We just (August 1-4, 2008) stayed in one of the bungalows. The accommodation was luxurious, and it exceeded our expectations. The splash pool is shared. This was a little awkward. For us, it meant going in front of the room of our neighbor. For them, it meant having someone outside their room. This would be ideal though, if the two rooms are occupied by a family. Once we met our neighbors, the awkwardness was overcome. Despite some comments that I had read on Trip Advisor that the shuttle service was problematic or that the facilities had been allowed to deteriorate, we were delighted. I did not use the gym; however, I stopped in to see the facilities. The equipment was modern, and the room was immaculate. I liked that they had a scale that I could use. The jacuzzi and its setting are most attractive. I had read reviews about accommodations in Playa Hermosa, Coco Beach, Flamingo Beach, and Tamarindo. I am delighted that I chose Ocotal both for the hotel and the beach. The beach is quiet; there are no waves which may disappoint some but which makes it good for families and swimming; the grounds are exquisite. The walk from the beach accommodations to the top affords magnificent views. If you do not wish to walk, the shuttle is usually immediately available. We did have to wait twice--once we were warned in advance, once we were not. Our friend stayed in the beach front accommodation. Her room was less elegant, and the bathroom was not as up to date. However, the room is pleasant; the air conditioning was fine; and the beach access is wonderful. Whether to choose the higher up accommodation nearer to reception and the upper pool and jacuzzi or the lower ones nearer to the beach is a matter of personal preference.
The breakfast buffet was excellent, especially on the day they served french toast. There was also something similar to Indian pudding which I loved. The buffet even included mimosas. When we left for an early outing, they provided us with fruit, juice, and snacks. We ate three dinners at the restaurant. We thought that the food was quite good, and they made a great effort to respond to our requests. We had trouble one night when we ordered a glass of wine, and the waiter neglected to show us the list. The wine was inferior. However, the management responded most graciously, after we clarified the issue. On another night, when they were out of the bottle of wine that we had selected, they substituted another higher priced wine at the same price as the one we ordered--the right thing to do. For one meal, we ate in the town of Coco Beach at the Papagayo Seafood. The meal was again quite good. There was not much of a choice for dessert; however, we enjoyed excellent ice cream across the street. It is easy to take a cab into town. It costs about $6.00 plus tip. The town is mostly a line of souvenir shops. Although I had intended to take a beach tour in order to check out the other beaches, we decided not t o waste time doing that. ItTwas just too pleasant where we were. We went to Santa Rosa for birding.
Besides swimming in the bay, we loved the upper pool because it was quieter; however, both pools are lovely. For those interested in bird watching, there are some birds on the immediate grounds, and there is an excellent area up a road from the hotel. Contact Carlos Jimenez of Ecoexplorer (see his web site), if you want an excellent bird guide to take you around that vicinity or to nearby spots like Santa Rosa and Rincon de la Vieja.
