Park Hotel Maracaibo

The green space beneath the pine trees ended up being our favorite spot, even though the beach was excellent too. We’d come for a quiet, pretty place to unwind, and our five nights were just what we wanted. The staff were lovely, and I saw how much work they put in from very early each morning. Breakfast was really good, especially the coffee. We only ate dinner there twice, but the varied, tasty food made me think it would be worth having dinner there every night. The pool area and the garden are gorgeous, and it’s handy having everything in one place. It isn’t cheap, but I felt we got what we paid for. A small note for other guests: the shower is a little cramped. I’d also have liked something on the balcony for drying clothes, since guests probably don’t want to take swimsuits to the laundry room every day. Those were minor things for us, and we had a great stay.

Dinner starting at 19:30 was tough with our son. He, along with some of the other kids, got tired pretty early into the meal. For adults, that timing probably isn’t a big deal. The rest of the experience was amazing, from the beachfront setting and pools to the food and service. One thing to keep in mind is that Economy rooms are really small. Two people can manage, but with a child you’ll need a bigger room.

Our kids ended up going hungry. If you’re five minutes late for dinner, they won’t serve the meal you’ve paid for. When I complained, the manager got in my face, yelled that I was “zero,” and threatened me. This is no family-friendly hotel, and honestly, the “hotel” is a joke. As for parking, you either have a space or you don’t.

A lovely, smaller hotel with a traditional feel. It has a pool, private beach and bar, and the reception staff were friendly.