Hotel Villas Playa Samara
Del Centro De Playa Samara 3 Kilometros Sobre Carretera Hacia Playa Carrillo, Playa Samara 50205 Costa Rica
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About
#11 of 21 hotels in Playa Samara
Location
4.3
Cleanliness
3.6
Service
3.6
Value
3.5
We are a hotel with fully equipped villas and deluxe rooms. We are located in front of the beach very close yo downtown Samara.
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Property amenities
Parking
Free internet
Pool
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Beach
Airport transportation
Spa
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Swimup bar
Poolside bar
Massage
Concierge
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun umbrellas
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Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Safe
Kitchenette
Refrigerator
Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Ocean View
Green
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Contact
Del Centro De Playa Samara 3 Kilometros Sobre Carretera Hacia Playa Carrillo, Playa Samara 50205 Costa Rica
Getting there
Rental CarsSee rental cars from $9/day
1294Reviews123Q+A100Room tips
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Wonderful experience. The hotel has improved a lot since our last visit in 2018 I believe. The villas are remodeled and neatly maintained and painted. Gardens are well kept. I would recommend of course getting a room with ocean view.
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Get a room with ocean view. Try out restaurants in Samara town for dinner.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
I spent a week visiting a friend who was already a guest at Villas Verdes. I could not have been more impressed. From the call of birds and monkeys in the morning to the minutes-long bike ride to snorkeling at the beach, Villas felt part of the surrounding natural world. Yet at the same time, the best coffee shop and two of the best restaurants we visited were literally next door. As were shopping and other site-seeing opportunities! I loved meeting the proprietor at Villa Verdes and her cat, as well as fellow guests from around the world. They could not have been nicer. Our apartment was spacious, with a great balcony, and very clean. The Villas staff were pleasant and helpful. I was pleased to rent a bike. I hope to come back again - Villas is welcoming to first-time and a striking number of repeat guests.…
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
We had a wonderful time here! All the staff were so friendly and welcoming. From the moment we arrived it was nothing but kind, genuine, welcoming, helpful staff. Yes, it’s a two hour bus ride from Libera Airport but we’ll worth the travel time. The Villa we had was beautiful! It was large, bright and clean. The food was delicious and always something different to try. This resort is laid back and relaxing. Not like your usual Caribbean vacation; If you want loud, busy and obnoxious this is NOT for you! . You feel very welcome. The grounds are stunning very lush and beautiful. We cannot say enough about Villa Playa Beach Resort! Thank you to all the staff and management. Special thank you to Hazel, Olman, Roger, Naom! If you want relaxing and pure bliss - this is the perfect spot for you! Pura Vida <3…
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Awesome little resort if you are looking for a quiet little getaway. bar and music closes at 10 pm. Food is limited but decent. Nice rooms and great little gift shop. 5 minutes to Samara by a beach walk. Perfect retreat for those looking to relax and escape the everyday hustles. If you r looking for 5 stars and bend over service, this is not the place. If you have realistic expectations and want to unwind in a perfect climate with great service, this is it! (Second time here)
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Paid for a 4 star all inclusive vacation through Air Canada Vacations which promised: 2 a la carte restaurant meals, nightly entertainment, fitness facility, games room, bicycles, daily activities, and table tennis. Instead I got asked to pay additional charges for the a la carte restaurant meals. No fitness facility, games room, daily activities and table tennis. One night of entertainment until the electricity went out. Which happened often due to the noisy and constant construction. Also supplied a $200 USD damage deposit to have broken closets and a faulty safety deposit box. No additional charge for being served sour milk in my coffee in dirty cups.
