Escape to Paradise: Unforgettable Luxury at El Dorado, San Andrés!
Escape to Paradise: Unforgettable Luxury at El Dorado, San Andrés!
Escape to Paradise? More Like a Trip to… El Dorado, San Andrés! (A Slightly Chaotic Review)
Okay, so I just got back from El Dorado in San Andrés. "Unforgettable Luxury," they promised. Let's just say my memories are… a lot. Prepare yourself, because this review is gonna be more like a drunken sailor's log than a polished travel brochure.
First Impressions & The Whole Accessibility Thing (and My Mild Panic)
Getting to El Dorado was a breeze. Airport transfer? Smooth as silk. Valet parking? Yep, they had it. Car park on site? Free, even! (Score!) Now, I'm not a wheelchair user, but I'm always thinking about accessibility. And let me tell you, El Dorado tried. Elevator? Check. Facilities for disabled guests? Listed as available. But, and this is a big but, the website didn't go into specifics. Did the pool ramp down gently? Was the bathroom spacious enough? I couldn't be 100% sure. More transparency here, people! Maybe some detailed photos would be a good start.
Rooms: My Sanctuary (and occasional source of frustration)
My room? Pretty darn swanky. Air conditioning blasting, THANK GOD. After that relentless sun, you need that blast of arctic air. Free Wi-Fi? Absolutely, everywhere! Even in the rooms, thank the heavens! (I needed to upload all those Insta stories, obviously.) Plus, there was a LAN connection; for those of you old-school techies.
Let's break down what the room had - and the little quirks.
- The Good Stuff: Blackout curtains (essential!), comfy bed, and a killer view (high floor was a winner!). Free bottled water, a coffee/tea maker (essential for my morning ritual!), and robes and slippers? Luxurious! A safety deposit box, and an Ironing board.
- The Little Things: The bathroom phone was… well, I assumed it was there, because I didn't bother to check. So no actual use of it. The internet, though free, would sometimes cut out. Grumbles. My socks are gone for good, and the Carpeting, like most hotel carpeting, didn't smell the greatest.
The Restaurant Rundown: Food Coma Incoming!
Dining at El Dorado? A mixed bag, to say the least.
- Breakfast: Buffet? Yup. Asian breakfast? Yup. Western breakfast? Also yup. You could gorge yourself. I did. Several times. Pancakes, omelettes made to order, fresh fruit… I basically ate my weight in it. The alternative meal arrangements were very handy.
- Other Meals: A la carte options, a Western and International cuisine. The poolside bar, which was clutch during the day, with drinks that flowed freely. The snack bar was perfect. I really enjoyed the soups. The Dessert was okay. The Coffee shop offered decent coffee.
- What About Safety? Oh yeah, they were HEAVY on the cleanliness. Daily disinfection, individually wrapped food options, staff trained in safety protocol. I saw professional-grade sanitizing services going on. That was reassuring.
Things to Do: From Bliss to Boredom
Alright, let's talk about the fun stuff.
- Relaxation Station: The spa was amazing. I had a heavenly massage. Body scrub and wrap? Yes, please! The pool with a view? Stunning. The sauna and steamroom? Yes. The fitness center? I intended to use it, but… well, the bar was more appealing. I'm not even going to mention the foot bath.
- The "Things to Do" List: They offered some of the standard stuff, stuff like: Concierge, convenience store, daily housekeeping, doorman, dry cleaning, facilities for disabled guests, food delivery, gift shop, invoice provided, laundry service, luggage storage, meeting/banquet facilities, meetings, meeting stationery, on-site event hosting, outdoor venue for special events, projector/LED display, safety deposit boxes, seminars, shrine, smoking area, terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, and Xerox/fax in a business center.
Services & Conveniences: The Smooth & The Slightly Clunky
- The Good: Contactless check-in/out was a lifesaver. Concierge? They were fantastic! Luggage storage? Easy peasy. Daily housekeeping was good, even though my room would sometimes be cleaned at an inconvenient time. The currency exchange option was clutch.
- The "Could Be Better": The convenience store could have been better stocked.
For the Kiddo's! or the Not-So-Kiddo's
I didn't have kids with me, but the availability of babysitting services, kids' meals, and kids' facilities was definitely a plus.
