Villas Sol Beach Resort: Your money's worth

You are paying for a 3 Star and getting a 3 Star. This is an older resort but has been maintained and in very good condition. The staff are very good, helpful and friendly. Smaller selection of foods on buffet, than expected. Overall good value and your money's worth.

Occidental Papagayo: Occidential Papagayo Costa Rica

The resort was absolutely amazing. We found that the grounds were well maintained everything was very clean, the food was excellent, our room was kept very clean. The two a la carte were excellent service very good food was fantastic. The beach unfortunately was not the best but understandable because of all the rain and hurricane nate but overall it was an excellent trip for us and would definitely go back to Costa Rica.

JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort and Spa: Not a 5 Star Resort

I would probably give it 4 stars. Mostly based on the food. It was such a disappointment. I mean, how can you screw up hashbrowns? But they re-fried them so many times to try and not waste it that they ended up with a hard and cardboard tasting product. The variety of the buffet was not great either. The restaurants were ok, with the habachi table in the Japanese restaurant and the Italian restaurant being the best options. I would have reserved the hibachi table twice if I knew the other [... read more] options weren't that great. Although the hotel said they were 3 years old, the rooms seemed outdated. The housecleaning service was inconsistent. They forgot to give us back towels the one time we asked them to be changed, the turn down service was anytime between 7-930 pm, and the floors weren't cleaned each day, which was obvious since the floors were tiled. I still had a good time in Costa Rica, the warmth and the surroundings were beautiful! However, if you're looking for clear blue waters and white sand, this place is not for you. The sand was nice enough for me and although the water was not clear, it was still a nice temperature to swim in. I did not use the hotel's recommended excursion company, but used Alex on the Beach instead. They were cheaper and their service was much better. On the two excursions we did with them, there were only 4 of us on the tour, so it was practically a private tour! This was awesome on our Nicaragua tour, especially getting through the many many passport checks when we went through the border. We got through in less than 15 mins. While others who were on the busier tours, had to wait much longer, since they had to wait for all 30-40 passengers to go through the same checks over and over again. I would definitely visit Costa Rica again, but would not come to this resort again.

JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort and Spa: Awesome resort

The entire resort is surrounded by a tropical jungle. It is perfectly laid out on the side of the mountain. Restaurants and food were top notch. Resort itself was only 3- 4 years’ old. Rooms were very modern and clean. Very little walking required in resort.

Riu Guanacaste: ok resort

The hotel was good. rooms were very clean and everything worked and it was air conditioned well.... the grounds were immaculate and kept up. The distance from the hotel to the pools, some restaurants and beach was a far walk in the heat. Found that there was not enough washrooms outside the pool area. The food was just ok repetitive. The pool could have been cleaner in my opinion.. it should be sparkling and it was not. The beach water and sand was black.. I knew that going there but it was to [... read more]o much.. The staff was just ok.. did not find them very friendly... the service was ok too but I felt not enough staff for such a big place. The a la carte restaurants were not that good. I found on the Friday and weekends a lot more locals were there and the pool and everything was busy and too many kids and too much people at the pool. There was always enough towels, chairs and great places to relax it after the swim. Overall we had a good experience but I would not go back.. The wine and liquor, beer was not the best brands.

Riu Guanacaste: lovely place and people

Room was large and nicely decorated.In room wet bar was a bonus! grounds are nice, beach was great; food was always good in the buffet-restaurants were not superb except for the steak house. Hotel itself needed some maintenance (painting and repairs)but didn't affect our trip quality. I would go back for sure!!

Riu Guanacaste: Riu Guanasaste

Hi Julie, re trip to Costa Rica it was fantastic the hotel service, room, meals, grounds and staff was amazing, only one draw back is the communication. We enjoyed everyday. Thank You Pearl/Mytle/Monica/Liz

JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort and Spa: Awesome resort

This resort is the best one that we have been to on our forth trip to Costa Rica, the service, food and hospitality was excellent during our stay. Except for the last night we had dinner at the Buffett restaurant, the cook behind the seafood grill was very rude and miserable. Maybe he was having a bad day but he should have left at home. The only thing was that the Air conditioning was not able to shut off when we pressed off, it would automatically turn on after a few minutes, they did try t [... read more]o fix this problem three times but I guess this one was an auto mode no matter what setting you entered. Over all we had a great time and the grounds are beautiful. The location of the hotel is surrounded by rainforest and we got to see three out of four kinds of monkeys. Thanks Dreams for a great week, we are planning to return in the near future.

Riu Palace Costa Rica: Awesome vacation!

