AORA San Pancho

The staff are very kind, but I wouldn't recommend staying here. There are no proper walls or door in the rooms, and with street animals making noise in the neighborhood, it was almost impossible to sleep. I don't understand how they can sell this as a “room” when it isn't properly built. I felt unsafe sleeping there and leaving my belongings, since security is nonexistent.

Breakfast might have been nice, but the cook was absent because of illness. I hadn't realized the room had no exterior walls, just mesh screens. It made for an extremely chilly night, with no muffling at all of the dogs barking through the night or the roosters at 5am. I chalked it up to an experience I won't repeat.

This place is best for someone a little adventurous who likes simple, clean, minimalist jungle living. It's on a quiet residential street, just a few minutes' walk from the beach. The Japanese, Costa Rican, and Mexican style is the best way I can describe the hotel. It has what you need, including lovely herbal shower products and a small dipping pool to cool off. The bed was so comfortable. I'd love to live here and stay longer.

We were about a 10-minute walk from the beach, with an easy path for a hike up a mountain. The hotel has a beautiful, unusual design, and having no walls gives you the feeling of being outside while still enjoying hotel comfort. Natural plants and carefully handled details made the stay feel special. The pool is beautifully designed and the water is warm. The shower had great pressure and hot water, plus shampoo and body wash with an incredible smell. The bed was comfortable, with amazing sheets and a super-soft blanket. The spaces were used well, with practical storage and safety in mind. It was a fantastic experience.