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Date of stay: January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Excellent rooms, one with awesome beach front views. The hotel has beautiful gardens, incredible beach and nice pool. Great food. Esther, Nahum, Benjamin, and other people in reception, don Roger and Brayner, thank you for your excellent service!!! Also thank you Josue at Britt Store. See you soon! :)
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
+1
The staff are very friendly and try to be helpful, some speak very little English so brush up on Spanish if you still plan to go here. The new owner severely neglects this resort while the sister resort right beside it Azura is kept in good shape and had all of their al a carts available while we have none. Only the buffet which my stomach was not doing well all week. I stayed at an Airbnb the following week in another area and my upset stomach symptoms disappeared. The layout of the resort and the distance between room buildings was very nice. There was absolutely no entertainment manager that I knew about because they had SUP boards and kayaks to use but only saw them our last day and was never told they were available by any staff member, so we were left somewhat bored at the beach and pool all week. The entire week there was only two occasions of live entertainment. Our most exciting night out was having dinner in Samara town at La Dolce Vita where they had amazing food, live music and a fire baton entertainer. The pool was not very clean or clear, I almost skimmed it myself at one point. LOL We never had issues with our room but I know several friends there who did including no hot water and no working AC. We discovered the owner was not paying his employees on time or even for their overtime, therefore many did not show up to work which I don’t blame them but it left guests that much more unhappy. This new selfish, lazy owner will end up ruining this resort. If you do the adrenaline excursion, bring whatever you feel necessary, water shoes, cash, sunscreen, change of clothes, lots of water! Since we were not given any water other than while at lunch. The river tubing is quite dicey, several of us got mildly injured falling out of the tube hitting rocks, the other activities included were wonderful! You would be better off renting an Airbnb and a car than doing any resort in Costa Rica. And there is not a lot to do around Samara so reconsider that area. It’s a beautiful country that you will love! …
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: If you mainly want to stay at the resort or walk a cute small town this might be for you....
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
7 people, 3 rooms, from Jan 6-13. Both Air Canada vacations and the hotel web site misrepresent the facilities that are available. A-la-carte restaurant, game room, gym and lobby bar have not been available for over a year. Buffet restaurant has very little variety and most dishes are repeated daily. Meat entrees (only two per day) are always overcooked. Hot water was available in only 1 of the 3 rooms. No food or beverage available at the beach. No beverage service around the pool, must go to the swim up bar. Bus drive to/from Liberia airport 3+ hours due to traffic and road conditions
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Date of stay: January 2023
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip: Deluxe King is better but does not have the seating area as advertised
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
4 Helpful votes
Helpful
+1
My husband and I first stayed at Villas Playa Samara January 2020. We thought it was great. Simple, small very quite but we were happy with our stay. We convinced a bunch of our friends and family to come with us for a 1 week stay this year. We very quickly realized that the resort has not faired well since 2020. It’s definitely more rundown. All the staff we spoke to had only been working there for max couple of months or a few weeks. We were told upon checking in that there was no A La Carts, only the buffet, while Azura resort which is on the same property has 4 A La Cart options, and guests from Villas Playas could not even get access to one of these! The owner obviously is either purposely trying to run Villas Playa into the ground for some selfish reason, or only cares about Azura resort because he lives there himself. We also came to learn from angry employees that the owner was not paying his staff. I can’t say that I blame the staff for not showing up or caring too much for guests if that is how they are treated! We went on an excursion one morning and were told to go to Azura for breakfast. The difference between service and just general up keep from one resort to the other was astounding! At Villas Playa we had to wait sometimes up to 15 minutes in the morning for a server to come over with coffee, while at Azura they had a touch screen coffee and specialty latte machine you could just walk up to and get a coffee in seconds. Communication for excursions was terrible! We did the Adrenaline Day excursion and were told to only bring water shoes and a bathing suit, nothing else was needed. I knew a bit better from past experiences, so I packed a bag to bring. Other people were not so fortunate, and had to go all day in wet soggy shoes and no change of clothes. The pool was not taken care of barely at all. At night and sometimes during the morning a staff member would toss handfuls of pool chemicals into the water. Some of them would end up around the edges of the pool, so then later if you happened to sit on