The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel

We drove over from Playa Flamingo for the day, had a leisurely lunch at La Luna, then decided to find a hotel and stay the night. We were glad we came across this one. Everyone, from reception to the bar, was friendly and helpful, and breakfast was included and very good. Thanks to Gustavo and Marcello, the bartenders, for making great drinks, putting up with my travel companions, and even charging our phones. I'd love to get the Beef Tartare recipe. Could you ask the chef whether they used cecina beef? It was a distinctive dish, and I appreciated Marcello recommending it.

We returned to the Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel for the second time and it was just as good. We were in Nosara for our eldest son's wedding, and the hotel was where he and his bride welcomed their guests the night before. The celebration was wonderful, with great food and drinks, and the bar team kept things lively. The grounds were spotless, the rooms comfortable and well equipped, and everyone was friendly and ready to help. From reception to the bar, restaurant, and housekeeping, we were met with smiles. We didn't have time for the spa this visit, though we'd been before and found it amazing. Excellent customer service really is their signature. A few people helped make our stay especially nice: Loren, the professional and attentive hotel manager; Melissa in reservations, who arranged our transport ahead of time; Francisco, who helped with our bags and room needs and even asked about the wedding the next day; Randall, always ready to answer questions with a kind, professional attitude; Marvin, who greeted us with a smile after our long drive; and my amigo Bryan, who was always cheerful at the breakfast buffet. Loren clearly inspires a great team. This is a wonderful place to stay in Costa Rica. Thank you!

Nosara has held onto its small surf-town charm over the past ten years, even as more visitors have found it, and the Gilded Iguana is a great base for enjoying it with family and friends. This is our favorite getaway of all time. The rooms are clean and refreshing, the pool is iconic, and the staff are attentive and personal. Some of our favorite employees over the years, JC, Emerson, Andres, Dylan, David, Johann, Jaime, and Lauren, still recognize us even when they're working at another restaurant or bar in town. We hate to leave anyone out! Prices have stayed fairly consistent over the years, with some inflation. Alcoholic drinks, though, have gone up a lot. That's fine with us since there are great beach bars and markets just a short walk away. We'll definitely be back!

We had a great two-night stay. The room was clean, breakfast was amazing, and the staff were really nice. The Surf Club class was a letdown, though. We paid $83 + taxes per person for a group lesson for three, and the instructor seemed bored the whole time, as if he was counting down until he could leave. We told the Hotel about it, and they refunded 33% of the class fee, which was a nice gesture.