Simantro Resort

What bothered me most at Simantro Resort was the condition of the room. It smelled bad throughout, including the bed linen and towels, which seemed as though they hadn’t been washed or aired properly for weeks. The furniture looked decades old and worn, leaving the room feeling neglected and run-down. Staff were indifferent and unhelpful, and guest comfort didn’t seem to matter to them. The place gave me the impression it hadn’t been properly cleaned or updated in years. It wasn’t worth the price or hassle, and I can’t recommend it to anyone wanting a relaxing, hygienic stay. I rarely write reviews, but this one felt like a warning others should hear.

The food was tasty and varied, with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit. Staff were very friendly, and the beach was beautiful and clean, with lots of space and nice umbrellas and sunbeds. Toilets and restaurant were kept very hygienic. Rooms haven’t been renovated, but they were fine, and the hotel itself was very nice and clean. There wasn’t much for children to do, though most guests had small kids. No basketball or football courts. The tennis courts were in fairly good condition, but they’re 3 kilometers from the resort, off the hotel grounds, down an unpaved forest road that didn’t feel safe. Walking that far in summer isn’t pleasant.

We had a lot of fun and I’d come back if the price works out. The complex is thoughtfully laid out, though our room only felt maintained to an “okay” level. Restaurant food was mostly good, but decent coffee was harder to find, you had to go to one of the two bars. There are no coffee machines in the rooms, only Nescafe. The bathroom could use more maintenance. We were there in early October and it got uncomfortably cold at night. There was air conditioning, but its heating mode didn’t work.

The staff were really nice, though I hardly saw them. You’ll definitely want a car if you stay here. Food choices were limited, and one lifeguard was covering two pools and the beach. The grounds needed attention, and housekeeping fell short: we had just one cup and one tea bag for two people, the tea was never replenished, and the cups weren’t washed or replaced. The hotel looks like it used to be lovely, but now feels dated and forgotten.