Hotel Dorado Plaza Punta Arena — Hotel in Cartagena

I had read some very negative reviews of this hotel and was rather worried and apprehensive about my stay. My first concern was that some guests appear to have had an issue with the transfer from the mainland to the island, which involves going to the Hotel Dorada in Bocagrande. However, I am glad to say that I had few problems here. I think I did have to pay an additional charge for this but it wasn’t much. The girls on reception didn’t speak any English, which is the case throughout the city but I always like to make an effort to speak the language of a country I am visiting, so I didn’t mind this too much. I had just missed the 8am boat trip, so had to wait until the 4pm one but it gave me chance to explore this beautiful city.||The hotel on the island is set right on the beach, and whilst it is true, as others have commented, that there is building work going on around the hotel and there is litter on the beach nearby, the beach in front of the hotel is well maintained and the view of the Bocagrande skyline is amazing. On the subject of the locality, this is a populated island and people are building and maintaining their own houses. I hear it said that the beaches of Cartagena are too dirty to swim in but I did not find this back on the mainland and whilst the water off the coast of Isla Tierra Bomba is not crystal clear, it is calm and I was able to swim long distances every day.||My room itself was very spacious, charming and beautiful. The air-conditioning worked perfectly and only on odd occasions first thing in the morning was it not possible to use to use the WiFi. Another thing I have read about the hotel is that there is no choice of food and that it unappetising. I stayed for 4 days and was only given the same breakfast once. I found breakfast particularly enjoyable, always with a huge plate of different varieties of fruit and juice I have never had before, to accompany the eggs, sandwiches, potatoes or whatever else I was given. I do not like fish and when I told the staff, they ensured I never had this for lunch or dinner. I would stay that for a couple of the dinners, the meat was a bit tough but I cannot complain too much.||The staff here could not be more friendly, with the receptionist during the day speaking English and the innumerable gardeners, cleaners, beach and pool attendants always greeting you with a cheery smile. I was there out of season when I was one of the only guests, so there was not much for me to do at night but I was there to relax so it was perfect for me. I was there during a quiet period and I think that there would be a lot more to do in higher season. One of the highlights of my trip was when a large group of girls came over from the mainland for a day’s partying, so I think the hotel has an entertainment staff that organises parties on the beach.||I would say this hotel is perfect if you are on your own and want a break or if you want a couple of nights' romantic getaway. There is not much you can do on the island except relax on the beach. This was a perfect start to my trip to Colombia, after which I returned to mainland to enjoy the Old Town and the beach life of Bocagrande. It is one of the cheapest hotels you can find, so for the money I could...

We went there in January 2016. ||||When we arrived, they had changed the price from what it was on the original booking. We had to comply because of the high season and lack of availability in other hotels in Cartagena. ||||In 6 days there, they NEVER came to clean the room, although we have asked every day.||||Day 3, the toilet became blocked up because we had so little water in the room. We had to flush with water buckets. ||||They stole our swim-wear which was drying on our balcony, inside the hotel. ||||The last day, when we left, my 5years old son forgot a small back with his toys in the hotel room. As soon as we arrived on shore, we called them up to retrieve our belonging, but they presented they couldn't find it...||||The beach was fun of plastic and garbage, as well as in the water. ||||To summarize: The service was of extremely poor quality, it was dirty and the staff was rather dishonest. ||||The food was good but very repetitive. ||||Stay away...

Spent one day and was eager to leave right away. The price is not worth it. Hotel is been abandoned by owners. They seriously need to remodel and invest. Such a waste a beautiful hotel crumbled and Covid is not an excuse... There is no communication amoung the reservation department. I called and sent numerous emails. No one ever called me back, clearly the director of sales does not care about having customers. There is no transportation to/ from island. Particularly all pictures on website are false. What you see is not what you get. There was infestation of flies everywhere. Pool is full of fungus. All inclusive is not true. Rooms are modest but done expect what they have as bedrooms. The only positive aspect was the food was very tasty, the staff were nice and attentive. The beach is beautiful and clean.. Otherwise too bad what a waste of time. Please check reviews and photos. My hopes of a nice...