Ciela Hotel & Beach Club

The pool was a good size, the staff were friendly, the rooms looked modern, and the location was handy. We stayed four nights after liking the photos, but the beach was hard to enjoy because of major construction right next to it. Guests should have been told. I even saw power tools in use in the restaurant at 11 pm. There were other problems too. Some guests played loud music at 7 am, and there were very few working sockets, with four blocked by the TV bracket. One breakfast was badly handled: the food was ready, but staff still made everyone wait. The other three breakfasts went better, although the tables weren’t always clean. The watersports operator was also unsafe, taking boats and inflatables through the swimming area and making the water dangerously choppy. The hotel should make sure they behave more professionally and safely.

I’m puzzled by the reviews, because this didn’t feel like a five-star hotel. The room was comfortable enough, but the Wi-Fi was poor and paint was peeling. I found old aspirin and cigarette butts on the balcony, and its chairs and table were dirty. There was no hot water or room service, and we couldn’t even get food brought to the room, which we needed because my husband couldn’t walk. The staff weren’t all bad, but getting even small requests handled felt like pulling teeth. At the beach bar, you had to keep waving someone over or you wouldn’t get service. The restaurant food was terrible too, with dry meat and tasteless, dry coconut. The price really doesn’t match the value. The photos are misleading: the pool is in the parking lot, and if you’re a group of more than two, your room won’t have an ocean view, just a view of the parking lot. They should also make sure the pool lights aren’t broken and hanging into the water.

As an American traveler, I had a great experience here. The included breakfast was phenomenal, with tasty, high-quality Colombian breakfast food and friendly staff. The beach club has a private beach with a full bar, cabañas, chairs, and more, and the beach staff were as courteous and helpful as the front desk. Check-in was quick, everyone was accommodating, and there was plenty of parking. My room was clean, the balcony had a wonderful view, the bathroom was well appointed, and the A/C worked perfectly.

We were having trouble finding somewhere good to eat in Coveñas, and this place saved the day. The food was amazing and the price was even better. I’d definitely recommend it.