Though it only has 160 rooms, Villas Sol Hotel & Beach Resort feels like a much larger property. Thanks to its sprawling acreage on the cliffs above Playa Hermosa, this upper-middle-range hotel feels like a massive resort. With two pools, a beautiful restaurant, and rooms that range from standard Double Rooms to massive Three-Bedroom Villas, Villas Sol appeals to a wide range of guests. While some may find the all-inclusive option attractive, others may find the food mediocre and repetitive. Note that there's some minor wear and tear, and that the cliffside location means great views but also steep hills that make it difficult to get around (walking to the beach is almost certainly out of the question). Guests who’d prefer a (flat) beachfront property should compare rates at Casa Conde Beach-Front Hotel, a similar all-inclusive resort on Playa Panama.
Though it only has 160 rooms, Villas Sol Hotel & Beach Resort feels like a much larger property. Thanks to its sprawling acreage on the cliffs above Playa Hermosa, this upper-middle-range hotel feels like a massive resort. With two pools, a beautiful restaurant, and rooms that range from standard Double Rooms to massive Three-Bedroom Villas, Villas Sol appeals to a wide range of guests. While some may find the all-inclusive option attractive, others may find the food mediocre and repetitive. Note that there's some minor wear and tear, and that the cliffside location means great views but also steep hills that make it difficult to get around (walking to the beach is almost certainly out of the question). Guests who’d prefer a (flat) beachfront property should compare rates at Casa Conde Beach-Front Hotel, a similar all-inclusive resort on Playa Panama.
Located in the tiny beach town of Playa Hermosa, Hotel ManGaby is a 17-room value property with hospitable owners and a family-friendly atmosphere. Rooms are a bit dated, with worn furniture and tube TVs, but all have large balconies or patios that overlook the hotel’s gorgeous mosaic tile pool. The on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and breakfast is free for hotel guests. There are also free parking and free Wi-Fi. The hotel’s greatest feature is definitely its prime location -- just a two-minute stroll from the beach. For travelers who absolutely must stay on the sand, nearby Hotel Velero is a beachfront property with similar accommodations and comparable nightly rates -- though it lacks ManGaby’s family-friendly atmosphere.
Located in the tiny beach town of Playa Hermosa, Hotel ManGaby is a 17-room value property with hospitable owners and a family-friendly atmosphere. Rooms are a bit dated, with worn furniture and tube TVs, but all have large balconies or patios that overlook the hotel’s gorgeous mosaic tile pool. The on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and breakfast is free for hotel guests. There are also free parking and free Wi-Fi. The hotel’s greatest feature is definitely its prime location -- just a two-minute stroll from the beach. For travelers who absolutely must stay on the sand, nearby Hotel Velero is a beachfront property with similar accommodations and comparable nightly rates -- though it lacks ManGaby’s family-friendly atmosphere.
The 32-room Bosque del Mar is an upper-middle-range, contemporary boutique hotel set on the shores of Playa Hermosa. The hotel offers spacious suites with separate living and bedrooms as well as glass walls that open to private wood-deck terraces, some facing the ocean. A soaring, modern tree house-like structure encompasses three stories of property features, which include an open-air restaurant and a breezy second-floor lounge, both which overlook the ocean through a gorgeous canopy of old trees.
The 32-room Bosque del Mar is an upper-middle-range, contemporary boutique hotel set on the shores of Playa Hermosa. The hotel offers spacious suites with separate living and bedrooms as well as glass walls that open to private wood-deck terraces, some facing the ocean. A soaring, modern tree house-like structure encompasses three stories of property features, which include an open-air restaurant and a breezy second-floor lounge, both which overlook the ocean through a gorgeous canopy of old trees.
Hotel & Villas Huetares is a 41-room value property patronized mostly by Costa Rican guests. Rooms have bland, dated furniture and decor, but villas have full kitchens and small dining areas. There are two large pools and a playground for kids, but there are few other amenities besides free parking and Wi-Fi. Although there’s no on-site restaurant, breakfast is included in the room rate and is served buffet style at the restaurant next door. While there’s not much to do in the immediate area, the hotel is just a two-minute walk from the incredibly beautiful Playa Hermosa. Even though Hotel & Villas Huetares has larger rooms and more pools, we prefer the more intimate, family-run Hotel ManGaby just across the street, which has a full-service restaurant.
