Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

We spent the day at the hotel rather than staying overnight. The thermal rivers were rejuvenating, and we had a delicious meal in one of the cabanas. Later, at the pool swim-up bar, we enjoyed a sunset mocktail and a guanábana colada served in a pineapple. Friendly, helpful staff made the day even better. We stayed after dark for the lights in the trees and pool. It was relaxing and detoxifying, and well worth it. Highly recommend the day experience.

We had a few hiccups over four nights, but this was still a beautiful place for a Costa Rica getaway. As a vegetarian, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and range of veggie, vegan, and gluten-free dishes. The spacious suite had all the right amenities. One problem was the lukewarm water in both the shower and bath. Staff said it was the same water as the thermal springs, though the pools were warmer. The buffet breakfast changed daily and included eggs cooked to order. We even spotted a sloth from the restaurant. The two on-site restaurants served good-sized portions for lunch and dinner. Service was excellent, including food and drinks delivered to chairs at the pool or thermal spa. The beautiful spa was relaxing, though pretty steeply priced. The service included an hour in a secluded hot tub, and the massage cabana was stunning. Brayan deserves a shout-out for making each day better with spectacular service and a dazzling smile. He went the extra mile from the lobby bar to the pool. The resort is just down the road from La Fortuna, with lots of tours and activities a short drive away. A lovely place to unwind and treat yourself.

The grounds are beautiful, the thermal springs complex is very nice, and everyone working here was very nice. Brayan the bartender was especially welcoming. But several things need fixing. The cabana lounges at the springs have no cover from rain, and the whole restaurant was booked for a group of 50, leaving no tables for other guests to reserve. Our shower and tub water was lukewarm. Staff initially blamed the hot springs water, but agreed to investigate only after I said people in the neighboring room had very hot water. The sink also leaked, and housekeeping should have told facilities. The lobby coffee bar doesn't open until 8, even though many guests head out on excursions earlier. There were plenty of other small problems that added up. You can spend your money at better options in the area.

The thermal springs and the lush setting were the standout parts of our five nights at Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa. We saw a different variety of birds each day, and the whole place is stunning. We also enjoyed the couples massage, morning yoga, and the handy shuttle to and from the hot springs. The breakfast staff were kind and attentive. Some parts of the stay felt less luxurious than we expected. Our room had no bathtub, and the minibar was packed with drinks for purchase, so there was no room to put anything of our own in it. The coffee in the room wasn't very good either. Compared with another SLH property, Senda, Tabacón had fewer in-room amenities and personal touches, like complimentary laundry, snacks, drinks, or other thoughtful extras. The atmosphere also felt busier and less peaceful than we'd expected. Service varied: some staff came across as formal and a bit dry, while others were warm and welcoming. We still had a really nice stay, and the resort is memorable and worth experiencing. It could feel more attentive and genuinely welcoming, though, and closer to the luxury standard we expected.