Perla Roca Hotel Boutique - Beach Front

The premium room by the sea was amazing, with a private pool and lounge chairs of its own. I couldn’t decide whether to have my margarita by the main pool, at the beach, or in my room’s pool. The whole place looks beautiful after dark, with the lighting picking out the natural rock and the Rodadero condominiums glowing across the water. Sunsets are amazing, too. During the day, speakers by the pool and beach play great music. Since the hotel is small, it feels like having your own private beach club. It’s a perfect stay for a couple or a group of friends, and I had an amazing time at Perla Roca. The drive from Rodadero takes about 10 minutes and is a bit bumpy, but that comes with a private, secluded beach. Getting an Uber or taxi from the property is easy, with a wait of about 10-20 minutes. Rappi delivers as well, in case you need something from a pharmacy. It’s a true luxury boutique hotel experience with a contemporary feel, and there’s nothing like it in Santa Marta. I’ll be back many times!

The hotel’s setting and design are beautiful and thoughtfully done, but our stay was horrendous. We were there during the last days of December, and construction noise carried on constantly, making it impossible to rest in our rooms. We weren’t told beforehand that there was no hot water. We don’t mind cold showers, but guests should be informed so they can decide whether to book. The hotel’s activities were worse. We paid for snorkeling, which was supposed to include photos, but never got them. The “accompanied paddleboarding” was the worst part. Staff sent us onto the water in very strong wind and current, and we lost control of the boards. None of the instructors came with us or offered a way to help. Local fishermen literally had to rescue us. When we refused to pay for the paddleboarding, the staff treated us badly and argued that we should have told the instructors we wouldn’t pay. We tried to explain that the problem was the hotel’s irresponsible service, and that basic safety shouldn’t be something guests have to teach them. Staff even implied we should have known about “December winds and currents.” As visitors who don’t know local conditions, how could we know? Be extremely cautious about the experiences if you stay here. They don’t even make you wear a life vest for paddleboarding. Despite the beautiful surroundings, the stay felt unsafe and completely mismanaged.

The staff, rooms, and food were all great, and Fransisco at reception made for a great stay. Just be aware that the hotel is hard to find. It’s best to arrange for them to meet you in Santa Marta and take you up the hillside. The Wi-Fi wasn’t good, so bring your own.

The hotel looks beautiful, the service is great, and both the pools and the views are awesome. The food is delicious and really well prepared. The two things they could improve are the Wi-Fi in the rooms and having hot water in the showers.