Safety & Security: Feeling Secure… Mostly
CCTV everywhere, 24-hour security, smoke alarms… all the things that make you feel safe-ish. Rooms were equipped with smoke detectors.
My "Oh, Crap" Moment: The Internet Apocalypse (and How I Survived)
So, one day, the internet died. Totally died. No Wi-Fi, no LAN, nothing. I felt a cold wave of panic wash over me. HOW WOULD I UPLOAD MY PHOTOS? HOW WOULD I CHECK MY EMAILS? I was lost. But, to their credit, the staff scrambled to fix it. A technician arrived, and bless his soul… he got the internet back up and running in a couple of hours. Crisis averted!
The Verdict: Worth the Trip? (With a Few Caveats)
El Dorado? It's… good. It's definitely got the luxury factor going for it, and the staff are generally lovely. The location is fantastic. The food is decent. However, it's not perfect, and it can be a bit clunky at times. The accessibility could be clearer, and the internet situation needs some work. Overall, I'd recommend it, but go in with realistic expectations and a healthy dose of patience. You might encounter some hiccups, but hopefully, you won't have to endure too many "Oh, Crap" moments like I did! Would I go back? Maybe. Especially if they promise me unlimited pancakes again.
Etosha's Hidden Gem: Uncover the Mopane Lodge's Secret Oasis!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is my San Andrés Island adventure at Hotel El Dorado, Colombian style. Prepare for a rollercoaster of sun, sand, and possibly a mild sunburn from pure, unadulterated joy.
Hotel El Dorado – San Andrés Island, Colombia: Operation Paradise Found (and Possibly Lost in Translation)
Day 1: Arrival – Where's My Rum Punch?!
Morning (Like, REALLY late morning): Landed in San Andrés. Jet lag hug, anyone? The airport… well, let's say it had character. More like a bustling, slightly disorganized fiesta than an official entry point. The line for immigration? Don't even get me started. Think cattle call with questionable air conditioning. Made it, though!
- Anecdote: Almost lost my passport trying to chase after a runaway suitcase. Turns out, it belonged to a very loud family from Medellin, and their enthusiasm for baggage claim was… intense. Shared a laugh (and a frantic search) with them. We're now practically family.
Afternoon: Taxi ride to Hotel El Dorado. The drive was a blur of vibrant colors, palm trees doing the tango, and the blaring of reggaeton from every passing car. Holy moly, the island is alive!
- First impression of Hotel El Dorado: A bit… dated. But charming! Big, airy lobby, and that sea breeze flowing through? Chef’s kiss. The check-in process was a comedy of errors (my Spanish is terrible), but the incredibly patient guy at the front desk (whose name I've already forgotten, sorry buddy!) eventually sorted things out.
Afternoon (Continued, like, a long afternoon): Finally! Room unpacked. Sea view. (Okay, not directly sea view, more like… sea-adjacent view. But still!) First mission: locate rum punch. Success! The hotel bar overlooks the pool – perfectly placed for observing the chaos.
- Quirky Observation: Why does everything taste better when you're on vacation? Even the slightly salty air felt delicious. Everything feels perfect.
Evening: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Food surprisingly good! (Especially after the airline food.) Lots of seafood (obviously), and the portions are massive.
- Imperfection: Forgot to tip the waiter. Mortified. Will rectify tomorrow.
Night: Wandered along the beach, watching the stars. The sky is so clear, you can see the entire galaxy. The moon? Glorious!
- Emotional Reaction: Pure bliss. This is what living feels like. I could stay here forever. (Okay, maybe not forever, but at least a really long time.)
Day 2: Johnny Cay and Beach Dreams (And Sunburn Regrets…)
- Morning (Slightly less late morning): Breakfast at the hotel. Eggs, fresh fruit, arepas. Fueling up for adventure! Booked a boat trip to Johnny Cay. HYPE.
- Opinionated Language: Seriously, those arepas? Amazing.
- Mid-morning: Boat trip to Johnny Cay. Sunscreen? Check. Hat? Check. Sense of adventure? Double check! Watched the island slowly appears on the horizon, with it's golden color.
- Messier Structure: Okay, so I thought I put on enough sunscreen. Apparently, I didn't. My back's already screaming. Note to self: next time, apply ALL the sunscreen.
