El Mangroove, Autograph Collection

This has always been the first or last stop on my many trips to Costa Rica, given the proximity to the airport. Typically I will buy several rooms at a time for business or family use. Unfortunately, the state of this hotel has steeply declined. What was once an architectural marvel is now a neglected property. Although I was given an “upgrade”, I mentioned several times that it was not the room I wanted (for multiple reasons). They could not care less and even laughed at me at the front desk. They have not been maintaining the grounds (see photo of my room view), which are considerably more run down from previous years. Additionally, there are limited food options. On a Saturday night at 6pm, only one restaurant was open. It seemed like it was trying to be a more upscale. I wanted a regular hamburger (not a $42 wagyu burger with black bun). The bartender called me cheap and another kept glaring at me. They told me they could only do it on room service so I had to eat my last meal in Costa Rica in my bed instead of the restaurant area. Sad to see the place decline, but there are other properties near the airport that are currently managed much better, so I will start staying there.

We went on an Azul boat trip with Daniel & Esteban. It was magical! We saw monkeys, dolphins & turtles. They made the entire trip with their happy and great attitudes all day. If you must take a trip it has to be with them.

This was a fantastic vacation! It was our first trip with our 4 month old daughter and the El Mangroove hotel couldn't have been a better choice! The tranquil feel made this family friendly hotel feel like an adults only paradise, but with our daughter! The cabanas are a GREAT deal! You get drinks, a mini-fridge, a TV and snacks brought by every hour! Jose, Roberto and JuanCarlo were FANTASTIC and did everything above and beyond to anticipate our needs and our baby girl's needs. The only thing that could have been better was the food, particularly at Makoko. It was very expensive and rather mediocre, however the staff there were excellent and kept a steady stream of cool hand towels for our baby when she got hot at dinner. Pro Tip: Look for the iguana that lives in the tree, but beware! They will steal food off of your plate.

We just returned from an incredible week at El Mangroove, Autograph Collection, and honestly, we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The atmosphere was beautiful, relaxing, and the service throughout our stay was exceptional. Everyone was friendly, attentive, and always willing to help. I also want to share a special recommendation for Gabriel from Nomad Tours Costa Rica. My sister had visited Costa Rica before and recommended Gabriel to us, and we are so glad she did. From the beginning, he helped us organize everything and made our experience so easy and enjoyable. We did several amazing activities, including a rainforest hike where we got to swim in a beautiful waterfall, a catamaran and snorkeling tour, and a beach tour. We also had a photo session on the beach, which was such a fun way to capture some of our favorite memories from the trip. Everything was fantastic, and we really enjoyed the places we visited and the whole Costa Rican experience. We are already planning our next visit because there is still so much more we want to explore! Thank you for an unforgettable vacation. Costa Rica is truly an incredible place, and we can’t wait to come back!

El Mangroove is a beautiful hotel with an amazing atmosphere, surrounded by nature and featuring a very stylish design. The property itself is impressive, and the pool area is especially enjoyable. The pool team provided excellent service and very attentive care, and overall the staff was warm and welcoming. Unfortunately, my experience was significantly affected by communication and billing issues, particularly with the check-in and check-out teams. During my stay, I repeatedly had difficulty getting clear information about the breakfast options and pricing. Different information was provided by the restaurant and lobby teams, and the options and prices were not clearly explained. To make matters worse, I was later charged more than $100 for a meal I did not consume. After reviewing my credit card charges, I also noticed additional amounts that either were not clearly listed on my receipts or were not part of what I understood I had purchased. These issues are especially disappointing at a hotel of this level. The staff are genuinely friendly, but there seems to be a lack of consistency, ownership, and clear communication between the different teams. I also found the dinner at Makoko disappointing for the price. The menu was not particularly memorable and, in my opinion, did not justify the amount paid. Overall, the property has tremendous potential. The setting, architecture, atmosphere and pool experience are wonderful, and the warmth of the staff is a real strength. However, the check-in, check-out and billing processes need significant improvement. Clearer communication and better coordination between the lobby, restaurant and billing teams would make a substantial difference. I really wanted to love the overall experience because the hotel itself is beautiful. Unfortunately, the avoidable communication and billing problems left me disappointed.