Costa Rica Blog » Manuel Antonio Hotels

Plinio Hotel

Patrick Brunelle — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:09:03 +0000

I recently did an inspection of Hotel Plinio in Manuel Antonio and was thoroughly disappointed. I had read reviews on tripadvisor.com, and thought I would be discovering another Costa Rican gem, however, other than the newly renovated pool area, I was disappointed time and time again.

This hotel is a prototypical Costa Rican hotel on the budget side of life. The kitchen area was quit dirty, dishes all over the place, open windows allowing the vivid jungle life access to the kitchen area. The rooms had outdated sofas, although a few of the nicer rooms did have new couches. Not my idea of the ideal place during a trip to Costa Rica.

The set up is like a motel, but made of wood and tucked away in the jungle, although it does not escape from the loud noises coming from the street. In arriving to the hotel, I had to wait almost 5 minutes for someone to show up at the front desk. I guess the people running the hotel are very trusting and don´t mind leaving strangers alone in the reception area.

As mentioned, the pool area is quite nice, and was more of what I was expecting when going to do the hotel inspection. The location is OK for those who don´t have a car, as it is located close to the city center of Quepos. The big draw back of the hotel is that there are no views of the amazing Pacific Ocean, as well as the fact that you can not walk to the beach or the park from your hotel. So in the end, with all of the extra taxi

Villas Mymosa

Nelson Sanchez — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:49:18 +0000

Villas Mymosa a ideal for families on a budget looking for a large condo type room. This hotel has one pool with a restaurant / bar located next to it. All rooms have A.C as well as private balcanies. The biggest drawback to this lovely hotel is the location. It is located on the wrong side of the road, offering its guests no view at all. It is also too far for those wanting to walk to the beach. We suggest as guest rent a car while staying here.

EXT Hotel Rating

Overall 3/5
Value 4/5
Luxury 3/5
Cleanliness 4/5
Amenities 3/5
Location 2/5
Romance 3/5
Family 4/5

Mango Moon

Nelson Sanchez — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:28:08 +0000

Mango Moon Bed and Breakfast is a hotel located in Manuel Antonio on the central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, only minutes from Manuel Antonio National Park. This hotel offers an intimate setting with only 10 rooms, each of which has A/C and amazing views. The swimming pool is another highlight of this hotel as it is neatly tucked away in the jungle on the cliff.

EXT Hotel Rating

Overall 4/5
Value 4/5
Luxury 4/5
Cleanliness 5/5
Amenities 4/5
Location 5/5
Romance 5/5
Family 2/5

La Mariposa

Nelson Sanchez — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:41:21 +0000

La Mariposa is one of the most famous hotels in Costa Rica due to its history and unique sense of style and decor. Perched on top of a hill, La Mariposa, in Manuel Antonio offers what is without a doubt the most amazing view in the area. The only spot where you can see Quepos and the National Park. The restaurant is often booked and requires you to reserve at least a day ahead of time if it is during the high season. What this hotel is in need of is a renovation regarding its rooms. the beds are fine, but the tiles on the floor and some of the decorations need some touching up. Since the new infinity pool has been installed, the outdoor area is as nice as it gets.

EXT Hotel Rating

Overall 4/5
Value 4/5
Luxury 4/5
Cleanliness 5/5
Amenities 3/5
Location 5/5
Romance 5/5
Family 3/5

Fuego del Sol – Hermosa Beach

Patrick Brunelle — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:49:48 +0000

Fuego del Sol is a hotel located 10 minutes from the popular Jaco beach on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Home to Fuego del Sol is Hermosa beach, a lesser known beach, however in my opinion, more beautiful than the now overrated Jaco beach. This hotel has 21 rooms. Some of the highlights of this hotel are a pool, a bar and a restaurant. My favorite room is the Jr. Suite with ocean view. This hotel should be for those who are serious about wanting to learn to surf, as there is not much else to do on Hermosa Beach.

