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 3, 2019, 9:32 am
#1052
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: Delta Diamond, SPG Platinum
Posts: 19
that is correct. Just wanted to point out for those that may either book the Andaz suite or get upgraded and need connecting rooms what that means for this property as it is ambiguous on the Hyatt website and something to consider depending on the specific needs of the traveler.
Feb 15, 2019, 12:44 am
#1054
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
It scared me off those nights. Opens up to normal cancellation policy a few days later, so I booked for then. Will probably visit the JW in Guanacaste in 2 nights jujst because on 1/3 and 1/4, it's a reasonable cacnellation policy vs. non-refundable at the Andaz.
Feb 18, 2019, 12:15 am
#1056
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
Feb 22, 2019, 6:03 am
#1058
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Florida
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy platinum
Posts: 89
transportation from LIR
Going the first time in the beginning of December. Hotel shuttle prices seem expensive. Any recommendations for transport from LIR to resort? People mention Adobe rental car but not sure about our to drive there. Any good transport companies that you all have used or are am I at the hotels mercy with there shuttle prices? TIA for any help
Feb 22, 2019, 6:21 am
#1059
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 26
Going the first time in the beginning of December. Hotel shuttle prices seem expensive. Any recommendations for transport from LIR to resort? People mention Adobe rental car but not sure about our to drive there. Any good transport companies that you all have used or are am I at the hotels mercy with there shuttle prices? TIA for any help
we uses these guys and it was a locked in price 50$ there and 50$ back
Feb 22, 2019, 6:57 pm
#1060
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,909
Going the first time in the beginning of December. Hotel shuttle prices seem expensive. Any recommendations for transport from LIR to resort? People mention Adobe rental car but not sure about our to drive there. Any good transport companies that you all have used or are am I at the hotels mercy with there shuttle prices? TIA for any help
Feb 22, 2019, 7:02 pm
#1061
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: NY Metro
Programs: Hyatt GP Diamond
Posts: 242
Car Rental
I just returned from this resort and debated shuttle vs hotel transport vs car rental prior. Ultimately, I went with car rental for the entire stay and was really happy I did. The resort is beautiful with alot to do and see, but somewhat isolated with limited dining/beach options, so having a car to explore as we pleased was a big benefit.
Obviously, if you don't plan on leaving the resort and will only take tours that include transportation, you won't need a car, but, if you use the car even just once to explore in addition to getting to and from the airport, it will have paid for itself, The flexibility was worthwhile to us - even if just to avoid relying on the shuttle to go to the marina restaurant and other places nearby. An SUV is unnecessary unless you are visiting certain remote areas - the car rental agent will tell you which areas require 4wd.
Cost comparison :
1) The shared Liberia airport shuttle quoted $59 each way for 4 people.
2) Hotel arranged transport is private, but about 2x more.
3) Car rental for the week for a mid-sized automatic was $211 via National, cheaper via local outfits.
Adobe is highly regarded and cheaper, but right or wrong, I felt I might have some recourse via corporate if something went wrong renting via National (even though they are franchised).
Primary concerns were unclear insurance fees, driving conditions and signage.
Despite what you read, insurance is really straight forward. Bottom line is everyone needs to purchase Supplemental Liability Coverage (SLC) for $12/day. You can almost always get the Loss Damage Waiver covered by paying via an eligible credit card. Call your cc company and ask if it is covered (make sure and ask primary vs secondary), and to get emailed a letter confirming this.
Booking through the US sites make it difficult to select the exact coverage you need, it's much more straight forward to book via the local site in Costa Rica where you can split out the coverages to exactly what you want/need. (see screen shot). There were no surprises for us in coverage or cost on pickup or dropoff.
Car pickup was really easy - went to counter to confirm reservation and was taken by shuttle immediately to the car rental area less than a mile away. Do a thorough walk around of the car and note any existing damage. Driving in and around the Papagayo Peninsula is very straightforward and easy. The main roads are paved and well marked. Self and valet parking are included in the resort fee at the Andaz. We took a few excursions both to the forests and beaches and encountered some rough, dusty roads, but nothing even close to impassable. Car return was equally easy with a gas station right before the car rental area, then shuttle back to airport.
I recommend downloading maps for offline use via the Google Maps app on your smartphone. This worked remarkably well, although on several occasions, directions asked to make turns onto roads that were blocked or gated. In each case, continuing along would get us rerouted and to our destination at pretty much the same time.
