Joia Luxury Hotel & Luxury Apartments

The room had what I needed and was okay, though the furnishings were quite simple. The place is laid out like a residence, with small gazebos around a central pool. Something nearby was giving off a terrible smell, unfortunately. It made opening the window or spending time outside impossible.

The room was dark, with no sunlight, even though we’d specifically requested natural light and were told when booking that the property was filled with light. It was also dirty, and housekeeping didn’t come every day. The bathroom was rusty and moldy. There wasn’t a regular shower, just a jacuzzi with a shower head that couldn’t be rested high enough to use while standing. No shampoo or conditioner either. The jacuzzi casing had come apart, leaving its wires and motor exposed, which felt hazardous. We booked a standard room and were charged for a Deluxe room, despite specifically not requesting one because we didn’t need a jacuzzi. During our three-night stay we raised these issues, but nobody got back to us. Breakfast was very poor and served in a windowless basement. This didn’t feel like a 4-star hotel to me. I’d rate it 2.5 stars, 3 at most, with a motel-like feel.

We stayed in the suite, but it didn’t feel worth the price. The rooms and facilities badly need maintenance. At check-in, the sink was holding water because its plug was stuck, and parts of the jacuzzi were lying around. A technician fixed the sink, but couldn’t fix the jacuzzi. When we turned it on, only half of its turbines worked. There were also mosquitoes everywhere, so bring repellent. I think the hotel should provide some on arrival. The Wi-Fi password wasn’t posted anywhere, and you have to ask for it; they don’t tell you otherwise. Reception seemed well meaning, but the staff need better hotel management training. When we arrived in heavy rain, they wouldn’t open the gate for us. They expected us to get out of the car and hand over our passports while they stayed behind a window door. That was insane. They could at least have come out to get them, or let us in first and meet us somewhere dry. Another day, a staff member left pool cleaning gear and a trolley on our patio and just left it there.

The garden was really beautiful, and reception staff were professional and friendly. The room had an unpleasant smell, and the sound of planes was hard to deal with. Breakfast was very poor, and the service left me unhappy.