EXT Hotel Rating

Overall 2.5/5
Value 4/5
Luxury 2/5
Cleanliness 4/5
Amenities 3/5
Location 5/5
Romance 2/5

Hotel California

Patrick Brunelle — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:38:32 +0000

Hotel California is located in Manuel Antonio in the Province of Puntarenas on the Pacific Coast. It has three types of rooms: villa, deluxe and standard. This hotel provides 28 rooms in total. Some amenities of this hotel include a restaurant with live music on weekends during the high season and a pool. What we like about this hotel, which may also be their negative, is that the hotel is tucked away on a side road in Manuel Antonio. When (and if) you find your hotel, you will be amazed by the amazing views right from your room. What we did not like was the restaurant area and lobby. This is a typical three star hotel.

EXT Hotel Rating
Overall 3/5
Value 3/5
Luxury 3/5
Cleanliness 4.5/5
Amenities 3/5
Location 3/5
Romance 3/5
Family 3/5

Costa Verde Hotel

Patrick Brunelle — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 14:18:53 +0000

It is located within the province of Puntarenas on the Pacific Coast. Costa Verde has 60 rooms divided into Studio, Studio Plus and Bungalows. Some highlights that we can mention about this hotel are three magnificent swimming pools, one of which is in an adult only section. Costa Verde also has three of the most popular and delicious restaurants in Manual Antonio. The Anaconda restaurant is not visible to the public, and is mostly enjoyed by guests of the hotel. It is the only restaurant with a nice view and is the cheapest of the three options. Breakfast is not include at Costa Verde.

The only real negative we see with this hotel is the distance between buildings and pools. Some sections are so far from the main building (section E) that it is best to drive.

EXT Hotel Rating
Overall 4/5
Value 5/5
Luxury 3/5
Cleanliness 4/5
Amenities 4.5/5
Location 5/5
Romance 4/5
Family 4/5

Best Western Jaco

Patrick Brunelle — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:26:21 +0000

Best Western Jaco is located in front of Jaco beach in the province of Puntarenas on the Pacific Coast. Best Western Jaco provides 100 beautifully-appointed guest rooms. Some of the highlights of this hotel are a festive atmosphere in the beachtown that never sleeps. Best Western Jaco also has a strong policy against prostitution, making this a comfortable setting for families traveling to Jaco.

EXT Hotel Rating

Overall 3/5
Value 5/5
Luxury 3/5
Cleanliness 4/5
Amenities 4/5
Location 5/5
Romance 3/5
Family 4/5

Villas Nicolas – Just Good Enough

Nelson Sanchez — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:35:21 +0000

When I saw the entrance to Villas Nicolas I believed that I would be entering into another tacky hotel in Manual Antonio. You see, for as many amazing hotels that are to be found in Manual Antonio, there are equally as many high priced low quality hotels. Very rarely will you find a hotel that lands perfectly in the middle, meaning not amazing, not awful, but just right.

Villas Nicolas lacks in having a proper pool area, hotel amenities and a parking area that is open to the street (which can be unsafe at times in Costa Rica). What Villas Nicolas does have are amazing rooms with spectacular views. Each of the 13 rooms promises a view worth remembering as well as a living area, patio and private bathroom. I particularly like the open concept of the rooms blending all three areas together and allowing for the fresh pacific air to enter your room. You can expect to pay in the $150 range, but for Manuel Antonio that is an acceptable rate for a room with a view.

EXT Hotel Rating

Overall 3/5
Value 4/5
Luxury 3/5
Cleanliness 4/5
Amenities 2/5
Location 4/5
Romance 3/5
Family 3/5

Si Como No

Patrick Brunelle — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:08:56 +0000

I’ve been to Manual Antonio many times and this is without a doubt my favorite hotel. Si Como No is a majestic hotel with unforgettable views of the Pacific Ocean. You will find plenty of nature here, but you won’t find a TV in your room. This hotel has a great reputation as a leader for the Eco tourism movement in the country. Another great plus is the adult only section for those like me who love kids, but not when I am on vacation.

A little warning however, to those who plan on staying here: Be prepared to walk! Due to the location on the hill, hotel guests must walk up and down many stairs to get to each location. This is a small price to pay for the views each room has of the Pacific Ocean.

EXT Hotel Rating

Overall 4/5
Value 5/5
Luxury 4/5
Cleanliness 5/5
Amenities 5/5
Location 5/5
Romance 5/5