Apartahotel Ocean Paradise

A pleasant spot.

Getting to the airport was convenient because the area is well placed, but the service felt quite average. The hallway had unpleasant smells, and my room was dirty, with soap residue stuck to the walls and sink. I had to call reception in the middle of the night about a noisy guest next door. Breakfast was basic but acceptable. The facilities seem neglected and need better cleaning, much like infrastructure across the island in general. That may be the local culture, but they could still improve. I wouldn’t recommend the hotel.

The one bright spot was the kind woman working in the kitchen. Beyond that, our experience was terrible. Rooms weren’t cleaned during the stay, and the towels weren’t replaced. The manager was nasty and unscrupulous, and charged us an extra $15,000, claiming she checked the room five minutes after 1:00 pm. It felt more like a hostel, though we’ve had better service at hostels. They also take neither cards nor transfers. Tourism on the island is in this state because exploitative people take advantage of visitors. I can’t recommend this place.

For the price, it’s a decent low-cost option, and I’d come back. It’s close to the airport, with a supermarket and pharmacy nearby, and five blocks from the bus stop that serves the whole island. My first room was spacious and lovely, with a mini-fridge and balcony, but the water pressure was low (301 bar). By day five there was no water, so I asked to move. The replacement was clean with a good bathroom, though it had no mini-fridge. The cleanliness was very good. There are a few things they could improve, but the price works.