Km. 700 E 15 Vía del Spondylus, Loma San Jose, Olon 241756 Ecuador
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About
#2 of 5 lodges in Olon
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
GreenLeaders Platinum level
Samai Ocean View Lodge Spa offers a new concept of healthy traveling services where you can experience the environment, eco-tourism activities, cultural exchange, healthy food in first class settings. Here you'll enjoy the serene splendor of the cordillera mountains, pacific ocean and rain forest all in one place! You will find the extraordinary peace and tranquility of Ecuador, that is still largely untouched by civilization, rejuvenating your spirit and give you a new lease on life.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Pool
Yoga classes
Free breakfast
Bicycle rental
Bicycles available
Babysitting
Secured parking
Wifi
Hot bath
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Yoga room
Bar / lounge
Coffee shop
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Outdoor dining area
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Diving
Hiking
Horseback riding
Karaoke
Patio
Walking tours
Children's television networks
Indoor play area for children
Kids pool
Taxi service
Photo copier / fax In business centre
Spa
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot massage
Full body massage
Hand massage
Head massage
Massage
Neck massage
24-hour security
BBQ facilities
Baggage storage
Concierge
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Shared kitchen
Shared lounge / TV area
Sun terrace
First aid kit
Umbrella
24-hour check-in
Clothes dryer
Laundry service
Washing machine
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Room features
Allergy-free room
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Dining area
Coffee / tea maker
Flatscreen TV
Extra long beds
Complimentary toiletries
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Seating area
Sofa
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Bottled water
Private bathrooms
Oven
Stovetop
Kitchenware
Sofa bed
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Room types
Mountain view
Ocean view
City view
Landmark view
Pool view
Bridal suite
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Great View
Quaint
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Km. 700 E 15 Vía del Spondylus, Loma San Jose, Olon 241756 Ecuador
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Getting there
Car HireSee all Olon car hire
119Reviews2Q+A14Room tips
ReviewsWe perform checks on reviews.Tripadvisor’s approach to reviewsBefore posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
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So happy I chose this place! My bf and I were staying near by and I was looking for a place to get a couples massage. The owners answered right away and fit me into the schedule asap! Good prices! And the location was beautiful! High up in the mountains, there was a peace we got compared to staying down at the beaches. They reserved the jacuzzi for us after. Super private! The drinks were great. They also had the cutest Frenchie ever that walked around. The staff was amazing. The two massage therapists we had were amazing! I am one myself and it was such a great experience! We didn’t stay there but we will definitely be back to stay and do some more activities that they have to offer! Thank you 😊 🥰
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Tania Duran, Owner at Samai Lodge
Responded 1 May 2023
Dear traveler It was fantastic to host you. Thanks for coming. Always welcome.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Property's Favourite Review
Samai Lodge is a lovely little place run mostly by Tanya, the Ecuadorian half of an international couple. The accommodations were comfortable and the site was lovely. It is about 1 km from the beach and several hundred meters up a hill. So it overlooks the ocean and affords welcome breezes and gorgeous sunsets. There lots of small areas to sit around the place so it is easy to find a solitary space. The main building houses the dining room and a space that can be used for retreats. (I was the main speaker at a yoga retreat here.) The dining room offers attentive service and good quality preparation. Vegetarian and vegan diets are easily accommodated. I suspect other special diets can be arranged. As an example, whenever red onion appears in a salad, it has been rinsed in cold water to remove the biting sulphuric compounds. Not many places take that precaution. Spa services are available, both the usual sort and also practices and treatments from indigenous traditions. Before opening this place Tanya was a journalist who worked mostly with indigenous people and her knowledge of the traditions is considerable. We discovered that she lived 10 years in my city and we planned to meet up when they are visiting.…
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Tania Duran, Dueño at Samai Lodge
Responded 4 May 2022
It was a great visit and a fantastic guest. We are really looking in hosting Dr. Parker again. Always welcome at Samai Lodge
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
