Andaz Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

Our stay at the Andaz was truly unforgettable. The atmosphere is calm and relaxing, perfect for anyone looking to enjoy paradise in a more private way. Every member of the staff went above and beyond, making us feel so welcome from the moment we arrived. The property is beautifully maintained, the food was outstanding, and on top of that, we were lucky enough to see plenty of wildlife around the hotel. Waking up to the sound of howler monkeys in the mornings was something really special. This was without a doubt one of the best vacations we’ve ever had! We booked our excursion to La Leona Waterfall through Gabriel, nomadtourscr (search for him on Google!). He made the whole day so easy and enjoyable, arranging a private van, an English-speaking guide, and a delicious lunch. He also helped us plan some activities inside the hotel and coordinated our airport transfers. Gabriel was excellent at organizing our day outside the resort, and our only regret is not having more time to schedule additional tours with him! The resort itself is stunning and very spread out, with plenty of golf carts available if you don’t feel like walking. It was truly a magical experience for our family, and we can’t wait to return someday!

This was our 2nd time staying at the Andaz Costa Rica. Our 1st time was pretty good, but our most recent stay was AMAZING. Here's what elevated our overall experience: - The staff in 2021 didn't speak much English, but this time, we noticed everyone spoke fluent English, which enhanced their customer service and ability to address our needs more effectively. - The staff seemed happy and relaxed (but highly attentive), which had a positive influence on their guests. Because of the lack of pressure to tip, it actually made me want to tip more frequently. - The restaurants were excellent. Whether you're a meat, seafood, or carb lover, there's something for everyone. I do wish there were more leafy vegetables, but no one really eats that on vacation (I suppose lol). - Andaz's investments in big renovations over the last few years have truly paid off! The entire property felt prettier, newer, and cleaner. We visited the Ritz Carlton to check it out, and it doesn't have the charming personality or warmth of the Andaz. - They're renovating their kids' center, but the temporary playroom was sufficient enough to keep my kiddo very happy for several days! The babysitters are genuinely passionate about children, and I hope they stay with Andaz! Here's what could be better: - There should be a designated waiting area for the boat rides. There should be a line to reduce chaos during boarding. My husband and 2-year-old got to the beach early to wait for the boat, but lots of couples and families cut us off at the last minute. It was unfair to my child, and we didn't want to cause a scene. Can't wait to return again soon!!!!

We recently spent 7 nights in Costa Rica, with 3 nights at Andaz Peninsula Papagayo, and it was truly unforgettable. From the moment we arrived, the staff was friendly, helpful, and went above and beyond in every interaction. The pools were absolutely beautiful, and I loved that they had sunscreen and bug spray available next to the water stations in case you forgot yours. Such a thoughtful touch. The beach by the main resort wasn’t the highlight, but Casa de Playa more than made up for it. The water there was clear, calm, and perfect for a relaxing swim. Dining was excellent across the board. Try every single restaurant on the property because you will not be disappointed! The zero-proof drinks were a bit on the sweet side overall, but the Zero-Proof Spritz at Meso was the perfect balance of sweet and tart. At Ostra, the staff went out of their way to make our dinners special. Santiago explained the menu with care, and the manager checked in both nights to make sure we were enjoying everything. A special thank you Alexis at Rio Bhongo. On our last day, he asked about our flight and surprised us with pastries and fruit to take on the road. That level of thoughtfulness really stood out. The resort is not only stunning but also full of small, meaningful touches of hospitality from the staff that made the experience feel seamless. Andaz Peninsula Papagayo is now one of my top recommendations, and I can’t wait to return.

Andaz Papagayo keeps getting better. This was the third year in a row that we visited Andaz, and still we were impressed with improved service, new menu offerings, and of course the beauty of the resort. Stunning beauty everywhere, crystal clear ocean with warm water, relaxing and perfect temperature pools. We snorkeled right off Playa Sombrero Oscuro and were amazed by the fish, sea creatures, and majestic sea turtle chomping on grass, just a few feet right off the resort beach. Not many five star resort beaches in the world where you can snorkel with a sea turtle right off the resort beach. We also snorkeled at Playa Nacascolo, and it was also excellent. It takes more time to find where the fish action is happening at that particular moment, so you need to be patient. All of the staff really go out of their way to make the guests' experience more enjoyable. I feel bad to name only a few staff because really they were all excellent. But a special mention goes to Rose, a host at Casa de Playa. Rose brought warm service, a caring vibe, and human touch to all of our interactions. Rose brings passion to being a host! Roy at Ostra went out of his way to make our dinners special and to help us feel that each dinner would be a different experience than the others, helping to avoid the feeling of going repeatedly to the same restaurant and keeping the experience fresh. Always engaging with us and other guests, just the right amount. Cristal also brought warmth and a personal touch. Eduardo at the Ostra Pool bar was always professional and pleasant. We were impressed when we answered our questions about the Corteza cocktail. We fell in love with the Corteza cocktail during our stay, and we were asking questions about the ingredients and preparation. Eduardo wrote down the ingredients, proportions, and explained how to prepare the cocktail. We took the recipe home and our cocktail came out exactly as the delicious Andaz Corteza cocktail. Eduardo didn't have to do that- but he sensed that we wanted to know this, and he understands hospitality. Thank you also to Kevin at Rio Bhongo for bringing enthusiasm and warmth. Dining highlights include At Meso: Toston Sicilian Crudo, the watermelon/avocado/feta salad, the pork chop Milanesa, and the crema Catalana. At Casa de Playa poolside, the Pineapple house cocktail, Jalapeño house cocktail, Naranjilla spritz, and all of the special gin tonics were all outstanding at Ostra: the Milano special Negroni, the lemongrass panna cotta, at Chao Pescao: the Beef Patties. At breakfast, all of the Costa Rican specialties including the variety of freshly made corn patties and all of the Costa Rican bites, drinks (agua e sapo etc.) At Ostra Pool bar, the coconut curry dip. Please open Meso for dinner and bring back live music by Nablo. The food at Andaz overall is the best quality resort food that we have had, and in particular, Meso stands out as the best of the best. We are looking forward to the Rio Bhongo redesign and new concept. Activities: we did a suspended sound healing class that was excellent. We also did the aerial course excursion with the Explorers after eyeing it for three years in a row. It was outstanding- right on site in Papagayo, easy to reserve through the concierge, only open to guests from the Papagayo resorts. The guides were excellent and the experience thrilling and outstanding (and very safe.) Highly recommended. Buy a beautiful wooden bowl from Martha on Playa Sombrero Oscuro- the bowls continue to look beautiful year after year, and they are double the price at the airport. A request: Please bring back dinner at Meso at least some nights of the week during the off season. Thank you for making our dreams come true! See you next year! Jonathan Kim and David B.

This was truly paradise and one of the best vacations I have had. Before even arriving at the hotel, the staff and concierge were phenomenal! They helped plan the most amazing trip. From arrival and through the friendliness of the staff was tangible. The hotel is magnificent. The food was fantastic and all the excursions truly memorable.My family and I are so blessed to have got to share this gorgeous country and stay at Andaz. I truly recommend them. Pura Vida and hope to be back soon!