Monte Coxala

We came for a relaxing experience and had a really bad one. Landscaping went on all day, with about a dozen gardeners using gas string trimmers and leaf blowers. The noise was constant, and gasoline fumes spread around the pools. We had to ask twice, very politely, for the noise to stop while we were getting a massage. When we asked to speak to the manager, we were told there wasn't one there at the moment, even though this is also a hotel. There were signs all over asking for quiet, but no warning about the landscaping and no discount offered. We're not coming back.

The setting and the idea behind this hotel and resort are great. It would work better for a day at the spa, or for people who want to be close to nature and don't need everyday comforts. I would come back for a day spa visit, but not to stay overnight. The rooms look beautiful, though we found spiders, flies, beetles, and other bugs in them. There's no cold water, so showering or washing your hands means dealing with very hot water. Rooms also have no Wi-Fi or phone to call reception. Without your own mobile service, you have to walk to the restaurant or reception to connect, which is especially inconvenient in the rain. Service was mixed. At times it was okay, but at others we felt ignored or unwelcome. When I said I was surprised there was no room Wi-Fi, the response was very poor. At checkout no one helped get my bags to the entrance, so I had to roll them uphill along a cobblestone road.

The view and location are stunning, but the restaurant visit was a letdown. We waited more than an hour for our food, and my salmon arrived completely raw. The restaurant felt mediocre, and the service unprofessional. I expected a lot better. I was also confused when the hostess, a short woman at the stand, insisted they didn't take credit cards after I asked how I could pay. The hotel front desk later confirmed that they do accept them. That interaction left me feeling frankly discriminated against, possibly because of the simple rental car I was driving.

The restaurant service was excellent, and the pool workers and gardeners were professional and friendly. But my dealings with some staff around the golf carts, stairs, and general hotel areas were disappointing. Nearly every day, someone questioned whether I was actually staying at the hotel. It felt disrespectful and offensive, and seemed to be based on assumptions about how I look. Being brown doesn't mean I can't afford a nice hotel. I paid for my stay like every other guest and deserve the same respect. This left a bad impression. I hope the hotel trains its staff to treat all guests equally and with dignity.