We traveled as three generations: parents, couple in 40s and two teens. The parents live in Ecuador and we visited and opted for a little family trip all together. This review is written by the 40somethings and is, admittedly, very long; we have personally relied on trip advisor reviews for years and have never written a review, yet our experience compels us to do so. We live on a lake and are very familiar how nature and wildlife can affect things. We happily swim in the lake with fish, turtles, water bugs and all other nature Lake things. We have a lot of wildlife around us and regularly see within our own property: foxes, beavers, groundhogs, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, rabbits, birds, and so on. We enjoy family hikes and bike rides through different locations within our region. We also prefer smaller boutique hotels when possible because of their unique qualities and charm. Please look at previous reviews and see — there is a common theme, bad reviews are similar; in particular, we also had a late night departure— please continue to read & I will explain why. The good things I say in my review are also similar to other positive remarks. We are familiar with Eco-hotels. The proprietor of this property consistently uses nature and natural occurrences as reason/excuse — nature is not a reason for outright dirtiness and failing to maintain a property. The hotel property offers stunning views, the trails and fauna throughout are truly wonderful. Understandably, these are trails, not a paved surface and I actually love these natural parts of the property. However, nature has nothing to do with the shabbiness of few chairs & seats around the pool. Nature also has nothing to do with the safety issues of the gaping holes within the concrete surrounding the pool. We looked past these obvious shortcomings, as we were so taken with the natural beauty of the property itself. The parents room accommodation was nice & acceptable, there are very large cracks in the walls in the interior, questionable sealant on the air conditioner — all these are easily forgiven. However, upon entering, the door would not fully close. Upon bringing this to the attention of the proprietors, we were immediately provided with a very dismissive excuse, “oh, ever since the earthquake, that door has been a problem… ~he then chuckles~”. Um. Okay. Remember, the parents live in Ecuador- and we are aware when the earthquake he references had occurred - it was 2016!! I think it is important to note here, there had been an earthquake earlier in 2023, however it was not felt within nor impact/ affect this region at all. So, my point here is that an issue that is clearly known and has existed for this many years should surely be addressed and there should be a permanent fix. Again, we overlook this issue, we were patiently waiting in their open air reception area and enjoying the vista it offers. As we persist on the request for door repair, the 40 something couple and teens await for their accommodation. I should mention here that we arrived at check-in time. The accommodation was not ready and we were told to wait. The room for the parents was soon ready and items dropped off in the room and all six await the second room and door repair. Two hours pass. In the last hour, we inquire and are repeatedly told “20 minutes” a number of times. We would have left the property and come back in the afternoon if the proprietors had been forthcoming with an actual time. We were literally leaving when we were told “it’s ready!” and we were hastily taken to the room — we check it out, drop our stuff off and leave. We spent no more than five minutes in a more rustic accommodation (to remind - it’s for the 40somethings and teens) & we walk quickly through the family cabin and see there are the three beds needed and we leave. We had delayed our plans for exploring surrounding areas and wanted to get to our plans after waiting for over two hours. We do our exploring, enjoy dinner and come back to Samai. We go to our respective accommodations & enjoy the trail to our family cabin. We go to look at the bed in the loft and it’s markedly different than what we saw hours earlier; it is markedly different because the bed is covered with animal feces. Immediate response was to see if there is an animal in the loft area, so we lift the mattress to take a peek. We were horrified to see a colony of large red ants scurry!! At this point it is clear. No one can sleep in that bed; mind you, the entire family cabin has a lot of bugs in the cabin & we were fine with them — just not *in* a bed. Once we could see there are not enough beds for all of us, we go to the reception to talk to someone about the potential for other room(s), cleaning up the feces (is there an animal in there? We’d like help in figuring it out) OR perhaps another bed fitting in the downstairs. We speak to a staff person, he is incredibly polite & helpful and informs us the proprietors will return at 9 pm. The four of us then decide to go to the parents room to wait. He comes back with updates to inform us he is trying to procure another bed to put in the downstairs area of the family cabin. At some point in his coming & going, the 40somethings woman shed some tears in speaking to her family to express frustration about the family trip. This was short lived and within a private room. I implore any reader to now refer to the prior review where the proprietor refers to “the drama” — they were not present for this and it was hardly “drama”. It was merely a few frustrated tears & they were not present at the time. Moreover, the proprietor refers to our group as “spoiled travelers” — this utterly despicable, what proprietor in a service