Hotel Colono Beach

The location worked perfectly for getting to the beach and restaurants, and the staff were really helpful and friendly. We were also given a complimentary upgrade to a suite, which was great.

For this area, the price per night felt expensive, especially since I found another hotel that was better and moved there. The room smelled bad and old, and there was no hot water in the shower. The bed wasn't good either, and I care a lot about a good bed and a room that smells clean. The food was okay, though the options seemed to be about three things every time. Service felt unsettling: some people looked at guests in a way that made the hotel feel scary, and others seemed angry or sad. It's close to the beach, but for the price this hotel felt like a motel. Hotels around here are expensive, so I even called motels. :)

The biggest problem for us was the pet policy. We had booked when the property was listed as pet-friendly, then arrived in January with our 10-pound dog after traveling around Costa Rica for 2.5 weeks with her welcome everywhere. We were allowed to check in, but told she couldn't go in the pool area, breakfast area, or any public space, and couldn't be left alone in the room. That left us unable to enjoy the amenities, and the rooms aren't the highlight of the property. We were told the policy had reportedly changed in December after complaints about dogs. If we'd known ahead of time, we would've stayed somewhere else, so this was a real disappointment. There are good things here: it's close to the airport, reasonably priced, and an easy walk to the main businesses in El Coco. The rooms were clean and recently renovated, and breakfast was good. The rooms themselves are small and dark, with little furniture for relaxing, just a bed, a basic wooden dining chair, and a tiny desk. There was no fridge, and outlets were awkwardly placed, either in the bathroom or low by the front door. We had one pillow each, though they brought extras when we asked. Noise from the restaurant blender, breakfast setup, and pool guests carried into the room, although it was quiet from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

We were uncomfortable to find the cleaning lady in our room at 11:15, while our checkout time was noon. We hadn't returned the keys to reception, our vehicle was still parked there, and we planned to shower before leaving. Better coordination with reception would help. The hotel is clean and well kept, within easy walking distance of central Coco and the beach, and close to Ocotal. Parking felt safe, with a guard at night. Sunday's hot and cold breakfast buffet was great.