- Afternoon (Johnny Cay Madness): Johnny Cay! The tiny island paradise of my dreams! White sand, turquoise water, reggae music. It's as if you're in a postcard! Spent the entire afternoon in the water. Swimming, snorkeling and generally just existing in a state of pure happiness.
- Doubling Down on the Experience: Okay, let's just say Johnny Cay was… everything. The colors! The water so clear you see right down to the bottom. The fish, darting around me as I snorkeled. I saw a huge stingray glide under me. It was breathtaking. Got a tan, got wet, got completely and utterly lost in the moment. It felt like the rest of the world just melted away. I wanted to stay there forever!
- Emotional Reaction: The Sunburn: Okay, so Johnny Cay was also a lesson in humility. My back. It burns. Seriously. Trying to sleep last night was an exercise in agony. Lesson learned: listen to your skin. My body reminds me frequently.
- Evening: Dinner at a tiny beachside restaurant. Grilled fish, coconut rice, and the sound of the waves. Heavenly. Then, back to the hotel for what should have been early sleep.
- Quirky Observation: People in Colombia are just so freaking friendly. Strangers are always smiling, saying hello, and wanting to share a laugh. If I smile, I will be sunburnt to hell.
- Imperfection: My back.
- Night: More of the same: pain.
Day 3: Exploring, Shopping, and the Search for the Perfect Margarita
- Morning: Sleep in. Because my back. (And because I'm lazy.) Finally dragged myself to breakfast – the idea of fried eggs filled me with something like dread, the thought of what this day holds with it.
- Rambles: Should I have been more careful yesterday? Yes! The sun is no joke, but it seems I, the fool, laughed in it's face.
- Mid-morning: Taxi to the town of San Andrés. Let's shop! Okay, maybe just look first…
- Opinionated Language: The shops are full of stuff. Trinkets, souvenirs, and things I probably don't need and will break.
- Afternoon: Lunch at a small cafe. I finally found my perfect margarita!
- Rambles: The food, the flavors of the area are something unbelievable and really unique.
- Evening: Hotel pool. Evening swim. Sunset.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure joy. That's what I'm going to say.
Day 4: Departure - Farewell, Paradise (Until Next Time!)
- Morning: One last breakfast.
- Mid-morning: Check out. Tears? Maybe.
- Afternoon: Taxi to the airport. One last look at the glistening sea.
- Evening: Home. Already planning my return.
- Emotional Reaction: Already missing the sun, the sand, the people, the food, the vibes. San Andrés, you stole my heart (and maybe a few layers of skin).
Hotel El Dorado – the Verdict:
- The Good: The location, the staff, the pool, the rum punch, the laid-back vibe.
- The Not So Good: The dated decor, the questionable A/C, my sunburn.
- Overall: A completely wonderful experience. I can't wait to return. And next time, I'm bringing all the sunscreen.
Escape to Paradise: El Dorado, San Andrés – The Unfiltered Truth (and Lots of Sunscreen!)
Okay, spill the beans. Is El Dorado REALLY paradise, or just cleverly Photoshopped brochures?
Alright, alright, let’s be real. Paradise? Close. REALLY close. Look, the brochures don't lie about the turquoise water. That IS real. The white sand, it's like walking on powdered sugar… until you get a tiny sandfleas bite on your ankle. Those little buggers! (And, yes, I'm still scratching them).
The problem is perspective. You show up expecting perfection, and you're setting yourself up for a minor letdown. My first impression? "WOW!" followed quickly by "Wait… where's the wifi?" - because, let's face it, we're all addicted.
Honest Truth: Expect a few imperfections. A slightly grumpy room service waiter (hey, it’s hot!); maybe the air conditioning hiccups now and then. But the overall sensory experience? The smell of the ocean, the warmth, the vibrant colours… yeah, it's damn close to paradise. Just bring bug spray, people!
What kind of room should I book? And is it worth the splurge for a beachfront view?
Okay, the ROOMS. This is where my opinion gets a little… erratic. I booked a "deluxe ocean view" because, YOLO, right? And honestly? The view *was* incredible. Waking up to that turquoise expanse was pretty freaking magical. I'm talking, "tears of joy" magical... well, maybe a tear or two. (Don't judge! Sunset views!)
