Title: My Little Hell Hole!! AVOID AT ALL COSTS

I was scheduled to stay here for two nights and three days in mid July 2007. I stayed one night and was in horror. I have traveled to Latin America for over 30 years. I have stayed at some dives. This place was the absolute worse. The food was bad--really bad. The service was worse-like none. The rooms, well let's say that you would rather sleep in the middle of a pig pen, because it may actually be cleaner and smell better. Money was stolen and to top it off we had to pay to the rough looking Russian women money to get some money back. The only good thing I can say was that the horse back riding was great although the guide took us where he wanted to go and cut us short by 10 minutes. AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS!!! DO NOT GO HERE!! WARNING TO ALL TRAVELERS...AVOID!!!

Great drivers, Jose Maria, Douglas, and Fenor were very nice and personable. More like tour guides. Only Douglass spoke English. Waiters in the restaurant made us feel like were were inconveniencing them, but the food is very good. Rooms are acceptable, desk staff were nice if we were nice to them. Some travelers did not speak Spanish and expected the desk staff to understand their needs. Worth staying at this place on the island if only for the food and drivers.

Make sure to visit the waterfall, Finca Magdelana, local schools (take them school supplies, very poor), and see the monkeys early in the morning. Also, worth a visit to the local natural pools.

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!