Just twenty minutes by boat from the vibrant bustle of downtown Cartagena, Blue Apple Beach is an eleven room boutique hotel and beach club with heart. The laid-back yet luxurious retreat has been redefining what upscale Colombian hospitality can look like, blending its beachy atmosphere on Tierra Bomba Island with strong practices for sustainability and inclusivity.
Founded by British-Trinidadian entrepreneur Portia Hart, Blue Apple Beach has become a haven that offers an escape for all, welcoming and championing the LGBTQ+ community through its unique event programming—namely, its now-iconic Spread Your Wings events.
“There was a time, not so long ago, where hosting an openly LGBTQ+ centered event in Cartagena was unheard of,” says Hart. “As an entrepreneur and also a friend to many diverse humans, I know that making your space welcoming to as many people as possible is simply good business.”
Presiding over the queer revelry is Emma Ángel, Blue Apple’s Assistant General Manager and the first openly transgender individual in Colombia to hold a leadership role in luxury hospitality. Together with the hotel’s director of creativity, Christian Ahumada, Ángel ensures Spread Your Wings is an experience that amplifies queer voices, showcases Colombia’s finest talent, and keeps guests dancing until well after the sun dips.
“We’ve earned our reputation as mavericks, and so hosting Cartagena’s first out-there, unabashed pride party felt like a natural fit for us, not to mention that a huge percentage of local talent is from the LGBTQI+ community. So, in 2021, we launched Spread Your Wings and since then, guests have traveled from around the world to join in what has become an iconic afternoon of colourful, sparkly fun,” says Hart.
For those staying overnight, Blue Apple offers palm-fringed pools, a full-service restaurant, an outdoor lounge, and direct beachfront access. Executive Chef Pedro Mosqueda serves Mediterranean favorites fused with Colombian-Caribbean specialties, all prepared with locally sourced, sustainable ingredients.
It’s no surprise the property was recently added to the MICHELIN Hotel Guide. Each guest room is decorated with local artisan pieces, bespoke linens, and hand-woven hammocks, and some with private plunge pools and outdoor showers. The hotel’s non-profit, the Green Apple Foundation, introduced Cartagena’s first glass-recycling program, diverting over 450 tons of waste from landfills and creating local employment. By 2025, it aims to recycle 200 tons of glass per month.
This June, Blue Apple’s annual Pride event is spreading its wings yet again. Official dates will be announced soon, with bookings available on their website.
