Travellers unwilling to brave Caracas right after landing can check in at this seaside lodge in Macuto, a 20min ride east of the airport. Owned by a native of the Canary Island of El Hierro, it boasts cosy rooms and a fine tasca (tavern).
Fronting on the coast road, the deceptively large hotel has sea-view terraces on several levels. The lower terrace includes a fair-sized pool and sundeck. Softly lit rooms get the marine treatment, with wave designs painted on the walls and palm-tree tiles in the bathroom. A lively restaurant-bar occupies the Santiago's front section. Echoing Spain's Gaudí, it's fancifully decorated with fragments of mirror and tile. An open-air section across the road catches the sea breezes and traffic fumes; waiters have to cross the road, but they're good at it. Later in the evening there's a little stage show inside with karaoke crooners. Service ranges from cordial to clueless. On the one hand, the desk is staffed part-time by a perky English-speaking woman from Guyana, but the crew seem unable to cope with multiple requests. A computer for guest surfing is at the lobby's rear.