Glad we took the advice of the travel agent and stayed here. The resort grounds were beautiful with a very modern, open design, so you never felt boxed in. The staff were extremely friendly and always serving you. The rooms were quiet, clean and modern looking. The food was very tasty and had enough variety to please everyone. We made use of the kayaks and paddle boards which were included. The resort is right beside the Diamanté Eco adventure park which made for an easy excursion to do th [... read more]e thrilling 1.4 km long zip line. I full recommend this resort and would stay there again.

Occidental Tamarindo: Good Enough for sure!

It was a good time, if you're coming for a beginner surfing area this is a great spot. The surf in Tamarindo is great and you're a short bus or chill 25 minute walk to town. Had a good time! Wifi is $6 a day and did not reach our room, that was only complaint.

Riu Guanacaste: Great vacation

The Hotel was nice. We enjoyed our vacation very much. The rooms were clean and well looked after. We had our dinners mostly in the Italian Restaurant. The beach was clean sand was black and course. We walked along the beach every morning.

JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort and Spa: Most beautiful Resort we stayed at ever.

Dreams was an absolutely beautiful resort. The pools are endless and surrounded by beautiful lounges with comfy cushions. The pools are set up in such a way that you have a lot of options for privacy. Lots of options for kids at kids club and kids pool that close to the other pools. Food was excellent. The sushi restaurant was excellent. The Italian was very very good as well. Many options and you never felt like you didn't find something amazing to eat. Gift shop was great. Many bars an [... read more]d a night club. Staff are very friendly and had great options if it rained. One night movie night was moved inside and it was on a huge screen in the conference centre. Spa was really expensive. Beach was nice and well cared for. Room service was available everywhere even though it didn't say that on the website. The only real downside was the resort is very far from everything else.

Riu Palace Costa Rica: Riu Palace - Guanacaste, Costa Rica

I have stayed at many all-inclusives in the Caribbean and also in Colombia. We stayed at the Riu Palace in Guanacaste in August 2017. It definitely topped all of the other all-inclusives that I have stayed at. The cleanest resort I have ever stayed at. Not one bug seen in the hotel room the entire week. Food was very good. No issues getting into any of the a la cartes, as people have been complaining that you can't reserve a head of time. It is first come first serve but if you have to wait you  [... read more]can go get a drink while you are waiting, which we only had to do twice and it was not an issue. We went to all the a la cartes and they were all very good. I can see why this all-inclusive was more costly than options in the Caribbean, this hotel is outstanding. The service was impeccable. Many pools and the beach was lovely and clean, just watch out for sea urchins. Dont listen to the weather forecast. We went during rainy season and the rain always held off until late afternoon, normally by the time you are ready to go shower and get ready for dinner. It did not rain for long. Beautiful lush scenery during rainy season. Between 0730-0830 in the morning walk down to the beach and turn left. Walk for about 5-10 minutes, by the people with the ATV's. There you can see monkeys and feed them. Bring grapes from the buffet to feed them (not bananas). They will take the grapes right out of your hand. We saw howlers and spider monkeys. Awesome experience. I would definitely recommend this resort.

Riu Guanacaste: Fabulous

My husband and I went for our honeymoon. It was our first time to Costa Rica. Overall we had a wonderful time. Hotel staff were all friendly, helpful and hospitable. We were upgrade to an ocean view king room free of charge. That started our trip off on a high note. We just returned, went during the rainy season. Therefore in the afternoon or evening it rained, sometimes poured. However we were up early to enjoy the sun. We enjoyed the buffets: a couple you could choose from, food was de [... read more]licious. The hotel entertainment in the evening was very enjoyable. Our room was cleaned every morning. The pool was kept clean with activities during the day, aerobics was lots of fun. The beach was nice. Hotel staff member was there to bring a lounge chair to you. The sunwing representatives at the hotel were friendly and helpful. Sunwing shuttled us to the hotel and back to the airport. I found that very beneficial. We went on a few excursions; great to get to see different parts of the country.

Riu Guanacaste: Best Trip Ever

This resort was phenomenal! The excursions available were so fun. The pool and beach were gorgeous. The drinks/food were delicious. The location of the resort was perfect. We fell in love with Costa Rica and the Riu, in fact we are going back in December.

Hotel Villas Playa Samara: Villas Playa Samara-nice resort under construction from 6am-5pm every day

we went there for one week in the end of July 2017. we were never told neither by AIR CANADA Vacations nor TRIP CENTRAL about any construction taking place at this resort during our stay..we were told about some construction and possible small noises as we arrived by shuttle bus from the airport upon arrival to this resort. we stayed in the east corner of the resort with constant noises from nearby construction starting at 6am daily. it was not possible to relax and sleep in the early morni [... read more]ngs as we heard continous constuction noises coming from near by site which belongs to the same resort... the whole resort is very nice,staff is super friendly and professional. nature is amazing and rooms are clean. food is good,service superb. our room was always cleaned well and on time. night music and singing at 9pm was nice and we saw the staff really doing their best. pool was clean,beach was very nice..

