The Casa Rana studio could have been a nice value-priced Costa Ballena option, but it delivered a long list of misses that outweigh the positives, like its location and the beach club privileges.

The studio failed to deliver some key creature comforts:

For the first 3 days there was no hot water in the bathroom. Facing a cold shower and shave each morning made me dread getting out of bed. Finally, after repeated complaints, the property manager was able to get the hot water working.

There were no ice trays in the mini fridge, so having a nice cool iced drink was not an option, and there was no cutting board in the kitchenette, so slicing fruit, or anything, was a problem.

There were no hand towels, wash cloths or dish towels in the studio.

There were no clothing drawers or shelves to unpack, leaving me to live out of my suitcase for 9 days.

There was no outlet in the hole in the wall under the night table, so I had to charge my phone across the room and stumble around to shut off my alarm each morning.

The studio was as dimly lit as a cheap pick-up bar. It was so dark that I could not read the indicators on the ceiling fans or

on the AC remote.The balcony, which would have been a nice place to sit and read, had only one functioning pendant light that barely illuminated a small spot on the counter top. I prepared a light meal one evening by the light of my iphone flashlight.

There were no entertainment options: no TV; no radio; not even any reading material (did I mention it was too dark to read anyway). In a place that gets pitch dark by 6:00 PM, offering some nighttime entertainment options is more than a nicety.

Although other than the Property Manager, I was the only paying guest, there were always 3-4 vehicles parked onsite, leaving me to park in the space that literally hung over the hillside. This was probably more frightening than dangerous, but when I parked than on arrival, I mistakenly backed in and while removing my luggage, my carry-on slid out and rolled 30 feet down the hill. I was able to delicately climb down and back to retrieve it, but every time I parked I faced the image of me and my car rolling down the hill.

Recommendations to the owner:

Install some higher wattage bulbs and maybe even add a lamp or two;

Purchase some ice trays and a cutting board for the kitchen;

Expand your linens to include some hand towels, dish towels and wash cloths;

Add some clothing drawers or shelves;

Move 1 car.