I chose Victoria House somewhat randomly and am certainly glad I did. For starters, the grounds of the hotel are absolutely beautiful. The sand is white, the grass is perfectly manicured, the pools are beautiful, and there are several hammocks and lounge chairs available for guests who want to relax on the beach. I found the people at the front desk extremely nice, helpful and patient with all of my questions. When I attempted a bike ride into town I got into an accident and ended up scraping the skin on my shoulder and hand. Marlon came to my rescue pulling out the emergency peroxide, antibiotic cream and band-aids. On my departure morning I woke up with an upset stomach and one of the waiters (don't remember his name) offered to have fresh ginger tea prepared for me. Not only was it delicious, the ginger truly helped to settle my stomach before my 14-hour travel day.

Here are a few of my pointers: #1 The hotel is two miles south of the town of San Pedro. You can rent a golf cart hourly or daily, but I personally found it incredibly cheaper and less of a headache to simply take a $5US taxi. The hotel can call one for you and it will be there within 5-10 minutes; it's very easy to find a taxi in town. The hotel also loans out bicycles free of charge to guests until sunset. The sun gets very hot during the day and being on a bike can be the least fun thing to do when sweat is pouring down your face. #2 The hotel has a golf cart shuttle that can pick you up and drop you off at the municipal airport. Simply ask someone with Tropic Air to call Victoria House and let them know you have arrived. It took less than 10 minutes and is free, but if you're pressed for time you can certainly catch a taxi right there. #3 I stayed in a room further away from the common pool area. There were no paved walkways to my room and I HAD to walk in the sand when going back and forth. I didn't like to feel the gritty sand around my ankles after I had taken a shower and was heading into town. It's also tremendously annoying when you're wearing sneakers or any closed shoe. I was at the municipal airport leaving San Pedro when I had to take off my sneakers and dump out the sand that had collected in both my socks and shoes. #4 My room didn't have a phone and the novelty of having to walk through the sand to the front desk when all I had to do was ask a question or request ice from the kitchen wore off pretty quickly. #5 The hotel doesn't have spa facilities so any treatment you request will be done either in your room or somewhere on the property. When I signed up for the Tranquility Escape package (massage, facial and pedicure), I was given the option of having my massage and facial done on the beach or on the pier (you head back to your room for the pedicure). The concierge recommended doing it at 2:30pm on the pier when boats would be gone and it would be quiet. It was perfect timing because all of the boats left before I began my treatment and just as she finished was when a boat arrived. The only sounds I heard were spa music and water lapping beneath me. I passed a gentleman getting a massage on the middle of the beach with other guests walking all around him - not my idea of a relaxing time. #6 I passed a couple having a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach one evening so the hotel will certainly work with your requests. Just be aware that at times it can get extremely windy along the beachfront. #7 My room had a Sealy Posturepedic mattress and was so comfortable, I literally slept better at the hotel than I do with my current mattress. It's nice to know that the hotel didn't put the cheapest product in the room they could find. After all, when you're on vacation is when you need a comfortable bed and a good night's rest the most. #8 Most of the Trip Advisor complaints center around the food at Victoria House so I opted to go into town for my meals. Elvi's Kitchen is DELICIOUS and Mannelly's has really good homemade ice cream. #9 Someone mentioned it and it's worth repeating - San Pedro is NOT a town where you dress up. Flip-flops with a sundress or shorts and tank are perfect for every establishment you may visit. Some of the restaurants even have sand on the floor.

At the end of the day, whenever I return to San Pedro I will definitely stay at Victoria House. There's absolutely no need for me to even consider another hotel.