Aria Hotels, the boutique hospitality arm of the Libra Group, is officially entering the Colombian market — marking a strategic push into Latin America that will see a city hotel opening in Bogota in May 2026 and, later on, a Cartagena venue announced as part of the group’s coastal plans.
The move brings the Greek-born brand’s “quiet luxury” approach — small, design-led hotels that foreground local culture — to one of the region’s fastest-growing tourism markets. The restaurant, on the first floor, will offer Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
Aria Hotels lands in Bogota, Colombia, as Cartagena property follows soon after
The Colombia expansion was outlined across recent company releases and trade reporting, which say Aria Bogota will be the group’s first urban property in the country, a 54-room hotel slated to begin welcoming guests in May 2026. Aria’s leadership frames the opening as a milestone in a broader Latin American expansion that already includes projects in the Caribbean and plans for additional Colombian properties, reports The National Herald.
Cartagena’s place in Aria’s strategy is twofold. The group has announced a separate boutique property named Aria Maria in Cartagena’s historic center — a restoration of an 18th-century building that the brand says will celebrate local heritage through design, gastronomy, and curated experiences. Multiple local and international outlets report that Aria Maria will offer roughly 30–35 rooms and is scheduled to open after the Bogota launch, with early reporting targeting 2027 for the Cartagena debut.
Industry analysts say the timing and site selection reflect both market opportunity and a careful brand fit. Colombia’s coastal cities, led by Cartagena, remain magnets for cultural tourism and high-end leisure travel; meanwhile, Bogota’s growing business and creative sectors make it a logical first city bet for a boutique operator seeking year-round demand. “Aria offers a blend of local storytelling and refined hospitality that suits Cartagena’s historic fabric and Bogota’s urban rebound,” said a hospitality analyst familiar with the region’s pipeline.
Libra Group broadens its leisure portfolio across Europe and the Americas
Aria Hotels’ entry also underscores continued international investor interest in Colombia’s tourism infrastructure. The Libra Group — the parent of Aria Hotels — has in recent years broadened its leisure portfolio across Europe and the Americas, and executives have framed Latin America as a priority growth region.
Guests can expect Aria’s signature touches: Thoughtful, locally inspired design, small-scale food and beverage programs, and programming that connects visitors with nearby cultural assets.
For Cartagena, the arrival of Aria Maria adds another internationally branded boutique option within the walled city’s competitive hospitality scene, where restorations of colonial buildings and lifestyle-oriented openings have become the norm.
Local hoteliers caution that success will depend on sensitive conservation, authentic culinary partnerships, and seamless integration with Cartagena’s fragile urban fabric — issues that will determine whether new entrants become celebrated restorations or high-end enclaves.
Aria’s Colombian push will be closely watched by travelers and industry observers alike: If the group successfully balances international standards with local authenticity, the openings in Bogota and Cartagena could become a blueprint for further expansion across Latin America.