The Sands Apartments & Mall — Local services in Calidonia

I stayed in a studio on the 36th floor at The Sands Apartments.

First Impressions Arriving from the back street (parallel to Avenida Balboa), the building didn’t look very inviting—the view was of an older building and a power plant. There was no staff at the front desk during my entire stay. Elevators were frustrating: two repeatedly failed with a “face recognition” error when I tried to reach the 36th floor, and only certain elevators worked. The host’s entry card granted access to entrances but not to elevators.

The Apartment The studio was compact but bright, with a kitchenette, bathroom, walk-in closet, and washing machine. Essentials like towels and kitchen supplies were provided, but a bedside lamp, paper towels, and cleaning spray would have been helpful. For a three-year-old building, the flooring was surprisingly worn and chipped, both inside the unit and in the hallway, giving it a neglected feel. The highlight was the spectacular view of the ocean and Casco Viejo.

Noise & Atmosphere This is a party building. Expect: • Rooftop zipline screams during the day • Loud music and even fireworks at night • Weekend DJs playing until 6:30 a.m.

Not recommended if you’re sensitive to noise.

Amenities & Location The building offers a gym, pool, co-working space, restaurants, and plenty of activities. A small grocery store is nearby, and larger supermarkets are a short Uber ride away. Restaurants in the area are reasonably priced.

Pet-Friendly Notes I traveled with my dog, and the host didn’t charge extra. Next door is a large park with green space, walking and biking paths, and an outdoor gym. In the evenings, vendors set up with food, desserts, and drinks, making it lively and convenient.

Pros ✔️ Amazing ocean & Casco Viejo views ✔️ Great amenities (gym, pool, co-working) ✔️ Good location near restaurants, shops & park ✔️ Pet-friendly environment

Cons ❌ No front desk staff ❌ Elevator issues (“face recognition” access) ❌ Very noisy (zipline, DJs, fireworks, loud music) ❌ Flooring in poor condition despite being a newer building (36th floor)

Overall Best for travelers who enjoy nightlife, activities, and a lively atmosphere with stunning views. If you want peace and quiet or hotel-style service,...

We were excited to arrive at this apartment because, according to the listing in Airbnb, it seemed well located, with a beautiful view and close to everything. After a long travel day (our flight had been delayed), we ran into several issues upon arrival.

First, it was difficult to access the unit: the security guard couldn’t scan the QR code provided by the host.

Once inside the building, the condo hallway didn’t feel safe, there were people acting strangely, and I would never feel comfortable walking there alone.

When we reached the apartment, we were shocked and concerned to find out that the door code was simply the unit number. This means anyone could guess it and enter. The front door was poorly sealed, with visible gaps in the frame that even let light through. It looked easy to break in.

Inside, the apartment was extremely poorly insulated: we could hear every step in the hallway, dogs barking non-stop, and the sound of cars as if they were right next to us (the living room windows don’t close properly). The walls had mold due to condensation from the air conditioner — something not visible in the listing photos.

Other disappointing details included:

Bedside tables assembled incorrectly.

A bed with stains (including a blood stain) and covered in hair.

A mattress so uncomfortable that it was impossible for two people to sleep well.

We only stayed one night before leaving, as it was impossible to rest in these conditions.

I’m giving 1 stars only because the host was very responsive and replied quickly to my messages (or a team member did). The view, to be fair, is beautiful.

Unfortunately, the apartment felt like a “tourist trap,” giving off a sense of insecurity and even the fear of hidden cameras. The energy of the place was cold and...

Starting with the reality everyone tiptoes around: the side and back streets here feel unsafe. There’s visible sex work, people sleeping rough, and occasional drug activity. As a woman, I wouldn’t feel comfortable walking alone to or from the lobby—especially at night—and getting over to the Cinta Costera isn’t straightforward from this corner.

Inside the complex there’s constant movement: a top-floor restaurant that hosts parties, other venues in the mix, and many apartments used as short-term rentals. That public flow makes the place feel more like a through-space than a residence. Add the usual Avenida Balboa noise and you’ve got a building that’s busy and loud when what you want is to live, not visit.

Value is the next problem. Most units don’t have a balcony, and the apartments are extremely small for the price. Paying this much for limited space in a pocket that’s still developing feels unreasonable right now.

To be fair, the apartments I toured looked modern and well renovated, the pool/social area is attractive, and the views can be great. But if you’re deciding where to live, the safety dynamics, heavy transient traffic, tricky walkability, and the tiny, balcony-less units are exactly why I wouldn’t choose this...