Hotel Bello Caribe

A quiet spot that's still close to the city center, with supermarkets, shops, and free parking nearby. The employees were friendly and helpful, and the beds were roomy and comfortable. The bathroom could have been cleaner and breakfast could have been bigger, but neither bothered us. For the price, it was more than fair.

The pool was well maintained, and there were plants all around, which was a nice touch. Housekeeping cleaned the room every day. For the price, we got to spend more on experiences outside the hotel, but I probably wouldn't return unless some things changed. There wasn't much space to store belongings, and we had to ask for towels every day. The shower head needs replacing, and there were cockroaches and ants to deal with. A huge termite nest at the top of the palapa also seemed worrying. The included breakfast was fruit, bread, and coffee, but there wasn't enough, so the offer felt a little misleading. It was an experience, just not one I'd repeat as things stand.

The rooftop was a nice place to catch the sunrise and a cool morning breeze, and the pool was clean. I saw the pool attendant come by to maintain it, and my father enjoyed swimming. The rooms were decent and in good shape for a short visit, with clean beds, fans, a mini fridge, and a small TV and table in the living room. Breakfast was okay, just a slice of bread with coffee or orange juice and some fruit, more of a snack before a proper meal. Our one-night stay had a frustrating booking problem with Priceline. Both sides had confirmation emails, and we showed the Bank of America transaction processing the room fee, but the front desk wouldn't give us a room unless we paid again there. We contacted Priceline to make sure we'd get a refund if the charge was duplicated. The front desk woman was patient with us through it. I'd stay again and recommend it for being affordable, but I suggest booking by phone or paying at the front desk instead of using a third-party site. That hassle is stressful on vacation. Also, ask for a room near the entrance if you need the FREE WIFI, or you might not get it.

The location is gorgeous, with plants all around and a lovely pool area where we played cards. Sundays had a beautiful buffet, and the restaurant served generous portions. The staff were nice, though not especially attentive. It's not fine dining, but it works well for a small hotel. A couple of downsides: the pool was freezing, there was no fridge in the room, and it wasn't very close to much else.