Hotel Playa Westfalia

We only wished we'd had more time here. The hotel sits by the ocean, with beautiful beaches and hardly anyone else around. The pool was spotless, as were the rooms, and the bed was just right, with crisp white sheets, one big fluffy pillow, and a smaller one. The bathrooms felt like a spa and were immaculate. There were lots of thoughtful little touches that showed how much care goes into the business. Breakfast was unlike anywhere else, and you could order from a menu. We couldn't have been happier.

We had the garden view room, which definitely had the best view. The hotel is tucked into the jungle, quiet and right on the beach, with private access. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the onsite restaurant was delicious. The same family runs it.

The beach is just behind the hotel, with huge waves, and it felt like we had it almost to ourselves. The pool area is secluded, pleasant, and relaxing. Our room was clean, everything worked, and we enjoyed our stay.

The staff were lovely, attentive, and gave wonderful service. The hotel itself was a letdown, though, and looked much better in the photos. The pool water was very cloudy and filthy. In the bathroom, more water came out of the wall than the shower, and the shower only trickled, so washing my shoulder-length hair took ages. My phone signal on the Claro network CR was patchy, which I attributed to a nearby prison. There was nothing within walking distance, and with unreliable 4G I didn't want to go into town. The restaurant and bar were okay, nothing special. I checked out early.