LAYAN Hotel & Spa

The restaurant’s carbonara pasta was my favorite dish. I swapped the bacon for grilled chicken and it was AMAZING! Parking in the small lot could be a problem if you rent a car. Overall, we were very happy with our nine-day stay at Layan hotel and spa. It’s a beautiful little hotel, and the staff make you feel like family. We stayed in a roomy family suite. Our almost 3 year old had space to run around and play hide and seek on rainy days. The balcony and view were amazing. We saw lots of iguanas, and monkeys came to our balcony a few times. The road outside was under construction while we were there, and it was loud at times.

The staff were warm and friendly, always greeting us with a big smile. The hotel is organized and clean, though some areas could use fresh paint. Our room was clean and nice, but the complex layout is maze-like, with rooms tucked away in different spots. It’s set on a bend in the mountainside, with spectacular views of Manuel Antonio (playa Espadilla). The pool is large, with several lounge areas and views for both sunrise and sunset. There’s an open-air covered seating area at the first-floor restaurant, which offers 10 breakfast choices. Charlie, an iguana, acts like the hotel mascot and is harmless. The road from the main road is under construction, with potholes, mud, workers, and equipment. Hopefully it’ll be fully paved by December. Playa Baisanz is a short walk away and worth a visit, although the path down is rough and muddy. Shoes or water socks with rubber soles are a good idea. The beach has bathrooms and showers for a small fee of $1-$3. Chairs and umbrellas can be rented for $10-$20 a day, and a private groups also sells food and drinks. I’d recommend this place for its quiet, views, and location.

The staff were helpful and friendly, and even pointed out wildlife in the nearby trees. The pool was lovely. Breakfast had plenty of choices, and the meal we ate there was tasty, if a little expensive. The views were good, with most rooms facing south/east for nice sunrises. Some parts of the hotel are tired and need revamping, including exterior areas and our first room. It was dated and, though large with a huge bathroom, its balcony was directly above the carpark. It was also the most expensive room/hotel of our holiday, so it definitely wasn’t what I’d call 'superior'. Anyone arriving or leaving could look straight at us while we sat outside. After I complained, they showed us another room that was much nicer, with a private balcony and a more up-to-date interior. Staff even helped move our things. The hotel was fine overall, but the surrounding area and road were run down. A taxi to the national park or Quepos was ten dollars. Walking back up to the main road took a good 20-25 mins, and there’s a nice supermarket and French bakery there. Biesanz beach was a ten-minute walk, but the path was muddy once off the road. It was busy with local families when we visited, and the water was murky with a strong pull. We later went to Playa Playitas and liked it much more. It’s about a 25-minute walk from the hotel, but worth it. Follow directions to Cocos bar. There’s parking, which would be much more convenient.

The rooms are huge, the view is easily a 10/10, and the pool bar and breakfast staff worked hard and were generally great. That makes the state of the place all the more disappointing. The supposed recent renovation seems almost mythical: cracked windows, chipped floor tiles, and broken roof tiles left in plain sight made the property feel partly ruined. My shower had no door, and the stained blinds showed how poor the upkeep was. At the front desk, staff barely acknowledged us when we came in and seemed more interested in chatting with one another. The location and the hotel's basic structure are lovely, but it feels like management has given up. I'd stop for a drink and the view, then stay at the boutique hotel 50m down the road, which is clean, finished, and welcoming.