Welcome Beyond launches Colombia collection
Welcome Beyond, the design-minded holiday accommodation expert, now features a collection of five one-of-a-kind holiday houses in Colombia for the very first time. The collection includes two stunning rural properties in central-west Colombia, and three historic houses in the heart of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cartagena city’s Old Town.
Finca la Selva, Montenegro, Quindío
Finca la Selva is set on a private estate near Montenegro, with no other neighbours visible. It’s a place to feel in sync with nature. The fruit served at breakfast comes from the surrounding orchard, and the honey is from the finca’s hives. Every morning the staff even go out and milk the resident cows by hand.
With its sliding doors, bamboo ceilings and simple, stone floors, Finca la Selva feels a bit like a Japanese teahouse. It’s designed in a cabana-style, with lots of Asian influences, but it’s still very Colombian. Cow-hide floor coverings, indigenous textiles and hand-painted ceramics add to the atmosphere.
In the grounds there is a spring-fed swimming pool, a yoga pergola and a badminton net. In the area are plenty of coffee fincas that offer tastings, and the area is popular with cyclists with its quiet roads. There’s also fantastic walking - the most famous is through the Valle de Cocora near Salento, renowned for its towering wax palms.
Welcome Beyond (www.welcomebeyond.com) offers nightly rates at Finca la Selva from £1,200. Sleeps 8 people. Minimum stay 4 nights. Rates include continental-style breakfast, private cook, airport transfers and daily housekeeping.
Casa sin Puertas, Honda Tolima, Tolima
Casa sin Puertas lies in the historic heart of Honda, surrounded by mountains overlooking the Magdalena River. It’s the perfect destination for people who like hiking and the outdoors.
While the walls of the building are very old, Casa sin Puertas has been designed with a lot of modern touches. The owners are architects, one of whom works with a lot of steel and iron, so the house has a slightly industrial feel. The double-height spaces feature whitewashed walls, polished concrete floors and minimalist interiors, as well as beautiful old trees and plants throughout.
Casa sin Puertas is a three-hour drive from Bogota, with the journey weaving through the mountains and offering a different perspective of Colombia. Honda is historically significant as it sits on the Magdalena River, an old trade route between the country’s two major cities, Medellin and Bogota. There aren’t many foreign tourists here (most of the visitors are from Colombia). It’s a great destination to dig a little deeper, beyond Colombia’s main tourist centres.
Welcome Beyond (www.welcomebeyond.com) offers nightly rates at Casa sin Puertas from £805. Sleeps 6-10 people. Minimum stay 3 nights. Rates include complimentary continental-style breakfast service, private cook and daily housekeeping.
Casa Eclectica, Cartagena, Bolívar Department
Casa Eclectica is located in the Old Town of Cartagena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It occupies a historic building that has been beautifully preserved while being adapted to luxurious living. Many of the original features have been preserved, such as the ornate wooden beams on the ceiling, rustic floor tiles and a wooden balcony overlooking the street. Casa Eclectica is full of treasures — every piece has a history and a story to tell.
Because of its layout and seven bedrooms, Casa Eclectica works particularly well for groups of friends travelling together. On the ground floor are two patios with a dining terrace and huge palms. Under the beautiful old arches are various seating areas with oversized sofas and scattered floor cushions. Also on the ground floor is the swimming pool. While the house has an open layout, there are lots of individual spaces to retreat to, with ceramics and art books to peruse.
Casa Eclectica is located in the heart of Cartagena’s Old Town, with lots of shops and restaurants right on its doorstep. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from one of the main squares and the heart of the city, but stepping inside is like entering a completely different world of calm.
Welcome Beyond (www.welcomebeyond.com) offers nightly rates at Casa Eclectica from £1,610. Sleeps 14 people. Minimum stay 4 nights. Rates include complimentary continental-style breakfast, private cook, airport transfers, welcome drink, light canapés on arrival and daily cleaning.
Casa Patio, Cartagena, Bolívar Department
Casa Patio is a light-filled oasis of a property in the middle of Cartagena’s happening Old Town. With five ensuite bedrooms, it is great for a family or a group of friends. At the heart of the property is an Andalucian-style patio with a swimming pool.
Casa Patio has been tastefully decorated in an eclectic style, with lots of vintage pieces and antique furnishings, as well as modern touches. There are beautiful artworks throughout the property and bold fabrics made by Colombian artisans. Among the original features are rustic floor tiles, whitewashed walls and antique washstands, as well as the wooden balustraded and beamed galleries on the first floor.
Casa Patio is in the heart of Cartagena’s Old Town, with its shops and restaurants right on the doorstep. The house sits on a quiet street, yet it is just a few minutes’ walk from Plaza de Bolivar, and perfectly positioned to explore the city.
Welcome Beyond (www.welcomebeyond.com) offers nightly rates at Casa Patio from £1,610. Sleeps 10 people. Minimum stay 4 nights. Rates include complimentary continental-style breakfast, private cook, airport transfers, welcome drink, light canapés on arrival and daily housekeeping.
Casa Antigua, Cartagena, Bolívar Department
Casa Antigua is a huge property located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town in Cartagena. There’s a grandeur and historic charm about the house, with fine artworks and antiques decorating its spaces. Many of the property’s original features have been retained, such as the double-height ceilings, wooden beams and studded entrance door.
The light-filled terraces are lushly planted with tropical species while the Arabian-style pond is filled with lily pads. On the ground floor are three patios and a bar. There’s a Moroccan-style seating area where the staff set up candlelit dinners underneath the stars. A large pool dominates the back patio, which is dotted with cushioned loungers and framed by a cascading wall garden.
The bedrooms are well-spaced for a large group and they all feature striking pieces, such as four-poster beds and beautifully designed frames. All have ensuite bathrooms, most with tiled tubs. In addition to two bedrooms on the ground floor, there are four on the first floor and a studio room accessible from the pool. All of the first-floor rooms are set along a verandah and open to the outside, while the main bedroom opens up on both sides to offer views across the patios.
Welcome Beyond (www.welcomebeyond.com) offers nightly rates at Casa Antigua from £3,125. Sleeps 14 people. Minimum stay 3 nights. Rates include continental-style breakfast, private cook, butler, housekeepers and cleaners, airport transfers, welcome drink, light canapés on arrival and daily housekeeping.
Welcome Beyond is a global collection of holiday houses, b&bs and boutique hotels, all with unique architecture and design at their heart. The company features properties in over 43 countries around the world, at all price points and to suit every holiday vibe.