When we booked this hotel, I read the reviews and most said it was a very nice place and friendly staff. We had to take a 2 hour ride, which was as expected. But when we got there it was very run down and the room was so tiny and very old. But we decided to give it a try. The pool was awful, not cleaned for a very long time. Weeds everywhere. The toilet did not work and could not find staff. Because of the shared ride, we had no place to go. One of the worst places I've ever gone to.

An absolute highlight of our trip, I could not recommend Marabella eco lodge more. The staff were helpful and friendly, the food was incredible, and the beach was right at the door step. We loved meeting Marta Elena, the cat, and Ginger, the dog, apparently there was another cat we weren’t lucky enough to meet. Only a short walk down the beach brings you to Cecon, a nature reserve where you can see iguanas, turtles, and crocodiles where they are looked after by some amazing volunteers before being released back to the wild! A little further down the beach and you reach a shopping strip where we had cheap and delicious food. The black sands were everything I hoped to see, a little rough for me to go past my knees but that was fine as the pool was perfect to have a splash. There was nothing I could fault. I’m already dreaming of our return one day.

good

Beautiful properties. Too many rules and extra charges for basic needs

The staff and manager at Marbella are so friendly and helpful. There was never a request that was denied. The room is small, but comfortable with the air conditioning working perfectly. The view of the ocean and sound of the waves outside the window are amazing. The beach is very clean and although public it only had hotel guests in the area in front of the hotel during our stay. The hotel is aging so do not expect everything to be shiny new, but everything is in working order and could not be more relaxing. The food is very good. It is more expensive than typical for restaurants in the area, but it must be staffed and is serving a small hotel population so is understandable. Overall a wonderful place for a short holiday. We will return here when we visit Monterrico again.

Great place! Managers were very helpful in getting transportation to and from the airport in Guatemala City. Definitely recommend going here and want to vacation here again. Thanks

Beautiful beachfront property

If what you are looking for is a place where right from the moment you put a foot in the door you are treated like family, Marbella Eco Lodge is your place. This place is managed by a couple; he, Cecilio, designed and built the place (con la ayuda de los albañiles chapines que le trajeron más canas a Cecilio) and she, Cecilia, who runs this place (with some help of Cecilio :) with her heart; again, like if we, guests, were her family. Cecilia's love for cooking and perfection goes beyond anything I have seen. Cecilia no relaja sus standares ni para las papas fritas. Do not dare to leave this place without trying Cecilia's antipasto or the combination of tortilla española (which takes an hour to cook) with a side of antipasto. I found that the entire place is designed with this family feeling in sight. There are so many details, the sitting area on top of the bar (where Cecilio retires some evenings to work on his paintings, the fruit trees planted for self-sustainability, Cecilio's turtles (ask him), Cecilio's novels and poetry. But... what will make us come back to this place and stay for as long as vacations allow, is Cecilio's and Cecilia's humanity; no doubts, well, that and the best Internet in Guatemala (for real). I miss those late nights discussing literature, family or world politics with Cecilio (En, Sp, Ge) and Cecilia (En, Es). Also, big thanks to the staff, handpicked with the help of Marisol, Cecilia's right hand, and to Ginger and Gato for their company