Hotel Casa De Las Flores

The garden is huge, with grass, flowers, and palm trees, and it took about half an hour to walk around it. They even gave me a full jar of fresh coconut water for the fridge. The place is a small, unusual mini-resort on San Andres, a few miles off the Nicaraguan coast but part of Colombia. It was very quiet, and the owners were warm and welcoming. They checked in with me over breakfast each morning and sat with me for a while, which made me feel at home. One night, after I got back past midnight, they made sure I had arrived safely. There’s a good sized pool and a tennis court, and the rooms are large and very clean. It’s near the attractions, and a ride into town costs $1 USD. For quiet time away from the noisy city center, this worked well for me, whether for yoga, meditation, exercise, writing, or just getting my spirits back. To see the whole island takes about half a day. I’d suggest renting a small motorbike to get around faster, since the bus comes about every 30 minutes and the heat can build quickly. I’d recommend staying here if you want peace and time to yourself.

We made this our base for trips to the beach and nearby swimming spots, and enjoyed a happy three-night family stay in late August. Sol, the Manager, and her team were very helpful with transport arrangements and practical advice. They also make a lovely lunch, so it’s worth booking one. The accommodation is simple, stylish, and very clean. It’s in a quieter part of the island, well away from San Andres’s main tourist beaches, but near the famous Hoy El Sopladour and some lovely diving and snorkeling areas. Driving to San Andres center takes about 25 minutes.

The hotel looks very nice, but the staff didn’t speak any English, so I couldn’t explain my allergies or ask questions. There’s no airport shuttle, even though the hotel is on the other side of the island. We also went two days without electricity, which meant no shower and no toilet flush. I can’t recommend booking here.

The hotel lives up to its tropical garden name. The grounds are beautiful, with mango trees, coconut palms, flowers, hummingbirds, mockingbirds, and plenty more. It’s on the quiet side of the island, and there’s a ladder across from the hotel down to a good snorkeling area. The bus routes are handy, with buses every few minutes and good fares. There’s a pool, a shared kitchen with a fridge, comfortable beds, air conditioning, a tennis court, and a small football field with homemade goal posts. The only thing I missed was hot water in the shower. All in all, a wonderful hotel!