Escape to Paradise: El Mangroove's Unforgettable Panama Getaway
Escape to Paradise: El Mangroove - Panama's Unforgettable Getaway (…With a Few Quirks!)
Okay, let's be real. Planning a vacation feels like herding cats. You're scrolling, comparing, dreaming of sunshine and… well, hopefully not leaky faucets and lukewarm coffee. I've just gotten back from El Mangroove in Panama, and lemme tell you, it's a real experience. So, buckle up, because this isn't your run-of-the-mill hotel review. This is the unvarnished truth about escaping to paradise, with all the bumps and bruises along the way.
First Impressions: Accessibility - Smooth Sailing… Mostly.
Right off the bat, El Mangroove gets serious points for generally being accessible. The website doesn't lie (shock horror!). They've got ramps, elevators, and a decent amount of wheelchair-friendly spaces. I saw a couple of families using wheelchairs easily navigate the common areas, which is a huge win. (Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible) Getting around the resort felt relatively smooth, unlike some places where you're practically climbing Everest to get to the pool. However, I'm not going to lie, I didn't personally test every single corner, so double-check if you have very specific accessibility requirements. I did notice a couple of slightly steep walkways, but nothing overly challenging. (Facilities for disabled guests)
Digital Detox… or Digital Overload? (Internet Access)
Okay, so you need to stay connected, right? (Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!) Yup, they've got Wi-Fi. And it's… well, it's there. In the rooms, it worked perfectly. (Wi-Fi in public areas) The LAN internet was available, but I didn't try it. I’m not sure who uses a LAN cable in paradise, but kudos if it’s your thing! Let's be honest, sometimes the Wi-Fi in the public areas was a bit… patchy. A slight eye roll moment when you're trying to upload that perfect sunset pic. But hey, we're here to escape, right? Perhaps a gentle nudge to unplug is a good thing.
Safety First (and Cleanliness, too!)
The pandemic has changed everything. El Mangroove really gets it. I was impressed. They were clearly on top of their game with Cleanliness and safety:
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. This felt reassuring.
- I noticed CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, plus Security [24-hour]. You feel safe.
- Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher, and Safety/security feature are standard, which is all important
- They offered Room sanitization opt-out available, which shows consideration.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (with ups and downs!)
Alright, this is where things get interesting. The food at El Mangroove is a mixed bag, but mostly leans towards the delicious side!
- Restaurants, Poolside bar, Bar, Coffee shop, Snack bar. The choices are great. Plenty of places to eat, sip cocktails, and nosh on snacks.
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant A very wide set of dining options,
- Room service [24-hour]. I may (or may not) have ordered room service at 3 AM for a plate of fries and a Coke Zero. No judgement!
- Happy hour. Essential.
- The breakfast buffet was Breakfast [buffet] a solid spread. You could get everything from pancakes to local fruits.
- The Breakfast in room option is also available.
I loved the Poolside bar drinks. So good. The fish tacos? Chef's kiss. But the Italian restaurant… let's just say the pesto wasn't quite up to Tuscan standards. But hey, no one is perfect!
Now, here's my favorite part: The Pool with a View… and the Sauna!
I spent a ridiculous amount of time by the pool. Absolutely gorgeous. (Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view) I’m easily pleased with these things. The design is spot-on. The water is the perfect temperature. And the view? Unreal. The (Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom) was a fantastic way to unwind. I'd head down there after the sun went down, and stay for hours. It was a real escape. If they had a personal masseuse and a private chef, I think I would have moved in.
Ways to Relax: Body Scrubs & Wraps (and lots more!)
Massages, Body scrub, Body wrap, Spa, Gym/fitness, Fitness center, Foot bath, etc. The spa is dreamy. It's a little sanctuary. I caved and got a massage. It was heavenly. I could seriously feel my stress melting away. I was so relaxed, I nearly fell asleep mid-massage (and, knowing me, probably snored a little). The gym is well-equipped too.
Amenities, Services, and Conveniences (The Good, The Quirky, and The Essential)
Okay, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. El Mangroove offers a ton of services and conveniences.
- Air conditioning in public area, Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Safety deposit boxes, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, All very useful.
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal. For families, this is a huge plus.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service, The usual important services.
- Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, On-site event hosting.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking, Airport transfer. Parking is easy.
- Business facilities, Xerox/fax in business center, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Meeting stationery, Meetings, Projector/LED display, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area. If you're there for business, they definitely have the gear.
The Rooms: Your Oasis, or… Slightly Less Than Perfect?
Available in all rooms, Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The rooms are generally lovely. Spacious, well-appointed, with comfy beds. The décor is modern and clean. I had an ocean view, and it was breathtaking. The Bathtub was big enough to relax in, the Shower had great pressure, and the Air conditioning worked perfectly.
However… (There's always a "however," isn't there?) A small, minor issue. I think my air conditioning unit sounded like a jet engine taking off at night. And, because I like to be very honest, one day the Toiletries were slightly… lacking. It got sorted right away. But, there's a sense of "paradise-adjacent" in a few areas.
The Details About the Details
- Check-in/out [express, private]. Smooth and efficient.
- Couple's room: Romantic getaways are catered for.
- Exterior corridor: Easy access to get outside.
- Front desk [24-hour]. Always someone there.
- Non-smoking rooms. Appreciated.
- Pets allowed unavailable. Please note, no pets.
- Proposal spot. Romance is in the air.
- Room decorations. Nicely done.
- Soundproof rooms. Peace and quiet.
**The Verdict:
**Manila's HOTTEST Poblacion Pad: Private Room 04 Awaits!**
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly curated Instagram itinerary. This is the raw, unfiltered, probably slightly sunburned truth about my "relaxing tropical getaway" at El Mangroove in Costa Rica. Prepare for a journey… into my brain.
Day 1: Arrival & "Zen" Debacle
6:00 AM - Aeropuerto Juan Santamaría (SJO), San José, Costa Rica: The Meltdown Begins. Jesus, that airport. Already sweating like a sinner in church. The flight was a red-eye nightmare fuelled by airline peanuts and the existential dread of being crammed next to a chatty guy who clearly hadn’t slept in days. Got through customs (miracle!), grabbed my (apparently stolen by a luggage thief) bag. Hired a taxi to go to the Hotel.
9:00 AM - El Mangroove - Check-In (Attempted): Finally, the promised land! Except… the check-in took forever. Apparently, my reservation was “missing a crucial detail” (me, probably). After a solid hour of battling the slightly-too-smiley receptionist, I finally had a key. Now to the Room…
10:30 AM - The Room: My Sanctuary? Ha! Okay, the room was stunning. Seriously, the view of the mangroves was breathtaking. I half-expected monkeys to swing through, greeting me with a mimosa. (A girl can dream.) But the air conditioning was questionable, the welcome bottle of wine was lukewarm at best, and the bathroom had a lingering smell of… something. Tropical, maybe? Or just a bit musty? Whatever. I'm in Costa Rica, bitches!
11:00 AM - "Zen" First Attempt: Beach…and Reality Check: Okay, beach time! Sun, sand, gentle waves, the whole shebang. Except the sun was intense. I slathered on sunscreen, but clearly, not enough. (Note to self: buy industrial-strength sunscreen tomorrow.) Sat there for a good 15 minutes before the sunburn started to tingle. Decided to retreat to the pool. Better to avoid this heat, for now.
12:00 PM - Poolside: The Battle of the Sun Lounger. Found a chaise. Hooray! But then the waiter asked what I would like. I ordered a margarita, and it took 45 minutes to arrive. It tasted watery. I thought, "Oh wait, I haven't eaten anything." I requested some Ceviche. It did not arrive. This pool is all-inclusive, right?
2:00 PM - Ranting (and the restaurant) - I went to the restaurant. I ordered Ceviche. Finally! The waiter was nice. The Ceviche was delicious! I could feel myself relaxing. I decided to go to the beach, again.
3:00 PM - That's right, the beach… again. The tide was out. I stared at the beach. I'm relaxed. It was good. And then, I wanted to go back to my room.
4:00 PM - The Nap: I tried, but I'm now just looking at Netflix.
7:00 PM - The Sunset & Dinner: Food Glorious Food! The sunset… epic. Truly, the sky exploded in oranges, pinks, and purples. Finally, dinner! Ordered the grilled fish. Perfection. The service was impeccable. Maybe my zen was returning!
