Guanacaste Lodge

A chill, simple, quiet hotel, and we had a great stay. It's not luxurious, but the bed is comfortable, the A/C works, there's a pool, and breakfast is included. Right next door is a well-stocked supermarket with souvenirs and a great automatic coffee machine that makes tasty coffee.

The rooms are spacious, with comfortable beds, a good refrigerator, lots of storage, and the daily cleaning was done well. The staff were friendly, and there is a large parking area, a pool, beach towels, and a beach not too far away by car. Still, after three nights we left very disappointed. The hotel has a 4.5 out of 5 online rating, which we don't understand at all. It doesn't match what we experienced. The location was a problem. There's a very noisy road beside the hotel, and a large residential complex is being built behind the fence. Trucks start waking you at 6 a.m. The hotel says the sea is about a seven-minute walk away, but it's a marina with yachts and boats, not a beach. There's no sidewalk and traffic is heavy, so we didn't feel safe walking there. The property is old and poorly maintained. Around the fence and perimeter, what looked like a dump had broken plastic furniture, plant waste, old roof tiles, and other rubbish. I saw an employee carry a bag of garbage and throw it into a remote part of the grounds instead of disposing of it properly. The walls in our room had visible stains, the furniture was worn, and there wasn't any dishware, not even glasses. There were no napkins, just a bar of soap, and ants in the room. Breakfast was a serious concern. There were lots of flies, and when I looked into the kitchen, I was shocked by the dirt, poor hygiene, and bad smell. The food was very basic and the same every day. On the third day there was only a spoonful of mayonnaise instead of cheese. After that third day, we developed diarrhea, which made us worry about food safety. There was always a man lying in a hammock near the pool. He might have been part of the owners' family. He didn't greet or interact with guests, and his constant presence in the shared guest area made us uncomfortable. If he wasn't a guest, we didn't understand why he was always there. We don't think the hotel deserves its high rating. We're sharing this so other travelers can lower their expectations and think carefully before choosing it.

The pool and grounds were peaceful and clean. Rooms are large and affordable, the staff are very friendly, and there are hot showers.

When I travel in Costa Rica, this is my preferred place to stay. It's always warm and hospitable, and I find it comfortable. The surrounding views are truly awe-inspiring.