Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique

“What a resort!”

My partner and I just returned from a three-night stay at the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique, and I'm still in awe of this resort. Yes, it's brand new. Yes, it's perched above one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. Yes, the grounds are absolutely immaculate. But what truly make… more

My partner and I just returned from a three-night stay at the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique, and I'm still in awe of this resort. Yes, it's brand new. Yes, it's perched above one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. Yes, the grounds are absolutely immaculate. But what truly makes this one of the best resorts I have ever stayed at isn't the architecture or the views…it's the people and the incredible attention to detail. The experience starts long before you reach the lobby. As you drive down the nearly two-mile entrance road, you know you're headed somewhere special. The gated entrance with security immediately gives you a sense of exclusivity and privacy. By the time we pulled up to the arrival area, we were greeted by some of the warmest, friendliest people we've ever met. Our personal concierge, Freddy, along with the valet/door attendant (I believe his name was Raul), made us feel like family from the very first minute. We were welcomed with fresh coconut water, and after I casually mentioned how much I loved coconut water, another one magically appeared a few minutes later without me even asking. It wasn't a grand gesture; it was simply someone listening and caring. Those little moments are what separate good hotels from truly exceptional ones. Although our room wasn't ready because we had arrived early, Freddy couldn't have handled it better. He asked what brought us to Costa Rica, and I mentioned that seeing sloths was at the top of my bucket list. He assured us he'd personally come find us once our room was ready, took care of our luggage, gave us a golf cart tour of the property, and dropped us off at the pools so we could start enjoying our vacation. True to his word, he came back himself later that afternoon to let us know our suite was ready. While relaxing by the pool, we met one of the pool attendants, I believe his name was Yock, and he was phenomenal. He placed branded towel covers over our lounge chairs, asked if we'd like an umbrella, and when we said yes, he happily walked what felt like half the resort to bring one back. I actually felt bad asking because it was such a distance, but his genuine smile and attitude made it clear that making guests comfortable was something he truly enjoyed. He also took our drink orders and made us feel completely at home. One moment that really stood out was when Freddy introduced us to Loreana, the Director of Guest Services. She took time out of her day to personally welcome us, chat with us, and let us know we had been upgraded. She made us feel less like guests and more like friends visiting her home. Throughout our stay I continued seeing her walking the property, stopping to talk with guests, asking about their vacations, and making sure everyone was having a memorable experience. That's the kind of leadership that creates an incredible culture, and it shows throughout the resort. When Freddy finally escorted us to our room, we were blown away. The suite was absolutely stunning. I would have been perfectly happy with a standard room, but this suite exceeded every expectation. The views were breathtaking, the design was beautiful, and every detail felt thoughtfully planned. Housekeeping and evening turndown service were flawless every single day. We also had dinner at Tico Tica, and both the food and service were outstanding. If you eat there, do yourself a favor and order the tomato empanada to start…it was one of our favorite small dishes of the trip. We also stopped by the ice cream shop, and the banana caramel flavor was incredible. The resort provides complimentary snorkeling equipment, which we took advantage of one afternoon. The water was crystal clear, incredibly warm, and perfect for exploring the bay. Every employee we encountered, whether at the restaurants, around the pools, housekeeping, or simply passing by, offered a smile and a warm greeting. But the moment that completely won us over happened on our final evening. Remember when I told Freddy I really wanted to see sloths? We had spent most of our days exploring Costa Rica, so after that first day we only crossed paths with him a few more times. On our last night, we returned to our room to find two adorable stuffed sloths on top of hats waiting on our table, along with a handwritten card thanking us for staying and explaining they wanted to make sure we had sloths to take home just in case we hadn't seen any during our trip. This was such an amazing final touch to our stay and gift to bring back home. I honestly don't remember the last time a hotel made me smile that much. That wasn't luxury. That was thoughtfulness. That was genuine hospitality. Anyone can build a beautiful resort with infinity pools and stunning ocean views. Very few resorts create a team that consistently delivers heartfelt service like this. Every interaction felt sincere rather than scripted, and every employee genuinely seemed to care that we had an unforgettable vacation. To everyone at the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique…thank you. You didn't just provide us with a beautiful place to stay; you created memories we'll never forget. If you're considering staying here, stop debating and book it. The resort itself is spectacular, but it's the people who make it one of the finest luxury resorts I've ever experienced. We will absolutely be back.

less

“5 stars”

This resort was perfect for our family of 4 with 2 kids ages 6&9. We loved all the amenities and the staff were so kind. Every person was beyond accommodating. We loved it so much we booked another trip in 2027.

“Great property, great views, great location!”

Beautiful property on Playa Penca in the Gulf of Papagayo. Sunsets are amazing, views of the gulf are exceptional, the guest rooms are very nice, the grounds exceptionally maintained, and the hospitality is as you'd expect at a Waldorf property, great. The pools are very nice but there is a need f… more

Beautiful property on Playa Penca in the Gulf of Papagayo. Sunsets are amazing, views of the gulf are exceptional, the guest rooms are very nice, the grounds exceptionally maintained, and the hospitality is as you'd expect at a Waldorf property, great. The pools are very nice but there is a need for a couple adult only options. The pool deck staff members are all fantastic, very friendly and attentive, although the pool-side beverages are a little light on the 'pours' for $20+ drinks. The property is built into the hillside. Easy to get around on foot or the staff are available with golf carts to get you from point to point. The dining options on the property were all great. Great food and great staff. Also spent a morning in the spa which was well-worth the experience. Thank you to the entire Waldorf staff for 5 amazing days. Can't wait to return to Costa Rica again soon.

less