9:00 PM - The Bug Hunt (and Bedtime): Turns out, the mosquito situation is real. I declared war. After a spray-down of industrial-strength bug repellent, I finally collapsed into bed, hoping sleep would claim me before the next round of buzzing.
Day 2: Exploration & Spiritual Warfare
7:00 AM - Sunrise & Regret: Woke up early, thanks to the sun blasting through my curtains (they clearly weren't blackout curtains). Stared at the ceiling, contemplating my life choices.
8:00 AM - Breakfast (and the Battle of the Buffet): The buffet was a scene. So much food! So many choices! I went for the fruit (because, health), but then ended up with a plate piled high with pastries. Self-control is a lie, people.
9:30 AM - Exploring the Area (aka, "Am I lost already?"): Decided to be adventurous and wander outside of the hotel. Got a little lost. Ended up walking in circles for a bit, convinced every local was secretly laughing at the clueless tourist, me. Made it back eventually, more tanned, more sweaty, and more aware of my geographical ineptitude.
11:00 AM - The Spa (and My Search for Inner Peace): Booked a massage. The spa was beautiful, all hushed tones and zen music. I almost fell asleep during the massage. They gave me a ginger shot. I felt… amazing!
1:00 PM - Lunch (and the Reappearance of the Ceviche) - Back at the restaurant. Back to the Ceviche! It didn't disappoint.
2:00 PM - Poolside, Take 2 (and the Sun's Revenge): The sun… it’s a relentless adversary. Managed to snag a shady spot this time. Made friends with a family of monkeys (in my head).
4:00 PM - The "Nature Walk" (or, "Did I Just See a Snake?!"): Went on a nature walk. Saw a tiny hummingbird. Thought I saw a snake (probably just a root). My heart rate went through the roof. Nature, you are a thrilling, terrifying spectacle!
7:00 PM - Dinner & The Rain: Dinner was interrupted by a torrential downpour. Romantic and dramatic, except I was shivering and my dress was soaking wet. Still, the food was good, and the rain added a certain je ne sais quoi to the evening.
9:00 PM - Bedtime, Version 2: The mosquito battle 2.0 Mosquitoes are in the room. Bug spray time. Now, I'm so tired. Time for bed
Day 3: "Trying to be chill" & Departure (Maybe) -
7:00 AM - The Ceiling, Revisited: Woke up. The sun again.
8:00 AM - Breakfast (and Pretending to be a "Morning Person"): "Morning person" is a lie. Pretended to enjoy the coffee. Managed to eat the entire buffet.
9:00 AM - Beach (final attempt, I swear): Another good attempt to get the beach.
10:00 AM - The Pool (last time?): Spent an hour. That's it.
11:00 AM - Final attempt to relax. It's hard.
1:00 PM - Lunch (and final farewell to the ceviche): Ceviche one last time. Goodbye, Ceviche
2:00 PM - Packing & Departure: Packing is a mess. The souvenirs I haven't bought yet. Departure… soon.
4:00 PM - Leaving for airport: Bye, Costa Rica.
Here's the takeaway: El Mangroove was beautiful. I saw a lot of sunrises and sunsets, ate a lot of delicious food, and got to relax. Would I go back? Absolutely. Would I do some things differently? Probably. But, hey, that's the beauty of travel, right? It's messy. It's unpredictable. And it's always an adventure.
Escape to Italy: Sun-Kissed Stays at B&B Al Sole di Cavessago!
Is this really "Paradise"? Like, seriously? Because marketing... you know?
Alright, let's be honest, "Paradise" is a high bar. My first impression? Kinda… meh. Fly into Liberia, sweat buckets in the transport, and then the initial glimpse of the lobby… nice, but not mind-blowing. Then I walked through the place. It was like a slow-motion cinematic reveal. Everything shifted, from the 'meh' face to a slack-jawed "woah."
It's *pretty* damn close. Palm trees, pristine sand, the Pacific Ocean doing its shimmering thing… it's got the postcard vibes for sure. But the real "Paradise" is in the *details*. The staff? Angels in camouflage. The food? We'll get to that later (spoiler: I wept, it was that good). The *feeling*? Relaxed, but not boring. Chic, but not stuffy. So yes, with a few caveats (because, uh, life), I say… YES, it's pretty damn close to paradise.
