Villas Aura Del Mar

The location made it easy to walk into town along the boardwalk or the street for local food, and Playa La Ropa is walkable too. The hotel grounds feel like a tropical garden and were kept spotless, as were the rooms. Staff were friendly and professional. Near the rooms there are water refill stations, plus two complimentary bottles each day. We loved the breakfast buffet for its fresh salsas, good juices (jugos), and fruit. The selection changed daily, and asking for tortillas is a good tip. We had Christmas dinner at the restaurant, where the food and service were good, though prices are on the high side like other beachfront places. Walking into town gave us better value. Our room had lovely tile and a comfortable bed with plenty of pillows. The AC worked very well, and the fridge kept things ice-cold. Having a real coffee maker and ground coffee was a welcome change from instant packets. Turndown service left a coconut candy, a nice touch. The large balcony had loungers, chairs, an umbrella, and a stunning view. Inside, the lighting is bright and cool toned; warmer options would be nice at night. The walls are thin, and we sometimes heard a neighbor's TV. With tile floors, room slippers would be handy. Our room was at the top, so expect lots of stairs around the property. The pool was a good temperature and the chlorine felt well balanced. We preferred the breezy sun deck and its view over the beach, and there was plenty of shade and umbrellas. Beach loungers filled up fast every day, despite the no reserving policy. Wi-Fi worked well in our room but not by the pool or beach. There's a handy shower near the pool and beach, though the beach one is tucked away and has lower pressure. A couple of cautions: the slide launches adults toward a concrete wall, and I ended up with a nasty bone bruise. Children should be watched closely, and adults should skip it. The in-room shower pressure is very strong, so use care at full power. The parrots are fun to see but quite loud if your room is nearby. We also thought the private patio plunge pool or tub was a bit gimmicky and didn't use it. It's a clean, friendly, beautiful hotel with amazing views.