Hotel Villa Del Sol — Hotel in Carolina

Do not go here. I booked a Queen room. When I got to the hotel there was no parking like it claimed. When I walked in to the hotel there was a male smoking right at the door. There were three people sitting in the lobby on the couch drinking. The music was blasting that you can hear it from the street and there were two girls at the front desk. I stood there for a good 1-2 min before the turned down the music which was still loud. I had to talk very loud. Before I got there the hotel charged my card 180.39 for the room. When I got there the girl asked for 100 deposit which I was fine with and another 180.39. When I asked why she got nasty and said because. Then her friend working behind the desk said it’s right on the booking.com site. I asked her to show me where I agreed to that again the music was still playing so speaking loud is all you could do. She told me she didn’t have to show me it’s the hotel policy. I explained to her that I didn’t agree to that. I pulled up the agreement and when I showed them there was nothing there stating that the two girls said well you can pay up or leave. I asked to see the room. As I walked up the stairs the floor was sticky. It smells. Like urine and mold. I asked her why does it smell like that she said because. I guess she likes that word. When she shows me the room the bathroom| Was not cleaned. It looked like a dark closet. The bed was a rinky metal black frame it smelled like urine and when you walked in you can see bugs on the floor between the fridge and window. When I asked the girl if I could have the room I booked on the site she said no This is what you get or leave. I said if I leave you get my money. She yeah that is how it works. I won’t back downstairs and both girls who smelled like weed said you can pay or leave but either way you are paying. I told them I wanted the room I booked on the site she said no you get that or leave and started clapping her hands at me. They then continued to talk about me in Spanish as if I didn’t understand. A man was standing in the lobby said he has been here before and this is what they do. They scam you. |I called and spoke to Maria the manager and she defended them. She said I have the video. I told her I had pics and video as well she first denied ever seeing anyone in the lobby when I was there then admitted there were. She then said that no music was playing then said well it was but very low. She said that people can smoke right outside the door it’s ok. I told her I had video and that is when she started to get upset with me and told me to send it to her. I let her know I wanted to speak to someone above her she said Mr Durant owns the hotel and he doesn’t speak to people like me. Not sure what that meant. I explained to her that I didn’t no show which she kept saying I did but I asked for the room I reserved. She kept saying I have your money and I am not giving it back then hung up on me. ||DONT GO|HERE!!!!! THE PICTURES ON THEIR SITE ARE NOT WHAT THEY OFFER YOU WHEN YOU GET THERE INTENTIONALLY SO YOU WONT STAY AND THEY KEEP YOUR MONEY. THIS PLACE IS...

I am en experienced traveler with unlimited hotel stays throughout the US, Canada, Central, South America, and the Caribbean. I asked my agent to find me a hotel with “parking” in Isla Verde. This is a 2 story, very small motel that doubles as a car rental company with very limited amenities in the room. It claims to have free parking but, the majority of the spaces are taken up by the car rental company so you are left with about 4 spaces to fight over in the evenings. One space is used for washing and cleaning rental returns. So if you have a vehicle you may not always find a parking space around a neighborhood with limited areas for parking since it is surrounded by high rise apartments. There are no desks, just 2 lamps, one chair, dresser, Led TV, night table, and a comfortable bed, no individual irons in rooms, or hair blowers. The bathrooms are small soap bars ¼” and brittle, towels have been in service for many years but white. Linens changed once a week or so it was in my room during the 4 day stay. The staff is bilingual, friendly and helpful. The internet service is poor, especially if you desire to work from any of the rooms. Signal on the wifi is very week perhaps because of the concrete walls. There are hidden fees as well, I had to pay an additional 12 dollars for an energy fee. The room doors have an old fashion house key not electronic locks and the door locks flimsy but will keep the honest people out. If you want the remote to your TV and the Key to your room, there is an additional deposit to insure their return. Air conditioning is provided by home AC units mounted in windows. So every now and then you are killing a spider, or mosquito, since ZIKA seems to be problematic on the island. There are cats, including a pet cat on the premises. So if you have allergies to cats, beware. When you go to the front desk it is hit or miss on the service since the clerk may be in the process of renting a vehicle so you may have to wait for a response to your questions. The motel is close to the beach, about 2 city blocks, short walk and there is a pool that I was afraid to use because of the mosquitos, so they close it around 7 PM. I had no problems during my 4 day stay but found myself wishing my agent had booked me into a better “motel” which there are in Puerto Rico. ...

So I am conflicted about Villa Del Sol. On one hand, it is the last of a dying breed of traditional hotels that have not been toppled yet by Airbnb mania. It offers great value, there is a lot around the area food wise and activities including beach Proximity wise that makes it stand out.

First the nice things, check ✅ in is easy and not stressful. Finding rooms is a small learning curve, the staff is helpful and they have also have lots of extras for purchase at cheap prices. They also always have someone downstairs at any time. There is access to a microwave, and coffee ☕ is free. The pool is popular as is well maintained. They even lent us umbrellas when it rained!

There are tons of places to eat around the hotel. Take your pick in either direction. My favorites were Platos which is a hot spot, and Panadería Las Canarias for breakfast and a great cafe con leche. There is also Coral by Sea as a pretty good breakfast spot and Gelato spot right connected to it on the corner. Their coffee is also very good. There is a 🌶️ not too far if that is your thing and a Denny's. There are some pretty good Mexican spots nearby too that offer great value.

Want to go the beach, isla Verde beach is a ten minute walk! Amazing.

Downsides. The hotel is showing it's age and needs to moderized. There is no elevator so forget wheel chair accessible things. Yes that means you will be dragging heavy luggage up the stairs.

The doors are still traditional keys and can be hard to open and close. The rooms are hit and miss.

The double queens are pretty good and the AC systems are solid. There are fridges in the rooms. There is a balcony but they are tiny. My sister and law however paid for a King and instead got a dumpy looking room that looked like a youth hostel. That should not happen. We also had a slight ant problem in our room.

Bottom line, this place needs a face lift and some quality of life changes to make the hotel more appealing, but it is homey.

I really don't know if I would stay there again. The no elevator part is killer! 😂

Overall we were good with our stay and it's easy to get...