Name: Casalina Ecolodge
Address: Km. 69, 7 via riohacha, Palomino, Magdalena, Colombia, Buritaca, Buritaca, Buritaca, 470001, Colombia
Rating: 9

Garden

Terrace

General

Room service

Family room

Minibar

Shower/Bathtub

Shower

Wardrobe/Closet

Toiletries

Rooms

Laundry

Luggage storage

Services and amenities

Diet menu (on request)

Restaurant

Packed Lunches

Meals

Internet access

Internet

Airport transportation

Transfer

Tour assistance

Tourist services

Hiking

Recreation

Offsite parking reservations required

Parking

Beach facilities

Private beach

Beach/pool towels

Next to the beach

Pool and beach

Massage

Beauty and wellness

Family/Kid Friendly

Kids

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Location

At the hotel

Room amenities

Casalina Ecolodge

Buritaca

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

private-bathroom

shared-bathroom

10-beds

11-beds

12-beds

13-beds

14-beds

15-beds

16-beds

17-beds

18-beds

19-beds

2-beds

20-beds

21-beds

22-beds

23-beds

24-beds

25-beds

26-beds

27-beds

28-beds

29-beds

3-beds

30-beds

31-beds

32-beds

33-beds

34-beds

35-beds

36-beds

37-beds

38-beds

39-beds

4-beds

40-beds

5-beds

6-beds

7-beds

8-beds

9-beds

king-bed

queen-bed

limited-time

lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

sunrise-view

sunset-view

water-view

with-view

annex

basement

main-building

1-bedroom

2-bedrooms

3-bedrooms

4-bedrooms

5-bedrooms

6-bedrooms

not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

kitchen

On January 24, 2023 I made a reservation for two nights at CasaLina (feb 19-Feb 21).   I contacted Senda Reservations on February 12 to cancel the reservation.  They had already charged my credit card for the full amount and told me that I could not cancel the reservation.  They offered to put my room up for "sale" for those dates, and if they rented it out, they would notify me and "if it is sold, a bond is issued for the value paid or the money is requested".  I responded that I did not want to lose the money for my reservation, so if they did not rent it out, I would stay for the two nights of my reservation.  I emailed them days before my arrival to Palomino and they said it had still not been rented.  They also said to email them (No date/deadline provided) to rebook the room if they didn't rent it.  I waited to hear from them until very early in the morning on Feb 19.  I said since I did not hear from them, that must mean it was not rented out, so I would be there at 5pm to check in to my room.  When I arrived at 5pm, nobody at the hotel had any idea about my reservation.  I sat around while getting questioned back and forth by reception and on the phone with someone in reservations for almost an hour.  They did not believe my story and instead asked me to take screenshots of ALL of my emails with reservations to prove I had a reservation (Rather than allowing me to simply forward the email chain - they also said they couldn't access the emails...why?  I have NO idea".  So I send them all of the screenshots, get an apology from the receptionist, and a confirmation that a manager would contact me the next day.  No call the next day, nor the day after.  I contacted reception again.  She said my refund was processed and I will receive it in 15-20 days.  I still wanted to speak to a manager to explain things and try to get them to improve their business practices.  Nearly a week later, after I continued daily asking reception for a call from management, someone called to listen to my story and review everything.  Although Luz Maria apologized for the error, and told me that my request for a refund and a free night for the inconvenience were very reasonable, she had to ask a manager above her to confirm this.  2 days later I get an email from reservations saying they would give me a voucher instead of a refund.  WHAT??  I replied that they had already confirmed a refund for me.  The next day, they responded and said management approved of a refund but it would take "a few days" for me to receive it.  They offered a complimentary night at CasaLina on one specific date.  I had already left Palomino, so I asked if I could use it at another date.  Their response was that "this is all that we can offer you".  I asked why and who made that decision, and requested AGAIN to speak to a manager.  No response.  I responded days later telling them I would have to post reviews about them so future clients wouldn't suffer the same fate.  Weeks passed after and no manager ever called back.  And no refund appeared at my bank.  Finally after continued messages sent to Luz Maria, she gave me the email for Oliver Blanco, the owner of the Senda Hotel Chain.  I sent him a polite, but detailed description and screenshots of the whole story, and asked how he thought I should be treated.  He confirmed on 3/30/23 that he was sorry and that he would personally make sure I got my refund.  That's it.  I responded by asking him to review their policies and communication channels and to tell me how they could improve, and how he thinks I should be treated.  No response.  6 days later, I emailed him again to ask why I still don't have my refund.  No reply.  The following day, today, I have had ENOUGH of all of this negligence and false promises.  I will be disputing the transaction with my bank.

