MarkS90046

I had an opportunity to spend Thanksgiving weekend in Costa Rica. We spent the first and last night at the Marriott in San Jose. It worked for us since the flight in was a redeye and the flight out to Mexico City was an early one.

We drove out to Los Suenos, even though I was somewhat apprehensive about things I had heard, and had a wonderful, leisurely 2 1/2 hour drive. Yes there are some rough spots on the pavement but they were manageable. The trip over has some sharp turns while you are going over the mountain and some narrow passages but the drive is definitely worth it and I am glad I didn't take a bus.

The resort is wonderful. Don't expect a beautiful white sand beach as it isn't there. There are plenty of trees and shaded areas and grass for lounging and a fabulous pool. The food, service and facilities were excellent!

We coordinated several day trips from the hotel to see the nearby rain forest...one on the ground and one up above on the aerial walkways. Quite honestly, the aerial walkway tour was fun...the one on the ground was slightly muddy and not that event filled.

Two other things....our first night there my partner went out to get his feet wet so to speak, in the ocean. It wasn't until the next day that we noticed that there are many signs posted about "crocodile" sightings in the bay and that one should enter with extreme caution. Luckily he didn't encounter crocodiles in the dark.

Finally, there are no street signs and buildings don't have numbers. It was my first time in Central America and have been told that is pretty common but it was somewhat disorienting from someone who likes to know exactly where he is going (especially when driving!). We managed to navigate our way from the San Jose Marriott to the Butterfly Farm but it was like a game of concentration trying to remember all of the various turns and what landmark triggered a left/right turn.

Hope you have a great time in Costa Rica. The people are wonderful and the country absolutely beautiful.

MarkS90046

Forgot one more thing, I saw many families there at the resort. I "think" they were welcome!

marlin

Mark--thanks so much for your comments. You've cleared up a lot for me--no beach but there is a bay filled with crocs to swim with. Sounds great for kids.

Did you hear of anyone deep sea fishing from the resort? Feel like the food and drink was safe? How was the San Jose Marriott.

Appreciate the driving notes too--we're ok with that. Thanks again.

craz

go over to the latin pass or diners club thread you'll find by both or either a dhacker as a moderator, email him he was there a couple of yrs ago and can fill up all of your time for U, if I remember he took his kids.

cactuspete

Here's that link to the Marriott mini-review in the Latin Pass forum:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65407

Anybody else?

SCEflyer

We (Mom, Dad & two teens) stayed there for a week in March '02. To this day we all talk about it as being the best vacation ever. The physical plant is well designed and attractive, the hotel food ranges from good to very good, and the staff aims to please. We were on an award stay, two rooms: Mom and Dad were given a great suite and our offspring a nice connecting double.

The golf course is challenging but managable.

The rides to/from SJO arranged by the hotel, were enjoyable and the scenery interesting, the drivers aimed to please.

We visited two nearby towns while there; we never felt unsafe, although the main streets don't resemble Park Avenue or the Miracle Mile.

In summary, recommended highly, although based on a stay 27 months ago.

One word of caution, if you go be prepared for an extremely high airport departure tax when leaving.

dcr

We stayed there this past April. We flew UA into San Jose, stayed at the Marriott there for one night (very nice - located on a coffee plantation), then took the Marriott San Jose van/shuttle to Los Suenos (I think it was $50 r/t), which runs daily. It's a long ride, somewhat queasy over the mountains, and we took dramamine on the return leg. (Also, the Marriott San Jose has a shuttle van to/from the airport)

We thought Los Suenos was really nice - staff was friendly, nice room, good amenities. Pool area was good. We did a rain forest half day tour nearby (saw scarlet macaws, a large troop of monkeys overhead, etc.).

One caution: When we were there in April we were told it was right before the rainy season, in which it rains just about every day. You should check the weather status if you're going now.

Hazmike

Mrs Hazmike & I were there two years ago. What a place! The pool is enormous, gigantic!!

