Kaliko Beach Club All-Inclusive Resort

Kaliko Beach opened in 1987 and was most recently renovated in 1999 -- unfortunately, that shows in the hotel's decor. Its oceanfront grounds are lush, and full of blossoming hibiscus, jasmine, and the delicate petals of king Ixora flowers. There’s a ton of fruit trees including lemon, mango, and cherry, and a towering, revered, Mapou tree used for voodoo rituals. Set amidst the greenery, the hotel’s lobby feels like an open-air plantation house with its vaulted ceilings, canary-yellow beams, and lots of small courtyards with fountains, fish ponds, and plants with huge, Jurassic-Park sized leaves. The big pool is surrounded by a cement deck with blue tile and sunny mosaic accents. There's also a ton of plastic lounge chairs and umbrellas. Sadly, the pool is a bit run down -- the cement's full of cracks and many shades of gray from repairs that have happened over the years. The same goes for many areas of the hotel. The hotel takes advantage of its waterfront, and has volleyball courts, a basketball court, table tennis, sandboxes, and playgrounds for kids. Hotel guests are mostly Haitians and missionaries from the U.S. and Canada. Kaliko Hotel also attracts a lot of weddings, and gets crowded on the weekends. 

Kaliko Beach is located along Haiti’s famed Les Cotes des Arcadin, a beautiful coastline that’s a two-hour drive (depending on traffic) from Port-au-Prince. Across the street from Kaliko is a popular hike that leads to a spring atop Kaliko Mountain (a 45-minute trek each way and a guide is recommended). Otherwise, there isn't too much to do within an easy walk, so a car will be helpful for exploring. Nearby activities include the Musee Ogier-Fombrun, an 18th-century sugar and wheat mill that was converted into a museum full of colonial artifacts. It's a 15-minute drive from the hotel. Saint-Marc is a bustling port town with colonial architecture that's a 25-minute drive from the hotel. For a sandy beach, other resorts line the waterfront, but the best is probably at Royal Decameron Beach Resort, which is a 20-minute drive away. Port-au-Prince International Airport is a little less than two hours away by car depending on traffic, and is also the best place to rent a car. 

The air-conditioned rooms at Kaliko Beach are bright and simple, but long overdue for an update. They’re a big improvement if you’ve been sleeping in tents for a week -- like many of the hotel’s missionary guests -- but otherwise, they’re disappointing. Interiors have wood and wicker headboards, wicker chairs, and some rooms have vinyl couches (the couches we saw had tears). Rooms have either single or double beds and blue comforters with a rainbow stripe of color. Expect flat-screen TVs with nine channels, water pitchers and glasses, and colorful, locally-made Haitian art on the walls. Three room types are available including many with ocean views. There are also bungalows with small private gardens.

Bathrooms are basic and in need of TLC. Stand-up showers and vanities are fully tiled and pretty clean, but tiles were chipped and the mirrors were starting to discolor. All rooms come with bar soap. There’s no safes, but valuables can be stored at the front desk. They also lend irons and ironing boards. A delicious buffet breakfast is included with all stays. And while the hotel’s public spaces have Wi-Fi, there’s no signal in guest rooms. 

If you're able to look part this hotel's shabby rooms and rocky beach, the Kaliko Hotel’s still a great value -- especially considering its many amenities. The long, rocky beach is covered with thatched huts, chairs, lounge chairs, and lots of trees to enjoy the beautiful ocean view. Along the beach are two volleyball courts, a basketball court, and a few playgrounds. Local Haitians rent out kayaks, jet skis, and canoes, and there’s a beach bar open on the weekends. The hotel’s big pool has partial ocean views and free weekend water aerobic classes. Mapou Bar is located next to the pool and there are also ping-pong tables and sandy areas for children to play. Kinam has two Har-tru tennis courts.

The hotel's dive shop, Pegasus Diving, offers PADI certification courses and diving options that include wreck dives, wall dives, and technical dives. They rent diving and snorkeling equipment and charter whale and dolphin watching excursions and fishing trips. La Leguna, the hotel’s tropically-themed open-air buffet restaurant, has quirky banana place mats, yellow pillars with metal palm fronds, and a huge fish carving on wall. It gets solid reviews and hosts live Haitian music nightly. A la carte menu items are available, as is room service (for a fee). 

Another hotel perk are the purified water drinking stations are scattered throughout the resort. The front desk can arrange babysitters, airport transportation, massages (weekends only), rental cars, drivers, and laundry service. There’s also a shop selling sundries in the lobby. Free printing and scanning is available and there’s always a nurse on-site and doctor on call 24-hours a day. Free secure parking is available and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, but there’s no service in guest rooms.