Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort

Our stay at this beautiful oceanfront hotel in Costa Rica was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm, genuine hospitality that made us feel instantly welcome. The location is spectacular, with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean from nearly every corner of the property. Waking up to the sound of the waves and enjoying stunning sunsets each evening was an unforgettable experience. Our room was spacious, spotless, and thoughtfully designed, offering both comfort and incredible ocean views. The staff consistently went above and beyond to ensure every detail of our stay was perfect. The dining experience was outstanding, featuring fresh local ingredients, delicious seafood, and excellent service. Whether relaxing by the pool, walking along the beach, or simply enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, every moment felt special. If you’re looking for a place that combines natural beauty and authentic Costa Rican charm, this hotel is an absolute gem. We left with wonderful memories and look forward to a return visit.

I can only comment on the Playitas Beachfront Restaurant. We turned up unannounced at hotel reception asking if we could have lunch as my daughter is coeliac and we knew they catered for restricted diets. We were taken down to the restaurant in a little golf cart and then positioned at a table on the beach under a shady palm tree. Very friendly and knowledgeable wait staff. Best ceviche I've ever had and a great spiced pineapple cocktail to accompany. Staff the delighted in showing us a sloth asleep in a nearby tree. A really lovely couple of hours. Just wished we were staying there!

Let's start with the good: pretty pools, great views of the coastline, WiFi around the property, Yoga class was fun. The bad: Inconsistent service -- your experience depends so much on the waiter you have at any point. Example 1: I ordered the same sandwich for breakfast on three occasions and it was only on the 3rd time that I was asked if I wanted one of two of the sides that it came with (huh?). On the flip, my partner was offered sides for his sandwiches on 2/3 occasions. I would also ask for ketchup/hot sauce for my breakfast and they would never bring it. There is only so much nudging I can do. Example 2: Our friends at the property were under the impression that you simply could not order food from the main lobby bar during lunch (delivered from Playitas) because the staff discouraged them vehemently. It was in fact a service they provided that we used all the time. The ugly: 1) We went down to Playitas the evening we got in and came back the next morning only to find our towels, empty and sticky drink glasses, and other guests' glass bottles from the night before right where we left them the previous afternoon. It felt dirty. I gladly brought the empty cups in the chairs that we had been sitting to the bar so that they could wash them. 2) Laundry -- they offer a free service of laundry for each stay. We stayed 7 days. On the 6th day around 2pm I asked a staff member if we could still do laundry. He said, yeah it can be ready by tonight or tomorrow morning. When I contacted the front desk to have the laundry done they declined, saying that they needed 24 hours to do it (a reasonable timeline, but clearly one that is not codified in the policy of the hotel, evidenced by the fact that senior hotel staff thought it possible). What's more, the staff member who said they should be able to do it had tried to intercede on our behalf to ensure that we got it and they ignored him too. I also told them I could stay and wait for the laundry for about (18-20 hrs) and they declined to help. 3) Learning about the 2025 carbon monoxide fatality on the property made our last night genuinely uneasy. I'd encourage the hotel to be more transparent with guests about what safety measures are now in place. Lessons for management: -- Recency bias is real-- the fact that you disappointed me on my last night left a bad taste in my mouth. -- Consistency in service is crucial. I realize you've had quite a bit of turnover since the tragic death (according to staff). Please prioritize this. If people can't remember orders, then have them write them down, for example. Bottom line, you are not delivering a service befitting a 5-star resort and there are lot of small changes you can make to improve that and be the hotel you want to be. This was my honeymoon trip and I expected more.

This place is absolutely charming. Great Poole’s great beach, really nice restaurants. Even when quepos is packed this resort feels well managed. Loved the live music at the restaurant as well. The monkey mafia drive the staff crazy but certainly charmed us. We will be back to this wonderful resort!

We stayed at this hotel for three days and overall had a truly great experience. Our arrival was a bit rough at first, but what really stood out was how the staff handled everything afterward. From that moment on, the entire team went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and comfortable. Everyone was incredibly friendly, open, and genuinely caring. A special mention goes to Krishne, who took exceptional care of us. His level of attention and hospitality was outstanding and made a real difference in our stay. He even gave me his own perfume after I asked about it, such a thoughtful and unexpected gesture. All in all, a very positive experience, and we would definitely recommend this hotel to others.