Barcelo Tambor: Nice resort

The resort was very clean, so were the rooms. The resort was very child friendly, food was pretty good. Service was pretty good in the restaurants and at the bars. The nighttime entertainment was alright.. 8pm til 9pm was a children's program. The info on day trips and help was ok.. unfortunately the resort is far away from the rainforest, volcanoes and a long ride from the airport. But it is overall a very nice place.

Riu Guanacaste: Riu Guanacaste

This was our 2nd time at this hotel. Staff and location are still awesome! However the hotel is looking old, and needs to be refreshed. Given the new hotel being built across the street I’m hoping this will happen. Food is decent, but no where as good as many other RIU locations.

Barcelo Tambor: Costa rica

The outside and grounds were beautiful. Inside rooms need some housekeeping. The 4 hours on a bus after a 5 hour air was a bit much on terrible roads. Front staff are much to be desired. Stupid, ignorant an rude. First impression and first people you meet should be adult and professional. I would go back to Costa Rica, but not that resort.

Barcelo Tambor: Amazing Resort

Disappointed at the female front desk staff.No welcome, made no eye contact and never spoke to anyone. When they were asked where our room were located they just pointed. When we checked out it was the same, never spoke, no goodbye or how was your stay Hope to see you again, nothing The bar tenders were all eager to serve, smile on their faces. The housekeeping staff were friendly. There was a wide variety of food at the buffet and was good. The resort was clean, well groomed lawns. My favou [... read more]rite was each morning was watching the parrots, listening to the hollering monkeys The massages that I had were amazing by each lady, excellent top notch service Also, the gentleman that booked our excursion was amazing, friendly and knowledgeable.

Barcelo Tambor: I would NOT recommend

I've never written a review but thought it was important to share. The trip from the airport was a 4 hour drive through extreme winding roads. I spoke with other guests and everyone complained about the drive. We booked a half hour flight from close by airport back to international Airport to avoid this drive again. $150 per ticket. The resort was exceptionally nice. Pool are was very comfortable and clean. The downfall was the bars. Minimum bars and bartenders. 20 minute line up everytime you  [... read more]wanted a drink. Under staffed but bartenders worked non stop trying to keep up with demand. Food was not good at all. Same thing every day. Buffet was large but exact same food every day. The "speciality" restaurants were fair at best. I guess they thing anything will taste good when you've been eating the same food day after day. We found out our last day that they didn't offer bacon for breakfast except in the "premium" speciality room. After paying over 2000 dollars per ticket bacon for breakfast should not be for premium guests only. Ridiculous. Brought new bottle of sunscreen . We ran out so went to gift shop. They were asking 72 dollars for small bottle. We took a cab to store and bought 3 times larger bottle for 24 dollars. Evenings. It was absolutely ridiculous. The pool closes at 7:00pm. Table tennis and mini golf, closes and ANY resort activity closes at 4:00pm. They have a nightly show on stage with dancers. They were entertaining for the first night or two but it got old after that. So after dinner there was no swimming, no entertainment and minimum bar service. The place has soooo much potential but with the drive to get there, the weak food and the lack of things to do, I would not go back as it's not worth it. I've been to Barcelo in Rivera Myan in Mexico. I would go there in a heart beat rather than return to Barcelo Costa Rica. Very disappointing. February 15-22 2024

Occidental Tamarindo: Wonderful people!

We did enjoy our stay, the staff were incredible. We could tell there is new management and slowly changes are happening to the resort. The kitchen exhaust fan was repaired so it was not so unbearably hot while eating at the buffet. The teppanyaki restaurant cooked a meal and that was my salt intake for the month. We did not try the Italian restaurant. We are hoping on their list of what to do is trim the trees. There were a few windy days which knocked down some large dead branches. Lucky n [... read more]o one was hit by them, but it was close. The staff was very kind and gracious. The Valentine’s Day meal was okay. The rating of 3.0 stars is what this place should be rated at.