the edge it would burn and sting your skin or bleach and ruin your bathing suit or clothes. The pool was full of debris from the trees and little bugs. We only witnessed the pool being skimmed once for a shot period during our 1 week stay. My sister in law and her husband were without hot water for half of their stay. After constantly having to bug the staff to look into the matter, they sent one maintenance worker and all he did was remove their shower head and run the water then he replaced it again, then said he’d return but never did. After days of dealing with this and asking to speak with the owner that never came, they were finally moved to a different room. We also heard another guest was without any A/C in their room and were crying to the front desk staff. I’m sad this beautiful resort has taken such a nosedive. This place must be under new ownership and the owner is bleeding this place dry and cheating his employees out of a hard earned paycheque. Most of the staff was incredible. You can tell they want to be passionate about their work but it’s hard when a rich ass is taking advantage of you and doesn’t care about his employees or his guests! We will not be coming back.…
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
+1
We recently travelled (in December) for a week at this resort. We were disappointed and dissatisfied with our recent stay at Villa Playa Samara. The package and hotel amenities advertised on the travel agent’s website, as well as the hotel’s website did not reflect actual reality, and are falsely advertised. Firstly, advertised as a four star, this was barely a three star hotel, with run down facilities, lack of amenities and poor food quality. Even the the hotel staff identified it as a three star… Only one small buffet restaurant was open, when the website advertised an a la carte and failed to mention that it was shut down. The buffet offered was limited, with not very much choice, but I was able to eat rice, salad and fish when offered. Buffet is not equipped to keep up with clients, food constantly ran out, with only six hot plates of food selection, which at best, was a two star in quality. The resort next door (Azure) is owned by the same company. Typically with other resorts we have stayed at, if a restaurant is closed down temporarily, we would be allowed to use their neighbouring hotel restaurant (when owned by the same company). The lobby serves both, and there is a clear distinction in service depending on where you are staying. Also, there is no games room as advertised, nor any activities. We travelled with a child, 11 years old, and would have picked a different hotel with more entertainment and amenities if we had known, given the distance from the Liberia airport (2 hours). The entertainment complex was shut down. No games room, no pool table. Other noteworthy items, there are no beverages stocked in the fridge in the room (meaning no drinkable water), which can be inconvenient when the small bar attached to the buffet is closed. There are no pool towels at the lobby, they are supposed to be delivered to your room and replaced as needed. Unfortunately we did not get any for two days even after requesting at the lobby and via the main communication tool through what’s app. The villas are spacious, but many need renovations, which is underway with some. Unfortunately we got one of the older garden villas (which was more expensive and an upgrade), with a shower that barely worked. The pressure was better at the pool shower! We managed to clean out the shower head a bit with a needle to get more water coming out, but it still not acceptable. The grounds and beach are picturesque, with some renovations and more upkeep, it could be a beautiful place. We have stayed in other areas of Costa Rica (playa Hermosa), and we were disappointed with the quality and cost in comparison.…
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
$139 - $565 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
hotel villas playa samara
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of GuanacastePlaya Samara
NUMBER OF ROOMS
112
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Frequently Asked Questions about Hotel Villas Playa Samara
Which popular attractions are close to Hotel Villas Playa Samara?
Nearby attractions include Playa Carrillo (1.0 miles), Samara Beach (1.3 miles), and dondeJavitours (1.5 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Hotel Villas Playa Samara?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a swimup bar, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Hotel Villas Playa Samara?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, air conditioning, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Hotel Villas Playa Samara?
Guests can enjoy a swimup bar, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Hotel Villas Playa Samara?
Conveniently located restaurants include Sweeties By Celia, Bohemia Café, and Chez Nous.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Hotel Villas Playa Samara?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and a fitness center during their stay.
Does Hotel Villas Playa Samara have airport transportation?
Yes, Hotel Villas Playa Samara offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Hotel Villas Playa Samara?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Does Hotel Villas Playa Samara have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.
Is Hotel Villas Playa Samara accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and reduced mobility rooms. For specific inquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.