industry refers to guests as spoiled when their only expectation was a clean facility to sleep?! The husband & wife proprietors returned around 9 pm and he made some comments (he had clearly been drinking) and there was a moment of bickering between him and his spouse (who really runs things) — it’s like Fawlty Towers with zero of the endearing charm regarding the two individuals. One snide comment I was able to hear was that we “city folk” are not accustomed to this type of travel. I explained we are familiar, as we are world travelers throughout all continents (except Antártica) and having stayed in every type of accommodation through our travels; to include all of Asia and one of us having lived in Asia. We are laid-back fun-loving people, we went to Samai looking forward to yoga together, finding spots for meditations and to enjoy the natural beauty. This can all be done with clean accommodations. It is clear that at some point in the past, a substantial investment was made to build this property. Unfortunately, it has fallen into disrepair and there has been very little upkeep to the property.…
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Be prepared for dismissive excuses and lower your expectations
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Tania Duran, Owner at Samai Lodge
Responded 24 Apr 2023
Que puedo decir? a tan elocuente e injusto comentario. Bendiciones y exitos en su vida. El trabajo interior se refleja en el trato con las personas y la familia. Desde que Ud llego y se bajo del auto, la saludamos no rspondio al saludo y se le notaba claramente que estaba bajo algun tipo de "cutural shock" o stress familiar. Nosotros recibimos su malestar y lo transformamos en mejoras. Preferimos definitivament que ud. escoja otros espacios para descansar y meditar.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We were very disappointed in this place. It looked so nice on the web but was very dirty and not kept up. Not worth the money. The location is beautiful, but that is all. Everything else is false advertisement. We left in the evening of our arrival, could not stay there, bugs, dirty, etc. We would never recommend this place to anyone.
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Date of stay: April 2023
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Tania Duran, Owner at Samai Lodge
Responded 12 Apr 2023
Dear Costumer: A surprising review!!, the rooms where impeccable at your arrival. You, in particular were very happy. But. by the evening the cabin where your kids staid was invaded by aunts. So sorry about that, we apology. Nature rules in climate like ours specially after the April 5th storm, lots of insects came. Hard review and an attitude of a spoil traveler. We'll improved, and we'll hope, for better humans in our place. We refuse to give back your modest deposit at that time because you already use the rooms. It was Easter holiday late at night when your left. I guess that is why so much drama. Please send me your Ecuadorian bank account, we'll refund it. Not bad Karma. Best Regards. Tania
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What a gorgeous place to finish 2 months of traveling around Ecuador. It is located in a beautiful forest with a view on the ocean. Tanja is a great host and makes you feel welcome and at home in a few seconds. Her daughter Josephina does fantastic massages. The whole staff is super friendly and very attentive. As I was reading some of the comments here I got a bit sceptical about the place but honestly I cannot understand the critics. I had room 12, it was super clean, yoga lessons can be arranged at the lodge and yes it doesn’t have a classic spa, but there is a jacuzzi and many treatments are offered. Due to the pandemic the restaurant is only open for breakfast, but a taxi can be arranged super quickly and brings into town or your food will be delivered to the lodge. I can highly recommend staying here. …
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Tania Duran, Propietario at Samai Lodge
Responded 3 Dec 2020
Dear Costumer It was super nice to have you with us at Samai Lodge. We’ll keep improving and transforming our lodge into a place to relax and reconnect. Thanks for your visit. Hope to hosst you again in the future. Best Regards Tania
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The place shows a beautiful nature of the tropical humid forest, with the comforts and atmosphere that inspire peace and joy. The hosts very nice and willing to collaborate at all times. The pool overlooking the sea and the hiking trails were very comforting. I will recommend the visit.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: November 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Andrés G, Director de Relaciones con Clientes at Samai Lodge
Responded 6 Jan 2020
Dear Monika M, Thank you for your kind visit, it was a great experience to share with you and I thank you for the information in your comment. I am happy to make my guests happy, our personalized attention plus the strategic location of the hostel is complemented for a perfect stay for those who visit us. Thank you very much for sharing your experience at Samai
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Excellent lodge to visit anytime. The staff was wonderful and meals were absolutely delicious. It was a very pleasant place to relax. The view from the lodge is magnificent. I highly recommend it to everyone.
