Rating:
"This hotel is definitely not a 4+ star hotel - maybe a 3. The hotel was supposedly refurbished and renovated but it was plain. Our first room was in section 18 but we asked to be moved as our first room was the worst room I have ever been in. There was black mould around the top of the bathtub, a large crack in the bathroom sink and the terrace was close to a stagnate pool of water which attracted mosquitoes. Just from the short time I was on the terrace I got bitten several times. The 2nd room was slightly better. The fridge was not stocked when we got to the new room and 2 days later I had to write a note asking for water. We were only given water in our fridge once during the entire week (after I wrote the note) plus 4 beers and 4 iced tea's. They forgot to clean our room one day (we heard the room next to us was also not cleaned) but by the time we got to the room it was too late to do anything and we were tired. Sometimes they forgot to give us coffee for the coffee maker. The coffee cups were just rinsed and we would clean them ourselves. The pool was very small and had a film on the top every day. It was not uncommon to have 3 people scuba practicing in the pool plus a volleyball game going on leaving no room for swimming. Gardeners walked around the complex with rakes and buckets but we never saw them actually rake or do anything. The buffet was very small and there was not enough variety. One day my husband asked for a coke in the snack bar and it came with white sediment in it and on the sides of the glass. It looked like there had been another drink in it before that and they just rinsed it in a hurry. At the Asian al a carte my plate had dried glue ontop of it and my husbands plate had a crack on the edge but the food was better than the buffet. All in all we were very disappointed but we made the best of it by meeting some fine people. I recommend you take insect repellant as a large number of people had bites. By the time I realized it was a problem for myself I had around 40 bites. The representative recommends you don`t accept tours from anyone outside of the hotel because their could be problems but we encountered better deals and no problems. I would not return to this hotel. "
Reviewer: reviewer2088
Date: Jul. 13, 2010

Rating:
"We stayed at this hotel,we were in the Royal Deluxe room. Building no.8 which was located on the higher section of the hotel grounds.Our room had a spectacular view of the surrounding areas and the ocean.Going to the lobby,pool or the beach, from the room was hard as the stairs were exteremly small and the grade was steep.The hotel will pick you up from your room and drop you off at the lobby or close to the pool area if you dont want to walk.
This room came with a complimentary champagne bottle,fruits and drinks.
Room was nice and clean ,only issue we had was the bath tub water and the toilet did not drain that well.The room service staff were very helpfull and resolved the issues quickly.The hotel is located on a steep hill and if you dont mind walking the stair up and down on a daily you can get a good work out otherwise is can be challenging for some people.The pool is located at the lower end of the hotel,pool was not that clean,there is limited pool chairs so finding empty chairs is difficult .The beach area is small and certain areas have lots of rocks and the water was not that clear.
Foods and drinks were good over all, the staff were very friendly and helpfull.
Our over all stay was good at this cosy resort"
Reviewer: reviewer9019
Date: Mar. 19, 2010

Rating:
"Great choice, this is a very nice resort. The food was very good at the ala carte restuarants and the buffet. The buffet featured a different theme every night, I almost preferred it to the ala cartes. Exceptional service from everyone and a special touch from Anna Mary. A few mornings we woke up to find we had no water but we were supplied with a jug until water was restored(apparently trouble with water suppier). Some days we were a few towels short but not a big deal, also the power went out a few times but was shortly restored with back up generators. The resort is built on a hillside and is kind of spread out with a lot of stairs and hills that will be difficult for some, however there are no cost carts and vans to do transfers. The tours available through the resort seemed a bit pricey so shop around. Private tour operators are allowed to set up on the beach as the beaches in Costa Rica are mostly all public. We used Eric Escobar and Marvin Garcia from the beach operators and found their rates to be lower than the resort rates. I would definately recommend either Eric or Marvin, both are honest and trustworthy and I found Marvin very personable and always doing the little extras."
Reviewer: Travel Bug
Date: Feb. 16, 2009

Rating:
"Food and restaurants were excellent, hotel looks great as well. Room could have been better as it smelled like mold. Pool was very small and didn't have a deep end. Overall it was a good experience. "
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Sep. 17, 2008

Rating:
"Beautiful hotel, wonderful grounds, rooms and staff. Food was amazing. The beach is rather small and there were jellyfish."
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Jan. 16, 2008

Rating:
"We felt very welcome and comfortable with our stay. The staff was very friendly (thanks Enrique and Christian) and professional. The food was really good especially in the ala carte restaurants as well as a good alcohol selection. Just one thing, I wish there was a hot tub at the resort and had problems with our swipe card for our room two times but overall just great!"
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Dec. 31, 2007

Rating:
"Absolutely beautiful - you cannot go wrong with the Grand. Vacationed here as a group for a wedding in January 07 and it was superb. The rooms were nicely appointed and kept spotlessly clean. We had an ocean view from building 16 and it was lovely. The hotel is a collection of buildings and it is a hilly location, but this affords most rooms an ocean view. Lobby, lounge, and bars and disco also well appointed and luxurious-feeling. Staff were exceptional, as was the food. The buffet was small but was extremely varied - you never felt that you were eating the same thing all the time. Champagne and vodka was available for BREAKFAST, believe it or not. Make sure you try both the Italian and Oriental restaurants, the food is excellent, as well as the service. Two slight drawbacks--the pool is slightly smallish and the beach is a short walk down a path and down a couple of stairs. However, look to the right and you'll see the spa huts where you can have an outdoor massage. It's worth it!"
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Oct. 02, 2007