Koko Acqua Lodge — Hotel in Bocas del Toro

I recently contacted Koko resorts to book a suite for a family of two adults and two children. I was sent an option to look at which we agreed to book. I contacted Koko resorts to confirm the booking and was told to book online using the book now option which I did happily paying the 150 US dollar deposit. A couple of days later we noticed that two deposits had been taken. I contacted Koko resorts requesting they return one. I was told it had been credited to the first booking. I had not authorised a second apartment and had not supplied my credit card details either this must have been taken off their system.||The balance of the booking was to be paid 45 days prior to arrival which is clearly stated on the emailed documents I received. ||I then received a email asking me to contact Koko resorts as they had tried to take the balance and that we risked losing our booking also the 45 day clause had been removed. I contacted Koko to clarify why they were taking the balance, the lady was rude and disrespectful I could not get a word in. She refused to refund the second 150 told me we could cancel the booking but I would lose 150 for cancelling. My husband could tell I was struggling to communicate so ask for the phone. He said to her obviously we need to speak to a manager could you give me their name so that I may speak to them. She hung up the phone.||A few minutes later he phoned back and asked that she please not hang up but give him the name of the manager, she said oh here he is now and handed the phone over. My husband asked if he was the manager he replied no that he was a guest of koko and referred to my husband as an Aussie we are actually kiwis the woman was laughing in the background.||In light of the behaviour I sent an email to two managers and have heard nothing. I received an email stating that the deposits had been refunded and to find alternative arrangements.||I am at a lose over the way we have been treated and the lack of response from Koko. I am a business owner also and would be gravely concerned with the above behaviour.||We have stayed with Koko a number of times and can not believe the deterioration in customer service and behaviour. Book at...

(Pros) The property itself was wonderful and beautiful, clean and well-kept. Big balcony with one hammock and a wood bench. Sufficient kitchen amenities (fridge, microwave, stove and dishes). Comfy beds and sheets. AC available. Bottled water provided.||Now, we think that the locals near Koko Lodge are trying to fix the path and make it better for visitors, so maybe in a few years, our review may not be valid.||(Cons) The surroundings of the property was terrible: property is accessed by a walking path which is surrounded by trash, poor houses by locals, sewage water, bad odor (pictures). Also, bity bugs (probably sand flies) were inside the house and bit our legs under the dinning table. Payment was only by cash or paypal. ||In addition, the island of Bocas Del Toro was not worth it to us: party town, dirty, expensive, very busy, remote beaches like Star Fish and Bluff were pretty but not conducive to swimming or body-boarding, only for seeing starfish (hence the name) and deadly ripe tides at the other beach (pic). And the stinging, burning splinters we got from walking back from Star Fish beach are fiberglass brought in from the boats, spreading in the...

We booked this theough Airbnb. We were a little disappointed, as when we got there, no was available to check ua in. We called our host and she sent someone who arrived 10-15 min later. We then proceeded to check in requesting a cabin in the front as the airbnb listing doesnt really show you what cabing you get. The gentlemen we dralt with told us it was unavailable and we had one in the middle. The gentlemen then called the boss who spoke with my husband. She explained that on their website apparently it clearly shows what room you get. Which was kind of irrelevant as that was not where we booked. Nonetheless we neded up in a cabin in the middle. It was nice. We had a bit of an ant problem. Which they werent able to fix duringnour stay as we were there for only a night. The kitchen and washtoom area is spacious and the hammocks and seating outside are really nice as well. If it weren't for the ant problem and not having the ootion to stay closer up we would have stayed longer. But overall it was...