VC Boutique Studios by Skyrun

We picked VC Hotel because it allows pets, which isn't common on the island. It's a simple, good budget stay with kids, close to everything: the beach is across the road and restaurants are just a few minutes away. The family who looks after the rooms lives on the top floor, so head up there if no one is around to greet you.

We felt safe the whole time, and the location was fantastic: the beach is right across the road, shops and plenty of different restaurants are behind and around the hotel, and the ferry terminal is a four-minute walk away. Pepe was great. I asked if there was a cigar shop nearby, and when we got back that day, there was a fresh cigar waiting on our bed.

The host was responsive and housekeeping attentive. We had a balcony overlooking Playa Central, with beach access across the street and the downtown pedestrian strip just two blocks away. One caution for anyone with very young children: the balcony railing supports are spaced far apart, and small kids might slip through.

Amazing location for exploring Playa Norte, and the place was very clean. The host was a really nice woman and everything else was good. The street was extremely noisy, with traffic, bar noise, and people leaving the bars, so getting a good night's sleep could be hard.