El Mangroove, Autograph Collection

Prior to my arrival, I messaged the hotel through the Marriott Bonvoy app to express that we were very much looking forward to our stay and to share that the trip was in celebration of a 40th birthday. The individual who responded via the app indicated that they would arrange an upgrade for our reservation and notify the concierge of the occasion. Upon arrival, nor throughout the entire stay, there was no acknowledgment of the birthday celebration from any staff member. Not a huge deal, but it set an underwhelming tone given the assurances provided prior to check-in. At check-in, I was informed that we had received an upgrade, however our room was not yet ready. We were asked to return later, which we did after a few hours. Once we received our keys and went to view the room, it was not apparent in any way that the room was an upgrade. The room type, layout, and overall size appeared consistent with what I had originally booked lol. I returned to the front desk to seek clarification and was told that the “upgrade” was from a two-queen room to a king room. This was confusing, as I had already modified my reservation to a king room once I noticed availability via the app a week prior. I pulled up my confirmation email in front of the worker at the front desk to verify this. After some discussion, I was then told that the upgrade consisted of having full air conditioning throughout the room. While I appreciate any comfort enhancements, this explanation felt inconsistent and did not align with what would typically be described as an upgrade, particularly at a resort of this caliber. I then inquired whether there was any possibility of a room with a balcony or outdoor space instead. I was told that the hotel was fully booked and that no such rooms were available. However, while still standing at the front desk, I opened the Marriott app and was able to see balcony rooms available for booking for the same number of nights. This left me unclear as to why I was being told that no such rooms were available. At that point, I chose to drop the matter. I was exhausted from travel and increasingly disappointed with the check-in experience. I believe my expectations were simply higher given the reputation of El Mangroove as an elevated property, combined with the pre-arrival communication that suggested a more personalized and thoughtful experience. Unfortunately, that expectation was not met, and the lack of acknowledgment regarding the special occasion only added to the overall disappointment. I am intentionally leaving worker’s names out of this review to not upset anyone in particular. Another point of concern was the hotel’s food and beverage offerings and the lack of accurate communication surrounding them. The hotel website advertises four on-property restaurants; however, during our stay, only two were open, and neither operated with consistent all-day hours. I understand that during slow season, it doesn’t make economic sense for everything to be open, but this is information that should be clearly disclosed to guests in advance, as dining options are a significant factor when choosing a resort property—particularly one that is somewhat isolated. Room service was available and, at first glance, appeared to be a more affordable option. However, it quickly became apparent that room service consisted of the same menu items offered at Matiss, simply delivered to the room. While this is not an issue, it further limited dining variety and reinforced the sense that fewer options were available than what was advertised. Compounding this issue was the inconsistency in information provided by staff. Each time we attempted to confirm restaurant hours or availability, we received different answers depending on whether we spoke with the front desk or the restaurant hostesses. This made it difficult to plan meals or organize our day effectively, and it created unnecessary confusion throughout the stay. For a resort positioned as a premium experience, accurate and consistent communication—particularly around dining availability—is essential, and this was unfortunately lacking. As a result of the limited availability, inconsistent hours, and repetitive nature of the dining options, we ultimately chose on several occasions to dine off property in nearby towns. While we enjoy exploring local areas, this was not our original intention, nor was it what we expected when booking a resort stay with multiple advertised on-site dining options. That said, when we did dine at the hotel, the quality of the food itself was good. In particular, the breakfast buffet stood out as exceptional and was consistently one of the highlights of our stay. There was an interaction that raised concerns regarding staff awareness and security. When asking the front desk a simple question about an individual positioned near the valet stand, the staff member was unable to confirm whether that person was, in fact, a hotel valet or an authorized employee. This lack of clarity around who is and is not hotel staff was unsettling and not something I would expect at a resort of this caliber. He ended up not being a staff member, but a third party shuttle driver just hanging around the valet stand. Lastly, while this may not be immediately apparent to first-time guests, it became clear that unless one plans to remain on the property for the entirety of their stay, having a car is very helpful. Without transportation, the resort experience can begin to feel repetitive and limiting. This is not inherently negative, but it is something that should be more clearly understood via reviews, etc. so guests can plan accordingly and set appropriate expectations. This resort is small, so you will see the same people daily doing the same things. Staying at a resort all day and night is great for a lot of people, and I can appreciate that, but for me personally, I like to go out and explore the area and nearby towns. So, I just wanted to mention that tidbit for anyone else who may feel similar. The resort does offer free bikes, but the roads are so hilly I don’t know where you could really go with them. In conclusion, I would also like to clarify that I am not someone who typically draws attention to personal milestones or expects special treatment. It was only with the encouragement of my travel companion that I mentioned the 40th birthday prior to arrival, particularly after being told through pre-arrival messaging that it would be noted. Given that context, I was genuinely a little disappointed throughout the stay. We still made the most of our trip and enjoyed aspects of our time in Guanacaste; however, the cumulative effect of the issues outlined above ultimately shaped my overall impression of the property. I think I will give El Mangroove another stay but it would be with significantly adjusted expectations and a clearer understanding of what to anticipate. I am sharing this feedback candidly and constructively, as I believe El Mangroove has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience. Unfortunately, during this visit, that potential was not consistently realized.

Henry is the best. Will be back because of him. As I’m typing this he is driving us back to our villa in a golf cart. Thanks Henry!!

We had an amazing experience at El Mangroove. We came to check out the property for our wedding in 2027 and are excited to get married here next year! We loved how friendly everyone was. All of the staff remembered our names, and Henry and Kervin took such great care of us by the pool! We were never without a drink in our hands. The property is very relaxing, and we loved the hotel beds. We slept so well! Excited to come back.

We really enjoyed our stay here, the hotel is charming, peaceful, and has a beautiful setting. Our room worked perfectly for our family of four, and our teenage kids loved the pool and the chance to kayak in the bay. On the beach, we also saw monkeys and iguanas, which was a wonderful experience. After reading several good reviews about Nomadtourscr, we decided to book the Buena Vista Adventure tour. It turned out to be a fantastic experience for our family. Ronald, our guide, was amazing and shared so much interesting information about Costa Rica. We were able to do ziplining, hot springs, and many other activities all in one day. We highly recommend this hotel and also nomad, who made the planning process very easy.

Incredible staff, incredible property. Henry one of the gentlemen at the pool area helped us day in and day out with anything and everything! Great experience!