El Establo Mountain Hotel

The front desk staff stayed friendly, kind, and professional throughout our stay, and they listened to our concerns with understanding. They offered to move us to a different room and said they would pass our feedback to management. Since it was late after dinner, we decided to stay the night and check out in the morning. We’d planned to stay two nights, but the steep layout, noise, and concerns about the room’s upkeep led us to book another hotel for night two. The building was at the top of the property with a beautiful view, but the drive up was very steep. It might be fine by car, though walking to amenities like the restaurant would likely be hard. Parking near our building was limited, and nobody helped with our luggage. The entrance felt dark and not very welcoming. In the room, the tongue and groove ceiling looked badly deteriorated and bowed down, with what seemed to be black mold around its edges. The walls were very thin, so we could hear guests on both sides, and the bathtub didn’t seem to have been cleaned thoroughly. The next morning, housekeeping waited outside around 9:00 AM while we were still packing, even though checkout was at 11:00 AM, which made us uncomfortable. At checkout, we were surprised management didn’t follow up with anything like a partial refund, a meal, or even an apology. All the communication went through the front desk staff, who remained professional through a difficult situation. This large, busy resort may suit tour groups, but the steep terrain and overall atmosphere may not work well for people with mobility challenges or couples wanting somewhere quieter and more intimate. We appreciated the front desk team’s kindness, but we wouldn’t personally return or recommend it to someone looking for a peaceful, boutique style stay.

The breakfasts are fantastic, and from the deck you get a great view of the area and can see tons of stars on a clear night. I’m here as part of a tour group, and I’ve seen more wildlife from the second floor deck of building 8 than in any of the parks I’ve visited. The room is nice, but there aren’t many outlets, so pack a power strip or two. Plan your trips out, since you need shuttles to get between your room and reception or the restaurant. The walls are thin and you can hear everything in the next room, although the area around the hotel is quiet.

The views from level 7 were incredible, and we saw lots of animals along with a beautiful sunset. I did think they shouldn’t have been feeding the saino, since it seemed like the food was luring them out of the forest. The pool is called indoor, but with only three walls and a roof I’d say it’s more outdoor, which I actually prefer.

The zip line we did through the hotel was incredible, and there are plenty of other activities too, including trails. The whole place is laid out cleverly and runs smoothly, with professional staff. We also liked the food at breakfast and the restaurant, and the gym has everything you need. The pool is a decent size. The views are extraordinary, easily the best hotel I’ve ever stayed in. I’d absolutely come back.