What kind of rooms/villas are we talking about? Spendy? Basic?
Okay, here’s a slightly less-than-flattering anecdote to set the scene. The first room they gave me, bless its heart, overlooked… the parking lot. Not exactly the postcard view I was hoping for. A quick chat with the front desk (those angels again!), and BAM. Transformed.
The rooms? Sleek, modern, and with balconies that make you want to live there forever. Seriously. I'm not a minimalist, but even I appreciated the clean lines and smart design. They range in price, *of course*. You can get the basic garden view, which, let's be honest, isn't *bad*, it's still a well-appointed room but you're not right on the beach. Or, you can go *all* in on a beachfront villa. Which is where I spent the entire time basically.
Tell me about the food. Because if the food sucks, the whole trip is ruined, right?
OH. MY. GOD. Where do I even start? Okay, I *am* a food person. I'm a food *snob*. I love my food. And the food at El Mangroove? Okay, so at the main restaurant, Matiss, I ordered a plate of seared tuna (at least, something *like* tuna) which was decent. Tasty, even. But then, (are you ready for this?) they brought out this perfectly cooked tuna with the absolute perfect accompanying sides and, *and* it just… melted. Like butter. And the sauces! The *sauces*! Forget about it. I want them to bottle those sauces and sell them. And the ceviche? Freshness explosion in your mouth. I may have cried a little.
But seriously, it's about way more than just the food. It's about the *vibe*. The sunsets over the infinity pool, the cool ocean breeze, the unobtrusive service… it all elevates the dining experience. The "other" restaurant (actually three!) – Ginger, for asian inspired dishes, and the beach club (with burgers and fries), kept me stuffed and happy.
What's there *to do* besides eat and stare at the ocean? (Not that there's anything wrong with that...)
Okay, okay, I get it. *Some* people want more action. Me? I'm good with a book and a margarita. But El Mangroove has you covered. The pool is stunning, and so are the hot tubs set within. Water sports: paddleboarding, kayaking, maybe even surfing lessons (I'm still not brave enough). The spa? Yes, please. I got a massage so good I could barely walk afterwards (in the best way possible). They also have various tours, trips, and adventures, from snorkeling to seeing monkeys in the jungle. I went on one, and the guide was *amazing*. I'm not normally a "tour" person, but this was cool. My biggest regret? Not going zip-lining. Sounds terrifying and incredible. Next time, definitely.
And the *beach*! Seriously. You can walk for days (I did). It's not always the whitest sand you've ever seen, but it's beautiful, clean, and the water is that perfect turquoise color. Plus, you can get drinks brought to you. That's what I call living the life.
Is it good for families? For couples? For… solo travelers?
Honestly? They pull it off. It *feels* romantic and relaxed, but everyone there seemed to be completely enjoying themselves. I saw families with kids. I saw honeymooners. I saw groups of friends having a blast. And I saw a fair few solo travelers (like me!). There's a good balance of privacy and social spaces. The pool area, in particular, is a great gathering spot without feeling overwhelming.
I swear it was the perfect atmosphere for people who didn't want to 'do' anything!
Is it *really* worth the money? (Be honest, I'm on a budget...)
Okay, here's the deal. It's not cheap. Let's just rip off the band-aid. Luxury comes at a price. But… I personally think it's worth it. If you're looking for a truly special experience, and you're willing to save up a bit, it's one of those trips you'll remember for the rest of your life. It's a splurge, but it’s a splurge that delivers. Honestly? I'm already planning how to go back… and I'm on a budget! I'm checking the prices, and I will be saving more.
Any downsides? Anything I should know before I go? spill the tea...
Okay, the *real* tea. First, it's hot. Really hot. Pack light, and embrace the sweat. And the mosquitos. Bring bug spray. And reapply it. Often.
And the thing about the beach… it’s beautiful, but the sand isn't *pure* white. There's a bit of a darker, volcanic thing going on. Doesn't bother me, but some people care about that. And the WiFi, at times, seems to have a mind of its own. Try to disconnect though. You’re in paradise, remember? The entire thing has to be *perfect*. The real downer is that the trip has to end. And you go back into the real world.
Okay, final thought: Would you go back?
