Not by a long shot.
There's a joke in Spanish, a play on words that says things go from Guatemala to Guate-peor, meaning going from bad to worse. That about sums it up for our experience over the past two nights at this hotel.
We had made reservations long in advance, using an Oferta Simple promotional package. It was our first trip to Bocas Del Toro, as it was for the couple who accompanied us.
The first red flag was that on our arrival, we were told that the room we requested and paid additional funds for, was not available. We had wanted a room at the rear of the building, to have a full water view and kitchenette. Instead, we were given a room on the side, with no kitchenette, and a smaller balcony. They said we could have the right room the following night.
We accepted the offer at the time, but later declined (see below for the reason).
When we got to our room, we were met with more negative "surprises". The safe was non-operational and the lock on the room door was identical to the interior type lock in most private home bedrooms. There was no dead bolt and no security chain. We were told by the head housekeeper that people took and lost the keys to operate the safes, so that's how management resolved the dilemma- by not replacing the keys.
Ah, but it gets worse. The room floor was dirty, the shower was bedecked with long black hair on the wall and in the drain and the sheets had not been changed.
Other than an apology and a promise to clean the room, no adjustments or additional service was provided. I asked for a cup of bleach to clean the shower, which I did. The following day, the room was cleaned, but I question whether or not the floor was swept or vacuumed.
Another shortcoming: At night, there front desk is not always covered, meaning anyone can walk into the place and wander from floor to floor (remember- the locks are not very strong).
The final insult on top of all this was that the hotel is two doors away from a bar called "Barco Hundido" or sunken boat. They crank up the music after dark, and it continues, at decibel levels topping 110, until about 2 or 3 AM. Our friends whose room was in the rear of the hotel got very little sleep either night. Even on the opposite side of the hotel, where we were, the thump of the bass was audible in our rooms, with closed windows and sliding door.
The one positive factor was that the restaurant in the hotel has good food. No ice machine is to be found, but the fare in the restaurant was good.
Please see my review of another hotel, the Boquete Garden Inn, to read about a much more pleasant experience. I will write that within the next 48 hours.
- Also Known As:
- Bocas Town Paradise Hotel
- Bocas Paradise Hotel Bocas Del Toro, Panama - Bocas Town
Region:
Panama >
Bocas del Toro Province >
Isla Colon >
Bocas Town
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge
Free High-Speed Internet
Free Parking
Kitchenette
Restaurant
Room Service
Shuttle Bus service
Suites
Wheelchair access
#4 Romantic Hotels in Bocas Town
Price Range:
$
- Official Description (provided by the hotel):
-
Bocas Del Toro's newest oceanfront hotel located in the heart of the vibrant and picturesque Bocas Town. The hotel features three stories of colorful Caribbean architecture perched out over the water with spectacular views. The hotel offers 30 rooms, an incredible restaurant and bar and some of the best views in Bocas. Most rooms have breathtaking ocean views, balconies, air conditioning, cable TV, kitchenettes, and high quality furnishing.
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