Hotel El Sauce

The grounds have tables and chairs, and the property opens onto the river. It's a nice spot to unwind, just a few blocks from downtown. Breakfast is included, though the buffet is limited and has no gluten-free choices. There's also a shared kitchen upstairs with a fridge and basic supplies. We stayed seven days, but the pool was usable only two of them because it hadn't been cleaned. The river was high, and the pool was dirty. More generally, the facilities need maintenance. The restaurant serves a set menu of three or four options depending on the day, with no à la carte choices. Nearby rotisseries have plenty of food and convenient hours. Our room was cleaned daily. Baskets for used towels would be handy so they don't have to go on the floor. Wi-Fi works in reception, but the signal is poor elsewhere in the complex.

The location is excellent, near the center and with river access. The sauna facilities are very nice, and the hotel itself feels spacious and comfortable. My room was clean, though the furniture looked dated and the TV wasn't smart. I appreciated that staff took care of the things I asked for, but reception could have communicated better. There were ants in the bathroom, and quite a bit of water spread across the floor when I showered.

We were exhausted when we got back to reception at 11 in the morning, and the staff seemed to notice. They let us have a room early so we could rest and recharge, which was such a lovely gesture. My husband and I were on our honeymoon. We'd arrived in Calamuchita at 7:30 because our bus wasn't leaving until 12:45 a.m.; the staff had already kindly let us leave our bags while we went for a walk. Excellent service.

The setting is beautiful, and the cleanliness was good, but the quadruple room felt really cramped. The wardrobe was tiny and smelled strongly of damp, the bathroom was stuffy, and bulky furniture took up too much of the little space. The air conditioner was right above the bed. There were no window screens or clothesline. The park outside is lovely, though there weren't any loungers or comfortable armchairs. Even the living-dining room chairs were wooden and uncushioned. The location is beautiful, but the place feels dated. There are no elevators, and there's no beach access to the river.