Hotel Estrella de Mar

For the ocean and sunset views, I’d recommend a room with a balcony. If you want AC, make sure to choose one of the rooms that has it. Hotel Estrella de Mar was a peaceful place to stay, and breakfast by the beach was a real highlight. There are dining options on the beach deck and in the charming central courtyard, plus a full bar, plenty of shade, comfortable chaise lounges, and a refreshing pool. A lovely spot to unwind.

The owner made clearly homophobic remarks during our check-in, making an already upsetting situation even more uncomfortable. We’d arrived in the evening after a long flight and were told there was no room for us, despite having paid in advance. It was an unacceptable and deeply stressful end to a long day of travel. The owner looked through a handwritten notebook and said we’d been double-booked. He repeated that this had never happened before, but I’d read reviews describing the same thing and had chosen to give him the benefit of the doubt. That was a mistake. I’d originally booked through Booking.com, then the owner contacted me directly, offered free breakfast if I canceled and booked with him, and asked for half the week’s payment upfront to “secure” the room. What should have been a simple check-in turned into a deeply unpleasant experience. Given what happened and the similar accounts in other reviews, this doesn’t feel like a one-off mistake.

I’ve been coming to Estrella del mar since 2015, and it’s been wonderful to see the place grow and add new touches and upgrades over the years. The rooms are beautiful, very clean, and have ocean views. The staff have always been top notch. There’s plenty of room around the amazing pool, with outdoor loungers available, so there’s no need to rush out in the morning to claim a seat. The location is close to all the action but still quiet when you want to relax. One of the best rooms on zipolite beach, and a bargain for the price and amenities.

The beachside location is central, though far enough from town noise to stay peaceful. Rooms are comfortable, and there’s a lovely pool area with lots of space to swim or lounge. A front deck has a bar and restaurant just steps from the beach. The price is pretty reasonable for this level of comfort. I’ll be back.