Obviously, if you don't plan on leaving the resort and will only take tours that include transportation, you won't need a car, but, if you use the car even just once to explore in addition to getting to and from the airport, it will have paid for itself, The flexibility was worthwhile to us - even if just to avoid relying on the shuttle to go to the marina restaurant and other places nearby. An SUV is unnecessary unless you are visiting certain remote areas - the car rental agent will tell you which areas require 4wd.
Cost comparison :
1) The shared Liberia airport shuttle quoted $59 each way for 4 people.
2) Hotel arranged transport is private, but about 2x more.
3) Car rental for the week for a mid-sized automatic was $211 via National, cheaper via local outfits.
Adobe is highly regarded and cheaper, but right or wrong, I felt I might have some recourse via corporate if something went wrong renting via National (even though they are franchised).
Primary concerns were unclear insurance fees, driving conditions and signage.
Despite what you read, insurance is really straight forward. Bottom line is everyone needs to purchase Supplemental Liability Coverage (SLC) for $12/day. You can almost always get the Loss Damage Waiver covered by paying via an eligible credit card. Call your cc company and ask if it is covered (make sure and ask primary vs secondary), and to get emailed a letter confirming this.
Booking through the US sites make it difficult to select the exact coverage you need, it's much more straight forward to book via the local site in Costa Rica where you can split out the coverages to exactly what you want/need. (see screen shot). There were no surprises for us in coverage or cost on pickup or dropoff.
Car pickup was really easy - went to counter to confirm reservation and was taken by shuttle immediately to the car rental area less than a mile away. Do a thorough walk around of the car and note any existing damage. Driving in and around the Papagayo Peninsula is very straightforward and easy. The main roads are paved and well marked. Self and valet parking are included in the resort fee at the Andaz. We took a few excursions both to the forests and beaches and encountered some rough, dusty roads, but nothing even close to impassable. Car return was equally easy with a gas station right before the car rental area, then shuttle back to airport.
I recommend downloading maps for offline use via the Google Maps app on your smartphone. This worked remarkably well, although on several occasions, directions asked to make turns onto roads that were blocked or gated. In each case, continuing along would get us rerouted and to our destination at pretty much the same time.
Last edited by gunksny; Feb 23, 2019 at 7:49 pm
Feb 23, 2019, 7:43 pm
#1063
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: Hyatt
Posts: 100
Very informative post. Thank you for sharing. Really a great example of the useful information and tips you can learn on this forum.
Headed to Andaz Papagayo later this year and was gonna rent a car. Was wondering how the airport pickup worked and now I know.
Headed to Andaz Papagayo later this year and was gonna rent a car. Was wondering how the airport pickup worked and now I know.
Feb 24, 2019, 2:08 am
#1064
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LAX/SFO
Programs: AS 100k, BA GGL, UA 1k, DL DM, AC SE, B6 Mosaic4, Hyatt/Hilton/Wyndham/IHG Diamond, Marriot Ti
Posts: 1,248
Just got back from this property. Was upgraded to Andaz Suite as a Globalist. Had room 529 which is the suite right across from Ostra. Highly recommend avoiding this room. Guests at Ostra look straight into the bedroom and your balcony. Also the adult pool is right next to your balcony so there is absolutely no privacy at all in this room. You pretty much have to keep your blackout shades down. The problem with that is the lighting in the rooms here is pretty poor because they expect you to get natural sunlight. The benefit is that with the blackouts down, your room can get a little bit cooler. I've seen it mentioned in here but the A/C isn't sufficient for the size of the suite. It won't be able to get the room below 80 degrees. The coolest it got overnight was 75 in the bedroom with the bathroom and living room doors shut which is warmer than I like when I sleep. The suite was very spacious with a very nice bathroom, although the whole room had seen a lot of wear and tear. Enjoyed beers ever night from the minibar but they were never charged to the room. The tv had a receiver under it and the room looked like it was wired. There were speakers in the ceiling of the bathroom and living rooms but the receiver wasn't even plugged in. The outlet by the TV had only 2 plugs and they were used by the TV and chromecast. The receiver had spider webs and the wires were a ratsnest with some of them torn so I don't think it had been in service for a long time.
