Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica - All Inclusive

“it was an experience!”

Please note: The hotel is scheduled for renovations in August, so this review reflects our experience BEFORE the renovation. Keep that in mind while reading. Overall, we had a good experience at the Riu Palace Costa Rica in Guanacaste, but there were definitely some areas that needed updating, whic… more

Please note: The hotel is scheduled for renovations in August, so this review reflects our experience BEFORE the renovation. Keep that in mind while reading. Overall, we had a good experience at the Riu Palace Costa Rica in Guanacaste, but there were definitely some areas that needed updating, which hopefully the upcoming renovation will address. First, the property itself is beautiful. The exterior of the hotel is stunning with its bright white architecture, and the grounds are gorgeous. The staff was friendly, welcoming, and provided great hospitality throughout our stay. The food was also surprisingly good for an all-inclusive resort. We enjoyed several meals and would happily eat there again. That said, if you're booking an all-inclusive resort, understand what comes with it. This is not the place if you're looking for complete peace and quiet. The pools and bars, both indoors and outdoors, were lively and often full of guests enjoying unlimited drinks. It can get loud, but honestly, that's to be expected at an all-inclusive where beverages are included all day long. The biggest drawback was the condition of the rooms. You can tell that years ago this was probably the premier place to stay, but the rooms have not kept up with the rest of the property. Our bed sat on roller casters, there was no fitted sheet, just a flat sheet stretched over the mattress, and several furnishings showed significant wear. The couch was dirty and fraying, the floors didn't feel clean, and many of the tables looked like they had been painted over multiple times and were showing their age. To be completely honest, I felt uncomfortable when we first walked into the room because it didn't feel clean. We requested additional housekeeping, and while I don't think the housekeeping manager was thrilled with us afterward, the room was cleaned again and things improved significantly. Let's just say we got "the look" for the remainder of our stay! Once that was taken care of, we made the best of it and enjoyed our vacation. The beach was a lot of fun and exactly what you'd expect in Costa Rica. There was always someone walking by offering fresh coconuts, with or without alcohol, and occasionally asking if you wanted something else to "relax" with. It definitely added some humor and local flavor to the experience. One thing to consider is the location. While it's great for lounging by the pool, spending time on the beach, and enjoying the ocean, it isn't the most convenient base for excursions or exploring local towns and cities. If your goal is to get out and see more of Costa Rica, there are better locations. Personally, if I were to return, I would probably stay in Manuel Antonio, where I could enjoy both the beach and easier access to sightseeing and activities. Overall, we had a good time. The property is beautiful, the staff was kind, the food was enjoyable, and the beach was great. The upcoming renovations are badly needed and will hopefully bring the rooms up to the same standard as the rest of the resort. If that happens, I think this could once again become a top destination in Guanacaste.

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