Barcelo Tambor: Bad Service, no room smoke alarms, and people smoke in rooms

The resort and view is breathtaking. The rooms are just okay. We actually had no firm alarm or working safe. Despite asking for both! No water in fridge either. The service and food is horrible. The steakhouse served steak that didn’t taste like steak. So much so that my son asked if it was a “dog”. Yikes! No gluten free alternatives. No dairy alternatives. No pool side waiters. Someone threw up in the pool on Saturday- they just roped off that section of the pool! The grounds are very well main [... read more]tained, but that’s about it! Oh forgot to Mention our sheets had dirt on them! We arrived to dirty sheets and pillow covers! What’s more the travel agent,’Jenn, told us it was a 90 minute bus ride. It’s not 90. Try 5 hours. We lost the entire day and no dinner. Called ahead to the resort to get some sandwiches and salad in our room. While on that call the hotel informed us we only had 3 days booked and not 5! We absolutely panicked and emailed Jenn. Data and roaming charges incurred on both our phones. Get to the resort and “so sorry for the miscommunication but yea you have 5 nights”. got there after 10pm and no food. Finally at midnight we got sandwiches with bread, ham and processed cheese. Gross. I actually couldn’t eat any of it. The kids just wanted to sleep. This hotel needs to step up their game big time. Costa Rica is not Cuba but you wouldn’t know it from the food. What a waste of such a gem of a view. The package should come with a small charter flight from Liberia. Because 5 hours is NOT okay! You can go to Italy full flight in less time than it took us.

Azura Beach Resort Samara: Nice resort .

If your looking for a quiet resort , not much of a night life , its the place for you. The staff was friendly , food for a resort is good , no venders on the beach trying to sell you junk , over all a nice place. They could have a bar and snack bar to stay open a bit longer than 10 , everything shuts down at 10 .

Fiesta Resort: What a fantastic place ;-)

Had a wonderful time at Fiesta Resort.The grounds are immaculate, pool is clean. Staff are out there at dawn making sure everything is perfect for their guests. Bedrooms are large and clean and I loved the hearts and little animals on my bed every day. Huge variety of food for b/fast, lunch and dinner and snack bar open until 1am. The fruit bar so refreshing at 10am. The front desk staff is so very friendly and they printed out a map of where everything was which I found extremely helpful as I  [... read more]would get lost in a shoebox!! Communication was very easy even though I can't speak Spanish.Anytime I asked for direction there was no "over there" with a wave of a hand they walked me to where I wanted to go. I found all the staff friendly and very, very helpful. Met some really, really nice Costa Rican people at the pool and we had such fun just laughing and talking and I learned some new Spanish words. Many, many thanks to DIEGO for the amazing drinks......he sure knows how to make them ;-). Much appreciated! You and the other staff at the bar always with a smile and a kind word. Sunsets are spectacular...a photographers dream. I am a solo traveller and thoroughly enjoyed every second.......PURA VIDA!! Go raibh mile maith agat ("thank you so much"in Gaelic)

Barcelo Tambor: Barcelo Tambor

It was beautiful,I had a great view from my balcony facing the ocean. The food was good. Really liked the Steak house and the Italian restaurant. The only thing I didn't like it was a four drive from the airport. And where you check in they couldn't really understand English. So it made it hard to talk to them.

Occidental Papagayo: Wouldn’t Recommend

We spent the first week of Feb here. The resort is nice and rooms are everything you need but… Food is NOT good! We are not picky eaters and no one in our party of four was happy with the food There is a lot of walking up and down hills. They do have shuttles but they need to have them running constantly from the beach up to the rooms The beach is very beautiful and there is great snorkeling there as well. There really is no nightlife if you’re looking for that in the evening. The maid s [... read more]ervice was the worst that we’ve had in 20 years! I wouldn’t recommend this resort at all. My husband and I got sick the day before we left with stomach issues and two weeks later we are still battling them.

Riu Guanacaste: Awesome resort!

The Riu Guanacaste was an amazing resort with a great selection of restaurants with no limits on a la carte dinners. The buffet had a great variety of food at any time. Our room was clean and very spacious with a stocked mini fridge and bar! Our view from the balcony was beautiful. There were always lounge chairs available around the pool or beach. The service at the bars and restaurants was excellent. The nightly entertainment was great, especially the white party Friday night! We're certainly [... read more] planning on going back!

