Santarena Hotel at Las Catalinas

We had a lovely seven days at Santorini Hotel. It looks just like the photos, maybe even prettier in person, and the beach is only a few steps away despite seeming farther in the pictures. Our Room 303 faced the courtyard, with a little unexpected glimpse of the ocean. We visited in late November and early December and barely encountered mosquitoes. The location also suited us well since Tamarindo was about an hour's drive and we spent a lot of time there. A few people really stood out. Manuel at Pots and Bowls, my favorite place for Thai chai tea, was so friendly. Danny at Copperstone Grocery Store was always welcoming, and Joseph, Adrian, and Arturo at the main lobby valet were consistently prompt, kind, and helpful. We appreciated tipping them $1-$2 USD when they brought the car. There are a couple of practical things that could be better. We couldn't find a clearly marked place to rinse beach sand, so we often used the decorative water feature in the central area. The refrigerator in the room was set very low, which made it a bit awkward to use. Breakfast on site was quite plain for $25, while Pots and Bowls just steps away had a much better breakfast. Even so, we loved our stay and would gladly recommend Santorini Hotel.

Las Catalinas feels like a small connected community, with restaurants within easy walking distance, a gorgeous beach, and sunsets that take your breath away. The hotel rooms are lovely, with high ceilings, premium linens, and incredible views. We upgraded to an ocean view room and thought the stunning view was well worth it. The Center of Joy wellness center was a special part of the stay. It has massage rooms with Himalayan salt walls and a sound room for sound healing. Everyone on staff was generous, kind, and helpful. Between the relaxing rooms and the restorative, luxurious feel of the whole place, this was an amazing stay.

We were happy with our first stay at the hotel while visiting Las Catalinas. Since we planned to eat at the local restaurants, it worked well for us. If you're trying to save money by cooking for yourself, an Airbnb in town would make more sense.

The sunset from the beach was beautiful, but our stay was extremely disappointing. We were there with a group for a wedding, and while we were at the event, cash was stolen from three families' rooms, including money kept in room safes. Only USD was taken. Management denied responsibility, saying there was “no evidence,” even though past reviews describe similar reports. Guests should know that the room safe did not seem secure to us. Other problems added up: there was nowhere to sit on the beach, no showers or foot-rinsing facilities, and basic items were missing from the rooms. The breakfast area was open to birds. There was just one small, crowded rooftop pool, and prices were very high given how remote the location is. The views are nice, but the security concerns and lack of basic services outweighed them for us.