Playa Balsal

Overall, the property was beautiful, clean, and well maintained. The wildlife was a highlight of the stay. We saw monkeys, a sloth, lizards and many different types of birds, which made the experience feel especially unique. The hotel itself was peaceful and never felt overly crowded, which was a major plus. The main drawback was the service, which was consistently slow throughout the stay. From check-in to being seated and served at lunch and dinner, there were noticeable delays. At the wet bar, I waited about 15 minutes before the bartender was able to take my order. It did not seem to be a reflection of the staff themselves, but rather that the property appeared understaffed, especially at the restaurants and bars. Checkout was similar, with only one person at the front desk managing both phone calls and guest departures. The food and drinks were very good and clearly well prepared, though they felt overpriced given the level of service. Overall, the property itself was lovely and the setting was memorable, but the staffing and service experience did not quite match the price point. Note: If you plan to drive, be extremely careful as there were a lot of cars parked on the side of the road by beach goers, making it narrow and dangerous with oncoming vehicles.

Our stay at The Springs Resort & Spa in Arenal was absolutely incredible! From the breathtaking volcano views to the luxurious hot springs, everything exceeded our expectations. The resort is beautifully maintained, the staff is extremely welcoming, and the overall atmosphere is peaceful and relaxing. Club Rio was also an amazing experience! We loved the activities, the beautiful surroundings, and how well organized everything was. It truly made our Costa Rica vacation unforgettable. The only suggestion I would give is to add more vegetarian options to the menu. The food was very good, but having a wider variety of vegetarian dishes would make the experience even better for guests with dietary preferences. Overall, this resort is truly a paradise and we would love to visit again!

We went for our honeymoon and it was stunning from the moment we arrived! I kept looking for the White Lotus film crew because the property, room, and staff were top notch and we felt like we were in a WL episode. Surreal views, flora, fauna, service and the room with our own private pool remains undefeated! We stayed in a Chato Suite and it was unbelievable. We were welcomed with a personalized sign on the door, welcome drinks, a welcome dessert plate, and a complimentary bottle of wine to celebrate our honeymoon. Service was impeccable, including knowing when we had stepped out and placed a surprise good night dessert in our room on our last night. Thanks to all the staff for their hospitality and friendliness. Pura vida! 100/10.