Apr 5, 2015, 12:32 pm
Last edit by: ehallison
(2022 RENOVATIONS) Major reductions in service and facilities August 1 to October 31 2022 The Andaz Peninsula Papagayo will undergo renovations August 1, 2022 through October 31, 2022. The renovations will take place daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The hotel will renovate the Ostra restaurant, however, Rio Bhongo, Chao Pescao and the Beach House will be available for dining.
The hotel will expand the fitness center and upgrade the spa’s reception area. The fitness center will operate at an alternate location and spa services will be offered at that location. The adults-only pool will not be available during renovations. All guests will use the main pool area.
Overview of hotel, restaurants, menus, activities, pretty much everything you need to know: (Link)
Buildings 1, 2, 3 ,4 on higher level and will have steps or you can call for a shuttle
Buildings 5, 6, 7 will be at pool/restaurant level
Property Map (click here)
Parking: valet and self parking included in 10% resort fee
Free shuttle: was until 6pm, now extended to 10pm. Please check for the specifics. Shuttle from 6pm has a charge of $25 USD to Four Season. (2/18 - sign only spoke of shuttle to 6pm)
Vaccination:
Hepatits A and Typhoid vaccine before travel.
Mosquito repellent, especially at night and during rainy season due to Dengue fever.
Complimentary poolside and beachside sunscreen and ice water with citrus in it
Complimentary in the rooms- Sun hats and flip flops, as well as a modest minibar including chips and nuts
If you plan to drive:
1. Strongly recommend GPS, or iPhone app
2. About 30-35minutes from airport
3. 20-25 minutes from hotel to major road (route 21)
4. Road is 2 lane paved road
5. There are no shoulders, just ditches (for rain to drain)
6. Roads in small towns may be unpaved.
7. Roads are not lit. Scariest part about driving at night is not getting lost, but pedestrians walking or a cyclist right on the edge of the road.
8. Another guest at Andaz turned over a car on the first day out with a rental…and this is during the dry season!! (I have no idea how this is possible, unless the driver was incompetent. I rented a car and drove my family several times into town. No problems. Was considering not doing so based on the above sentence. if you have common sense, you will be fine.- Bikeguy)
9. Consider rent from hotel a couple of days instead of getting rental for your entire trip : $90 smaller car, $120 Toyota RAV, $190 Toyota Prado seats 7
Worthwhile activities:
1. At hotel: complimentary kayak, snorkels, paddle board
2. Golf at Four Seasons
3. Witch’s Rock: very close to hotel. Canopy (zipline- $75 pp), horseback riding, quad rental
4. Palo Verde:
• Boat tours are worthwhile
• Chose one that has sun protections or bring an umbrella for sun protection
• Best approach from the south end (eg Palo Verde Boat Tour in Ortega) since it is only an hour away from hotel (vs 2hours from the north entrance.) Stop by Guaitil and pick up some famous Chorotega pottery for souvenir/gifts.
• If approaching it from the north side, stop at nearby Llanos de Cortez waterfall for a dip.
• For bird lovers, consider a Palo Verde boat tour that includes Isla Parajos that can be seen with a tour from Puerto Humo (2 hours from the hotel)
5. Rincon de Vieja
6. Fishing, surfing in Tamarindo
Nearby dining:
At hotel:
• Rio Bhongo: great breakfast (especially for diamonds), recommend casado for lunch. Diamond can also get room service breakfast instead of at restaurant.
• Chao Pescao: recommend chicken arepas, apple cake (apple pie with crème brulee like custard and vanilla ice cream)
• Ostra
Four Seasons
Dive Bar
• at Marina
• A value for happy hour and Tuesday tacos and other specials, otherwise food were similarly priced as at the hotel and not as good.
Cambi:
• 8-5 free childcare, but with a 1 hour break at noon (so you can't do a full day trip while leaving the kids in Cambi). There is a charge for some activities
• Evening:
a. 6-10pm: $50 with meals served
b. Up to 3 hrs: $40 with meals served.
