A lot of construction going on.

A lot of construction going on.

We loved staying at the hotel. Everything was very convenient and it was an exceptional location in the area.

We loved staying at the hotel. Everything was very convenient and it was an exceptional location in the area.

Great holiday. We just got back two weeks ago.

Great holiday. We just got back two weeks ago.

We were influenced by convincing marketing and a very misleading article in a certain "French sounding" US travel magazine, into believing we were going to be staying at hotel in a quaint small beach town. The problem is that it isn’t a quaint beach town, it’s a planned resort community which pretends to be a town. It's all a big, artificial somewhat soulless place, started in 2006, owned by 1 company, with a few noncompany owned businesses, that work as concessions within what is really a resort. If you like early 2000's pastiche mediterranean architecture, you will love it. Personally, I think it feels more suited to Southern California outdoor mall architecture, than something that should have been "plonked" into a pretty Costa Rican bay. Why did they have to build this here ? Interestingly, although described as a "mediterranean" town, we also were told that it was inspired by Cuban, Colombian, and Moroccan architecture, so it really is a bit of a "mash-up". The Marketing is beautiful, really clever photography that show the resort finished, I just looked at the photos again on the website it gives no clue of the huge next phase of construction which is happening in the hills behind the hotel. Construction seems to go from 6.00am to 8.00pm 6 days a week by the way. The first thing you see when you drive down the hill entering the resort, past the other hotel, the very attractive (modern ?) Chameleon Hotel is the construction spreading across all the hills to the right

We were influenced by convincing marketing and a very misleading article in a certain "French sounding" US travel magazine, into believing we were going to be staying at hotel in a quaint small beach town. The problem is that it isn’t a quaint beach town, it’s a planned resort community which pretends to be a town. It's all a big, artificial somewhat soulless place, started in 2006, owned by 1 company, with a few noncompany owned businesses, that work as concessions within what is really a resort. If you like early 2000's pastiche mediterranean architecture, you will love it. Personally, I think it feels more suited to Southern California outdoor mall architecture, than something that should have been "plonked" into a pretty Costa Rican bay. Why did they have to build this here ? Interestingly, although described as a "mediterranean" town, we also were told that it was inspired by Cuban, Colombian, and Moroccan architecture, so it really is a bit of a "mash-up". The Marketing is beautiful, really clever photography that show the resort finished, I just looked at the photos again on the website it gives no clue of the huge next phase of construction which is happening in the hills behind the hotel. Construction seems to go from 6.00am to 8.00pm 6 days a week by the way. The first thing you see when you drive down the hill entering the resort, past the other hotel, the very attractive (modern ?) Chameleon Hotel is the construction spreading across all the hills to the right

Perfect hotel for couples. Romantic with few big families made it a lovely stay and we'll most likely be staying again. The service and rooftop pool view were the highlights of the trip

Perfect hotel for couples. Romantic with few big families made it a lovely stay and we'll most likely be staying again. The service and rooftop pool view were the highlights of the trip

Boutique style size and guest services. Staff were knowledgeable and friendly. Twice daily room cleaning. Room amenities and bed were first class.

Boutique style size and guest services. Staff were knowledgeable and friendly. Twice daily room cleaning. Room amenities and bed were first class.

Loved it. Nice place, friendly people and staff. The resort town is beautiful. Enjoyed our time here

Santarena Hotel has a quaint and tranquil mood . The beach is beautiful and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from with different cuisines and vibes. Staff were friendly and helpful.

Loved it. Nice place, friendly people and staff. The resort town is beautiful. Enjoyed our time here

Santarena Hotel has a quaint and tranquil mood . The beach is beautiful and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from with different cuisines and vibes. Staff were friendly and helpful.

I felt like I belonged there - like I had been there my whole life. Everything seemed to slow down upon arrival. The only challenge was with one employee who really did not seem to care about helping us with an issue. He said he was working on it even though it was an easy fix. I waited most of the day and reminded him multiple times. When I asked someone else and it was taken care of in most minutes.

I felt like I belonged there - like I had been there my whole life. Everything seemed to slow down upon arrival. The only challenge was with one employee who really did not seem to care about helping us with an issue. He said he was working on it even though it was an easy fix. I waited most of the day and reminded him multiple times. When I asked someone else and it was taken care of in most minutes.

The only downside was that there were very few foot washing stations between the beach and the rooms.

The only downside was that there were very few foot washing stations between the beach and the rooms.

The moment we arrived, the staff was very friendly and professional, from valet to bellman to concierge to reception to barman to servers. Every aspect of our stay was amazing; from dinner at Celeste, very comfortable bedroom and huge clean shower, beautiful ocean views from our large terrace. We would definitely stay here again and recommend this hotel to anyone. Only comment is that there is currently a lot of construction going on affecting ease of getting around by car, and everything is accessable on foot since the community is only about 4 square blocks. our large balcony.

