Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida and Colombian fashion house Mario Hernández have joined forces to create the Butterfly Route, an exclusive experience that highlights Santa Marta’s gastronomy, natural beauty and local design. Inspired by the more than 30 butterfly species endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the program blends curated services and destination experiences while promoting awareness of the region’s unique butterfly populations.
© Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida
The concept draws particular inspiration from the Rhodopteron Morpho, the pearly blue butterfly native to this region. The Butterfly Route features a specially crafted dining menu by executive chef Alirio Rodríguez, themed cocktails using Ron Viejo de Caldas and other curated experiences that celebrate local flavors and traditions.
Guests booking the Butterfly Route stay in specially designed rooms by Mario Hernández. These accommodations feature butterfly motifs on the walls, bedding, mirrors and balcony, complemented by a blue morpho exhibition. Each display includes a QR code that links to information about the species, along with surprise gifts and curated amenities for a memorable stay.
© Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida
A unique feature of the experience is a display box containing a butterfly pupa seated on natural fibers beneath a transparent sphere. This allows guests to observe the metamorphosis process up close. The box includes details about the developing butterfly, the legend surrounding its release and care instructions. If a butterfly emerges during a guest’s stay, they are asked to allow it to leave the room naturally; if the pupa does not hatch during the stay, guests are requested to leave it in the Duzano, a wooded area adjacent to the hotel, so the species can continue its life cycle in a protected setting.
“It is an honor for the Mario Hernández family to collaborate with Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida on this Butterfly Route experience; it took several years to reach this moment. Our intention is to positively impact travelers in Colombia by offering this experience that defines our culture. This alliance between the hotel, Ron Viejo de Caldas and Mario Hernández is a collective effort to build a country and bet on creativity,” said Mario Hernández.
© Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida
Beyond the guest rooms, the Butterfly Route extends to curated spaces across the property, including beach areas, the pool, the spa and the restaurant. Guests will dine using an exclusive set of tableware designed by Mario Hernández, and select handbags from the designer will be available for purchase in the hotel lobby.
Offered as Santa Marta’s first Marriott Bonvoy Moment, the Butterfly Route provides a thoughtfully designed way to experience the region’s culture and biodiversity while supporting conservation awareness. The program is available through March 2023.