In summary, Senda and CasaLina's approach to communication with me was erratic, inconsistent, and inefficient.  Their approach to reservations and cancellations is bizarre at best.  Unless you continually push and push and push, they will ignore you and simply hope you go away.  Even the owner, Oliver Blanco, barely apologized to me, did not provide compensation, made a false promise about my refund (again), and never responded back to me.  The place and the location look nice, but if you have to make any changes or cancellations to your reservation, kiss your money goodbye or be prepared for an arduous journey to get it back.  NEVER again Senda.

Dreadful process of trying to get a refund for mistakes they made.  Poor communication and false promises.  BEWARE!

Incredible - felt like paradise!

The beach is pristine and you can enjoy amazing sunsets.
The food is the best we have had in Colombia and the super friendly staff always went the extra mile to make us feel welcome.
By far the best hotel we had in Colombia!

Paradise

This small Ecolodge is absolutely perfect. Very well kept, bungalows are fantástico;  all with ocean views and very clean. Staff is absolutely friendly with excellent service ready to collaborate in anything you need. It is a very quiet place as an Ecolodge should be. It is not a party place. Perfect for chilling. The beach is pristine as natural as can be for miles each side. No good for bathing or swimming. Food is great and everything is fair priced. We will definitely go back.

Wonderful 

The rooms and hotel are amazingly prepared and decorated, staff are very kind,  only problem was no swimming pool (the sea is to rought to swim), it is a perfect place to rest in a quite natural environment

Great place, quiet place

The best thing about this property is the cat! Sombra is a lovely feline!!! 

The place is located off the coast, easily reachable with the recommended bicycle. 

The room is small and was very humid, which you have to know before booking! 

Unfortunately the owners were gone. I am sure the experience would have been better with them present. 

The view into the forest is nice, the little terrace as well. 

The whole Caribbean coast is a must, even though it is HUMID! 
Nothing dries. 

The owners very very helpful all along our stay.

Cat and forest

This was a real highlight of our trip! We were in Cartegena, Santa Marta/Palomino/Minca and Medellin (if anyone has questions about the over areas we visited let em know).

The service, the privacy, the food, the room the beach etc etc etc etc were better than we imagined. If you are anywhere near Santa Marta this is a must stay over!!!!
Especially if you are looking for a relaxing place to truly unwind.

100% and 5 star recommendation!

Do not miss staying here....

Rooms at Casalina Ecolodge are charming and comfortable (althought lacking hot water) and the location is good if you are lucking enough to get an ocean view (the "road" side is very noisy even by night).
However, serive is very basic and lacks of courtesy. In case of power cut, you will have to beg for a couple a candles. If you need hot water after a rainy day, you will have to carry the buckets of hot water from the kitchen of the restaurant to your room..
Most importantly, bathroom waters flow directly to the beach. What an Ecolodge !!!

Ecolodge with used waters flowing to the beach...

The welcome was extremely friendly by host Ita. The garden is immaculate and very beautifull. The rooms are very nicely decorated, very clean and an amazing view. The food is to die for. Fresh and cooked with love. So far in Colombia the best experience!

Casalina Ecolodge

Main amenities of the hotel

Available rooms

Location

Description of the hotel

What other amenities are there?

Policies

Check-in terms and conditions

Additional information

Payment