Hotel Villas Playa Samara: Hotel Villas Playa Samara - CONSTRUCTION

Bonjour, J'ai passé 8 jours au l'hotel à Playa Samara pour le moment et oui il y a des travaux de construction Un superbe chantie, job commance a 6-00 AM et pendant tout la journée j'ai attend l'exavateur , drill ect. Il est bien situé à la sortie de la ville, et pas très loin de la plage, à environ 2 minutes de marche Les personnels souriant et respectueux, et la nature abondante , le service internet wi fi gratuit, la chambre était très bien le service de nettoyage était [... read more] assez bien.

Riu Guanacaste: great resort

beautiful grounds, great staff, amazing food washrooms were very clean although if you were in the pool, at the beach or at the buffet the washrooms were a bit of a walk. rooms were ok, we had a beautiful view of the jungle behind the resort. often seen monkeys and beautiful birds and butterflies

Riu Palace Costa Rica: Beautiful resort!

The Rui Palace Costa Rica is a beautifully kept, modern looking resort in a stunning location. Lobby and rooms are ultra modern with lots of smooth shiny surfaces hat seem a little out of place in that locale! However, although I am probably a little more comfortable in a more "traditional" setting, my 19year old daughter loved the decor - especially the black marble and dark purple colour scheme in the rooms. The entire resort is spotless - someone was always washing a floor somewhere - and sta [... read more]ff was exceptional. Without exception they were all friendly and very helpful. When I asked if it was possible to change rooms because our room was directly above the stage and bar and was somewhat loud, front desk staff were extremely helpful, giving us a choice of rooms to change to. As vegetarians food options at the restaurants were a little limited so we tended to stick to the main buffet dining room where we could always find something - even if it was mostly pasta. Pools are stunning, and the beach is lovely. I could have gazed at the surrounding mountains forever! It was a mother daughter trip before daughter heads away to university in the fall and we had a terrific time. I think the resort has a younger party vibe that would be really fun if you were there with a group of young friends rather than your mother but all in all it's a beautiful place that I would highly recommend if you're looking for an all inclusive experience that is young, modern and fun.

Riu Guanacaste: Not my favourite...

This hotel was okay...but I wouldn't stay here again. I wanted to call our travel agent and switch to the Palace the first day we arrived. Pros Lots of food and things to eat so you won't go hungry, (not the best food, but not the worst.) Beautiful grounds. So well maintained. It is clear that the grounds people are the hardest working people at this resort. They were also so kind and accommodating if you asked for a coconut. Beach is beautiful & clean. I am not sure why people are both [... read more]ered by the colour of the sand?! (bring beach shoes as sea urchins are a problem). Beach vendors are very polite and don't pester you if you say no thank you. If you take a walk down the beach towards the monkey bar you can find local vendors who have better prices for souvenirs than Coco Beach. Cons Check in line up was insane, way too busy and not organized at all. Old fashion keys that have been cut so many times it is difficult to unlock your room. Rude pool staff...A person named Gallo working at the pool bar, shouldn't. He is rude and clearly hates his job. I also witnessed one server telling another server to look at a young girl in her swimsuit...she was perhaps 15, made me sick! Sergio at the sports bar was the exception, he was always helpful and polite. Fridge is NOT filled up in your room as the website indicates. We had to go to the front desk several times just to get water. Rooms towels are ripped and old. Not what I would expect at a RIU There are not enough washrooms around or close to the pool. Snacks in the sports bar are pretty discussing so don't count on that if you're hungry after breakfast, lunch or dinner hours. The hotel is way too busy! If you want piece and quiet, this is not really the place to stay...we went during the slow rainy season and it was packed with locals. There were people everywhere and you could not get a recliner near the pool. Not that you really want to since there is no convenient place for people to get out and use a toilet. It is really far from other places so if you want to see anything, you will have to book excursions. The best prices for the excursions were not from the people on the beach as I have read in other reviews. My partner is from Central America with Spanish as a first language and well versed in the art of negotiation so I am sure the price she got was quoted from "Alex on the Beach" and others was rock bottom. It was still more than what we paid for excursions we booked at the front of the hotel. The restaurants are difficult to get into as you have to line up like cattle at least an hour before they open. If you don't, they will be booked for the night within the first hour they open. I don't want to go on and on about the cons, but I could. Overall, if I was to visit Costa Rica again, I wouldn't stay at this hotel. I would recommend maybe a few nights in one region of Costa Rica then a few in another. I would also buy all of my alcohol at the duty free shop that you pass when you come through airport security in CR, it is so cheap. I would also eat locally or hire a person to cook as the beans, rice and the plantains was the best food the resort had to offer. You could use the money you save from not doing all inclusive to pay for the food and drinks and it would be A LOT better, in my opinion.