Cerro Azul Airbnb Review - La Semilla Ecolodge
Entrance of the ecolodge
I’d confirmed with the host a week prior that there was hot water in the jacuzzi because it’s more common in Panama for jacuzzi’s not to have hot water.
This seemed like a great find and after sitting in traffic for over an hour, a late afternoon soak was much needed.
But, there was information missing for the directions and we ended up circling around until we were able to get clarification on the rest of the instructions.
Upon arrival, we learned about the incorrect listing information on Airbnb. The Junior Suite was described as having a bed and sofa in the bedroom and a bed and sofa in the living room.
Nope!
No hot water here :-(
CERRO AZUL QUICK LOOK
Cerro Azul (Blue Hill) is a mountainous part of the province of Panama. It’s located within the Chagres National Park region, established in 1985, and covers about 129,000 hectares. It’s about 40 kilometers (about 25 miles) from Panama City. Access is via a two-lane road from the 24 de Diciembre town of the Panama District of Panama City. The mountains reach an altitude of 950 meters (3,100 feet) (Cerro Jefe). Several communities comprise Cerro Azul including Rancho Cafe, Buena Vista, Las Vistas, Las Nubes and Los Altos.
There is a lake on the main route to Cerro Azul that is accessible by private driveways. Another lake is located in Altos de Cerro Azul, a private gated residential community from the same developer as Altos del Maria in the Cocle Province.
The cooler climate of Cerro Azul makes for a quick getaway from the heat of Panama City.
Seating Area
AIRBNB PANAMA TIPS
Here are 7 tips for ensuring the Airbnb listing you're booking in Panama is accurate:
Thoroughly Read the Entire Listing Description: Don't just skim the highlights. Pay close attention to ALL details, including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, amenities provided (Wi-Fi, AC, kitchen appliances, etc.), house rules, and any potential limitations (e.g., noise restrictions, pet policies).
Many Places in Panama do not have hot water in the showers, so make sure you check!
Carefully Examine All Photos: Look at every single photo provided. Do they seem consistent with each other? Do they accurately represent the different areas of the property? Be wary of listings with only a few photos or low-quality images. Zoom in to see details.
Pay Close Attention to the Amenities List: Verify that the amenities listed are essential for your stay. If "essentials" like towels or linens are not mentioned, clarify with the host. If specific amenities like a washing machine or a dedicated workspace are crucial, double-check their inclusion and if they are working.
Read Recent Reviews Carefully and Critically: Look for patterns in the reviews. Are there multiple mentions of the same issue (e.g., unreliable Wi-Fi, inaccurate location, cleanliness problems)? Pay attention to both positive and negative feedback. Be wary of listings with no reviews or only very short, generic reviews. Sort reviews by "most recent" to get the latest insights.
Ask Specific Questions to the Host Before Booking: Don't hesitate to contact the host with any doubts or specific questions you have about the listing. For example:
"The listing mentions a jacuzzi. Can you confirm it has hot water and is working?"
"The photos of the room look a bit different. Can you provide more detail?"
"Could you clarify the exact location in relation to X area/location?"
"Are there any additional fees not mentioned in the listing (electricity or cleaning)?" A responsive and clear host is a good sign.
Verify the Location on the Map: Airbnb provides a map view of the listing's general location. Zoom in to understand the surroundings. Is it close to where you need to be? Are there amenities like restaurants or shops nearby? Be aware that the exact address is often only revealed after booking for security reasons, but the general area should align with your expectations.
Be Wary of Listings That Seem Too Good to Be True: If the price is significantly lower than comparable listings in the area, or if the amenities seem unusually generous, it could be a red flag. Do extra due diligence and ask more questions.
Understand that in Panama City, there are only a handful of buildings that have a legal license to operate Airbnb for anything less than a 45 day stay.
People have been turned away by the front desk staff at condo buildings that do not have the legal license.
I was thrilled to receive a gift certificate from Airbnb for being a SuperHost. I love hosting guests here in El Valle de Anton, Panama and was really looking forward to having a great experience at the La Semilla Ecolodge in the mountain community just outside of Panama City for a relaxing overnight with my friend, Suzanne.
But, unfortunately, that’s not what happened.
Both Suzanne and I had not yet explored Cerro Azul and were looking forward to kayaking on the lake and relaxing in the hot jacuzzi at the ecolodge.
Cerro Azul Mountain Community
I finally was able to talk with the host, Paul and he was nice enough to give us each a room so we could sleep in a bed and not on a futon.
But then we got very disappointing news, the hot water was not working in the jacuzzi!
The two women at the hotel did their best to get it going and when the new manager, Alejandro, arrived, he also tried to remedy the situation. He even offered us the option to use the jacuzzi bathtub in the deluxe suite! As nice as his offer was, a bathtub with jets is not the same as the hydro-jets in a jacuzzi.
Since my gallbladder attack and hospital stay, my body has felt a bit out of sorts and I was really looking forward to soaking in some therapeutic 104 degree water.
Pool at La Semilla Ecolodge, Cerro Azul
Thankfully, the two women who worked at the ecolodge were very nice and one of them made a delicious pancake breakfast, which ended up being included in our stay even though the website stated there was a $12 charge for breakfast.
The other bright spot was Alejandro, a new manager and Yogi, who did his best to make up for the mistakes from Paul and the miscommunications. He would have been a great asset to the operation of this ecolodge, but sadly, I learned he was fired only a few days later. Apparently the owner wanted a couple to run the place and they let Alejandro go without advanced notice.
Watch the video below:
Dining Area
Path to the Pool
Pool Area
