Gorgeous 3-Bed, Lake-Front Home on Beautiful Bay, San Marcos

We were really disappointed. Arriving by boat and looking at the pictures provided, we were looking at a great stay for seven nights. This was not the case. This home is very outdated and dirty. Really dirty. Needs an update badly starting with the day glow painted walls covered with smashed bugs to the kitchen which in two words..a mess, three words a dangerous mess. The care takers did all they could the management company was sarcastic and rude. This home has no screens on the widows which required us to live by candle for seven days or face thousands of bugs from the lake. The responses from All are “there are no bugs, this is rare” you can tell by the walls it is not rare. First morning after we swept up a pile inches deep of snats and mosquitoes that covered a six floor tile area. One towel per guest per week no laundry no other linens. Paper products are on you. One tank of clean water then it is yours to deal with. The care taker will handle for a fee. With no screens no air can circulate which means you are in a hot box. We spent days and evenings in town and only slept by candle light there. Cooked once. Kitchenware is old and unusable. Caretakers tried to help us but could only do so much. The property managers contacted us on day four asking what needs cleaning. The entire property needs a VERY thorough cleaning and update. San Marco was fun and held our attention for the week but we longed for the place we stayed at across the lake in Santiago the whole time. Our complaints to the management company were greeted with sarcasm. Looking back all of these complaints were listed by guests previously and answered by ownership and management as good feedback that would be addressed. BTW there are also no window coverings for privacy or shade which were supposed to be “taken care of” we really don’t want one of the canned responses. Thanks to VRBO for working diligently for two hours so that we could make a review of this property. The management have changed our email address so that we could not do a review. We made the best of a bad situation and had a good time with San Marco people. Ps. You have to be on the roof to see this view of the volcano due to over grown vegetation.

The house was perfect for this family of five and Nicolas could not have been more helpful, setting us up with a guide for a hike and bringing us candles when San Marcos lost power due to a nearby brush fire. Thanks for sharing this fantastic home.

This was such a lovely home and experience. Everything you need with unbeatable views of the Lake. Thanks!

The one thing that is true to read is that El Castillo offers the most spectacular views, regardless of the time of day or weather. To see the lake and surrounding mountains in all their glory is truly wonderful.

However, the description of the 'luxury villa' needs to be tempered with some facts and the provided information in the villa needs to be updated. Some of the reviews on VRBO actually say that the house is suitable for people with disabilities. Trust me, this is so wrong. For a slim, fit [and middle aged] person I was seriously challenged in accessing the house from any angle. First was from the water's edge: the caretaker Nicolas collected my and my suitcase from the dock at San Marcos and I enjoyed the short ride to the Villa's private dock. However, to get out of the boat and clamber gracelessly onto the dock was a struggle since the steps and boat edge do not align vertically or horizontally! A very ungainly descent sent was also required getting into the boat. The other issue is that the brick path around the Villa leading to the steep path which accesses the village of San Marcos, peters out over a rough piece of land with a short unadopted footpath which is receding into the Lake.

With regard to the steep path; when the word steep is used, trust me that is the truth. What is not mentioned is that there is no lighting, the steps are uneven and there is no suitable hand-rail. Within the villa document file, it should be mentioned that a torch is essential if returning after dusk. Also the access to the neighbouring hotel, restaurant and bar requires you to go up and down the slope!

The villa needs a good deep clean, and cleaning was not regular.

#The ladder on the dock was broken and very rickety making an uninviting access to the Lake for swimming or entering the canoe.

#The close proximity of the caretaker, his large family and barking dogs was an invasion of privacy. They should have a separate access from the path and having a fence outside the kitchen window. It was embarrassing having to observe the family doing their ablutions and uncomfortable to know that they could see us eating and drinking in the comfort of the villa.

#The top bedroom is accessible by outside concrete steps often covered in dog's excrement.

#Extra payments were required for use of the private boat and for the jacuzzi.

#As for being suitable for more 8 people it would be very uncomfortable.

St Marcos La Laguna is a very special village, and has much to offer the discerning tourist.

This repeat visit was just as great as the first time, with an added treat: the house now has a motor launch, complete with driver and assistant whom we hired for a lovely tour of the lake shore with a stop to visit the charming village of San Juan La Laguna. The tropical fruits and artisan bread that we bought in San Marcos made a great breakfast while we watched the little fishing canoes and the beautiful view of the lake. The house is more welcoming and colorful than ever, with fresh paint in most of the rooms and new tile features in the kitchen. A very relaxing stay!!