Miscellaneous:
• There is a supermarket right as you enter “larger” cities like Liberia, Playa de Coco, Santa Cruz. See if guide will make a stop if you are by a “larger” city. For example, if taking a tour to Rincon de Vieja or north end of Palo Verde, see if they will stop in Liberia for meal at Café Liberia (excellent well priced food, serving lunch and dinner but only snacks from 2- 5pm) and to pick up items at the supermarket
• Do It Center
• at 21 and 253
• Can pick up Sim card:
a. Need unlocked phone.
b. Kolbi at the pharmacy
c. Movistar in the Monge electronic store in the hardware store
• Pharmacy
• Pizza place
• Bank
d. Gas Station is across from airport, adjacent to Hilton Garden Inn
The hotel will renovate the Ostra restaurant, however, Rio Bhongo, Chao Pescao and the Beach House will be available for dining.
The hotel will expand the fitness center and upgrade the spa’s reception area. The fitness center will operate at an alternate location and spa services will be offered at that location. The adults-only pool will not be available during renovations. All guests will use the main pool area.
Overview of hotel, restaurants, menus, activities, pretty much everything you need to know: (Link)
Buildings 1, 2, 3 ,4 on higher level and will have steps or you can call for a shuttle
Buildings 5, 6, 7 will be at pool/restaurant level
Property Map (click here)
Parking: valet and self parking included in 10% resort fee
Free shuttle: was until 6pm, now extended to 10pm. Please check for the specifics. Shuttle from 6pm has a charge of $25 USD to Four Season. (2/18 - sign only spoke of shuttle to 6pm)
Vaccination:
Hepatits A and Typhoid vaccine before travel.
Mosquito repellent, especially at night and during rainy season due to Dengue fever.
Complimentary poolside and beachside sunscreen and ice water with citrus in it
Complimentary in the rooms- Sun hats and flip flops, as well as a modest minibar including chips and nuts
If you plan to drive:
1. Strongly recommend GPS, or iPhone app
2. About 30-35minutes from airport
3. 20-25 minutes from hotel to major road (route 21)
4. Road is 2 lane paved road
5. There are no shoulders, just ditches (for rain to drain)
6. Roads in small towns may be unpaved.
7. Roads are not lit. Scariest part about driving at night is not getting lost, but pedestrians walking or a cyclist right on the edge of the road.
8. Another guest at Andaz turned over a car on the first day out with a rental…and this is during the dry season!! (I have no idea how this is possible, unless the driver was incompetent. I rented a car and drove my family several times into town. No problems. Was considering not doing so based on the above sentence. if you have common sense, you will be fine.- Bikeguy)
9. Consider rent from hotel a couple of days instead of getting rental for your entire trip : $90 smaller car, $120 Toyota RAV, $190 Toyota Prado seats 7
Worthwhile activities:
1. At hotel: complimentary kayak, snorkels, paddle board
2. Golf at Four Seasons
3. Witch’s Rock: very close to hotel. Canopy (zipline- $75 pp), horseback riding, quad rental
4. Palo Verde:
• Boat tours are worthwhile
• Chose one that has sun protections or bring an umbrella for sun protection
• Best approach from the south end (eg Palo Verde Boat Tour in Ortega) since it is only an hour away from hotel (vs 2hours from the north entrance.) Stop by Guaitil and pick up some famous Chorotega pottery for souvenir/gifts.
• If approaching it from the north side, stop at nearby Llanos de Cortez waterfall for a dip.
• For bird lovers, consider a Palo Verde boat tour that includes Isla Parajos that can be seen with a tour from Puerto Humo (2 hours from the hotel)
5. Rincon de Vieja
6. Fishing, surfing in Tamarindo
Nearby dining:
At hotel:
• Rio Bhongo: great breakfast (especially for diamonds), recommend casado for lunch. Diamond can also get room service breakfast instead of at restaurant.
• Chao Pescao: recommend chicken arepas, apple cake (apple pie with crème brulee like custard and vanilla ice cream)
• Ostra
Four Seasons
Dive Bar
• at Marina
• A value for happy hour and Tuesday tacos and other specials, otherwise food were similarly priced as at the hotel and not as good.
Cambi:
• 8-5 free childcare, but with a 1 hour break at noon (so you can't do a full day trip while leaving the kids in Cambi). There is a charge for some activities
• Evening:
a. 6-10pm: $50 with meals served
b. Up to 3 hrs: $40 with meals served.