Worth the splurge? Depends. If you're on a shoestring budget, maybe skip it. The standard rooms are perfectly fine and still give you access to the whole resort. But if you're celebrating something special? Do it! The private balcony, the blissful feeling of just *being there* with your morning coffee… priceless.
Anecdote Time: One morning, I ordered room service and spilled coffee literally everywhere. My pristine paradise vision? Shattered. But you know what? The cleaning staff were lovely, and the view still saved the day. So yeah, splurge a little! Unless you're ridiculously clumsy (like me with coffee). Then maybe consider a room further away from the good furniture.
The food! Rumours are it's incredible. Is it? And please tell me about the all-inclusive package.
The food. Oh, the FOOD. Okay, brace yourselves, because my tastebuds are still recovering. The seafood? DIVINE. Seriously, I think I ate grilled lobster every single day. And it wasn't just the lobster; the ceviche? The grilled fish? The fresh fruit… it was a culinary adventure.
The All-Inclusive: ABSOLUTELY GET IT. Seriously. Don't even think twice. Trust me on this. It's not just the food; it's the drinks. All the drinks! Pina coladas on the beach? Mojitos by the pool? Refills whenever you want? HELL YES. Plus, the snacks! Pizza, burgers, fries… you name it, they had it. You'll be living the life of Reilly AND you don't have to worry about the bill. (And trust me, you'll eat and drink a LOT.)
A Small Hiccup: Okay, I did have a slightly… *ahem*… digestive issue after one of the street food excursions off-resort. (My fault! I was warned!) But back on the resort, the food was top-notch, safe, and delicious. Stick to the resort restaurants; learn from my mistake!
What's the best time to go, weather-wise? And what should I pack besides a swimsuit and sunscreen?
Weather: San Andrés is pretty consistently warm, BUT... avoid hurricane season (June to November), obviously. The "best" time? Probably December to April. Beautiful, sunny days. But honestly, even if it rains a little, it's still warm and the rain usually passes quickly.
Packing Essentials: Aside from the obvious (swimsuits, sunscreen, a hat), here's what you might forget:
- Bug Spray! (Seriously, mosquitos are sneaky little devils.)
- After-Sun Lotion: Because you WILL get sun… and it’s a brutal sun.
- A Good Book (or Downloaded Audiobooks): Plenty of downtime to enjoy it.
- A waterproof phone case: For those underwater pictures!
- Cash (small bills): for tipping the staff (they're amazing).
- Adaptor: Unless you're from a country with the same plugs.
- Maybe a decent pair of water shoes: Depending on how sensitive how you are to walking on some of the sand
One More Thing: Pack light clothes, because it is HOT. I learned this the hard way! And don't forget a sense of adventure. You might meet someone who changes your life. Or you might just break up with your partner. Either way, let's go!
What about activities? Is there anything to DO besides lay on the beach all day (though, admittedly, that sounds amazing)?
Okay, Beach Bumming is *totally* acceptable (and, frankly, encouraged). But yes, there's more! El Dorado offers a whole smorgasbord of activities.
My Top Picks:
- Snorkeling/Scuba Diving: The coral reefs are stunning. Seriously, the fish are like neon rainbows!
- Island Tours: Rent a golf cart (or hire a taxi) and explore the island. Johnny Cay (a small island) is a must-see.
- Water Sports: Jet skis, paddleboarding, kayaking… get your adrenaline pumping!
- Spa Treatments: Because, hello, you're on vacation! And the massages… oh, the massages…
- Relaxing with Coconut Cocktails: I took all of this time to reflect in the hammocks, I swear it was one of my best decisions, I wish I had more time for this.
My Disaster: I tried jet skiing. Note to self: I am NOT a jet skier. I spent more time falling off than actually riding. But hey, it was hilarious (for everyone except me, initially… until I embraced the comedy of it all). Don't be afraid to try new things, even if you fail spectacularly! You'll remember it.
Any tips for saving money?
Okay, let's get practical: San Andrés isn't the cheapest place to vacation. BUT, here are some tips for not breaking the bank:
- Book in advance: Flights and accommodation can get cheaper.
- Eat off-resort: Venture into town (safely!) for cheaper meals, but stick to reputable places. Escape to Paradise: Wellness Homestay 2111 Awaits in Shah Alam!
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