lush gardens.

The beautiful Four Seasons Casa Medina was the creative vision of Santiago Medina Mejia, a Paris-educated artist and architect from Medellin. He salvaged local architectural treasures, such as stone columns and hand-carved wooden doors from two recently demolished colonial convents, to create was declared a monument by the country’s Ministry of Culture in the 1980s. The hotel features 62 rooms and suites, where beamed ceilings and aged leather accents coupled with fresh, contemporary touches making them a sophisticated blend of old and new. The hotel has two restaurants; the lively La Bodega that focuses on tapas and Colombian coffee, and Castanyoles Raciones y Tapas, where guests chave the option to dine in the beautiful glass atrium with Spanish tiles, living walls and drop lights. There is also a gym and a spa with treatment rooms, relaxation room and steam room.

Surrounded by peaceful gardens and beyond these, tranquil countryside hills that ripple on forever, Sazagua is a lovely little boutique-sized guesthouse that triumphs in both comfort and character. A surprising level of mod cons are installed in its ten very spacious rooms including WiFi and flat screen TVs, and there’s a small spa with a sauna and treatment rooms offering massages and other wellness remedies. The house is in the style of a typical Colombian farmhouse with eclectic details such as colourful colonial tiles and furniture and indigenous inspirations and art, to more international antiques and furnishings. However, its wraparound balconies and central courtyards root the hotel firmly in the region and welcome in its serene views and laid-back countryside temperament. The food is good and the menu is fairly bold for the scale of the hotel. The staff have also helped seal Sazagua’s reputation as being one of the best places to stay in the area, and are immensely friendly and helpful.

Sitting 1,500 metres above sea level between dense rainforest and coffee fields and with views across the Caribbean, this is the perfect place to switch off and reconnect with nature. The lodge has been built in harmony with its natural surroundings and there is a strong focus on protecting the environment and preserving the local culture. The decor is inspired by its location with timber-clad walls, natural colours and wicker furniture. There are just three rooms which are simple but comfortable, all featuring a hammock positioned by the window so you can make the most of the extraordinary views. There is a large living room with a fireplace leading out onto the decking where you can gaze out across the forest and over the ocean. The dining area features floor-to-ceiling windows and here you will enjoy delicious Colombian cuisine made using local organic produce such as coffee, cacoa and honey as well as herbs, fruits and vegetables picked from the garden. Guests staying at Casa Oropéndola will receive three meals a day as well as snacks, local fruit, fresh juices, coffee and tea and picnic lunches for when you are out on excursions. The surrounding cloud forest results in an incredible variety of flora and fauna and there are countless walking trails right on your doorstep. There is plenty to do at the lodge including cooking classes and yoga, but there is also a lot to be said for simply sitting back and taking in this very special environment.