Punta Tamarindo

The beach is world class, and there are lots of places nearby to eat, shop, drink, and party. I’m hoping to come back soon with friends and rent the whole place. I was really impressed with Punta Tamarindo and Brisas de Zicaleta. My bungalow was outstanding, and the bungalows are arranged closely around a small swimming pool. My room and bathroom were almost perfect. The fan moved the warm air well, so I didn’t use the AC. The shower and bathroom were great, and the location is excellent.

It was very clean, the decor was lovely, and the location was good. The pool is small but nice for cooling off. We rented the two-story villa, but the rooms were tiny, and the hotel itself is very small with little privacy. All the rooms face the pool, so you don’t get much privacy there either. The Wi-Fi never worked during our stay, and we couldn’t use the TV because there was no signal and the remote didn’t work. In my opinion, it wasn’t worth the price.

The rooms look better in photos than they feel in person. They're tiny, with almost nowhere to put or hang clothes, and the beds aren't comfortable. Since so much of the room is windows, morning light gets through even with the curtains. We were there for a week, and on three days the electricity cut out for two to three hours each time. I know that's not the accommodation's fault, but there are ways to deal with it, and the heat was unbearable. The outdoor areas were fine. They do clean, but towels and sheets weren't changed every day. It's okay if you just need somewhere to sleep while you're out exploring all day, but it isn't really a hotel.

What you get doesn't match what's advertised, which made the stay disappointing. This is a self-check-in hostel, not a hotel: there's no reception, lobby, staff, or security guard, and picking up the key is entirely self-service. The description also doesn't mention the grocery store right next door. Most concerning, the rooms have no doors and open straight onto the pool. Windows are the only enclosure, so privacy and security are an issue. If you want a hotel with basic amenities, this isn't the place.