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  • π or the Mystery of Indigenous Cunning

    In 2015, when my wife, Luz Beatriz Vélez, and I embarked on a hotel project near Bogotá, in the municipality of La Vega, Cundinamarca, we faced a major challenge: how to design an aesthetic that truly invited disconnection in the heart of nature. The task was to merge the unconventional design of an Eco Lodge with local techniques and materials. In other words, how to transform steel beams, angles, cement, and blocks into something more intriguing than simple cubes with windows or round glamping structures. The result was Ecolodge Boutique La Nuit , and today, we need to share this achievement with someone else—José Nicolás Buelvas, the "roof mathematician"… and his father. We were unconvinced by the practicality of industrial roofing and were instead captivated by the beauty of natural palm coverings. What we didn’t anticipate was the difficulty of integrating such traditional materials into our design. But as the saying goes, “ignorance is bold,” and as experience later showed us, it is also “ blessed .” It was a leap of faith, one we sought to cushion by working with the best. In Colombia, the experts in this craft are in the state of Córdoba. Their reputation is far from recent, and while self-taught, their skills have been passed down through generations. That’s how we came across the third generation of the Buelvas family in the town of Planeta Rica. At first, we sought out José de Jesús Buelvas Pérez , the father of those we would later meet. But we would later learn that he had sadly passed away just a short time before. Yet this led us to his son, José Nicolás, who, alongside his brother Oscar and a team of “cousin-apprentices,” carried on the craft his father had taught them from a young age. Meeting José Nicolás was our first blessing. It didn’t take him long to see how his artistry could align with our design. That marked the beginning of several months of collaboration, filled with stories worthy of Colombian magical realism . One in particular captures the essence of a concept both common and misunderstood in our country: malicia indígena —a term often misinterpreted as mere craftiness or trickery. But my experience with the Buelvas family showed me otherwise. Had I not met José Nicolás’s father, I would never have realized that malicia indígena is, in fact, a form of intelligence that defies conventional logic. It often emerges in those with limited formal education—just like José de Jesús Buelvas. According to his son, who at the time was finishing a postgraduate degree in mathematics in Bogotá, his father—this humble man who spent more time atop his palm-thatched structures than in a classroom—had become Colombia’s undisputed reference for palm roof design . With great pride, José Nicolás recounted a moment that illustrates this perfectly. One day, his father asked him to calculate the amount of wood needed for a traditional maloca with a pointed roof. This type of structure features wooden beams arranged in a star pattern, converging at the highest point. To reinforce them, circular wooden rings are placed at varying heights from top to bottom. As José Nicolás worked on calculating the exact linear meters of those rings, his father casually glanced over his shoulder and, in his thick coastal accent, said: "Don’t complicate things, son. Just take the diameter and multiply it by about 3.15." Imagine the astonishment of our future mathematician upon realizing that his father had just taught him "π"—without ever having studied it! And when asked how he knew, the old man simply shrugged: “That’s just how it is, don’t worry. It works for me.” In my own research, I learned that mathematicians classify π as an irrational number. What better tribute to its poetry than this beautifully irrational wisdom—unburdened by equations or algorithms—that emerged from the mind of a humble craftsman from Planeta Rica? I never had the chance to meet José de Jesús Buelvas , but everything I heard about him painted a picture of an extraordinary man who, on his own, found ways to expand his imagination into countless works, despite never seeking plaques or recognition. So next time you travel through Colombia, if you happen to pass by one of his creations, spare a thought for this Cordoban Archimedes, who, from above, is surely watching over the fruits of his brilliant "malicia indígena". Guy Mijola @lanuitencolombie

  • What is a Lodge?

    Although some may call them "cabins," a lodge is more than that. It is a spacious accommodation with high standards, always in harmony with the surrounding nature. Lodges are designed to seamlessly blend into their environment—whether nestled in a lush forest, perched on the edge of a crystal-clear river, or under a starlit mountain sky—without sacrificing comfort or aesthetics. From architecture to décor, every detail merges with the natural beauty of the surroundings, allowing guests to feel truly immersed in the landscape. Lodges prioritize the use of local materials and environmentally friendly construction techniques, balancing the often-opposing goals of sustainability and modern convenience. Es un lugar para ir a quedarse y dormir en toda tranquilidad en escenarios donde sus abuelos apenas pensaban ir a pasear. A veces retirados, en plena naturaleza, suelen ser más amplios y completos que una habitación estándar, con niveles de "confort" y seguridad superiores a las del turismo rural tradicional. La vocación de los lodges es ofrecer a todos un santuario personal y temporal donde el lujo no sólo se mide con buenos amenities sino también en momentos de paz, contemplación y experiencias para el alma.