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Date of stay: May 2019Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Andrés G, Director de Relaciones con Clientes at Samai Lodge
Responded 22 Oct 2019
Dear, Thanks for your comment. Our effort is oriented to the satisfaction of our guests. Thank you very much for staying with us and do not hesitate to return to Samai Ocean in the future, we will be waiting for you.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Blood on the sheets. Hairs and moth crumbs on the pillows. The rooms feel so humid and dirty. This is not a place to rest. Spoke to the owner I saw a lancehead also known as the X snake at the entrance of the hotel. I found out there is no antidote for the snake within 100 miles. Owner said it is not needed since they never had any issues. Well, it made me think twice when walking to my room at night. Not enjoyable. We left at 11pm at night. Good idea for a hotel, not worth the money or the time of you want to actually relax.
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Date of stay: August 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Pretty good. Lodge is on a mountain, one km from the any traffic so clean air, extremely quiet and relaxing atmosphere with dinner music music from the frogs and surf. A safe, clean, quiet place with opportunities to meditate. Cabins are clean, good bedding and the complimentary breakfast is good. Your hosts and staff are very helpful and generous.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 2019Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Tania T, Manager at Samai Lodge
Responded 19 Feb 2019
Dear Costumer Thanks for your review. Hope to host you again. It was nice to meeting you. Regards, Tania
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
We believe that there is no beautiful enough words in entire planet, to describe how stunning, amazing, magic and peaceful is this place. Owners- Tania and Eddie are also Shamans, who made our life change by ayawaska and tobacco ceremony. Those people are just angels sent here on the Earth to show people like us and others their real way and purpose.. Never ending conversations with Eddie, who has so universal knowledge made us feel like at proper home with proper father. That's what parents should teach their children. Place overall truly stunning, delicate noise of birds and waves from sea nearby made us feel like in the dream world. Breathtaking view, delicious healthy breakfast, high level waiter service. We are really grateful for chance to meet you and be guest of your beautiful home. Thank you from all our heart. For sure we'll be back If we'll be around Olon! Natalia & Francesco…
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Date of stay: November 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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PRICE RANGE
US$92 - US$184 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
EcuadorSanta Elena ProvinceOlon
NUMBER OF ROOMS
12
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Claim Your ListingSAMAI LODGE - Updated 2023 Reviews (Ecuador/Olon)
Frequently Asked Questions about Samai Lodge
Which popular attractions are close to Samai Lodge?
Nearby attractions include Montanita Spanish School - Day Classes (4.9 miles), Playa Montañita (4.7 miles), and Santuario Blanca Estrella del Mar (4.0 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Samai Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Samai Lodge?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a dining area.
What food & drink options are available at Samai Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Samai Lodge?
Yes, free parking and secured parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Samai Lodge?
Conveniently located restaurants include Jajá en Balsa, Tambo Sabores Peruanos, and Pigro Homemade Italian Food.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Samai Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and yoga classes during their stay.
Are any cleaning services offered at Samai Lodge?
Yes, laundry service and a clothes dryer are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Samai Lodge?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Does Samai Lodge have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the city view available here.
Is Samai Lodge accessible?
Yes, it offers facilities for disabled guests. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.