La Jolla de Guasacate

Whether you want to get work done or just relax by the pool, this is a perfect spot. The property, pool, staff, and Asian fusion restaurant were all amazing. They also run shuttles to Magnific Rock for sunset. Thanks for the great service, Norwing.

The chicken wraps are so good! I love the upgrades at La Jolla and the new menu items. Can't wait for Escape to open so I can try the bakery.

La Jolla, also called ESC or Escape, needs serious upkeep, and the service was patchy, with some stretches where it simply wasn't there. I spent four nights there for a five-day workshop run by two people who aren't fully affiliated with La Jolla. The workshop itself was fantastic, but the stay didn't match what I expected or what the website showed, and I wouldn't recommend the place for any kind of stay. I thought I'd be in a studio near the main level. Instead I was put in a room with two queen beds at the top of several flights of stairs, so every trip to my room or down to the restaurant, bar, or co-working area meant climbing them. The room was okay, the AC worked well, and I could see the ocean in the distance. But the small fridge didn't seem to work. Nobody checked whether I needed fresh towels or more toilet paper, even though there was just one roll. If short stays don't include service, I should have been told, and there should have been another roll in the room. The property is on a hill, remote, and has no amenities nearby. I hadn't realized how isolated it was, and without a car I had no way to get snacks or supplies for my room. The kitchen and bar shut at 8:30 each night. The food wasn't very good and the menu was limited, which was a problem since I expected to eat there for lunch and dinner every day and breakfast one morning. A place trying to attract longer stays and co-working guests needs more choices. There wasn't actually a co-working space, just the restaurant and bar area. The promised space was still being built. Our conference room was very rustic, and when we arrived at 11 each day, it still had the previous group's cups and water. We had to bring our own coffee or water from the restaurant, which wasn't acceptable for four hours of meetings. There wasn't a working bathroom in that area either. At the pool I had to ask for towels every day, and staff seemed unsure where to find them. Either they were understaffed or hadn't been trained to look after guests. I realize this is Nicaragua and my expectations are fairly low as a result. In the morning, there were several days when I asked for coffee with milk and was told I'd have to wait for someone with a key to open the milk storage. The pool was nice, and I enjoyed reading there in the afternoons.

The bed was the most comfortable one I've slept in since arriving in Nicaragua, and the rooms were very clean. I also found the whole property relaxing, and the restaurant food hit the spot. The staff were friendly and accommodating throughout my stay at La Jolla. I'll definitely be back.