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
Feb 11, 2018, 3:04 pm
#961
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Austin, TX
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Feb 11, 2018, 8:51 pm
#963
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SEA (previous locations: DTW, TLV, EWR, BOS)
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When we were there in December, there was a very small laundry bag hanging in the closet which had a 'special' $20 tag on it. I opened the folded back up and laughed - it was so small! you could only fit in one T-shirt, a pair of male underwear, and perhaps a pair of socks. Definitely NOT a good value for $20...
Feb 12, 2018, 12:51 pm
#964
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 231
Feb 12, 2018, 4:38 pm
#965
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,315
I’m taking puddle jumpers from Manuel Antonio and read that while I can take a small second bag )and pay for the privilege), it’s not guaranteed to arrive on the same flight and I am responsible for getting it. I will be fitting everything into a 22” carryon,, and pay more than I want to for laundry I guess.
Feb 15, 2018, 12:25 pm
#966
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: MSP
Programs: UR, RR, MileagePLus, Dividend Miles (R.I.P), AAdvantage, HHonors, IHG, Skymiles
Posts: 108
As far as packing goes, we liked our tactic last year so we're going to do it again: Check a carry-on sized suitcase on the way down and carry it on the way back. Why check it on the way down? We filled it with clothes but also our fix of Diet Dew, a few craft beers, and some snacky/breakfast food. It helped cut down the meal and bar expenses since we were basically trapped on the peninsula for our short stay (took a shuttle van from LIR).
Feb 15, 2018, 10:17 pm
#967
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA Gold | Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 94
My wife and I will also be there in a few weeks! March 6-9 for us. We went last February and we were disappointed about Prieta Beach Club but it sounds like the beach house might be a good substitute. It's only a little more than a mile down the coast from the looks of it. I wonder if you can take kayaks from the resort to the beach house.
As far as packing goes, we liked our tactic last year so we're going to do it again: Check a carry-on sized suitcase on the way down and carry it on the way back. Why check it on the way down? We filled it with clothes but also our fix of Diet Dew, a few craft beers, and some snacky/breakfast food. It helped cut down the meal and bar expenses since we were basically trapped on the peninsula for our short stay (took a shuttle van from LIR).
As far as packing goes, we liked our tactic last year so we're going to do it again: Check a carry-on sized suitcase on the way down and carry it on the way back. Why check it on the way down? We filled it with clothes but also our fix of Diet Dew, a few craft beers, and some snacky/breakfast food. It helped cut down the meal and bar expenses since we were basically trapped on the peninsula for our short stay (took a shuttle van from LIR).
It's not as clear as I'd like, but you can see the area where they check out water sports equipment toward the left side of this panorama (there's some equipment laying on the ground in the trees). Unfortunately, I don't have a non-panoramic photo of that area.
Last edited by makavel; Feb 15, 2018 at 10:26 pm
Feb 16, 2018, 11:48 am
#970
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: MSP
Programs: UR, RR, MileagePLus, Dividend Miles (R.I.P), AAdvantage, HHonors, IHG, Skymiles
Posts: 108
I see how my phrasing didn't make this clear. I thought it might be fun to use the kayaks to go somewhere rather than just cruise around in the bay.
Feb 16, 2018, 1:33 pm
#971
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA Gold | Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 94
Hahaha oops- I totally didn't catch that meaning. Thanks for the laugh! I will be curious to hear how it goes if you try to paddle all of the way there!
Feb 16, 2018, 2:22 pm
#972
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,041
We took the kayaks out, and the guy said to go no farther than the next beach.
This was our first day, so we paddled for about 20 minutes to a nice beach, and then turned around.
The next day we found out that he meant the next Andaz 'beach' was is really not a beach at all, and is about a 30 second paddle from the kayak pickup beach.
So, no, I'd expect you cannot kayak to this other beach, at least, not with the Andaz's kayaks and their approval.
This was our first day, so we paddled for about 20 minutes to a nice beach, and then turned around.
The next day we found out that he meant the next Andaz 'beach' was is really not a beach at all, and is about a 30 second paddle from the kayak pickup beach.
So, no, I'd expect you cannot kayak to this other beach, at least, not with the Andaz's kayaks and their approval.
Feb 17, 2018, 10:42 pm
#973
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: United 1P
Posts: 688
We are going to stay at the hotel next weekend. Is the water in the family pool cool? My kids do not like cold water. If the water temperature is not high enough, I may consider bring a thin wetsuit for them. Are there sprinklers and slides in the pool for kids to play?
Feb 17, 2018, 11:30 pm
#974
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 107
I forgot to add this to my review, but we did have issues with mosquitoes. They may have been sand fleas or no-seeums, but we came away with tons of bites. While there is bug spray available all over (pools, beach, restaurants), I was not diligent about using it since I don't like the sticky chemically feel of DEET. OTOH, I also do not like itchy bites, so for me that was a negative for the resort.
Yes, the pool water was cold IMO. Much of the pool is shaded, especially later in the aftenoon. The pool on the right side (facing the bay) was a bit warmer but smaller and no zero entry on that side. There were plenty of kids enjoying the family pool anyway, including mine, but if yours will be uncomfortable the wetsuits might come in handy. There were no slides, and I don't recall any sprinklers.
Yes, the pool water was cold IMO. Much of the pool is shaded, especially later in the aftenoon. The pool on the right side (facing the bay) was a bit warmer but smaller and no zero entry on that side. There were plenty of kids enjoying the family pool anyway, including mine, but if yours will be uncomfortable the wetsuits might come in handy. There were no slides, and I don't recall any sprinklers.
Feb 18, 2018, 1:17 am
#975
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,315
I have a full size rental car booked for the four days I'm there for a decent rprice (I think, $150 all in). Is pickup fairly easy at LIR (for AVIS). I'll have been in Costa Rica for 8 days already so I think I"ll be mostly chilling on the property, so having second thoughts regarding the car. Any pros and cons other than the obvious? I'll be driving in daylight.