Hotel & Villas Huetares is a 41-room value property patronized mostly by Costa Rican guests. Rooms have bland, dated furniture and decor, but villas have full kitchens and small dining areas. There are two large pools and a playground for kids, but there are few other amenities besides free parking and Wi-Fi. Although there’s no on-site restaurant, breakfast is included in the room rate and is served buffet style at the restaurant next door. While there’s not much to do in the immediate area, the hotel is just a two-minute walk from the incredibly beautiful Playa Hermosa. Even though Hotel & Villas Huetares has larger rooms and more pools, we prefer the more intimate, family-run Hotel ManGaby just across the street, which has a full-service restaurant.
Villa del Sueno -- or Villa of Dreams in English -- is a mid-range property that lives up to its name. With secluded grounds, lush green landscaping, and Mediterranean-style villas, the hotel feels like a Tuscan retreat. Villa del Sueno offers multiple room types, ranging from small Standard Rooms to two-bedroom apartments with kitchens and living rooms. However, the property is split by a dirt road, making the hotel side and the apartment side feel separate. Villa del Sueno has two pools, an on-site restaurant, and offers free parking and Wi-Fi, but it’s not on the beach and does not have ocean views. Travelers who’d prefer to be right on the sand should check out nearby Playa Hermosa Bosque del Mar Hotel, but nightly rates tend to be double that of Villa del Sueno.
Villa del Sueno -- or Villa of Dreams in English -- is a mid-range property that lives up to its name. With secluded grounds, lush green landscaping, and Mediterranean-style villas, the hotel feels like a Tuscan retreat. Villa del Sueno offers multiple room types, ranging from small Standard Rooms to two-bedroom apartments with kitchens and living rooms. However, the property is split by a dirt road, making the hotel side and the apartment side feel separate. Villa del Sueno has two pools, an on-site restaurant, and offers free parking and Wi-Fi, but it’s not on the beach and does not have ocean views. Travelers who’d prefer to be right on the sand should check out nearby Playa Hermosa Bosque del Mar Hotel, but nightly rates tend to be double that of Villa del Sueno.
Oxygen Jungle Villas is a luxury 12-villa jungle property with a zen-like atmosphere and Balinese decor. The all-glass villas allow for views from every angle while still upholding privacy, either overlooking the ocean or jungle. Also standard are AC, rainfall showers, private terraces, and king-sized canopied beds, but no TVs or telephones. Guest favorites include the small but serene infinity-edge pool, sunsets from the pool and dining deck, and run-ins with wildlife such as monkeys and toucans. Organic spa treatments, a paved hiking path to a private waterfall, and tours are also available. An on-site restaurant serves three meals a day and the bar slings fresh juices and cocktails. The seclusion and exclusivity here are big draws for couples. Travelers wanting a beachfront setting should consider Alma del Pacifico beach Hotel & Spa, though it's not as elegant.
Oxygen Jungle Villas is a luxury 12-villa jungle property with a zen-like atmosphere and Balinese decor. The all-glass villas allow for views from every angle while still upholding privacy, either overlooking the ocean or jungle. Also standard are AC, rainfall showers, private terraces, and king-sized canopied beds, but no TVs or telephones. Guest favorites include the small but serene infinity-edge pool, sunsets from the pool and dining deck, and run-ins with wildlife such as monkeys and toucans. Organic spa treatments, a paved hiking path to a private waterfall, and tours are also available. An on-site restaurant serves three meals a day and the bar slings fresh juices and cocktails. The seclusion and exclusivity here are big draws for couples. Travelers wanting a beachfront setting should consider Alma del Pacifico beach Hotel & Spa, though it's not as elegant.
These four three-pearl villas (plus outdoor pools!) are a stylish alternative for laid-back groups and families in the surf mecca of Santa Teresa. Tucked peacefully in the hills, the contemporary, Southeast Asian-inspired villas range from two- to four-bedroom units, and have full kitchens, patios, and barbecues. Guests don't need a car as they're a five-minute walk to Playa Carmen's waves, as well as restaurants and a grocery store. Charismatic owners Soraya and Trent, go out of their way to provide personable service and will gladly arrange transportation and activities. Not to be missed: Trent's guaranteed-to-get-up surf lesson.
These four three-pearl villas (plus outdoor pools!) are a stylish alternative for laid-back groups and families in the surf mecca of Santa Teresa. Tucked peacefully in the hills, the contemporary, Southeast Asian-inspired villas range from two- to four-bedroom units, and have full kitchens, patios, and barbecues. Guests don't need a car as they're a five-minute walk to Playa Carmen's waves, as well as restaurants and a grocery store. Charismatic owners Soraya and Trent, go out of their way to provide personable service and will gladly arrange transportation and activities. Not to be missed: Trent's guaranteed-to-get-up surf lesson.