The moment we arrived, the staff was very friendly and professional, from valet to bellman to concierge to reception to barman to servers. Every aspect of our stay was amazing; from dinner at Celeste, very comfortable bedroom and huge clean shower, beautiful ocean views from our large terrace. We would definitely stay here again and recommend this hotel to anyone. Only comment is that there is currently a lot of construction going on affecting ease of getting around by car, and everything is accessable on foot since the community is only about 4 square blocks. our large balcony.

everyone super nice, beautiful hotel, would recommend to families and couples

everyone super nice, beautiful hotel, would recommend to families and couples

The property and service itself is impeccable. No complaints about the cleanliness, the beauty, or the staff. HOWEVER, if travelling with kids, there will be some inconveniences. For example, no umbrellas , shade or chairs by the beach- this was hugely problematic as I travelled alone with my son who wanted to play at the beach every day. With limited shade available, we had to go indoors or to the pool area (which was extremely hot, without a breeze), every day between the peak sunshine hours 11-330/4pm. For this reason alone, we will not return. In addition, it would have been nice to have a small balcony chair so I could sit on the balcony and have my morning coffee. I wake much earlier than my son, and wanted to have my coffee and read on the balcony while he slept, but ended up standing on the balcony or sitting inside. I wanted to make the most of my outdoor time while I was here, but found myself limited due to these lack of facilities. The store that rents chairs is extremely expensive for a rental and did not have umbrellas. The Beach: would have been also helpful to know at check-in that there are huge rocks in one area of the beach. We learned the hard way when we were hit with a huge wave, falling and hurting ourselves on the rocks. The rocks are sharp and hard to see bc the water isn’t clear (it’s clean, but the dark sand makes it hard to see the bottom). Btw, waves were huge.

The property and service itself is impeccable. No complaints about the cleanliness, the beauty, or the staff. HOWEVER, if travelling with kids, there will be some inconveniences. For example, no umbrellas , shade or chairs by the beach- this was hugely problematic as I travelled alone with my son who wanted to play at the beach every day. With limited shade available, we had to go indoors or to the pool area (which was extremely hot, without a breeze), every day between the peak sunshine hours 11-330/4pm. For this reason alone, we will not return. In addition, it would have been nice to have a small balcony chair so I could sit on the balcony and have my morning coffee. I wake much earlier than my son, and wanted to have my coffee and read on the balcony while he slept, but ended up standing on the balcony or sitting inside. I wanted to make the most of my outdoor time while I was here, but found myself limited due to these lack of facilities. The store that rents chairs is extremely expensive for a rental and did not have umbrellas. The Beach: would have been also helpful to know at check-in that there are huge rocks in one area of the beach. We learned the hard way when we were hit with a huge wave, falling and hurting ourselves on the rocks. The rocks are sharp and hard to see bc the water isn’t clear (it’s clean, but the dark sand makes it hard to see the bottom). Btw, waves were huge.

The property is beautiful, staff are amazing BUT the thermostat in our room was not working. It was 38C outside, our room temp was at 24C.We tried to change it to 21C and the temperature never changed. The front desk told us that the rooms will never be at 21C.OK, but the annoying part is that they had the front desk and lobby at 20C. Only complaint.

The property is beautiful, staff are amazing BUT the thermostat in our room was not working. It was 38C outside, our room temp was at 24C.We tried to change it to 21C and the temperature never changed. The front desk told us that the rooms will never be at 21C.OK, but the annoying part is that they had the front desk and lobby at 20C. Only complaint.

The service was exceptional, world class. I could never remember all of the names, but certainly want to recognize Carla and Arturo, Edgar, Eli, Randall we’re all fantastic. I would highly recommend the Santarena

The service was exceptional, world class. I could never remember all of the names, but certainly want to recognize Carla and Arturo, Edgar, Eli, Randall we’re all fantastic. I would highly recommend the Santarena

I wouldn’t rate this property as highly as other reviewers. There’s no effort to have guests entertained or be involved in any activities. The beach area was totally occupied by the locals on the weekend and no lounge beach chairs were provided by hotel so how do you market yourself as beach front property when guests can’t even enjoy the beach under the extreme heat. Most staff didn’t speak English which’s odd since the hotel is in an area heavily visited by tourists. Breakfast was less than average, other restaurants around the property deserve a five star rating for quality and service which was the highlight of our stay. Wouldn’t recommend as an upscale hotel. Our room was barely cleaned. Rooftop pool not cared for properly and not maintained enough as my husband had so many bites from it. We travel quite a bit and this is the first time leaving a review since there were too many complaints. Description of where the hotel is could be more clearer, the trip to get there from airport was bad. No body seems to care to speak English. Also it was definitely a very hot week weather wise.

I wouldn’t rate this property as highly as other reviewers. There’s no effort to have guests entertained or be involved in any activities. The beach area was totally occupied by the locals on the weekend and no lounge beach chairs were provided by hotel so how do you market yourself as beach front property when guests can’t even enjoy the beach under the extreme heat. Most staff didn’t speak English which’s odd since the hotel is in an area heavily visited by tourists. Breakfast was less than average, other restaurants around the property deserve a five star rating for quality and service which was the highlight of our stay. Wouldn’t recommend as an upscale hotel. Our room was barely cleaned. Rooftop pool not cared for properly and not maintained enough as my husband had so many bites from it. We travel quite a bit and this is the first time leaving a review since there were too many complaints. Description of where the hotel is could be more clearer, the trip to get there from airport was bad. No body seems to care to speak English. Also it was definitely a very hot week weather wise.