South Beach Hotel

The location is great for the price, close to lots of good places, and check-in was easy. The beach looked stunning, and the pool looked nice, though I didn’t use it. Service was good overall, especially the very friendly staff at the bars and in the breakfast and restaurant area. The breakfast was delicious and free. The room was the main letdown. There was a large dead worm by the door when we arrived, which was gross and hadn’t been cleaned up. The lighting was so bad it was hard to get ready, and the fan didn’t work during our stay. The beds were okay, but there were only sheets, no comforters. There was no microwave, ironing board, or hair dryer. The bathroom was decent and fairly clean, though I didn’t like the screen window. We could hear other guests quite clearly. A few bugs got in, but the room was in a garden area, so I wasn’t too surprised and it wasn’t a big deal. We had to ask for more towels and washcloths on the first night, and for new pillows because ours were hard and flat. They also charged extra if beach towels got dirty, which I didn’t understand. The bigger problem came when my group returned late at night. The hotel is gated and was supposed to have 24/7 security to let guests in, but nobody was at the gate. We called the number posted for help and got no answer. After about 20 minutes outside, one of my friends had to crawl through the gate and get the security keys to let us in. Ridiculous. I’d recommend it for the location, but not the rooms or guest service. The rooms could use upgrades and more amenities.

I’d sent my parents to stay here because I’d enjoyed the affordable food and drinks on previous visits, though I’d never stayed overnight myself. One night they needed me to stay with them, and I did. The next morning I went to reception to return the key. The woman at the desk was extremely rude and refused to take it, but also wouldn’t let me leave because of their policies. She said my parents had to pay a fee for having me there and come in person to “bail me out.” It felt like I was being held prisoner. Then she threatened to call the police if I left. It was a nightmare, and I’ve never been harassed like that or had such poor service from a hotel employee in Costa Rica or anywhere else. She was rude and unprofessional. I strongly encourage the hotel to train its front desk staff in customer service.

The place was dirty and run down, with cockroaches in the bathroom. The windows were broken, so I didn’t feel safe leaving anything in the room. I absolutely wouldn’t recommend it.

One of the worst places in Jaco. The rooms are dated, and the windows don’t close all the way, so mosquitoes and flies get in. The furniture looks at least two centuries old. The walls are made of who knows what, but you can hear everything happening next door or outside. The beach was dirty.