Firstly, I didn't even see the witch woman everyone talks of...Secondly, I was so pleased with this resort in every way possible. Upon arrival off the ferry, there was a van waiting for us, being March the roads were not bad at all. Check in was quite easy...they assigned us room #9 which was a lovely cabana' with 2 single beds and one queen. It was so cute-the kids enjoyed the hammock on the deck.
Lake Nicaragua is very warm to swim in-I guess being so close to a live volcano and all. The beach is very windy. We found it refreshing. Up at the resort in order for you to enjoy any food or drink they have little rattan blinds to block the wind. Food was o.k. for supper but delicious for breakfast. Just ask to pay in Cordoba every time and you won't get into the confusing end of stay bill thing-other's have suggested. The staff is exceptional -in fact...we forgot a piece of luggage back at the ferry and the driver of the van brought it back after the next ferry arrived. What luck. One suggestion BRING a flashlight-at night they seem to take turns between the cabana's and the restaurant for electricity. I found that quite effective in conserving power. We did get a small visitor in the morning -a brilliant blue scorpion. We wished we could of stayed longer...next time we will.

My sister and I stayed 3 days in a cabin overlooking the beach, with a large veranda with hammocks. Lovely setting, lots of greenery and well lit. Lots of hot water. There is spacious tiered decking off the back of the hotel overlooking the lake, which I kept thinking was the ocean with the waves washing up. You can eat out on the deck areas or indoors if you prefer. Service was excelent, prompt and polite but casual, friendly approachable staff. Definitely don't need to dress up, but if you go to visit locals in their homes, dress respectfully, it is expected. There is also a cute little bar off the dining room, with a few barstools, a couple of tables, and TV (you might learn some Spanish!) I enjoyed having a snack and a drink there after an outing. All the food was very tasty, the whole fried fish was the best. I read a few negative comments on the internet about the hotel, beach etc, but I did not experience anything unfavourable. I would definitely go back and you are hearing this from someone who didn't get their luggage until the day we left there and headed to the coast. Enjoy!

I've stayed at this hotel three times. The reason I have returned is because it has a nice location and some of the rooms offer modern conveniences like A/C and televsion (local television, few channels, all spanish). The restaurant and bar are very convenient, but the food is only ok. I'm giving this hotel a low rating this time because of the front desk staff. They, including the owner, are unhelpful and indifferent. I was actually chased and bit by the owners bird while I was trying to protect it from my dog. The bite really hurt, but the owner just laughed. Everytime I have checked out of the hotel, there have been extra items, drinks, meals, activities that I did not use on my bill.....and it's always a very long process to confirm the items are not mine. I totally understand the occasional billing error, but three times in a row! It can get complicated because rates before check out are always in US dollars, but then the somewhat vague bills are presented in Nicaragua cordobas at check out, so a lot of conversion is necessary to find the errors. The rooms have a cheap motel feel, but unfortunately, it's as good as it gets on Ometepe. All of the rooms have patios, but the suite category rooms have patios with excellant views of the lake. I did enjoy hiring the hotel boat out for a sunset cruise.....the hotel guide took me to see great views of the island, we visited smaller islands to see bird nesting areas, and I was introduced to some local fishmen. Unfortunately, at checkout I was charged for 4 hours instead of 2. This is not a great hotel......this place could use a good dose of customer service and a better billing system. However, options for hotels with first world conveniences are very limited on Ometepe, so I would not book with high expectations.....I actually doubt I will return to Villa Paraiso in the future.

My family and I just came back from a three day stay here. It was lovely beyond words, with dense green foliage everywhere and cockatiels and parrotw wandering out on the grounds. We took an unforgettable tour of the selva primaria where we saw monkeys, bats, and a huge boa. Our guide Julio was nice and held my mother-in-law's hand througout the trek, so she wouldn't fall. I was a little afraid of all the wind warnings I had heard, but wind was not a problem w hen sitting outside in the restaurant, and they have screens to guard against it, if you prefer. The water and beach were clean and warm, no undertow and so shallow that my kids (6 and 8) could wade in for several yards without any problem. The road to the hotel did suck, but it was not that long, and once you are there, you dont' have to deal with it. The restaurant was excellent, with special mention of the pancakes (screamin').