La Colmena el Valle de Samana

Breakfast was fantastic, fruits and breads and jam and eggs, with a truly stunning view. The pool and the kitchen were right outside my door, which was lovely.

Not their fault, but the power went out all over town for half a day. Anything else i didn’t like was my own fault for going spur of the moment and not really speaking Spanish.!

I loved how accommodating the staff was and the room was very cozy and comfortable. :) The beach was a 5 minute walk away and great local restaurants nearby.

the common areas are beautiful, there is a small vegetable garden where you can pick your herbs for cooking in the shared kitchen.

The area is beautiful and the cabins are rustic. The common area with the swimming pool and the kitchen was really nice. Although there is no reception there, Grace made sure we had all the information before our arrival, and she met us as soon as she could, and kept in contact during the stay to check we had everything we needed!

The light in the room was too dim, so it was hard to find anything in the evening. The location was great but be aware that it is also an isolated place - you need to have your own means of transportation, or be prepared to pay the expensive taxi fee from Samaná (around 80$)

One of the standout features of La Colmena is its cute and well-maintained rooms. Each room is uniquely decorated and furnished with all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay. The beds are comfortable, and the bathrooms are clean and very spacious, you basically shower in the jungle. Water coming out of the tab can be dirty occasionally but that's to expect in the middle of nowhere, we think it came from a nearby river. La Colmena doesn't offer breakfast but it comes with a communal kitchen where you can make your own if you're down for that. We had our breakfasts at the El Valle Lodge next door for $8 per person which was fantastic. Staff is super helpful and kind and helped us book an epic excursion.

If you're not a fan of dogs, this might not be the best place for you. The hotel is located in an area where street dogs are common, and they occasionally make their way onto the property. Another thing to note is that if you're a light sleeper, it's important to check if there's a festival or event in the area before you book your stay (recommend to go during the week if you like it quiet). During our visit, there was a festival, and the nearby party blasting music all night long made it difficult to get a good night's sleep for one of our nights. There's also construction happening next door, but that doesn't start until 9am. Despite these minor drawbacks, we had a lovely stay at La Colmena. The hotel staff was super friendly and very helpful, and the overall atmosphere was relaxing and inviting. If you're looking for a charming and affordable hotel in a great location, La Colmena is definitely worth considering.