Oh how I wish I had read the reviews before booking. I wasted a whole day at the beach, which is really the point of going to Santa Marta, because the staff would not take care of my luggage after I checked out at 10 or so.
They literally told me that because I had already paid them, they no longer have any obligation to me at all. I guess that's technically true, but any hostel or hotel of any kind will always be kind to their guests even after they have forked over way too much dough for that neighborhood and bland tasteless hotel.
Of course, you can't take your luggage or purse with passport to the beach, so I never saw playa blanca. I was so angry it made me cry. The only helpful staff member was surly and condescending. The design is completely artless and made to be cost efficient. I understand skimping a little, but this was kind of too much. While you are safe in the hotel, and they have a guard at the door, if you venture a block in the wrong direction you could get mugged.
The prostitution strip of Santa Marta is two blocks away. Oh and you really like the view? Well, you'll have that in the morning or any time you are in the hotel restaurant, but most rooms have a view of Well, you'll have that in the morning or any time you are in the hotel restaurant, but most rooms have a view of the neighboring abandoned houses and you will have a front row seat to the daily lives of people who squat in them usually the roofs are torn down so you see everything.
On the plus side, it's quite clean and the reception and security are always there. I recently stayed here for a few days on a recent trip to Santa Marta. It's a decent hotel if a little expensive for Colombia I thought. My room was small but comfortable with a king-sized bed and small but clean bathroom. It featured decent black out blinds, a good LCD TV with a few english speaking channels, and an electronic safe with room enough for my laptop.
