The Cove 3/4

Playa Ocotal is a great beach just a short walk away, and Coco beach area is also nearby by car, with lots of shops, bars, restaurants, and grocery stores. We recently stayed at The Cove and found it beautiful. The condo was a good size, the bed was comfortable, and there was a nice outdoor seating area. The pool was good, and it was nice to have access to the members club. The only issue was the hot water. There wasn’t any at all, and the shower wouldn’t even get warm. With hot water, I would have given 5 stars.

The unit layout is fantastic, and it’s a very nice place to stay overall. The units were clean, and having beach towels, toiletries, a washer and dryer, dishwashing soap, and laundry soap provided was a big plus. We had several problems, though. The company outside Costa Rica sent door codes for self check-in, but the message didn’t include a useful link with an accurate map. It took us about an hour to find the entrance, which is on a street marked “dead end” in Spanish. An arrow sign with the property name at the junction from the main street might make it easier to find. Weak cell service made it hard to log into the booking site for check-in help. The key locks were corroded and stuck, and the door locks also needed lubrication and repair. In Cove unit 2, where we stayed, the master bathroom drain gave off a strong urine and human waste smell that spread through the bathroom and bedroom. It felt unsanitary and potentially dangerous. The outside patio furniture there had no cushions, and the pieces left out had exposed foam filling and were broken and unsightly. The master bedroom balcony was locked, so we couldn’t use it. There was no booklet explaining the light and AC remote system, so it took a while to figure it out by trial and error. In units 5 and 6, where we also stayed, the AC was too weak to use. Water also went out for the whole morning just as people were getting ready. The toilets couldn’t be flushed and people couldn’t bathe, which is a problem when you have places to be. Most commercial properties in Costa Rica have spare water tanks to help avoid guests running out of water. There was no phone number posted to report any of these problems during our stay. Having someone to call would have been great. With some TLC and maintenance, the property could be ideal for a stay at Ocotal beach. I hope these issues are fixed before our next visit.

The hot tub in the common area was cold for some reason, and the room didn’t have an ironing board with an iron. There were no toiletries in the toilet either, and hot water was an issue. They eventually fixed these things when I asked, but this is basic stuff. The place felt kind of janky overall.

This was my first night, and already a terrible check-in: nobody was there to help, the gate wouldn’t open, and I was stuck outside for 20 minutes dealing with the lockbox. I called for help getting a cab, but they don’t arrange one. There are no nearby stores unless you drive, no vending machine, and I didn’t even have a bottle of water or know where to get one. Unless you have a car, you’re making a big mistake. There are plenty of other hotels on the way in. I’m an experienced traveler, but if you don’t need amenities or you’re a backpacker, maybe this is the place for you. Don’t let it make you hate Costa Rica like I do. I’m so disappointed. I was thinking about investing in CR, but not anymore after this bad experience that started when I landed and only got worse. I’ll stop there. First review ever.