saisailup
August 28, 2024
Where do I begin? I just spent 12 nights at the property, returning for the second time. This stay was even better than last year. If you like nature, a resort with spa, restaurants, amazing kids club activities and a fabulous pool, this is the resort for you. I came here in August both times, which is their low season, and felt like I had the resort to myself. There is so much to do here and it is a great staging place for all activities, even Manuel Antonio (about 1.5 hour drive away.) In summary, we will definitely be back and already feeling a little sad and regretting that we decided to skip coming back next year. The taxi desk is super convenient. We didn't have to wait more than 2 minutes for a car. It is about $18 round trip to the local restaurants and super market and $40 round trip to Jaco. Salvatore, who drives the Marriott van, is sweet and nice. He will wait with you when picking up food or groceries. He will also give you a tour of Jaco! We went on so many excursions. I recommend the nearby aerial tram and butterfly garden tour. It is very relaxing ride up to a landing where you can get a beautiful view of Jaco and see Costa Rica's largest flag. We also went on a bird watching tour at Carara but we did not see many birds (we heard then but could not find them). We did come across a family of monkeys! We also went to tours closer to Quepos: hanging bridge tour (beautiful views) and a night tour in the rain forest. We also chartered in-shore fishing with Captain Juan on his Fish Hunter boat and caught huge amberjacks and rooster fish (40-70 lbs). The boat departs from the beach nearby that is a 5 minute ride from Los Suenos. We were able to take some of the filets back, which Hacienda Kitchen prepared for us. It took about 2 hours to prepare and they charged by the person. The meal also came with 2 sides. Delicious!! Hugo and Victor at Hacienda Kitchen were so nice and helpful. Do not miss the eco tour that is included with your stay. We did this tour last year and we saw many more animals on the tour this year. So no tour is ever the same! This year we saw monkeys, sloths, coatis, macaws, toucans, so many different iguanas and birds. The kids club had really amazing activities for my nice and nephew. We have been to a few other Marriott properties and the activities were usually a bit lame or you had to pay extra. All the activities here are complementary and included: making a piggy bank, make your own dream catcher, learn to make pizza at the Hacienda Kitchen, make a bracelet and decorate a cupcake. The pizza was actually really good! The villa is spacious and comfortably accommodated 4 adults and 2 children. We had the villa that is second the the last one on the end near the trees, but loved being able to bird watch the toucans and macaws perched in the trees. If you want a visit from the toucan, ask for the villa on the end because we saw the toucan perch on the terrace a few times during our stay. Lastly, Silvia, who w