Playa Biesanz - Carretera Punta Quepos, Playa Biesanz, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica | (888) 616-5829
Hilltop setting means gorgeous Pacific Ocean views
Sophisticated outdoor pool with chic furniture and drink service
Modern and stylish guest rooms with white decor and Picasso reprints -- plus private balconies and some ocean views
Free breakfast at Bien Gusto Restaurant
Italian and Western dishes for lunch and dinner, plus a wine selection and gelato
10-minute walk to Biesanz Beach
On-site spa for chocolate massages and gemstone facials
Ample free parking and fast, free Wi-Fi
Vibrant garden grounds with ocean views and occasional monkey visitors
Golf cart to shuttle guests around property
Walk back from Biesanz Beach is uphill
Minor wear and tear in some rooms
Some garden and ocean views are better than others
Some rooms are an uphill trek to the pool and restaurant
Two miles from Manuel Antonio National Park
It's hard to believe that four-pearl Shana Hotel is located in Costa Rica and not in the Aegean Sea. With terra cotta roofs, a blue and white color scheme, and beautiful outdoor pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the hotel looks straight out of Santorini. The location is excellent for access to Biesanz Beach, but guests will need to take a car or taxi to Manuel Antonio National Park and the hilly property is difficult for some guests to navigate without a golf cart. Mostly white rooms look romantic, especially those with ocean views from private balconies. Breakfast buffet at Bien Gusto Restaurant is included in the room rate. For those who must have fast beach access, check rates at Karahe Hotel, but expect a room downgrade.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Mediterranean style and Pacific Ocean views on a hilly property
Guests pass through a security checkpoint before driving down a steep hill to park, then walking back up a hill to the small reception desk located next to the pool. Hills are a theme in this part of the world, but they also mean gorgeous views of the jungle and Pacific Ocean. There's a golf cart on hand to shuttle those who don't want to walk. Shana Hotel has a Mediterranean style with hues of bright white and bold blue, plus terra cotta tiles. Grounds are lushly planted with native plants and flowers that attract birds and butterflies. Past guests have reported monkey and sloth sightings. There's a good mix of families and couples here, though no special facilities for little ones.
Location
On a hilly road that passes Biesanz Beach and ends at Parador Resort and Spa
Shana Hotel has a picturesque and idyllic location overlooking the harbor side of the Pacific Ocean in Manuel Antonio. The property is a solid two miles away from the national park but only an eight-minute walk to Biesanz Beach. Guests should note that the walk partially takes place on the shoulder of a semi-busy road, then requires a hike down a rutted path to the water. The walk back to the hotel is uphill. Nearby neighbors include Parador Resort and Spa, and Issimo Suites Boutique Hotel & Spa. Parking at Shana Hotel is free and ample.
Rooms
Sleek with all white decor and some beautiful ocean views.
There are 27 rooms at Shana Hotel, divided into categories of Superior, Deluxe, Junior Suite, and one Presidential Suite. Each is done in mostly white and cream decor, with an occasional burgundy bed runner. Sheer white drapes, white flat-screen TVs, and black-and-white reprints of Picasso sketches look grown-up and elegant. Outside, private terraces and balconies have either garden or ocean views -- though some views are better than others. Rooms come standard with minibars or small fridges, coffeemakers, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. Some show light wear and tear, but cleanliness isn't an issue. Bathrooms vary; Superior and Deluxe Rooms have walk-in rain showers, while Junior Suites also have separate soaking tubs and his and her sinks. Upgrade to the Presidential Suite for three bedrooms, a full kitchen with stainless steel appliances, and a private infinity-edge pool.
Features
Bien Gusto Restaurant, spa, and swimming pool
The spa at Shana Hotel is one of the nicest in Manuel Antonio and offers a huge range of treatments. There's everything from chocolate massages to a grape wrap and coffee and honey scrub. The outdoor swimming pool has ocean views and a deck lined with expensive-looking pool chairs, drink service is available from the Italian-centric Bien Gusto Restaurant, where a free breakfast buffet is served daily. The Italian born and trained head chef offers antipasti, ceviche, carpaccio, whole lobster, and a variety of delicious pastas for lunch and dinner. There's a case of gelato near the entrance and a full bar, too. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.