  • Rest as a Destination

    Eco Luxury Hotel near Bogotá. La Vega Cundinamarca More than a slogan, "Rest as a Destination" is a proposal that aims to reinforce the idea that rest is not a side effect of travel but the main objective . It is a call for those who intuit that the relief of tensions and the return to oneself begins with a disconnection from common and unnecessary "distractions." From the first draft 10 years ago, rest was a priority when thinking about what we wanted to do with LA NUIT Boutique Lodges, that is, an ideal setting for what Hermann Hesse called "The True Self." Because the physical dimension is anecdotal once we understood that resting is getting away from everything that prevents us from connecting with what is essential. Here, the return to the intimacy of your being begins with simple things like the silence of a starry night, the enjoyment of good company, an inspiring read in a hammock or the memory of a unique conversation. Body, mind and soul So it's not just about sleeping well, but about effortlessly freeing your mind from the inertia of everyday life, in a safe and well-intentioned environment where responsibilities fade away and, little by little, reality is transformed. It's not a big deal to think about, the magic of the sound of the stream, the birdsong in the forest, the distant horizon of the Hoya Grande valley and the touch of Chef Luz Beatriz Vélez will leave a lasting mark on your soul that lasts longer than on your Instagram. " Rest as a destination ," another way of saying that what awaits them at the end of the road that leads up to LA NUIT, is nothing more than their true self. LA NUIT Boutique Lodges La Vega, Cundinamarca

  • Luz Beatriz Vélez, the Chef in love with Colombian gastronomic culture.

    Luz Beatriz Vélez is a renowned Colombian chef who has left her mark on the country's gastronomy, particularly for her passion for indigenous flavours and her commitment to the international Slow Food movement that promotes good, clean and fair cooking. With a career full of achievements, Chef Vélez has managed to position herself as one of the most influential figures in the culinary scene of Colombia. One of the greatest contributions of this "globetrotter" who dedicated much of her youth to traveling around Europe and Latin America, has been to spread the richness of the ingredients and techniques of Colombian cuisine , combining experience and respect for her cultural roots to surprise all palates. He has participated in both major international gastronomic events and small local culinary projects to preserve the food traditions of our regions, working hand in hand with local communities where he finds his greatest source of inspiration. CULINARY STYLE Personally, Luz Beatriz Vélez is known for her closeness and authenticity, and professionally, for her creativity with essential local ingredients such as corn, yuca, plantain and leaves, always working with the most basic and emblematic of Colombia to illustrate the potential of our diversity. That is why her dishes reflect the same simplicity and magic as a fresh corn arepa baked in a wood oven. She claims good agricultural practices, the "native" origin, the quality and authenticity of food as the first guarantee of good flavor beyond the talent that her natural modesty prevents her from confessing. LEGACY Luz Beatriz is a natural born cook in love with her roots who, more than cooking, enjoys sharing with others the traditions of the country where she started with her grandmother and mother. She belongs to the first generation of chefs who took Colombian cuisine to another level and her work continues to inspire those who place priority on indigenous flavours and the intrinsic value of Colombian culinary heritage. La no menos reconocida "torta de almojábanas" de Luz

  • Diving in the Chupal Waterfalls

    The nine Chupal waterfalls, located in the municipality of La Vega (Cundinamarca, Colombia), are a natural treasure for adventurous spirits and nature lovers, the opportunity to immerse themselves in a magical environment full of life. This destination, still little explored, where the sound of water falling from above mixes with the song of birds and the whisper of the wind through the trees, will conquer you with its unique energy and beauty. The scenic beauty of the Chupal waterfalls is an opportunity to go hiking, take photos or bathe in crystal-clear waters. The journey between the nine waterfalls is an adventure in itself, with paths that meander through native forests and timeless landscapes. This enriching experience is also a way to support sustainable tourism and contribute to the conservation of wonderful natural spaces. Your visit becomes a positive contribution to the sustainability of our landscapes as well as a tribute to Colombia's natural resources. Only 35 minutes by car from the LA NUIT Boutique Lodges with the possibility of being accompanied by our guide Jorge (30,000 pesos per person + entrance fee at the site).

