In addition to scuba diving and horseback riding, this beach club in Colombia has an award

Not all beach vacationers think about recycling, but that is exactly what Blue Apple Beach's British-Trinidadian owner, Portia Hart, wants to discuss. The subject isn't really interesting, she quips, laughing. But I'm excited about it. In appreciation for the hotel's glass-recycling program, Hart's organization received a $50,000 donation this past summer. "It's huge for us," she remarks. 

The eleven-room hotel on Isla Tierra Bomba, located twenty minutes off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia, is home to a number of innovative projects, including that one. Blue Apple is definitely a wonderful time, what with the pulsating DJ sets by the pool, the scuba center, and the outdoor theater. The hotel generates half of its electricity from solar panels, and it composts or feeds its culinary scraps to its cattle, so it has good sustainability credentials (it's a registered B Corp). 

Why did you decide to visit Colombia?

Before coming here in 2014 to study Spanish, I was a resident in southern France. I stayed put. 

Just how difficult is it for Blue Apple to be sustainable? 

Where we are physically located. From our island to the mainland, there is no bridge or tunnel. Additionally, there is no public transportation, running water, or paved roads. Boats, powered by diesel and gasoline, are thus our only option. "How can we use carbon offsets and minimize fuel?" is a question that never leaves my mind. 

What are some ways that smaller hotels may make a bigger difference in their communities? 

You are capable of achieving your goals. I stopped mulling things over and started making adjustments, little by little. Here, we recycle broken glass from all over the nation into building sand or into art. 

Do you feel any different in running Blue Apple because you are a woman of color? 

Despite my extraordinarily fortunate background, I am familiar with the feeling of being written off. We are a diverse group of young women who identify as gay, young, female, or who did not complete high school. I really like that we hire people who might not have a chance to succeed anywhere else. 

In your opinion, what is the one amenity that all hotels should provide? 

Xenia, the ancient Greek idea of hospitality, comes to me whenever I think of this. It meant making a stranger feel at home and safe. In my opinion, hospitality is lacking if there is no personal connection between the host and guest. It's just a business deal. I like to strike up a conversation with whoever is taking my drink, making my bed, or welcoming me at the front desk.