ISLA DEL ENCANTO

Food was varying, fresh and at good quality. Employees were accomodating and nice. But unfortunately rooms and infrastructure was not on the level we expected, related to description, pictures and price. Though we left to another resort after half of booked stay. Encanto Resort refused compensation of not stayed nights. Encanto Resort has a second business by bringing in day visitors from Cartagena, though it can get crowded with party atmosphere. By the way: We left to Sofitel Calablanca, which was excellent for relaxation at similar price!

The rooms, property, and amenities were beautiful and clean. The staff was very attentive and always looking for a way to help. The beach and pools were very nice. drinks were great and breakfast was delicious. Lunch and dinner were good but not amazing. The vendors on the property itself were a little overbearing trying to sell clothing jewelry and experiences. The boat to and from Cartagena is not a smooth ride, but overall we really enjoyed our stay and would recommend it if visiting Cartagena.

La Isla del Encanto is a great place to stay. Facilities are great, food is amazing and the staff are very helpful, friendly and very professional. This place is highly recommended and I expect to come back very soon. It is close enough to Cartagena to enjoy the city as well.

This is such a beautiful place! Always smiling staff, eager to please you and they go all the way without getting intrusive. The food is fantastic, fruits, juices and drinks. Attention to detail is the standard! and I fully recommend this place. Can’t wait to come back!!!

Very nice area and the room was clean with working A/C. That is where the positives stop. Food was mediocre at best and very repetitive(hint: the tiramisu and chocolate torte were the same exact thing). Meal times are extremely stringent and if you miss your window you will go hungry. But what really bothers me it that this hotel claims to be “all inclusive”. I guess what they mean is your room and 3 meals are included, literally everything else is pay as you go. Not to mention the 10% Colombian tipping VAT that is charged every time you get something(conveniently no one tells you this at check in). They also send an email with every purchase which is just plain annoying. It really felt like we were being nickeled and dimed at every corner. We arrived on the boat to the island at 12 noon but check in time is at 3pm. You can have lunch but of course this lunch isn’t included in your “3 meals a day” again with the nickel and dime-ing. We arrived at the same time as 2 influencers ( or at least wannabe influencers). During our check in, when we were being notified of the one towel per guest per day rule, the manager pulled them aside to ensure them that they would be completely taken care of(no such conversation for us..) The service they received was night and day compared to us. Different offering for meals, different dining locations, It seemed if you didn’t have you phone open to Instagram the entire time the staff was completely indifferent to your presence. I understand that this is how marketing is done these days but that didn’t help the fact that we felt ignored the whole time. But all of these things pale in comparison to the absolute WORST part….music. Yes, music. For approximately 1/3 of our time we were bombarded by a DJ in the town about 1/2 mile away. This building shaking invasion lasted from 7pm till 2am our first night and from noon till 10pm on our second day. Sleep was completely impossible. No relaxing beach days to be had. When I asked the manager about it he told me there is a concert EVERY Saturday and Sunday night and on Mondays when it’s a “special occasion” and there’s nothing they can do about it. I understand there’s nothing that the staff can do to help but that doesn’t make it easier to sleep at 1am. Would not recommend this hotel to anyone.

The bad: - We booked a sea view room and that was a big part of the booking. We get here and get a room way off the beach with a view of a couple of other buildings. We go to correct this and the manager could care less. Says “we book rooms not views. Bad service to start. - you get 3 meals and there is zero offered other than the short windows for your meals. Dont miss one or you will starve. Food is hit or miss but overall not bad. - Very isolated. Literally nothing anywhere close other than the resort bar and again food only served at designated meal time. Good: Some of the service was great. Luis at the pool bar is awesome as is Christian. We went on a scuba dive and it was quick but pleasant. The rooms are clean and I think pleasant as it the resort as a whole. Overall if we had received the room we payed extra for and booked i think its a 4 star if you are ok with semi isolated, low stimulus vacation. I am glad we are only here 2 nights but it has it’s positives. Mixed review.