Hotel Giada

We were upfront warned there could be road noise, but coming from downtown Toronto, it felt quiet by comparison. The little apartment was immaculate and off site, but came with hotel access and services. Hotel Giada was a fantastic find in the heart of Playa Samara, with a warm welcome at reception and everything we wanted. We stayed a few days, with a short stroll to the beach and into town for supplies, and felt immersed in Costa Rican life. This time of year there were rodeos, and New Year’s Eve horsemen rode along the Main Street. What a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

After the cottage I’d booked on Booking.com turned out nothing like its online description, I was stuck without a place during high season. Hotel Giada had a room, and it was a huge relief. I was surprised by the two pools, landscaping and spacious room, with a refrigerator, great shower and TV that had some shows in English. The staff were incredibly helpful when I was stressed. Restaurants, shops, the beach and buses are all nearby.

The attached Italian restaurant was solid, and hotel guests get a discount. The town is small, so it’s easy to get around. I stayed two days in June and found the hotel good-looking, with two nice pools, and the room was clean and spacious with working AC. Staff were friendly and helpful. The shower didn’t get hot, but I was sunburned and didn’t mind.

You get a lot for the price here. The room was cozy and a nice place to relax, and little touches like grab bars in the shower were appreciated in case the floor gets slippery. The owner and maintenance guy regularly check that the two pools stay clean and working. There’s AC, hot water and blankets, which you don’t get at many places in Costa Rica. I really enjoyed the value, since many of the nicer options seem to cost about three times as much per night.