From the lobby to the restaurant to the quaint, two-story chalets, the mid-range Hotel Chalet Tirol is like a pitch-perfect -- and surreal -- imitation of an alpine lodge in the middle of tropical Costa Rica. The only on-site restaurant and bar provides a gourmet, French-inspired menu and live piano music on select nights. Most of the 35 rooms offer rustic, cabin-like accommodations, and all include modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and gas or electric fireplaces. There’s little within walking distance, however, and Heredia is a 30-minute drive away -- but that’s a definite pro for some guests. Cabanas Las Ardillas offers rustic, similarly-priced, three-pearl accommodations with a small on-site spa.
From the lobby to the restaurant to the quaint, two-story chalets, the mid-range Hotel Chalet Tirol is like a pitch-perfect -- and surreal -- imitation of an alpine lodge in the middle of tropical Costa Rica. The only on-site restaurant and bar provides a gourmet, French-inspired menu and live piano music on select nights. Most of the 35 rooms offer rustic, cabin-like accommodations, and all include modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and gas or electric fireplaces. There’s little within walking distance, however, and Heredia is a 30-minute drive away -- but that’s a definite pro for some guests. Cabanas Las Ardillas offers rustic, similarly-priced, three-pearl accommodations with a small on-site spa.
Situated on a remote hilltop, upper-middle-range Peace Lodge offers stunning rainforest views from almost every room and common area. While the eco-lodge themed decor nears amusement-park levels of heavy-handedness, the property is charming enough to pull it off. The list of amenities includes a grotto-style outdoor pool, three restaurants, and a rainforest activity park with waterfall hikes and wildlife exhibits. Each of the 21 large, rainforest-themed rooms offers furnished balconies, minibars, and stone whirlpool tubs with waterfalls. The lack of a spa is notable, and there are steep stairs throughout the property. The hotel’s decor and location are unique in the area with few direct competitors, though Pura Vida Spa & Yoga Retreat offers cheaper accommodations with yoga and spa amenities.
Situated on a remote hilltop, upper-middle-range Peace Lodge offers stunning rainforest views from almost every room and common area. While the eco-lodge themed decor nears amusement-park levels of heavy-handedness, the property is charming enough to pull it off. The list of amenities includes a grotto-style outdoor pool, three restaurants, and a rainforest activity park with waterfall hikes and wildlife exhibits. Each of the 21 large, rainforest-themed rooms offers furnished balconies, minibars, and stone whirlpool tubs with waterfalls. The lack of a spa is notable, and there are steep stairs throughout the property. The hotel’s decor and location are unique in the area with few direct competitors, though Pura Vida Spa & Yoga Retreat offers cheaper accommodations with yoga and spa amenities.
The 701-room Riu Guanacaste is a lot like a Riu anywhere, with a good beach, a huge, raucous pool, an energetic entertainment staff, and a party-hearty, booze-fueled atmosphere. Rooms are nothing special, and a la carte restaurant reservations need to be made a day in advance. If you're after a convenient, typical all-inclusive experience, this is it; if you're looking to experience local charm, not so much.
The 701-room Riu Guanacaste is a lot like a Riu anywhere, with a good beach, a huge, raucous pool, an energetic entertainment staff, and a party-hearty, booze-fueled atmosphere. Rooms are nothing special, and a la carte restaurant reservations need to be made a day in advance. If you're after a convenient, typical all-inclusive experience, this is it; if you're looking to experience local charm, not so much.
Don't be fooled by the name -- Nammbu isn’t beachfront and doesn’t have any bungalows. Instead what you'll find is a simple three-pearl property masquerading as an upscale resort. Its rooms, while spacious and somewhat modern, are bare bones with little storage. Nammbu’s mosaic tile infinity pool is its nicest feature, however, reaching the beach requires descending a massive staircase and crossing a busy road. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi, but the connection is slow and spotty. Overall, the property is quiet, and there isn’t much to do at the hotel or in the immediate area. Travelers looking for a property with a bit more character might prefer Lodge Las Ranas, which is a five-minute drive from the lively town of Samara.
Don't be fooled by the name -- Nammbu isn’t beachfront and doesn’t have any bungalows. Instead what you'll find is a simple three-pearl property masquerading as an upscale resort. Its rooms, while spacious and somewhat modern, are bare bones with little storage. Nammbu’s mosaic tile infinity pool is its nicest feature, however, reaching the beach requires descending a massive staircase and crossing a busy road. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi, but the connection is slow and spotty. Overall, the property is quiet, and there isn’t much to do at the hotel or in the immediate area. Travelers looking for a property with a bit more character might prefer Lodge Las Ranas, which is a five-minute drive from the lively town of Samara.
Hotel and Villas Nacazcol is a down-to-earth, three-pearl hotel located a 10-minute drive from Playa del Coco. The property's 185 guest rooms, suites, and villas are dated but adequately equipped, offering coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Its grounds feel more like a small neighborhood than a typical hotel property, featuring two sizable pools, a handful of aging sports facilities, and two low-key, poolside restaurants. Free a la carte breakfast is included in the room rate, and guests also have access to a beach club near Playa Panama with two additional pools. Travelers who would prefer to stay right on the beach might consider Bahia Pez Vela Resort, an all-villa property on nearby Playa Ocotal.
Hotel and Villas Nacazcol is a down-to-earth, three-pearl hotel located a 10-minute drive from Playa del Coco. The property's 185 guest rooms, suites, and villas are dated but adequately equipped, offering coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Its grounds feel more like a small neighborhood than a typical hotel property, featuring two sizable pools, a handful of aging sports facilities, and two low-key, poolside restaurants. Free a la carte breakfast is included in the room rate, and guests also have access to a beach club near Playa Panama with two additional pools. Travelers who would prefer to stay right on the beach might consider Bahia Pez Vela Resort, an all-villa property on nearby Playa Ocotal.
Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica is a four-pearl resort located on Playa Matapalo. The hotel’s 538 rooms and extensive facilities are more sophisticated than one might expect of a chain property, and the array of activities and restaurants is sure to satisfy fans of big, all-inclusive hotels. Aside from access to Playa Matapalo beach, there aren’t really any attractions or dining options within walking distance, but the all-inclusive package encourages most guests to dine on the property and take advantage of its on-site entertainment anyway. The nearby Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica offers a more intimate, all-inclusive experience but rates are typically higher than Riu Palace’s.
Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica is a four-pearl resort located on Playa Matapalo. The hotel’s 538 rooms and extensive facilities are more sophisticated than one might expect of a chain property, and the array of activities and restaurants is sure to satisfy fans of big, all-inclusive hotels. Aside from access to Playa Matapalo beach, there aren’t really any attractions or dining options within walking distance, but the all-inclusive package encourages most guests to dine on the property and take advantage of its on-site entertainment anyway. The nearby Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica offers a more intimate, all-inclusive experience but rates are typically higher than Riu Palace’s.
On paper, the three-pearl El Tucano Resort & Spa is among the best full-featured resorts in the area. It has thermal hot spring pools, a river-view restaurant, and one of the largest spas in Costa Rica. However, obvious maintenance issues and a dated decor reveal that the property is well passed its prime. The mediocre buffet food and overcrowded pools don’t help matters. All 87 rooms are similarly aging and minimal amenities include small flat-screen TVs, spotty Wi-Fi, and optional terraces. The quiet location next to Juan Castro Blanco National Park is convenient. For a bit more money, Arenal Paraiso Hotel Resort & Spa offers more polished rooms, beautifully manicured grounds, and all the same amenities.
On paper, the three-pearl El Tucano Resort & Spa is among the best full-featured resorts in the area. It has thermal hot spring pools, a river-view restaurant, and one of the largest spas in Costa Rica. However, obvious maintenance issues and a dated decor reveal that the property is well passed its prime. The mediocre buffet food and overcrowded pools don’t help matters. All 87 rooms are similarly aging and minimal amenities include small flat-screen TVs, spotty Wi-Fi, and optional terraces. The quiet location next to Juan Castro Blanco National Park is convenient. For a bit more money, Arenal Paraiso Hotel Resort & Spa offers more polished rooms, beautifully manicured grounds, and all the same amenities.
Near the summit of Poas Volcano, the-mid range Altura Hotel provides bed-and-breakfast style lodging amid a lush rural setting. All seven rooms feature an eclectic modern-meets-rustic decor, along with free Wi-Fi, wet bars, mini-fridges, and huge windows with picturesque views of the surrounding farmland. A free hot breakfast and parking make up the short list of common amenities. However, most guests seem content to just relax around the fire pit in the outdoor garden amid the rolling landscape just minutes from Costa Rica's most popular national park. The nearby Poas Lodge and Restaurant provides similar rooms and amenities for less money.
Near the summit of Poas Volcano, the-mid range Altura Hotel provides bed-and-breakfast style lodging amid a lush rural setting. All seven rooms feature an eclectic modern-meets-rustic decor, along with free Wi-Fi, wet bars, mini-fridges, and huge windows with picturesque views of the surrounding farmland. A free hot breakfast and parking make up the short list of common amenities. However, most guests seem content to just relax around the fire pit in the outdoor garden amid the rolling landscape just minutes from Costa Rica's most popular national park. The nearby Poas Lodge and Restaurant provides similar rooms and amenities for less money.
This 42-room, upper-middle-range spa resort on the west side of the Arenal dam is a bit farther out from La Fortuna than most area hotels (about a 45-minute drive) but offers a stunning Bali-inspired spa building and large, well-appointed rooms overlooking the rainforest. The property also offers private trails in the rainforest as well as a pool and a big hot tub with swim-up bar -- but no hot springs (for those, consider the similarly priced Arenal Kioro Suites and Spa or the slightly pricier Tabacon).
This 42-room, upper-middle-range spa resort on the west side of the Arenal dam is a bit farther out from La Fortuna than most area hotels (about a 45-minute drive) but offers a stunning Bali-inspired spa building and large, well-appointed rooms overlooking the rainforest. The property also offers private trails in the rainforest as well as a pool and a big hot tub with swim-up bar -- but no hot springs (for those, consider the similarly priced Arenal Kioro Suites and Spa or the slightly pricier Tabacon).
Heliconias Nature Lodge is a pitch perfect example of Costa Rica’s tasteful rain forest-inspired flavor. The outdoor plunge pool and large, open-air restaurant with free breakfast, a full wine list, and nightly entertainment are surprising touches for a small, mid-range property. All 18 freestanding cabins are bright, open, and rustic with modern amenities including free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and private balconies. Upgraded categories add panoramic windows with rain forest views. However, there’s little within walking or driving distance, so most guests will want a car to explore the area. The more rustic Hotel Arenal Montechiari offers the same amenities at the edge of downtown La Fortuna for less money.
Heliconias Nature Lodge is a pitch perfect example of Costa Rica’s tasteful rain forest-inspired flavor. The outdoor plunge pool and large, open-air restaurant with free breakfast, a full wine list, and nightly entertainment are surprising touches for a small, mid-range property. All 18 freestanding cabins are bright, open, and rustic with modern amenities including free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and private balconies. Upgraded categories add panoramic windows with rain forest views. However, there’s little within walking or driving distance, so most guests will want a car to explore the area. The more rustic Hotel Arenal Montechiari offers the same amenities at the edge of downtown La Fortuna for less money.