Robbietravels

I'm booking for next April, Easter week, and my choices are a terrace suite in the Luna building or a master suite (without pool) in Sol or Mar. We want privacy and great views (not of the pool though). I'd appreciate any recommendations.

kwil

From my knowledge, the original LCQC has 3 types of rooms, Terrace rooms, Grand Suites and Private Pool Suites in 3 wings. The Luna wing is the newest of the 3 and contains 6 private pool suites (no terrace rooms) and would be the building farthest from La Ropa beach. The Mar wing sits above the main pool area, and the Sol wing is closest to La Ropa beach.

If you look at the LCQC website under the Architecture page there are 2 photos looking from the pool up to the hotel. The first photo is the Sol wing and the 2nd is the Mar wing. If you can tell me which rooms are available, I can give you a description of them and an idea of where it is.

The Luna wing is the most private and has my favorite views but it is all private pool suites.

Robbietravels

Thanks Kwil. The reservations person has not replied to my questions about specific suite availabilities. I'll post his reply. In the meantime maybe you can tell me if the terrace suites high up in the Sol building (if available) have sweeping views and privacy. Do you have any idea of the square footage of the terrace suites and their locations? I wish we could swing the PPS but five nights in high season is quite pricy .....and we're spending a few days in San Cristobal de Las Cases on this trip too. Thanks alot.

Robbietravels

I just got a reply from the hotel saying that "we cannot confirm or guarantee any suite". Do they really stick to that policy? The email answered my questions about El Colibri -its a terrace suite in Mar wing with 1170 sq ft and Adelita, another terrace suite, has 686 sq ft (don't know which wing); he noted Noche de Ronda (don't know which category of suite) is at the top of Sol wing with 979 sq feet (that sounds good).
HELP. I'm confused. I'm not used to booking a room category that contains room of markedly different sizes. Are the master suites (those without pools) consistently superior to the terrace suites in view and privacy? Any recommendations on which suites to request and how to get my request honored. Muchimas gracias.

kwil

The Mar wing is 3-stories high with 3 rooms on each level. El Colibri is in the middle section, on the second floor. The description is "Large, centrally located suite with a deep terrace directly off the bedroom. A favorite of repeat clients"

Adelita is (if looking from the pool to the building" on the 3rd floor top right. The description is "Smallest suite (only one room) but has the best view of all"

Noche de Ronda is on the top floor (of 4) farthest right of the Sol wing. Description is "Atypical; really one large room and no second balcony, but the only suite with a view of Playa la Ropa"

I'm confused that El Colibri is a terrace room. I swear I have stayed in it and it was a Grand Suite. Hmmm....

My honest opinion is that all the rooms are great. I have not stayed in a Terrace room but would be happy to do so. I have stayed in a PPS and it was fabulous but so were all of the other rooms. If privacy is your main concern, my order would be 1. Noche de Ronda 2. Adelita 3. El Colibri.

I have never exactly understood which 3 are the Terrace rooms, amd whether that is determined by size or the fact that there is not an additonal sitting area and therefore only one balcony/terrace. It may be based on size but it is definitely not based on location or privacy.

I wouldn't worry that much about size, they're all bigger than almost any other hotels anyways and each have their unique qualities. It is my favorite hotel of all time and you truly can't go wrong. Let me know if you need any more descriptions and I'd be glad to help.

Robbietravels

I just spoke to a US rep regarding the rooms. He said #7 (Ferrera Tropical) and #8 (something Paloma) in Mar building were both grand suites but did not look on to the pool. What does your info say about 7 *& 8?
The guy also said that the two master suites high up in Sol (Noche de Ronda and Alvarado) are next to Villa de la Ropa and wouldn't be private. How would you compare the view and privacy in Adelita (#9 a terrace suite) with 7 and 8. I really appreciate your help, so I can stop obsessing!

kwil

#7-Vereda Tropical- 759 sq ft- Small foyer and living room with hand-carved and hand-painted furniture;deep, shady terrace.

#8- Paloma Blanca- 1002 sq ft- Climb 67 steps to a divine view and a bathroom window that you can almost stand in.

