Xandari Resort & Spa

Excellent Hotel close to the Airport (SJO)with a wonderful wilderness area, excellent restaurant and very friendly staff. Several pools (heated and non-heated) and a SPA are embedded in a very nice way.

I'm not usually one to open both barrels on trip advisor and have had an outstanding and faultless trip that we are just completing in Costa Rica. Having a daytime layover between an early flight in from Tamarindo today and an evening international long haul our travel agent booked this as a good hotel for the day. What a let down. It's not set up for it, and did it poorly. The receptionist clearly had his mind elsewhere and on other guests so it was a poor start. Our booking could not initially be found. Beyond the poor receptionist the staff at the foot of the reception stairs made no effort to help with luggage and the cart driver who we used later to take luggage to the spa just dropped them at the kerb. The spa receptionist seemed taken aback that we would need towels (tell me another decent hotel where you supply your own?). The exception being the restaurant waiting staff who seemed to take real care and attention. We needed to change first thing to be able to lounge by the pool but with no room it was suggested we use the lobby toilets - so we had to unpack in the lobby. Great! The use of the pools was 'restricted' to the bottom pool. Nice enough but again no changing or shower area. Not sure if this was a formal policy re pool, not what I had thought in advance. After a complaint, a shower room was provided via the spa but with little grace and a suggestion that I could have asked for it. I shouldn't have to, it should be offered and when we did ask for the morning changing we got the lobby toilets! As someone who stays in many good hotels, on a weekly basis and a very regular traveller, the service and approach was just all so wrong. Day guests are usually also high profit margin and if you restrict numbers so that it remains only a small element of the clientele it does not upset a good balance. This hotel does not seem to understand this. On the positives, that prevent the one star that at times I felt it rated, the grounds and views are good and the spa area looked lovely. Based on other reviews I may just have been unlucky, but I will not be trying this hotel group again. First impressions count, and the count was low Rant over.

We spent 2 nights at Xandari and enjoyed our stay. Our villa was lovely but it is a very open floor plan. It cools down at night and with the fans going it is very nice. We enjoyed dinner for 2 nights and both nights were very good. It is a little expensive but there are choices that are not to bad. We went into Alajuela for lunch as it was the same price as dinner at Xandari. My recommendation for lunch in Alajuela is Jalapeños. It was great Mexican food! The free breakfast at Xandari is very good and filled my family up. Also, enjoy the hiking trails if you have time. I walked every one of them and the 70ft waterfall is beautiful!! It is a hike down there but worth the steps. The west trail is also very pretty and you feel like you are in the middle of a jungle.

We were so impressed by the gigantic room and even larger patio. Super clean. The grounds and gardens are spectacular. It rained our one day there so we had spa treatments which were first class. Fantastic open air jacuzzi where we relaxed and watched the rain but were covered by a grass roof. All 3 meals were terrific with wonderful staff. Don't miss the hike to the waterfall. And the beautiful pools! An A+ last night in Costa Rica.

Just visited this place with my wife. I wouldnt be posting my review so quickly if this hadnt been such a wonderful experience. Though we only stayed one night, visiting Xandari was 100% worth it. The Villas were lovely. I cannot believe there was no T thought. Beatiful view to Alajuela in the Terrace of the room. Only the people of the Terrace from the room next door can see you, and we were lucky that room was not taken: complete privacy. Really good breakfast, really grew on me the fact that many of the things are preparred or grown there. Again, nice view to Alajuela from the restaurant. Pool and Jacuzzi in front of the room, which may be used even after 10 pm if you let the reception know beforehand. Main pool has the best view. Again, there is a Jacuzzi right next to it. Finally but most importantly, the Spa. Really private Jalapas with beatiful view to Alajuela again, equiped with Jacuzzi and then a full body massage that just took stress off us. Hopefully visitng again!