jdp867

Wife and I are considering a trip to CR this January. We are just looking for a single destination resort for 4-5 days. Wife wants a top notch spa and is inquiring at Rancho Pacifico. However, reviews seem very mixed, Volcanogirl previously recommended Casa Chameleon on another post. Has anyone stayed at either of these resorts. Are they worth the money? Are we better off spending our vacation dollar at Lapas Rios or Punta Islita? We prefer small luxury properties over big resorts.

qwovadis

www.hotelvillacaletas.com

my fav upscale property on the coast

beautiful a little over an hour from the airport.

Might consider a day or 2 at arenal.net also

Good spas spring from personal experience

tabacon.com GREAT cheap massage hot springs lava view

royalcorin.com Lotto Spa good there 2 but

Villa Caletas best if you want a single destination unless

You can pony up the dough for the only TRUE 5 star in CR

fourseasons.com

jdp867

Thanks. Anyone ever stay at Los Altos de Eros? Great reviews on trip advisor but fodorites haven't said much since 2007 (good reviews but outdated input for our taste). They advertise that celebrities stay for free- thought that was kind of cheesy. But rates are better (ruled out fourseasons- way too pricey even w/ 5th night free) and I like that they include transport to/from airport and town.

Tom_Costello

If you prefer a small luxury property then this is the one www.hotelvillacaletas.com/

shillmac

Correction on Quo's post:

The Tabacon Grand Spa at Tabacon Hot Springs does not offer cheap massages! Not sure where that "cheap" thought comes from. This is one of the top rated spas (top 10) in Central and South America, and a fabulous place to relax with selected spa treatments. Expect to pay about $150 a pop for each treatment. Worth it? Was to me a couple of times! Cheap? Uh-uh.

colibri

And although Qwo repeatedly states that Tabacon has "lava views" Arenal has been dormant for the past year....not sure why he continues to post this. Obviously the volcano situation could change at any time, but a first-timer might not know the situation.

volcanogirl

I know the Lost Iguana has a spa, and Tabacon spa always gets great reviews. There's also Xandari near the SJO airport if you needed to stay close to the airport on a first or last night. The Springs Resort and Spa is also supposed to be very nice.

incabod

Some good ideas listed, but I would also check some of the lesser known gems like Qxygen - http://www.oxygenjunglevillas.com/ I dig Villa Caletas, got married there once... But it is pricey and not my favorite area outside the hotel. Uvita where oxygen is located also has the whales tail to consider. Do a google search for Whales Tail Costa Rica and check out the pics that come up.

Another place I would consider is Punta Islita - http://www.hotelpuntaislita.com/ Super swanky
Cheers

volcanogirl

I'd also take a look at Arenal Nayra - gets rave reviews. We're exploring it for a future trip.

jdp867

I agree it looks great, but we've decided against Arenal. We've been there three times and we want to be closer to SJO the night before ourt departure day. I just started a new post about our last night in SJO. I'll be interested in your thoughts. Your posts have been very helpful

volcanogirl

Gotcha, I'll check it out.

lcontr

just got back from Rancho Pacifico. I liked it but I did not LOVE it and prob. won't go back. Staff and food are EXCELLENT but it is isolated, if you are driving the entrance to get into the resort is down right dangerous if you do not have an SUV (you HAVE to have an SUV to drive the road). It is very windy , bumpy and narrow and you should NOT drive it in the dark. They do offer tours but the cost of the DRIVER to get to the tour is NOT included so it gets very pricey very fast. The resort is lovely to just chill out and relax but after about 3 days I was ready to head out and it's not a place where you will want to drive in and out of during the day because the "road" to get there is so stressful even though the tour lady looked us like we were crazy when we said we did not want to drive it again until we left.
Room are a bit rustic/bare for the price.
We also stayed at Nayara in La Fortuna while in CR. Absolutely lovely, gorgeous w/ all the creature comforts and tours with drivers included right at your door step. would repeat this place again. well worth every penny!