I've stayed in Paloma Blanca and it was great. Haven't stayed in the other 2. Most of the 3rd floor rooms in the Mar wing are pretty private but I don't know what kind of privacy you're looking for/ expecting.

I really think you'll be thrilled with whichever room you choose.

Robbietravels

Thanks a bunch . I'll let you know what we get.

cadwex

Hope you don't mind that I am adding on to this post to ask kwil another question about room choice. My husband and I are looking into LCQC for March. They have the penthouse suite at El Murmullo available for 7 nights or a master private pool suite for 8 nights (which is our preferred length of stay). They say that they cannot confirm which of the master pool suites we will receive until one week before we arrive but that we can request a specific suite and they will try to make it happen. Any thoughts on whether to go for the penthouse at El Murmullo and stay one less night (or change the trip by one week) or take the PPS. If the latter, could you give me a little info about the PPS in the Luna building--both by name and preference. Views and privacy are the biggest motivation in what we ask for. Thanks so much

kwil

I have never stayed at El Murmullo so can't comment on it.

As far as the Luna pool suites, my favorite is #21, Rosita Alvirez. The description is "1629 sq.ft. Second largest new pool suite, one story down from the cliff top. Private and with a view to the mouth of the bay".

It is fabulous and very private with a great view. You also get to go to sleep to the sounds of the waves crashing into the cliffs below. It would be my first choice.

I would avoid the room below (#20) as it is not very private.

cadwex

Thanks so much kwil. They suggested that I give 2 choices in case the first isn't available. #21 sounds like definite choice one. I have read also about Mujer (#24)--do you have a description on that one. Is it in Luna on the top floor (which I think is the location we want?)
And, one more thing, the article/description that you have on the hotel rooms, is it available on line anywhere? Sounds like it is a great piece of info for booking.
Thanks again.

kwil

cadwex,
Mujer (#24, 1121 sq.ft) Smallest but loftiest of the new pool suites;heavy timbered ceiling, top-of-the-world-view, and a private elevator). I haven't been in Mujer but it certainly seems like it would be private. Sounds like a good choice.

I've had this article since 1997 and have always used it to choose rooms. A friend I met on my first trip to LCQC faxed it to me so it is not in the greatest shape. I have never seen it elsewhere.
Have a great trip!

akupay

My husband and I just returned from LCQC last week. It was our first time there however since we got married there we had 4 other couples with us. We stayed in the Luna Bldg. in a PPS (#23 Valentina??) and it was very private with a breathtaking view. The only suite above us was the Master pool suite. Another couple stayed in another PPS suite in the same bldg. three floors below us right above the spa (#19 or #15). Their room was the same layout as ours except the outside area had less niches and the pool had a slightly enclosed area where the jets were. Our room (to me) felt more intimate and was definately more private (We could actually see their pool below us if we lean over our pool.)
Two couples stayed in the Mar bldg; 1 in a terrace suite the other in a grand suite right next door (#08 & 09). These rooms seemed more private than the couple staying in the Sol bldg. (her balacony was able to be viewed from both pools) even though the Sol bldg. is diaginol from the pool. The terrace vs grand suite were similiar in the bedroom. The difference was really in the outside balcony area. The grand suite seemed to have a deeper outside area that was more private. (If not staying in a pool suite I'd go with the terrace suite instead of the grand. The couple feet gained on the outside area didn't seem worth the price difference to me.)
When we go back (once recovering from this trip) we'll definately request the Luna bldg. and if staying in the PPS room #23 again. (Note: The Luna building does not have room numbers prominantly displaying as do the other buildings, only room names.)
If possible, take a walk up the beach to Del Sol, right off the beach, they rescue baby turtles that have just been hatched and after several days release them into the ocean.
Sigh, I'm already missing being there, not just the resort, the town is great as well.

cadwex

Thank you akupay and kwil for your detailed information. One more question for both of you. Did the suites you prefer (#21 and #23) both have sun and shaded areas on the terraces? I love the sun and my husband tries to hang out in the shade and I have read that some suites have more of one or the other. Hopefully we will be able to obtain one of the PP suites that you mention. I will report in upon my return.

