This mid-range all-inclusive hotel is at Playa Jaula, about three kilometers west of the main beach. It's run by Cuba's Gaviota group in conjunction with Spain's Oasis hotel group. The grounds are a bit spartan, but the gorgeous beach and spectacular water make amends.

The lobby, with its its peaked hardwood ceiling and lovely use of stained glass in an inviting space to lounge in rattan chairs. Otherwise, the place to linger is beside either of the two serpentine pools or on the sands, studded with plenty of thatch umbrellas. The main buffet restaurant is supported by Japanese and Italian restaurants, and a seafood beach grill. You can keep active here, as there's mini-golf, scuba diving (including lessons in the pool), night-lit tennis courts, a multi purpose sports field, plus water sports.

It has 307 spacious rooms, including 18 suites and one master suite, all in three-story blocks combining plain modern architecture with colonial details. We like their relatively simple yet eye-pleasing furnishings, which include rattan lounge chairs, cream walls, and blue-green-and-yellow soft goods. Sliding glass doors open to ocean-view balconies with plastic chairs. Three rooms are fitted for handicapped passengers. All rooms feature a satellite TV, CD/radio player, in-room safe, mini bar (not stocked), coffee-maker, hair-dryer, and iron and ironing board. The two downsides though, and they're serious, are the musty roomsand consistent reports of bed bugs. Caveat emptor! In round up, this is far from a deluxe hotel, but it's a bargain three-star in four-star clothing.