We stayed at the Westin Playa Conchal from February 7th-the 14th 2013. We had been looking forward to our sunshine getaway and the Westin and Costa Rica did not disappoint. From arrival to departure everything and everyone was outstanding.

The Westin’s buffet and restaurants are delicious, Spirula pizzas and ravioli is fabulous for lunch. The resort grounds and golf course are well maintained, the pool is huge and never crowded. The open concept rooms are beautiful and large, with a raised sleeping area and a furnished terrace overlooking the landscape. Monkeys, coatis, birds and iguanas roam freely throughout the resort and golf course.

To experience the true Pura Vida we followed recommendations and headed straight to the beach upon arrival to finally meet Erik Garcia, John Rodriguez and the rest of the famous blue shirt crew. From our first welcome handshake to our farewell hugs these boys made our stay in Costa Rica a memorable one.

Day 2- The Palo Verde tour with Rigo Suave. A drive thru villages, farms, sugar cane and cantaloupe fields to arrive at the river for a boat tour to be with monkeys, crocodiles in a perfect wildlife setting.

Day 4- A guided ATV tour thru villages, beach towns and farms to Congo Canopy zipline tours, 11 ziplines and drop bridges thru the forest with Howler Monkeys relaxing in the trees. On the ATV tour back to Playa Conchal we stopped for lunch at a local beach restaurant for cerveza, nachos and fish tacos.

Day 6- Out on the El Dorado for a day boating on the Pacific. Fishing, spear fishing, lobster fishing and, an unexpected whale watching experience with Captain Hugo and Havi.

Muchas Gracias to John, Erik and the boys for our Amazing Costa Rican Adventures.

Many thanks, to the Westin and to their always smiling staff for our wonderful accommodations, delicious meals all around great experience.

This was a wonderful, relaxing and exciting holiday and we are already planning our return to beautiful Costa Rica.

PURA VIDA

Michael and Danielle

Stayed at the Westin Feb. 4 to the 11th. Beautiful place, good food, ok beach. We did not book the Royal Beach Club and kind of regret it but the standard room was very nice. We emailed the hotel before leaving to book our restaurants and that worked out great. The Buffet is just ok, not a huge selection but food was decent.

Booked the river cruise tour through Eric Garcia and it was fun and no problem, i would recommend Eric. Our friends were were traveling with also booked massages with Eric's wife down the beach and they were satisified with them.

Night life was very quiet but that's ok by us. Beach was quiet also, don't expect to be playing beach volleyball or get served drinks on the beach as it is a public beach. The beach vendors were persistant but not annoying. not many people on the beach and don't expect nice umbrella's already waiting for you but the hotel staff will setup chairs and umbrella's for you if there are any umbrellas left(get there before 10am). The hotel will loan you boogy boards for the surf but it's really only good if you walk down to beach to the right. you can also get sea kayaks from the hotel but i really wish there was some catamarans for sailing. Snorkling is not really worth it.

Walked down the beach to the small town of Brasilito, souvenir shops were overly expensive and we got better deals at the hotel. Picked up some beer and Smirnoff Ice at the local grocery store to walk around with and it was cheap and cold. Restaurants looked good and we stopped at the Langosta Loca for Lunch. Food was good there but be very careful to check your bill. The table next to us complained about being overcharged and when our bill came we were also overcharged. The owner was extremely pleasant until we complained and then he turned almost nasty.

Overall great vacation for the price we paid, we got a bit of a deal compared to what looks like regular rates.

From Front Desk arrival to Departure it was a great stay. Property is well maintained with
excellent staffing. After an Ok but at times dissappointing 1st week at the "Accidental Papagayo" it was a treat to enjoy the Westin Jr Suite rooms , Restaurants, Enormous Swimming Pool and Pleasant service. A bit more money but worth the extra! Our travel agent Uniglobe had booked the wrong arrival date for one couple of Three, and the 3rd couple of our group did not have a room.(The bride and groom). Tim at the Front Desk calmly managed to correct it and get us all close together.
~Shuttles holding 6-8 circulate constantly. We never waited more than 2 mins until another
was coming along to take you where you needed to go.
~Rooms were 8 plexes 2 up and 2 down in the Front and back. Very Clean,quiet, spacious, and modern, with raised open bedroom and outdoor terrace veranda. Very comfortable beds
with a selection of pillows. Anything you need is a phone touch away.
Had some shirts stained with sunscreen. Called for Laundry service. They were there in
5 mins to pick up, and the cleaned pressed warm clothes were in the room the next morning.
~Buffets were good with nice selections and variety. Well presented .
6 Restaurants for reservations had good food and service but I would note that the decor
was not very authentic for French Styled restaurant. Also it would be nice to have French house wine in the French and Italian house wine in the Italian.
~Pool was fantastic with plenty of Sun chairs and shade chairs, Pool and swim up bar
were great for excellent drinks.Good variety.Slush, blender concoctions, cold beer .
Eugenio does some nice airbrush portrait art by the towel shack. Nice momento. Staff around
pool kept it clean and would interact well with kids and guests.
-(after about day 3 a convention group of about 300 arrived. Staff set up facilities, reception dinners etc and didn't skip a beat accommodating everyone.)
~Room Service was efficient. I think it was maybe 20 mins.
(Breakfast bacon seems to be a strange composite of meat /fat pieces compressed cured and sliced to resemble Side bacon.) Also nice to be able to order a Filet with mushrooms, wine
dessert... and dine in if you like. . 40 mins. at prime time dinner time.
~Beach was nice with sandy coral. Agressive waves breaking on the beach can toss you
up the beach or take you back in with a scoop full of sand in your shorts. Clean and good for walking.
Tamarindo beach is not far down the coast and good for surfing.
~Golf 120 for twilight with Taylormade rental clubs, cart . VERY Hot .I like the heat
but it drains you . 4 waters , 2 beer and a gatorade just evaporated over 9 holes. Needed more for the back nine . Greens were nice and fast. Good inland layout but was hoping it would have been more ocean side.
~Evening entertainment was a little average for a couple nights and not well attended when
we were there.
Overall great relaxing week and would definitely stay here again without any qualms.
Staff always were accommodating and lots of staff were always busy cleaning grounds,and even garbage receptacle covers were removed for cleaning. Good attention to details

this was a wonderful vacation all around. hotel was gorgeous, staff was friendly, food was delicious (everything was fresh), pool not crowded, easy to get chairs. weather great. town of tamarindo about 20 minutes away. met nice people, would recommend. our room was in perfect location. easy walk to beach, pool, shops, restaurants and theater. shuttle vans available also. enjoyed the spa as well.