Monterey del Mar Hotel, Parrita

The GOOD...Nice staff, clean rooms, beautiful grounds, great beach location and views, with a car many activities like tours, Manual Antonia, Jaco, Los Suenos, Quepos etc! Neat open air dining. A must is a place just in Parrita, maybe 15k from Monterey Del Mar, west side, signage reads Restaurante & Pizza, It's name is Monteverde, only 2 months old, the best! Kattia the waitress, so nice! Front desk, will help with directions. Many secluded roads that were fun to explore, the scenery was awesome! The BAD...You pay a 23% tax everywhere in Costa Rica on everything to help keep these places staffed in low season! Well, I went in high season and no swim-up pool bartender because "slow season?", prices weren't low season. P.S. Call me cheap, I quit tipping! Gift shop always closed. Menu a bit high priced, but certain breakfast selections were included. Power keeps going out several times during the day/night, clock was never right when you got up in the morning! Vacation time any way, right! The UGLY...A/C extremely loud, not a problem for those of you that can sleep with "white noise". Pool looked clean but look at the bottom, bird doo everywhere, bugs and white stuff flaoting in water. Driving an issue! Crazy drivers, dark roads, bicycles and locals walk home @ 6:30p in pitch black nights. I was so afraid someone would get hurt by the crazy drivers. Sure I was going to see some carnage...thank goodness I didn't! Overall...We took our kids 19yo.girl and 16yo.boy, they loved it! Relaxing, comfortable, most of all enjoyable. Just ask and they'll help with anything, even opening the gift shop.

I had my wedding at the hotel and everything was perfect! The hotel staff was accomodating, attentive and friendly. The facilities were clean and comfortable and the food was great! All of the wedding guests enjoyed their time at the hotel and are looking forward to returning to Costa Rica to stay there again.

Esterillos is fantastic, but I'd opt for staying at Xandari by the Sea( $$$$), renting a condo at Del Pacifico at Esterillos ( $$$ ) or the Hotel Pelicano ( $$ ). Monterey Del Mar is over priced for what you get, understaffed, overpriced food and two star rooms. When we were there the place was deserted while every other hotel in the area was booked. The place felt like it was going out of business, last week. That's why the rooms smelled musty. I pity the poor people who work here because they can't help inept management. Warning ! Don't eat the seafood because it might not be fresh. This is affliated with the nearby Rancho Monterey land developement which also has a bad reputation. The locals won't come near either and war stories of poor management abound.

What a surprise, Bad smeling blankets, poor restaurant, lazy staff. I will not recomend this place except if you're looking for a bad memory of your vacation.

What a great luxury boutique hotel! You stay in a private bungalow, very spacious. The help is extremely friendly and accomodating. The beach is basically empty and so beautiful. The restaurant has great food, good prices and offers a very relaxed atmosphere. They have a large meeting room that we were able to use for our group to gather and play games. We will for sure come back and hopefully plan our next family reunion there!

The staff at the hotel is great! They are accomodating and friendly. The food is excellent and I have eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is very close to the beach and has a great view of the mountains. I would go back again and again!

Everyone was so nice to us. The staff always had a smile for us and made our visit a memory I will always treasure.