akupay

In the Luna bldg. it seems like the higher the suites, the more shaded. Our suite started getting sun right away but the outside areas are so large that the sun only covered a quarter of the plunge pool. Through out most of the day you could still be in the pool but have a choice if you were in the sun or not. By 3pm the majority of the pool was in sun however the 'lounge' area directly behind the pool was constantly shaded. Our friends suite (#19 or #15), their pool was completely lite by noon. If you're a fish and decide on the PPS you'll probably want a room higher up (more privacy too).
The grand terrace suite I visited in Mar, the balcony seemed deep enough to by able to choose a shaded or sunny area however the regular terrace suite's balcony was a lot narrower and may have been sun filled by afternoon.
There are two pools. Since we had a PPS we rarely visited the infinity pool next to the restuarant however we did spend time in the salt water pool. Not sure if you can tell from the resorts pictures however the salt water pool has a smaller jet filled pool which sits under palms and remains mostly shaded during the afternoons.
If you're into snorkeling before asking the resort to set anything up for you, take a walk down the beach in the morning. We found a guy (Moses)who took us on a private snorkel 2 1/2 hour session for $40 each. Much cheaper. Whatever you decide I'm sure you'll have a great time. (I'm jealous.)

cadwex

Thanks akupay. Sounds like my husband and I will both be happy with whatever we get. Looking forward to March.....

kwil

Sounds about the same as in #21. You definitely had the option of sun or shade. The terrace was very large. Have fun!

akupay

Hope I'm not too late on the reply. We visited LCQC in early October. We decided on a private pool suite and (if you can afford) was SO worth the extra $$. We were there 10/05/06 - 10/11/06 and the weather was awesome (if you like hot weather). The tempeture was approx. 92 degrees (F) average and sunny. (We had 2 rainy evenings that lasted approx. 2-3 hours.) We had four other couples that went with us (we got married there) and we actually felt bad for the others that didn't opt for a plunge pool suite. Only problem is if the weather isn't good. (Half of the plunge pool suites are outside, which is where you spend the majority of your time.) If the weather is hot, you'll be "LOVING" the pool, if it's raining half the time - I couldn't imagine...
However, if you're even thinking about LCQC I'd say go for the "PPS".
Food: Excellent; we went into town several times for dinner and it compared nothing to what LCQC offered
Service: My 'in-laws' lost their luggage on their 4 day stay there (airline lost the luggage) - the resort had one of their EE's take our in-laws into town to 'help' them buy clothes and the resort provided all necessaties needed until the airline confirmed their luggage was lost.
Steps: Plentiful; keep in shape however they add to the ambiances of the place. (Early AM - (9 - 10am) cruise around the place and keep an eye out for lizards, crabs and other wildlife the roam in from sea...
Outside Activities: We booked a private cruise on the Dancer, was a very good time. Snorkeling was limitied however a couple of guys from the boat kept it lively by diving down and grabbing various deeper sea life.
Locals: Very friendly! Do not feel inhibited. Ask away - they'll either laugh, ask a questions back or in their own polite way ask 'what you're asking??'.
Recommmendation: laid back people who are willing to forgo the languange barrier
Boat Trips/Snorkeling: Take a walk along the beach (you'll have to travel some stairs if you stay in LCQC) and talk to the people. Mosaih found a $30, 4 hours snorkeling trip for us.
We also found a turtle rescue. Tiny baby turtles kept in a little swimming pool 4 days after they hatched. Every Sun a big 'release' out to the ocean is done. Awesome.
Probably won't stay at LCQC but will definatly go back..

Travcarib

Do you remember which building and suite you were in? Was the view really nice. We are going in a couple of months and I am really excited to see this property. It looks like a really romantic place!

Robbietravels

Finally, we've decided on a PPS, figured we'll be dead a long time so, live now. We are scheduled to be in #23 in Luna bldg. Anyone stayed in that unit? We;ll be there the first week in April.