Ebony & Ivory Beach Bungalows

Laura, the owner, was very helpful, and the location by the most beautiful beach in this little town couldn't be better. The sunsets are amazing. I saw a pool in the Google photos, but there isn't one. You don't really need it, though, as the sea is lovely for cooling off. The breakfast wasn't very good, and the shower pressure was poor, acceptable on the first day but a nightmare on the second. The room also got extremely hot at night. There was a ceiling fan, but I still couldn't sleep well.

It's lovely to sit on a sunbed in front of the bungalows and watch the sunset, with the ocean visible through the door or window. The bungalow itself is perfect, and being right on the beach is great. There's a good cafe nearby with tasty food and tables on the beach in the evening.

I spent all of February at Ebony and Ivory, as part of a trip I'd wanted and saved for a long time. I booked 23 nights and paid the full amount in cash when I arrived. I was traveling alone, though a friend visited for a couple of nights, and we wanted to go on safari. The hotel owners recommended someone to arrange it, but he ended up scamming me out of a substantial amount of money by my standards. I felt awful and foolish, and went to the police after my friend had left. I told the owners immediately that the person they recommended was a thief. I expected some support or understanding, or at least solidarity as their guest, but got none. I had one week left and said I didn't want to stay there for it. I felt suspicious, alone, and insecure, and wanted a refund so I could move somewhere else. I didn't want to remain in a hotel whose owners were friends with the person who took my money. The owner refused to repay that last week, and my budget couldn't cover paying for another place as well. I felt trapped. I understand a general no-refunds policy, but I was uncomfortable there. If I managed an Airbnb and a young woman staying alone said she felt unsafe, I'd refund twice the amount and help find somewhere else, but that's just me. That's my review of Ebony and Ivory: I booked a safari and was scammed. I was staying at your place, felt lousy, told you I'd been robbed by your friend, had gone to the police, and wanted to leave. You wouldn't refund me or help, and caused more stress that made the trip bitter. Also, it's a room, not a bungalow. It's basic, with two beds. The bathroom has no door and attracts lots of mosquitoes. The room is quite dark, with no light outside it. I left food and medicine in the fridge while I was on safari, but someone switched it off and ruined both. I was paying for the room while away, yet the fridge was still turned off. Scams can happen to anyone, but poor management and bad accommodation don't have to. A holiday should be enjoyable. Your lack of care, sensitivity, solidarity, and attention to guests' basic needs was unheard of. You're the hotel owner and I'm the customer, and I'm writing because I didn't feel good there. This is about how management treated me, and the basic dignity, solidarity, and understanding a service provider should show guests and people in general. Dear Laura, I'm not going to debate with you anymore. You keep threatening me with lawyers. My response is bring it on! My legal team is waiting for your call. BRING.IT.ON.

The location is ideal, close to the sea, and the owner recommended a great nearby place called Blue Ocean Restaurant, with friendly staff and delicious food. We also joined a couple of well-organized programs arranged by the owner of Ebony & Ivory. The room looked onto the noisy restaurant maze, though, and the apartment had no electricity during the day, leaving the rooms stuffy. Breakfasts were terrible. It also seemed strange to have to pay the entire bill in advance instead of at checkout. Since we'd already paid, we couldn't complain.