Palmera El Nido Inn

The rooms were okay, though the standard double was very small. The staff were the real problem. We booked three rooms, but they gave the key card for room 3 to the guests in room 10. They arranged tours but were too lazy to explain the details properly. On checkout day, the cook overslept, so the breakfast meant to be served at 7:30 came at 9, just as we were leaving. We had clearly asked for no pork or beef in our omelette, but they put it in anyway. When I contacted them about a bag I had left at reception, they didn't respond, and their phone doesn't work. The owner replied to my review, so I want to explain the breakfast issue again. They said room 10 was the lead guest's room and acknowledged a language barrier. Why ask everyone what time they want breakfast, then choose a time based on what a guest who doesn't even know the ABCs apparently said? They could have confirmed with the lead guest, or served each room at its requested time. They did neither. Instead, they picked a time themselves and later wrote a long explanation. The confusion led to my bag, which had precious things in it, going missing. That's why good rooms alone won't make this a good tourism business.

The room was tiny, and the old AC was noisy. Worse, a generator ran all day with unbearable noise, so sleeping or relaxing was impossible. No one mentioned it before booking. The hotel also cuts power for an hour every day, something we only learned after arriving. The manager was nowhere to be found, leaving poor Erika at reception to deal with everything. A terrible stay, with no transparency. I strongly wouldn't recommend it.

It's a great spot, though nights can be loud, so light sleepers may struggle. The location is probably worth that tradeoff if you're on a budget or only staying briefly. The room wasn't properly sealed, letting warm air in from the balcony and around the AC unit. It got very hot during the day even with the AC on, and mosquitoes could get inside. The water in the upstairs dispenser was always warm, and it would have been nicer if it were cool.

We had a family room on the second floor with a mountain view. It was clean, fresh, and felt newly built or renovated. The AC was okay, not freezing, but still cool enough. The shower had hot water and good pressure. Staff were friendly and accommodating, and the front desk stayed open until late evening, though I'm not sure if it's open around the clock. Great service, and we'd stay again when we're back. Five stars!