Nammbu Beachfront Bungalows

The name Nammbu Beachfront Bungalows could conjure images of charming, colorful thatch-roofed bungalows along the sand, but this image couldn't be farther from the truth. Instead, this property is full of vast, beige buildings that lack color and spirit. Nammbu’s flat atmosphere is immediately apparent in its lobby. The front desk and seating area here are more reminiscent of a doctor's office than a beach resort. And the white-walled space feels unfinished, lacking furniture and decorative details and giving  an echoing emptiness.Following the lobby, the resort continues to impart a sort of humdrum atmosphere. Not much goes on during the day, and guests tend to keep to themselves. The hotel has a beautiful mosaic tile infinity pool and a poolside bar, but no one ever seems to use them. Its on-site restaurant has stunning ocean views, but it’s hardly ever crowded. The stillness that pervades the property feels more eerie than peaceful -- though some guests do find the solitude relaxing. During our visit, there were only a handful of guests on property, who we only encountered in passing. Clientele tend to be an even split of couples and families, with a handful of friends thrown into the mix.

Nammbu Beachfront Bungalows is located in Puerto Carillo, a quiet beach town that most people pass through on their way to somewhere else. Samara, the nearest town of interest, is a 15-minute drive from Nammbu. There are a handful of budget properties in Puerto Carillo, but very few restaurants, bars, or things to do. The main attraction is the town’s beautiful beach, Playa Carillo, a massive crescent shaped stretch of sand that’s great for surfing and swimming. Potential guests should note that despite its name, Nammbu Beachfront Bungalows is not a beachfront property. Instead, it sits on a hill that overlooks the beach. Guests can access the sand by using the hotel’s long winding staircase and crossing a busy road. 

Guest rooms at Nammbu may be the hotel’s most disappointing aspect. For starters, they’re not bungalows. The word bungalow usually implies a private, freestanding structure, but the rooms at Nammbu are housed in three-story buildings with typical, hotel-style layouts. Nammbu’s rooms are large and spacious, but they’re poorly designed, in terms of utility and aesthetics. Walls are beige, bedspreads are plain white, and the dark wood-veneer furniture looks flimsy. There’s no artwork or wall decor to brighten rooms, nor throw pillows or bedside lamps to add a dash of personality. As a result, these spaces feel spartan and devoid of character. Rooms are equipped with desks and small seating areas, but they don’t have dressers or closets. In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, fully stocked minibars (for a fee), and key-operated safety deposit boxes. Suites have the added benefit of espresso machines. It's worth noting that rooms’ floors become terribly slippery when the air-conditioning is on. Condensation builds quickly when a door opens and lets in hot, humid air. Though this happens anywhere in tropical climates, this type of faux-hardwood flooring feels even more slippery than tile floors.  Bathrooms are also plain-jane, with beige tiles covering the walls and floors. Speckled beige granite countertops don't do much to liven things up either. Some bathrooms lack doors, and glass-enclosed shower stalls don’t provide any privacy (though toilets sit behind frosted-glass doors in their own vestibule allowing for a little separation).The best part of Nammbu’s rooms is their outdoor space. All rooms have large balconies, most of which feature glass railings that provide uninterrupted views of Playa Carillo. Some balconies are furnished with hammocks, others have cushioned lounge chairs, and a few even have private jetted tubs. 

A mosaic-tile infinity pool is Nammbu’s best feature. The pool is a long, skinny rough U-shape with two shallow sunbathing ledges on either end. Its infinity edge overlooks the beach below, although a row of loungers in front of the pool ruin the illusion and keep the edge from melting into the landscape just beyond. The pool is surrounded by a large sundeck and a few cushioned lounge chairs. There’s a small bar next to the pool, which offers shaded seating and serves drinks throughout the day. The hotel’s restaurant is a large room with vaulted ceilings and stunning ocean views. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. A la carte breakfast is included in guests’ nightly room rate. Wi-Fi is free, but we found the internet connection to be slow and spotty.