  • Eco luxury without Jacuzzi?

    True relaxation is found in true luxuries: feeling, even for a moment, at peace and in harmony with life and welcomed in a welcoming place. Being a boutique hotel means being committed to an offer that seeks value by moving away from standard proposals. And being an eco boutique is even more demanding. Because it also means complying with strict sustainability standards. A challenge that we accept as a challenge to creativity. Installing a traditional hot tub or spa has a significant environmental impact, especially in terms of water consumption and pollution. And while "water areas" are today perceived as an essential luxury, water conservation has not ceased to be a priority, forcing us to think about how to compensate for this pressing demand, with other and more luxuries. The design, tranquility, comfort and generosity of the spaces, whether in the landscaping of the gardens and paths, the spacious areas of the lodges, the love of detail, the aesthetics of the independent private spaces, the quality of the facilities and the personalized service (attended by the owners themselves) are not common in the rural tourism offer, and having them all in this wonderful and little-known corner of Cundinamarca (Hoya Grande), is luxury. And as if that were not enough, we also offer a personalized, high-quality gastronomic offer, with our Chef Luz Beatriz Velez and her own version of the SPA for the body and soul, the table. Luz is a pioneer in the Colombian field, part of the generation of Chefs who knew how to take advantage of world techniques to highlight the value of our national ingredients and promote good agricultural practices, turning lunch into a bath of exclusive sensations and flavors. Thanks to the originality of our guests, we were able to resist the paradigm of the jacuzzi as a limitation to belonging to the luxury category. Time proved us right to trust the sensitivity of those who, since the beginning of the LA NUIT boutique Lodges in 2018, have not stopped being grateful for the experience they found here and recommend it among their best friends: https://www.tripadvisor.co/Hotel_Review-g1222966-d13455802-Reviews-Lodges_Boutique_La_Nuit-La_Vega_Cundinamarca_Department.html . Discovering something new about oneself is the greatest luxury, and this often happens when we are deprived of something we thought was essential. This is the message we want to send to a world that tends to standardize tastes instead of inspiring them. This is our version of luxury, a just right combination of simplicity with exclusivity, of the grandeur of the environment with intimacy, and of the essential with the unique. Welcome to LA NUIT Boutique Lodges

  • "DCD, el Descanso como Destino"

    Eco Luxury Hotel near Bogotá. La Vega Cundinamarca Más que un lema, el "Descanso como Destino" es una propuesta que quiere reforzar la idea de que el descanso no es un simple efecto secundario del viaje sino el objetivo principal . Es un llamado para los que saben que paradójicamente, la conexión con uno empieza con una desconexión con todo lo que los pueden alejar de su verdadero bienestar. Descansar es un retorno a la intimidad de su ser en el silencio de la noche, al disfrute sencillo de una comida en buena compañía, al recuerdo de una charla única. Siempre pusimos al descanso como una prioridad desde el primer momento, desde el primer borrador hace 10 años y por eso LA NUIT dejó de ser un destino per sé sino el escenario y facilitador de una experiencia donde ustedes son los únicos y verdaderos autores. Cuerpo, mente y alma Ofrecemos más que sólo dormir bien, ofrecemos un lugar donde pueden rápidamente liberar su mente de la inercia del cotidiano, en un entorno seguro y bien intencionado. Lejos de las responsabilidades, del agite y el ruido, el tiempo se extiende hasta desaparecer. No lo piensan más, el sonido de la quebrada, el canto de los pájaros en el bosque y los paisajes sobre el valle de Hoya Grande y el toque mágico de la Chef Luz Beatriz Velez dejarán una huella más profunda en su alma que en su Instagram. El " descanso como destino " es la mejor promesa de que el protagonista de su viaje será el descanso y el premio, un suave recuerdo en el alma. Lodges Boutique LA NUIT La Vega, Cundinamarca

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