Hotel Balcón del Cielo

Getting around can be a real challenge here. The funicular wait may top an hour, walking uphill is exhausting, and Uber can take a long time too. A ride listed as 15 minutes took 45 with the traffic. Anyone with mobility issues may struggle with both the city and hotel. The view is nice, but there are tradeoffs. My room was fairly clean, staff spoke decent English, and I had no trouble with hot water or pests. The bed was hard and low quality, towels and sheets were dirty, and the balcony door had no lock.

I had a dreamy vacation here, with fantastic views and good service. Breakfast was average, and the water was hot enough. The funicular is a fascinating way to get downtown. It comes often, and the hotel's free pass lets you skip the line.

The room and view were nice, but the service was horrible. We were told there'd be a security guard and that returning late through the other side of the hotel would be safe. Instead, we came back after dinner in the rain to a locked gate, and nobody answered the front desk phone. Two guys wearing sky masks came up and scared us badly. When I raised the security issue, Sergio Martinez laughed and said we hadn't asked which door to use. Guests should be told that when they arrive. The second night, loud music went on until 2:00am, with people partying in the hall until 4:00am. When I complained, I was told, 'oh well I wasn’t here last night.' Sergio Martinez never apologized or showed concern. He also refused to give me contact information for the manager or owner, Eric Nav, and laughed off my request. I've never had worse customer service, and I don't recommend staying here. Sergio Martinez should treat guests with more respect and compassion.

I visited on a private trip in November, and the views were spectacular, maybe even more so than famous Pipilla Hill. If the scenery is your main reason for staying, I'd recommend this hotel. The cable car priority boarding pass is a nice perk, and the staff are friendly. Just be aware that lamp posts and electric wires block the view from some rooms. Some rooms also have a lot of scorpion beetles, so anyone who dislikes bugs should be cautious.