Hotel Sol Samara

With a middle-of-nowhere location on the outskirts of downtown Samara, Hotel Sol doesn’t feel like the kind of place where vacationers hunker down for a week. Instead it’s better suited for passersby -- travelers headed elsewhere who just need a place to bunk for a night or two. The hotel’s reception desk is located in a casual, open-air breakfast room that overlooks the property’s lushly landscaped grounds. There isn’t much to do on the premises, so the majority of guests spend their days off-property, either at the beach or in downtown Samara.  

Hotel Sol Samara is located in a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of downtown Samara (about a 10-minute drive). While the hotel is a five-minute walk from the beach, it isn’t within walking distance of any shops, restaurants, or bars. Guests will need a car if they plan to explore the area, as taxis are hard to come by here. Samara is a charming beach town with a varied Tico/expat population. Guests will find organic cafes and burger joints alongside traditional Tico “sodas” and street-side coconut vendors. Samara is a bit more laid back, and not as touristy as nearby Nosara, but it's much more built up than neighboring Puerto Carillo. Samara isn’t really a destination, as much as it is a pit stop on the way to somewhere else. However, it has excellent paved roads and can be easily accessed by highway 150. The two closest international airports are in Liberia (a two-hour drive) and San Jose (a four-hour drive). 

Hotel Sol has two room types -- Standard Rooms and Family Suites. Standards are equipped with one double and one single bed, which can sleep up to three people. Family Suites are larger with two double beds and a set of wicker chairs. Throughout both categories, rooms are simply decorated with cute, colorful decor. Cream colored walls and tile floors are brought to life with sky-blue accent walls and navy bed spreads. Light wood furniture keeps the palette neutral, while red-patterned bolsters add a touch of whimsy. Rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, electronic safes, and mini-fridges, though they lack coffeemakers. Bathrooms are decked out in simple beige tiles and large shower stalls, and the hotel provides basic toiletries. But it's worth noting that some guests complain of inconsistent hot water in the showers. All rooms have access to shared outdoor patios or balconies that are equipped with wooden adirondack chairs. 

Hotel Sol provides the expected features for a petite budget property, but their quality isn't consistent. The property has a tiny, rectangularly shaped pool wedged in the back corner of its property, which makes it feel more like an afterthought than a worthwhile amenity. The pool is surrounded by a small deck and a few scattered lounge chairs. A screened fence tries to block the view of the adjacent vacant lot, but it does a poor job of providing any ambiance. Even on sunny days, the pool doesn’t seem to get much light, which is a shame, considering the property’s empty front lawn is bathed in sunbeams from morning until late afternoon. For dining, the hotel serves free daily breakfast in its casual, open-air breakfast room. Breakfast is served buffet style, and doesn’t include many options, but it’s decent as far as free breakfasts are concerned. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi, but many guests complain of a spotty connection.