Catalina's Hideaway — Hotel in Hicaco

I’d give Catalina’s Hideaway more stars if I could. Ryan and Anthea have created an amazing space to relax, experience and feed the soul. From the moment we got there, greeted with cool towels after our long drive, we were cared for like family. Anthea, Olga and Nick—all the staff, really—went out of their way to make sure our experience surpassed expectation. I was there for an Embodied Leadership retreat but there were options to add various activities if we wanted. On arrival we signed up for what we wanted and had opportunity to meet with staff individually to talk over any questions. They went to work scheduling our requests around previously scheduled retreat activities. I feel I should mention there were 9 of us on this retreat, 9 lists of requested activities, some of which weren’t offered in the signup. The next day we were given our individual schedules. It was like the old-school Fantasy Island sans Ricardo Montalban’s judgment. (Anthea, Olga and Nick as a much preferred version of Mr. Roarke and Tattoo) Ryan and Anthea are very involved locally and have sought out and vetted the various service providers to work with in order to give their guests the best experience. We truly appreciated that involvement with the local community rather than the walled-off feeling of separation from locals one gets at some resorts. We did all the things! ||While I went to Catalina’s Hideaway on a retreat, my husband tagged along for the beach, surfing and he’d hoped for fishing. Surf fishing in Panama wasn’t what he was used to in Florida, he was a little bummed. We asked about fishing in the area and were given several options. Anthea called her son over at dinner one night to give my husband tips on fishing in the property’s pond, shrimp was provided for surf fishing and we were sent on a mangrove tour (the captain being a local fisherman who offered to take my husband fishing again any time). ||Oh—the food. You just have to experience this. Anthea and Jose absolutely have to put out a cookbook. We’ve only been home for a day and are already missing the food (and the space, the pool, the daily yoga, the weather —the whole vibe…) ||I’ve said a lot, I could say so much more but one really just needs to experience this place. Give yourself the gift Catalina’s Hideaway offer...

I’d give Catalina’s Hideaway more stars if I could. Ryan and Anthea have created an amazing space to relax, experience and feed the soul. From the moment we got there, greeted with cool towels after our long drive, we were cared for like family. Anthea, Olga and Nick—all the staff, really—went out of their way to make sure our experience surpassed expectation. I was there for an Embodied Leadership retreat but there were options to add various activities if we wanted. On arrival we signed up for what we wanted and had opportunity to meet with staff individually to talk over any questions. They went to work scheduling our requests around previously scheduled retreat activities. I feel I should mention there were 9 of us on this retreat, 9 lists of requested activities, some of which weren’t offered in the signup. The next day we were given our individual schedules. It was like the old-school Fantasy Island sans Ricardo Montalban’s judgment. (Anthea, Olga and Nick as a much preferred version of Mr. Roarke and Tattoo) Ryan and Anthea are very involved locally and have sought out and vetted the various service providers to work with in order to give their guests the best experience. We truly appreciated that involvement with the local community rather than the walled-off feeling of separation from locals one gets at some resorts. We did all the things! ||While I went to Catalina’s Hideaway on a retreat, my husband tagged along for the beach, surfing and he’d hoped for fishing. Surf fishing in Panama wasn’t what he was used to in Florida, he was a little bummed. We asked about fishing in the area and were given several options. Anthea called her son over at dinner one night to give my husband tips on fishing in the property’s pond, shrimp was provided for surf fishing and we were sent on a mangrove tour (the captain being a local fisherman who offered to take my husband fishing again any time). ||Oh—the food. You just have to experience this. Anthea and Jose absolutely have to put out a cookbook. We’ve only been home for a day and are already missing the food (and the space, the pool, the daily yoga, the weather —the whole vibe…) ||I’ve said a lot, I could say so much more but one really just needs to experience this place. Give yourself the gift Catalina’s Hideaway offer...

"The resort is very nice, the pool is refreshing and the food was very good. Our room was large with strong air conditioning and the outdoor shower was romantic The swings and hammocks are nice touches and the firepit is a casual hangout spot. The bed and pillows made for a good, deep sleep. The staff was very friendly and the grounds were clean and well kept. The low tide is very far from the high tide point, very far, but the beach is not to be missed for a sunrise. I was able to see the Southern Cross and Polaris the North Star in the same sky! One night we had live music, a couple guys with guitars who played a short set before the DJ came on and we called it a night. The town of Santa Catalina is a good 1/2 hour drive away on a rough, bumpy road. One of us did get a $10 shuttle from the resort. Town is not to be missed. I could not give a 5th star because of ambiguities with their policies. Do not prepay for breakfast. We prepaid for our breakfasts but were unable to be provided with a concise policy, IE we were told by one server coffee Americano, juice and one item (no bacon) was provided, later we were charged for juice because it turns out it wasn't included. This caused consternation between us and the staff, several discussions with employees and stress with our stay which was completely avoidable. Group Yoga is offered at 9am but if you are the only one to show up you will be charged for a private or semi private session, not the group fee. The 2 dinners we had were very good but the kitchen was unable to coordinate 4 meals being served together either time. The last time we were finished eating before the other two got their meal. Mistakes happen, but the owners of the resort were one table over and NEVER acknowledged us or made any attempt to make it right. One of our friends canceled her room months in advance but they would not refund her card without it being present, so we took her credit and were able to pay her back her deposit which seemed odd at best. We had no interactions with either owner until after we had checked out and were packed to leave, despite seeing them on-site often. It is a small resort and a simple "Welcome to our resort" goes a long way, but she was very nice when we were...