Occidental Tamarindo: Nice Resort

Staff was very friendly, they could speak pretty good english. I found the resort and rooms clean. Towels and stocking our fridge for our room was not consistant. I would say this is a good resort for the retired, there was not much happening around the pool or up beat music during the day. We had 3 17 year olds and a 15 year old and they were pretty bored. Food was very greasy but tasted good.

Riu Palace Costa Rica: Tired Resort

Took 4 room moves before we found one that would be suitable to stay in. Old tired beds and bedding along with TV’s not working or hanging off wall. Buffet was the best food offered as the unique restaurants were lacking in food quality during our stay. Torn canopies over loungers reduced opportunities to stay out of sun.

Riu Guanacaste: Great Resort

Extremely clean. Staff were cleaning everything all the time! Food was plentiful and great. Some items might have been overcooked but better than being undercooked. Staff very friendly and efficient. I would have liked to have had beverages available on the beach but that’s the only issue. Sunwing reps were terrific too-Always available. Lots of walking. It’s a large resort.

Riu Palace Costa Rica: Very nice resort

Grounds,restaurants, pools ,staff were all great. Love the bartenders at the swim up bar and pool areas. The entertainment was amazing around the pools and at night. Beautiful country would recommend frank the tank services great service

Occidental Tamarindo: Go to this special place and enjoy

The physical beauty of this location was exceptional. We made a point of checking out when low tide was and walking the beach either to the right to Tamarindo or walking to the left through kilometres of almost empty coastline to sit in the tidal pools and watch the pelicans fish. Our room was spacious and airy. The people who worked in the resort were kind, competent and professional. The food ranged from very good to delicious. We went on several excursions to Paulo Verde and then to Rio C [... read more]eleste. Seeing capuchin monkeys, sloths and crocodiles was very worthwhile. Costa Rica is a democracy and has excellent healthcare and educational systems. I loved this country and this experience and recommend travelling there.

Planet Hollywood Costa Rica: Great resort with great staff!

Awesome rooms and restaurants some of the best food I’ve had at an all inclusive. Easy to get chairs at pool and very friendly staff. Could use a mimosa cart by pool in morning till bars open but that’s just being picky. Would definitely return

Azura Beach Resort Samara: Amazing resort

Exceptional service Very friendly staff Topnotch food and availability Long drive from airport Beautiful huge sandy beach Lovely small village a short taxi ride from resort Small intimate resort Would visit again

Occidental Papagayo: Nice resort

After reading so many negative reviews on this resort, we were pleasantly surprised that it wasn't as bad as some people had described!! Yes, its dated and needs some updates but it is clean, the staff are friendly and acommodating and try their best. Some people reported the food to be "inedible". If you couldn't find something to eat, the problem lies with YOU and not the resort. There was plenty of selection at the buffet, with many entrees of local cuisine. The 3 ala cartes were fantast [... read more]ic. Lunch at the snack bar was great - particularly if you like chicken wings! They struggled somewhat with maintaining hot temperatures of the food at times but for us, that wasn't a huge issue. Also noted in many reviews was the fact that the drinks, especially at the pool bar, were watered down. This was not our experience in the least! The rooms are clean, and the housekeeping staff are diligent in ensuring so. They do not provide washcloths - it took 5 days for me to get one when I requested it. Again, not a big deal. Each room has a balcony/patio - make sure you keep your patio door locked or you will have raccoons coming in. There are also skunks on the property which don't bother you if you don't bother them! We are typically beach people but the beach was one of the disappointing things about our trip. There are about 20 stairs down to the beach and the sand is partially volcanic so its not the nicest looking beach. There are 2 pools - one with a swim-up bar. The resort is full of hills and stairs - we were unaware of this when we booked. Luckily they have shuttles that run constantly so you can jump on one of those and get around. Also, we found the resort extremely difficult to find our way around due to the location of the buildings - the buildings are not laid out in a sequential manner. It would be most helpful if a GOOD QUALITY map was given out on check-in. There is a map in the main building but it is confusing as well, AND it is in the main building. This would have greatly assisted us in the first few days to find our way around and ease frustration at getting lost! Also, if you are a smoker, there are only 3 designated smoking areas on the resort. You cannot smoke on your balcony/patio. Directions to the smoking areas was vague when we asked.