In terms of the property, it was well maintained and had lots to do. The beach house area and the beach by the property were both great. We snorkeled a few times and saw lots of mantas, lobsters, turtles and eels. The visibility was good and the water temperature was perfect. The free kayaks were also a lot of fun and it's possible to see dolphins. On the beach there were toucans, coatis, howler monkeys, and white capuchin monkeys along with large ctenosaurs to be seen. We also watched a black tyrant hawk-eagle scoop a puffer fish out of the water and eat it on the shore next to us. The hotel was sold out for President's Day weekend but it was never crowded in the restaurants or beaches. Although that didn't stop the service at breakfast from being completely absent. Each morning we were given water and seated and that's the extent of the interaction with the waitstaff. We saw other tables refilling their own water from pitchers on the waitstaff table so we followed their lead. Most of the mornings we were never even asked our room or presented the bill. We ate at both ostra and the tapas restaurant. Both were good and priced accordingly. Expect 23% tax and tip to be built into the bill. The service was good at both. Also, we had no problem with bugs and did not use repellent. A couple of us got a bite here or there over the few days, but it was much better than expected considering the location. And while the hotel is on a slight hill, it is easy to get around without a golf cart if you are able-bodied. It's no where near as steep as properties like the Conrad KS.
We did the buena vista rincon de la vieja tour. We had Andaz arrange it for us the night before. It was $175pp and quite fun. Make sure to ask the guide to help and they will suit you up to go down the ziplines upside down or superman which were both beautiful and fun. The water slide was surprisingly fast. An older woman probably in her 50s or 60s actually passed out on the way down and the staff had to dive in save her. You can definitely get rattled up but if you like fast slides, it was great. We all enjoyed this tour and would do it again. It even included lunch at the restaurant near the park which was quite good and certainly more authentically costa rican than what can be found in the restaurants at the andaz - think fried cassava yuca, rice, beans, and plantains. There were other guests at the ecopark and they came in a large tour bus and paid only $100 but they did not have their own tour guide and private transportation. We had our driver drop us off directly at the airport for our 4pm flight on AA to DFW and it worked out perfectly.
In terms of the property, it was well maintained and had lots to do. The beach house area and the beach by the property were both great. We snorkeled a few times and saw lots of mantas, lobsters, turtles and eels. The visibility was good and the water temperature was perfect. The free kayaks were also a lot of fun and it's possible to see dolphins. On the beach there were toucans, coatis, howler monkeys, and white capuchin monkeys along with large ctenosaurs to be seen. We also watched a black tyrant hawk-eagle scoop a puffer fish out of the water and eat it on the shore next to us. The hotel was sold out for President's Day weekend but it was never crowded in the restaurants or beaches. Although that didn't stop the service at breakfast from being completely absent. Each morning we were given water and seated and that's the extent of the interaction with the waitstaff. We saw other tables refilling their own water from pitchers on the waitstaff table so we followed their lead. Most of the mornings we were never even asked our room or presented the bill. We ate at both ostra and the tapas restaurant. Both were good and priced accordingly. Expect 23% tax and tip to be built into the bill. The service was good at both. Also, we had no problem with bugs and did not use repellent. A couple of us got a bite here or there over the few days, but it was much better than expected considering the location. And while the hotel is on a slight hill, it is easy to get around without a golf cart if you are able-bodied. It's no where near as steep as properties like the Conrad KS.
We did the buena vista rincon de la vieja tour. We had Andaz arrange it for us the night before. It was $175pp and quite fun. Make sure to ask the guide to help and they will suit you up to go down the ziplines upside down or superman which were both beautiful and fun. The water slide was surprisingly fast. An older woman probably in her 50s or 60s actually passed out on the way down and the staff had to dive in save her. You can definitely get rattled up but if you like fast slides, it was great. We all enjoyed this tour and would do it again. It even included lunch at the restaurant near the park which was quite good and certainly more authentically costa rican than what can be found in the restaurants at the andaz - think fried cassava yuca, rice, beans, and plantains. There were other guests at the ecopark and they came in a large tour bus and paid only $100 but they did not have their own tour guide and private transportation. We had our driver drop us off directly at the airport for our 4pm flight on AA to DFW and it worked out perfectly.
Feb 24, 2019, 12:10 pm
#1065
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 847
Maleku Tours Airport Transfer
Going the first time in the beginning of December. Hotel shuttle prices seem expensive. Any recommendations for transport from LIR to resort? People mention Adobe rental car but not sure about our to drive there. Any good transport companies that you all have used or are am I at the hotels mercy with there shuttle prices? TIA for any help