Its name is a bit misleading. Calling Nicaragua’s Villas de Palermo Hotel & Resort a hotel could cause travelers to miss out, because it’s not really a hotel. With 50 two-bedroom villas, the resort offers travelers all the perks of a hotel, but with a generous amount of space and privacy that most hotels can’t provide. The bottom line, the resort makes it easy to spread out, relax and stay awhile.
Located in the town of San Juan del Sur, on the Southern Pacific coast of Nicaragua, the 50 villas are available for overnight, weekly and monthly rentals. All 50 villas are essentially identical; the split-level floor plan provides two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room and full kitchen complete with table. The upstairs master bedroom has a balcony, below there is a covered terrace off the living room, complete with rocking chairs.
Amenities are plentiful: air-conditioning, ceiling fans, Wi-Fi, a television, DVD player, and plenty of electric plugs. Most villas have an ocean view and, if you have a rental car, parking is easy. (If you don’t have a car, a free shuttle runs to town every hour from 7am to 8pm.) The only thing noticeably missing is hair dryers in the bathrooms.
The layout and amenities make Villas de Palermo Hotel & Resort an ideal spot to call home for traveling families or larger groups. That said, the property is often booked by couples only needing one bedroom. The villa is the same, one bedroom door is simply locked and not accessible. Smoking is not permitted in the villas.
Lush landscaping and numerous paths make the property fun to wander. There isn’t a traditional lobby, but the check-in area is also the location of all of property’s public space. Along with a small spa, there’s a restaurant and bar, steps from a large pool. Guests can take in views of San Juan del Sur Bay while eating at a table or splashing in the pool. The area is walkable from all of the villas, but obviously, some are closer than others, so if there are mobility concerns, be sure to inquire when booking. Guests can opt for an all-inclusive stay, or a stay including breakfast only.
Although the resort is only a couple miles from the beach, it can seem remote to some, simply because it is very quiet. Where it’s common to bump into other hotel guests when getting on and off an elevator, I walked to breakfast one morning without seeing another person. Peace and quiet can be fabulous, or no fun. It simply depends on what you want during your time in San Juan del Sur.
All-inclusive villa rates range from $69 per person in low season to $99 per person in high. Villa rates, including breakfast only, range from $129 for two people in low season to $199 for two in high. Wi-Fi is included. English is commonly spoken by staff, so communication shouldn’t be an issue for guests who do not speak Spanish. Make your reservation online with the hotel or through Travelocity.
Review and photos by Dana Rebmann. Her stay was hosted by Visit Nicaragua, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.