Hotel Playa Negra

This is a great, secluded spot with beachfront access, an on-site restaurant and bar, and a surf shop with rental snorkel, boogie boarding and surfing equipment. There are flowering bushes that smell wonderful and their fragrance is delightfully strong. The hammocks and yoga room overlooking the beach were special too. I’m vegetarian and was also pleased to find a number of items on the breakfast and all day menus I could enjoy. The cabins were clean and they were cleaned daily. You won’t find air conditioning but the ocean breeze, screened windows, tropical shutters and overhead fan were sufficient for me. It’s rustic and simple, but thoughtfully designed and all my needs were met. NOTE: I stayed in one of the original 10 cabins. There are newer ones on site with some upgrades (not sure what) that are listed as suites on the hotel website. The downsides? The second half of my stay, I was plucking hundreds of no-see-ums off of my bed each day, and dodging moths, beetles, caterpillars, geckos and a roach inside my cabin. It wasn’t a lack of hygiene or cleaning: the gaps around the door make it impossible to keep critters out. I’m not sure what more could be done, other than hanging mosquito nets around the bed. My only other complaint is that the smell from the septic system would waft every so often near the pool and my cabin. If you’re looking for a self-contained, peaceful space for a chill solo or a family trip, this property is great.

At least the pool was open. But people who were not staying there would go to the pool and bring their kids loud as f.