As mentioned in previous posts, the trip in & out of the resort, is dramitically beautiful, but bring the dramamine.

We were met at the shuttle by a 'concierge' who took us to our room. It was sparse at best. We too stayed at the Marriott in San Jose & had a way better room. So I told the 'concierge' that I was Platinum & deserved a better room. So he offers a suite in either smoking, available immediately or we can wait 2 hours & get a non-smoking suite. Great two room suite. Wet bar, 2 TVs, 2 bathrooms, 2 couches, you name it.

The only problem we had was on the last night @ 2 am I woke up to hear what sounded like someone trying to break into our room. After realizing my shotgun wasn't under the bed (it is at home), I grabbed a lamp & called the front desk & asked that security help me out. The entire free world showed up. There were local police, a detachment from the Costa Rican Army, hotel security (they have casino in-house), you name it everybody had lotsa guns.

Turns out the noise I heard was a rat running thru the air conditioning vent. The maintenace engineer wasn't wild about going in there to get the critter (can't blame him for that).

Marriott offered to move us to a new suite @ 4am. Mrs Hazmike wasn't about to bale out. So I hit the front desk mgr for a free nite back in San jose. He said he'd let me know @7:30 am. Next morning at exactly 7:30 a note came under the door. We were comp'd a free nite @ the Marriott in San Jose.

All in all, I'd go back in a heartbeat...it's just the ride to & from San Jose that can be long & naucious.

Hasta La Vista ^

kindra178

Can anyone comment on the bathrooms and balconies? I hear some rooms don't have any balconies. With regard to the bathrooms, are there separate tubs and showers or is there a deep soaking tub? We contemplating a stay here in early February and can't seem to find this information out.

How about the restaurants? Is there a shuttle into town?

Thanks.

Timo

The hotel is about 60km from San Jose but plan on 2 plus hours to arrive from the airport. I was ther earlier this year and enjoyed the property to the extent that I will return in late September at the "end of the rainy season".

You can expect all of the standard amenities from a Marriott property and seemingly super courteous service. There is a lot to do if you have a rental car and are adventurous.

The beach is very rocky but the marlin and sailfish fishing was incredible and the pool very large and comfortable.

tasnam

I will be there this December.

Thanks for all the comments, I am reaaly excited about it.

One question:

Which "tree top" cable tour is recommended?
And how far away is it?

I'd like to do the kind that you "sit in a cable cage" and can take children.

But from the maps it seems they are mostly 3-4 hours away.

Thanks for your help and suggestions.

SuiJuris

I was just there this weekend, tho' only to have breakfast before a day out fishing (a friend keeps his boat at Los Suenos Marina). It seemed a *very* nice physical plant, and all staff encountered were very friendly. I saw lots of kids (early Saturday morning), so it must be family friendly. As for rides into town, I'd skip the idea of spending any time in San Jose and just enjoy the surrounding areas (i.e., Jaco - tho' I most certainly would *not* call Jaco in the evenings "family friendly"). This weekend was my first time at Los Suenos - but it mostly definitely won't be my last. Enjoy your trip.

Vasbyte

I stayed there just over a year ago and there was a tree top cable tour just south of Jaco (which is a few minutes south of the resort). I don't believe it was one where you 'sit in the cable cage' though.

I would suggest that you call the hotel directly. They have onsite a large travel office that arranges excursions for guests of the resort. They were very knowledgable and current on the area and were a great resource in helping us with day trips from the resort. The staff are super friendly and very professional.

Just a heads-up. As others have alluded to in this thread, don't judge travelling time in CR based on distance from point A to point B. Because of the mountenous nature of most of the country a rule of thumb is to at least double normal travelling time.

liveon777

Headed there SuperBowl weekend, but no idea where to stay.
Any good insights?

Thanks

UpgradeMe

There are only three Marriott properties in the country, two of which are in San Jose. So if you don't want to be in the city, it should be an easy decision.