We are planning a trip to CR in February. My husband found these three resorts and I would like to know if anyone has stayed in them or can give me suggestions:
DoubleTree Resort Puntarenas
Barcelo Tambor Beach, Paquera
Flamingo Beach Resort and Spa in Guanacaste

Thank you for any information you can give me.

check www.tripadvisor.com for reviews Flamingo best

of those you mention for sure NOT

the Doubletree terrible beach dirty port location.

www.bookit.costarica.com

good sales on lots better places like the new www.riu.com

Happy Hunting.

www.costarica.bookit.com sorry link dyslexia

Thank you. I will take a look at Bookit.

We've stayed at all three. The only one I would recommend is Playa Flamingo. Outstanding location, nice beach, plenty of good restaurant options within short driving distance (or walking). Don't choose the all-inclusive option as it is overpriced, the food not that good. Lots to chopose from in the area. Playa Flamingo is the only one of the three that would allow you to really get out and have lots to explore nearby.

I have also stayed at Playa flamingo.( 2 br 2b unit)I was pleasantly surprised with the resort because reviews I read seemed less than enthusiastic. Nice pools, great view, good restaurant and bar with great view. Nice people, good activities.

Rethinking: Actually, you could do some exploring from the Barcelo in Tambor (Curu Reserve is nearby and Montezuma not too far away). But I'd never recommend this hotel as the Spanish chain destroyed a huge area of mangrove (illegally) in order to build it.

I just meant that, for us, the Playa Flamingo area offers so much to explore nearby. Just 5 minutes to the north is Playa Penca, Playa Portrero, Playa Pan de Azucar (Sugar Beach). Cute little bakery restaurant in Playa Portrero, great place for breakfast.

Although we've never done it, there is a sunset cruise out of Playa Flamingo--seems like it would be fun. People gather faithfully for the sunsets on this beach. It's magical! And the huge warm pool and swim up bar is a really fun hang out if you tire of the beach. Across the street at the new commercial center (close to the famous Marie's restaurant) is Petite Paris, where you can get a really good massage from Caroline Lemaire. Her husband, Chris, runs a salon. They are French, have lived in the area for about 8 years, really nice couple with a super little business going for them.

But I digress. . . .to the north 10 min. you have Playa Brasilito where you can drive right down the beach to Playa Conchal, a gorgeous shell beach with a neat vibe and really pretty, calm water. Continuing on to the south is party/shopping central at Playa Tamarindo (tons of restaurants). Nearby is Playa Grande, Playa Negra, Playa Avellenas, just lots to explore.

Right there in Brasilito you have Outback Jack's (at the Hotel Brasilito right on the beach), Camaron Dorado (fab restaurant for dinner on the beach at sunset time--excellent service), or The Happy Snapper. All so close!

A couple of years ago, I gave Flamingo Beach Resort a negative review due to a horrendous check in experience we had. I wrote the owner and told him I was giving it a bad review because they didn't honor our 4 month reservation. Well, they did, but I had to get ugly. Still, I would never choose not to stay here. They are genuinely working to correct these kinds of problems and I know there has been improvement. We personally know the manager and he (and the owner) more than made up for our bad experience with a few comp. days last summer. Still, we don't eat there, unless it's breakfast or a snack at the pool bar.

Hope this helps some. Hope you have a fabulous trip!

Thanks everyone. Shillmac, great information. Would you recommend this area of Costa Rica for a first time visitor? Or would Arenal, Manuel Antonio, or the beaches be the best? There seems to be so much to see but it takes a long time to travel between areas. We have 7 days. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Arenal and Manuel Antonio is the most popular combo for first time travelers. It's only about 5 hours between the two of them and gives you a good mix of volcano and beach time plus loads of adventure activities. MA is pretty Americanized, but offers lots of hotel and restaurant choices and easy access to fairly tame wildlife. It's easy to get around because things are clustered close together. The beach inside the national park is beautiful. Check out Tulemar Bungalows, Buena Vista Villas, Mango Moon, Si Como No, Costa Verde, and Villas Nicolas to see what you think.

We are arriving in San Jose at 1:00 p.m. Will this allow us enough time to travel to Arenal or should we stay in Alajuela?

If everything goes smoothly, that should be enough time; it's about a 3 hour drive, and it gets dark around 5:30.

Thank you, Volcanogirl. I am bummed because the Arenal Springs Resort is booked. Montana de Fuego is available. I have read reviews which sound good. Does anyone have knowledge of this hotel?

Thanks, again.

One more question-we are trying to decide between Issimo Suites and Gaia Hotel Reserve in the Manuel Antonio area. Ansy suggestions?

Colleen, I haven't stayed at either of those, but they do get consistently good reviews. I don't think you could go wrong with either one.