Puerto Azul Boutique Resort & Marina

With unadorned white walls, glossy white flooring, and angular, Scandinavian-style furnishings throughout, the hotel has a fresh, contemporary look that makes it a pleasant alternative to some of the hotels in downtown Puntarenas. The decor is clean and crisp, and it has a pleasant waterside vibe, with colors in sand, brown, and light blue. There's plenty of lawn space with trees and shady palapas for guests who want to hang out outdoors, and the marina provides a steady stream of guests who use the hotel’s facilities as a social hub. The poolside bar and Hotel Pool collectively serve as a central space for guests to socialize, though the atmosphere is quiet and relaxed on the whole. With few restaurants, bars, or attractions in the immediate area, guests seeking a livelier atmosphere will likely need to venture to downtown Puntarenas. The hotel largely appeals to tourists and sees an even mix of couples and families.

The hotel is located on Route 17 -- a busy thoroughfare that connects the Puntarenas tourist district to mainland Costa Rica. The property is less than a 15-minute ride from dozens of restaurants, bars, shops, and the main cruise ship terminal. However, aside from a handful of small, local restaurants and a beach, there are no points of interest within the immediate area. A rental car will come in handy to navigate the area and tour the quaint beach towns down the coast. Playa Hermosa is about 75 minutes down the Pacific and the Manuel Antonio area will take about two hours to reach. It's a 90-minute drive to Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, the closest major airport. 

The crisp, contemporary decor found in the common areas is standard in all rooms and suites as well. The color scheme is appropriate for the waterside setting, with lots of soft tan tones plus light blues and white. Some rooms have a vibrant turquoise accent wall that adds a vibrant pop of color to everything. Modern, IKEA-style furniture has an ashen-wood veneer that complements the overall aesthetic, while tan tile floors are clean and cool. The look focuses on clean lines and minimal flourishes -- all elements typically found in Scandinavian design -- and vibrant patterns are used sparingly in the soft furnishings.

The two main categories -- Standard Rooms and Tower Suites -- are split between two distinctly different buildings. An older, two-story building houses the property’s 32 Standard Rooms. Every room features an identical, one-room floor plan that includes two double beds, a private bathroom, and a balcony or terrace. All Standard Rooms offer a mini-fridge, air-conditioning, and a flat-screen TV with cable service.

The Tower Suites in the adjacent seven-story building are available in one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom configurations. Every room in the building is spacious, ranging from the 970-square-foot Studios (90 square meters) to almost 2,500 square feet (230 square meters) in the Four-Bedroom Penthouse Suites. The latter features an expansive, two-story design with multiple seating areas and a full dining room. All are well-appointed, similar to a luxury condo. Full kitchens, stackable washer/dryer combos, and wide balconies with marina-view balconies are standard. Furniture was noticeably missing from the balconies.

Wi-Fi is free, fast, and mostly reliable throughout the property, however, we had a few issues with outages. Typical of many Costa Rican hotels, the beds in all categories are firm but comfortable.

Standard Room bathrooms are small, bordering on cramped. With beige tile covering most of the space and budget fixtures, they feel decidedly less modern than any other area of the hotel. Bathrooms in the newer Tower Suites are crisp, clean, and modern. Marble countertops, tray sinks, and glass-and-tile shower stalls with benches all add an air of sophistication.

The hotel offers two outdoor pools. The Hotel Pool is situated on the older side of the property near the Standard Rooms. As it’s adjacent to the restaurant/bar and the marina, it’s the de facto “main” pool and has a livelier vibe. The surrounding deck also doubles as the hotel’s only event space. The Club Pool -- adjacent to the newer tower building -- is smaller, quieter, and more relaxed. Lounge chairs line the edges of both pools with partially obstructed marina views. While there are no umbrellas, the surrounding palm trees provide adequate shade.

The hotel’s only restaurant, Arrecife Grill & Bar, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an open-air space with pool and partial marina views. The decor consists of metal and wood seating, polished concrete flooring, and walls painted in vibrant, tropical colors. A free hot buffet breakfast is provided daily. Selections include Western-inspired staples -- scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, baked goods, and coffee/tea. Costa Rican favorites like fried plantains and rice and beans are typically available as well. The poolside bar sits under a thatched roof and provides a dozen colorfully painted stools. A full liquor menu of cocktails, wine, and beer is available.

For guests arriving by boat, the property offers a full-service marina. In addition to dockage, a long list of additional services is available, including 24-hour security, utilities (daily or monthly rates), and free Wi-Fi. Use of the hotel’s pools and free breakfast are also included in all rates for marina guests. Free self-parking is provided in a staffed, off-street lot for all hotel guests.