Hotel El Principe

I was there for less than 15 minutes and left because I didn't feel safe. I pushed every piece of furniture against the door. The room smelled of cigarettes, had no air conditioning, and the oscillating fan was as loud as an airplane engine. It was noisy too. I was told the room cost 100 sol, but they then tried to charge me 200. The hotel manager and taxi driver surrounded me along with two solicitors who got into the taxi with me. The taxi fare was inflated as well. All four watched my hands as I reached into my pockets, and I feared I might not get out without being robbed. I decided to leave and couldn't wait to reach the safety of the airport. They refused to refund me, but I didn't argue because I felt unsafe. On the return trip, the driver tried to charge me three times as much. It was extremely stressful. I believe the solicitors, taxi driver, and hotel manager were working together. Pay extra for the airport hotel, Costa De Sol by Wyndham. It costs $170 dollars a night, with a free buffet breakfast, and it's clean and safe, with plenty of security walking the floors and a secure elevator that needs a key.

We hadn't read the reviews before staying, and now I can see why people say this place is sketchy. The whole building was loud for most of the night, and we probably could have found a better option nearby. The water got hot, almost too hot, and the TV worked. The situation with the taxi driver matched what other reviews had described. It was a really bizarre experience.

Just like so many others described, this felt like a scam. They wouldn't honor my prepayment and kept asking me for more money each day. They also tried to break down my door. I had to call the police to get out safely. Do not go here.

We paid $35 to the driver who brought us here, after he said the area around our hotel was unsafe, then the hotel charged another $35. There were no sheets, pillowcases, or towels, so we left and went to our original hotel, Padama, just 500m away. It was much better. This is a scam!