Villa Elena — Hotel in Bocas del Toro

‏Villa Elena is undoubtedly one of the most unique experiences we had in Bocas del Toro! From the very beginning, the host, Daniel, welcomed us with open arms and warmth that’s hard to describe. He was kind, friendly, and available for any questions or requests we had throughout our stay.

‏The villa’s location is simply perfect – close to the beach, with easy access to the center and all the attractions Bocas has to offer, yet quiet and peaceful enough to feel like a private paradise. The villa itself is clean, tastefully designed, and offers all the comforts you could need, including a fully equipped kitchen and breathtaking views.

‏Daniel went above and beyond, recommending amazing places to eat and visit, and even helped us arrange activities like boating and diving. He truly made our experience unforgettable.

‏In summary, Villa Elena is the perfect choice for anyone seeking a combination of comfort, luxury, and top-notch hospitality. Highly recommended to anyone visiting...

Very disappointing experience. It looked so nice in the pictures and some elements were fine, but there was false advertisement on the pool, it was specifically mentioned in our room description that the private pool was a special feature for our room, which was just the pool for everyone. Which was almost empty and very dirty so no one swam in it anyway. We texted the owner, but he brushed it off as a “language difference”, which I just don’t agree with (see attached screenshot).

The view was a big pile of garbage and the worst thing: the sheets. We saw another complaint about it on Booking and were like ‘how bad can it be?’ But each night we had to get out of bed FIVE TIMES if not more to put the bed cover back on. Otherwise you were laying on the bare mattress. The mattress is covered in plastic and the cover was too small which caused this. Other guests we spoke to were saying the same thing. Overall we were not happy during our stay. Quite a bummer for...

There are a couple of ways to review this place. On the upside, I loved that it’s in the middle of village, surrounded by local life. Think little houses and everyday life. Think of neighbors just a few feet outside your window cooking dinner at 10 pm, TVs blaring, dogs barking, kids making noise and adults talking. It was a refreshing switch from beautiful touristy resorts…. Which I also love.

On the other side, the room was small and dark. Mold on the ceiling and mattress. The sheets don’t fit the bed so as you sleep, they come untucked and you’re either sleeping on the bare mattress (with some ick) or tucking your feet and arms in the corners, trying to keep the sheet between you and the mattress. The pillows are thin and lumpy.

So I loved it and hated it but am glad we stayed here. And one...