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Hotel Riu Guanacaste


Playa de Matapalo, Santa Cruz, Costa Rica
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Reviews you can trust

83% Recommend
4.0 of 5 stars 26 reviews
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5 of 5 stars
pgwode   2 contributions
Atlanta, Georgia
Dec 3, 2009 | Trip type: Family New
4/4 found this review helpful

We had a great three-day stay at RIU Guanacaste. Excellent rooms, courteous staff, gorgeous pools, a good beach, and good all-you-can-eat dining. What more can one ask for during a vacation? The Good -Check-in: Very quick. They had our envelopes with keys ready. Took all of 10-minutes (you have to fill out a form). -Flexibility: We were given rooms on... more

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3 of 5 stars
paphination   1 contribution
St. Catharines Ontario
Dec 2, 2009 | Trip type: Couples New
1/3 found this review helpful

This was our 4th trip to Costa Rica and we have probably been to a dozen hotels. While the Riu is not the worst hotel that we have stayed at, it clearly was no where near the best. This hotel is newly opened so perhaps some of the issues will be dealt with once they finish their learning curve however... more

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5 of 5 stars
Moxroclady   1 contribution
London, Ontario
Dec 1, 2009 | Trip type: Couples New
4/4 found this review helpful

This brand new resort is stunning. Clean, extraordinary pools, excellent food (lots of choice) and beautiful large rooms. Great selection of day trips. We did the Nicaragua (5:30a.m. til 9:30pm) and while we enjoyed all the things we saw, it was too much time on a bus (border crossing a very very slow process). The Paulo Verde river trip is... more

Great Time
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4 of 5 stars
Fritzy_9   1 contribution
Linwood Canada
Dec 1, 2009 | Trip type: Couples New
2/2 found this review helpful

Staff were more than willing to help.Brand new so very clean.Food was exceptional in buffet.Italian menu did not seem really Italian based.It is close to jungles so bugs are too be expected.The praying mantis style bugs are harmless.I did not find them too bad with a little spray at nighttime. I did the half day tours so I did not... more

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3 of 5 stars
texastraveler2002   1 contribution
Texas
Dec 1, 2009 | Trip type: Couples New
1/2 found this review helpful

We just arrived home from a six night stay at the Riu last night. The resort is beautiful and the beach is stunning. However, we were very disappointed in the level of service at the hotel. For example we requested extra pillows upon our arrival and again later in the same day. The pillows arrived only after a visit to... more

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2 of 5 stars
BeantownAdvisor   5 contributions
Boston, MA USA
Nov 30, 2009 | Trip type: Couples New
2/2 found this review helpful

The new RIU is an amazing hotel and lives up to the RIU standards (and yes, it is finished) in regards to the wonderful room accommodations. However, with its 701 rooms it was too big for a romantic vacation. The biggest issue was the LARGE bugs that come out at sundown and they are everywhere. Your room balconly is off-limits... more

PURA VIDA!
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5 of 5 stars
Tnyc   1 contribution
NYC
Nov 29, 2009 | Trip type: Couples New
2/2 found this review helpful

Just got back from an amazing trip at the Riu Guanacaste! The staff was very friendly and helpful. Our first room had a problem with the lights but the front desk was extremely helpful and moved us to a better room as soon as they had one available. The hotel is brand new so extremely clean. One would expect kinks... more

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5 of 5 stars
dfromthenorth   13 contributions
Mattawa
Nov 29, 2009 | Trip type: Family New
1/1 found this review helpful

Just returned from the most beautiful country we have ever traveled to. The Riu Guanacaste is every bit as beautiful as they advertise. The buffet was excellent, we ate there everynight, selection was awsome, the wine is excellent. The water is drinkable and the rooms and service we top notch. The resort pool was the best - the swim up... more

Nice Hotel
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3 of 5 stars
JewishNY   2 contributions
New York
Nov 26, 2009 | Trip type: Couples
1/1 found this review helpful

I just returned from a very enjoyable week (November 7-14, '09) at the Riu Guanacaste Hotel. It's hard to give a general review, so I'll talk about each aspect of the week. HOTEL: Honestly Beautiful. The hotel is located on a dirt, pothole ridden road with local rickety houses and shacks nearby. The lobby is open to the elements with... more

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5 of 5 stars
dnat   5 contributions
Dallas, Tx
Nov 24, 2009 | Trip type: Couples
10/10 found this review helpful

My wife and I stayed 11/14 - 11/21 and had a great time. The hotel is beautiful and like others have mentioned they have some issues but they are doing a good job. We had an ocean view room and found it very comfortable. We asked for and received extra pillows and extra cervaza for the fridge. Fridge was supposed... more

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Hotel Riu Guanacaste Address

Playa de Matapalo, Santa Cruz, Costa Rica
Santa Cruz Hotels Hotel Riu Guanacaste
4.0/5.0
26