The location is outstanding at SCL... It is the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. The hotel has lots of attractive amenities, although not everything was working when we were there. There is the potential for beautiful, fragrant gardens, as there is the potential for wonderful cuisine, but there is a lack of motivation or education about how to take things right to the top of a 4 star rating.

Still, outstanding and lovely rooms in two level villas are a bargain for the price, with quiet and effective air conditioning and cheerful and helpful support staff (as long as everything is working well). Problem solving... not so good.

The beach is a parade of dark skinned caucasians speaking Italian, French and Spanish, in various stages of undress. Don't come here if you only speak English and think everyone will be nice enough to keep their bathing suit in place. It's not going to happen.

And don't come here if you are susceptible to sandfly bites. There are a lot. To take care of them and the daytime biting mosquitoes that potentially can spread dengue fever, the government sprays the beach each day at dusk, literally bombs it with chemicals from a low flying plane. At the same time a cart goes around releasing chemicals into the air.

Food... the a la carte restaurants are pretty good, and sometimes do good work with food. The common eating areas are fair to good.

By the end of the week this bargain was not so much of a bargain. Those who are not too picky, young and able to speak multi-languages and not worried about nudity, chemicals or mediocre food will appreciate the oustanding beauty of this resort, which lies mostly in its beach, and the local beaches.