Miscellaneous:
• There is a supermarket right as you enter “larger” cities like Liberia, Playa de Coco, Santa Cruz. See if guide will make a stop if you are by a “larger” city. For example, if taking a tour to Rincon de Vieja or north end of Palo Verde, see if they will stop in Liberia for meal at Café Liberia (excellent well priced food, serving lunch and dinner but only snacks from 2- 5pm) and to pick up items at the supermarket
• Do It Center
• at 21 and 253
• Can pick up Sim card:
a. Need unlocked phone.
b. Kolbi at the pharmacy
c. Movistar in the Monge electronic store in the hardware store
• Pharmacy
• Pizza place
• Bank
d. Gas Station is across from airport, adjacent to Hilton Garden Inn
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo (Costa Rica) REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Jan 19, 2014, 3:13 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SNA/LAX
Posts: 1,407
Any specific tips on adventures? I'm pretty sure we'll trek our way to the national parks and such, but specifics on ziplining, etc. in the area would be great. I've read a lot about the Monteverde National Park for ziplining; however, I assume there are some others closer than 3 hours for another day.
Jan 19, 2014, 11:40 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
Free when staying on points though :-).
Last edited by RTW1; Jan 19, 2014 at 11:53 pm
Jan 20, 2014, 7:23 am
#18
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SNA/LAX
Posts: 1,407
I'm hoping that by renting a car we will be able to get away for some dinners, although I know the BF has read about all of the restaurants onsite and would like to try a few!
Feb 1, 2014, 6:17 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 274
Thanks. I see he went off site for most of his dinners. What is the consensus in terms transportation? I had seen something about free scheduled transportation. I am not sure what that means. I am reluctant to rent a car.
Thx.
Thx.
Feb 2, 2014, 8:45 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 143
Feb 2, 2014, 9:34 pm
#23
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 274
Feb 4, 2014, 7:03 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SNA/LAX
Posts: 1,407
When you add regular taxes to the resort fee to the trip, it's basically like paying for another night.
Let's just say that is no complimentary minibar (subtracting the fact that there isn't even alcohol stocked).
Feb 10, 2014, 2:05 am
#27
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Sixt Diamond, Hertz PC, Bonvoy Gold, UA G
Posts: 596
Does anyone have experience staying here on points?
Just booked 21 nights on points (3 rooms x 7 nights) and want to be proactive in case anyone has noticed them providing a lesser level of service to those staying on points.
Also, any recommendations on excursions will be awesome, planning to rent a car from SIXT to take advantage of my newfound SIXT Diamond status.
Just booked 21 nights on points (3 rooms x 7 nights) and want to be proactive in case anyone has noticed them providing a lesser level of service to those staying on points.
Also, any recommendations on excursions will be awesome, planning to rent a car from SIXT to take advantage of my newfound SIXT Diamond status.
Feb 13, 2014, 4:14 pm
#28
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 8
My wife and I just finished up a 5 night stay at Andaz on points--flying home today. We never felt that it was anything less than the employees pleasure to serve us throughout our trip. We received several amenities while staying--a box of chocolates, bottle of wine, treats in our room (all on top of the free minibar), hats, bag, flip-flops, etc. I am a Hyatt Diamond, so sure that was part of it, but we were treated incredibly well--the staff are the kindest and most genuine I have had the pleasure to meet. We did book our excursions through Costaricabestrips.com--it was much cheaper than through the hotel and Ariel was fabulous ([email protected]). We booked a horseback riding/zipline/spa excursion that was great--we also booked a trip to Coco beach--the service was great, Coco beach was just ok. Ariel was very flexible and willing to setup the perfect solutions for us.
Feb 17, 2014, 12:07 pm
#29
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AA, AS, BA, UA, HH, Hyatt
Posts: 104
Andaz Large Suite
Does anyone have any pictures or video of the Andaz Large Suite here?
I know their are a few stock photo's on Hyatt's website, and the Points Guy took video of the regular suite but I have a upcoming stay in the large suite (164 sq m) and was hoping to see some pictures or video of this.
I know their are a few stock photo's on Hyatt's website, and the Points Guy took video of the regular suite but I have a upcoming stay in the large suite (164 sq m) and was hoping to see some pictures or video of this.
Feb 18, 2014, 12:31 pm
#30
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 143
I am planning a vacation to Andaz Papagayo i June. There will be 5 of us (me, wife, 3 high-school aged kids). Although I am not necessarily "on a budget", I don't want to break the bank on food...especially with teenagers. I figure that eating in the Hotel will cost 300-400 daily, whch, for me, is a bit absurd. I will have a car...are there any less expensive eating alternatives nearby?