What People are saying
Helps to remember this is a retreat
Prince_of_Vacay on 06/11/2017 22:40
My wife had a groupon from 4 years ago that she never used for this resort. We decided to stay here for 3 nights during our 7 day vacation, because we technically already paid. One review I read on this website summarized an important feature of this location and that is that this is a wellness retreat--don't expect a lot of modern frills.
We arrived in the late rainy season on a Wednesday and my wife an I were the only people at the resort for the first night. There only appeared to be three people working on the property: a front desk person, a security guard, and a waiter.
They next day, they had landscapers out doing gardening and pressure washing the sidewalks. People started arriving and by Friday night there were 2 or 3 other couples checked-in to the retreat. Most of them were Spanish speaking and I assumed they may be locals getting away for the weekend.
Things I liked: The rooms on the 2nd floor of the retreat are spacious with a balcony. The balcony overlooks a valley with mostly trees. You will tend to wake up at daybreak to the light of the sun and birds fluttering around outside. Some people don't like this as they want to sleep in, but I loved it. The gym at the resort is much better than at many hotels. They have a Cybex functional trainer and decent cardio options (treadmills, bikes). The waiter who served us (Paul) was very attentive. While at the resort, we didn't see a single mosquito.
Things I didn't like: The pool was super cold. I only used it once as it was too cold to even be "refreshing." There is a hot-tub, sauna and steam room but you have to pay to use it, and it requires advance notice to use. As this is a retreat, don't expect to see any cocktails on the menu. Another thing I didn't like was the bathroom--as there seemed to be a lack of privacy. There are no curtains and shower door in the bathroom. When standing in the shower, you look straight down into the garden. Anyone walking around behind your room in the garden can stop for a free peep show.
Neutral: Dinner at the resort is good, but keep in mind that it's heavy on the vegetarian side. My wife and I averaged $45/night for dinner. The included breakfast was nice, but it's really just a few slices of fruit, toast and coffee. Literally 3 slices of papaya and honeydew, 1 slice of pineapple, 2 small slices watermelon and 2 slices of toast. Also, no WiFi in the room. I knew this going in, but it would have been nice to have WiFi in the room. I like to unwind with an episode on Netflix before going to bed.
The one thing that really helped make this retreat work for us was the fact that we had a rental car. It allowed us to explore and take day trips. The rental car company also rented a mobile phone to us which worked as a GPS device and a hot spot. Without a rental car and phone, we may have gotten really bored at the retreat.
Great Spa, bad customer service and food is scarce and highly priced
dcleer on 18/07/2017 04:35
We were there for 1 night and had bought a spa package of a massage and facial. The spa services were excellent, although our massage was only a back and neck massage instead of a full massage as was advertised. But the ladies at the spa, and the products were very good. The place is beautiful and well maintained. But the food was too expensive for appetizer sized entrees. When we ordered extra bread initially they said they didn't have any, and when they "found" some they charged us for 2 incredibly small bread balls. We asked for a late check out because we had treatments scheduled after the check out time, and they said no even when the hotel was almost empty. No toiletries in the rooms and the soap in the dispenser smelled like industrial soap. And you're supposed to use it as shampoo as well. Hotel personnel will bring you water but not much else, since supplies seem to be short in every department. If you're on the mood for very frugal accommodations, the spa treatments are good.
GREAT STAY!!!!
Michelle M on 03/07/2017 15:18
This hotel is such a beautiful place. It is a great wellness retreat area. The views are amazing and the swedish massage they provide is absolutely amazing! The food at the restaurant (dinner ) is a bit expensive but it is delicious ( not quite satisfying- it can still leave one feeling a little hungry). I love that they produce their own food and that they do not allow wifi all over the hotel area so that people can truly benefit and enjoy their stay by being in the moment. They do not provide free airport transportation though as advertise; but they will have someone transport you if needed for $22.
Needs a serious intervention
adrialvarez on 11/04/2017 04:46
Lets start with the good: The hotel is in a nice secluded location, lots of green areas, nice views, very tranquil and quiet. Good place to relax, nicely decorated and friendly staff.
The bad: its in the small details and the way they try to save costs:
1. no sings on the way, we made it thanks to waze, but we are locals... if you are a foreigner might be a bit difficult.
2. Rooms: very big and bright and nice, but courtains are see through so, if you are sensitive to brightness, you are awake at 5:30am as soon as the sun comes up. They should have black out! Also, there is a window that see to the corridor with just white cloth, so at night people walking by might be able to see you if the lights are on. We complaint so they bought us a wooden thing to cover it. good solution but not a practical one.
3. Bathrooms are big and bright, but our rain showe was not working, had to call on twi separate ocations for it to be repaired and it broke again. My guess is, if you use our room in the future (Psyche) it will still not work. We got the impression that spending on maintenance is not a priority.
3. Menu: too small if you plan a long visit. Its good food, must of it very tasty, but after out 3rd day we couldnt eat it anymore!
4. Restaurant: its cosy and small, but most of the tables are croocked and have to be fixed. The nicest table its broken, and not fixed, but they still sit people there... even though every guest later askes to change tables. Services is very good but very slow. It can take up to an hour to get you food served... and its only 20 chairs! Waiters are super friendly and nice, but not properly trained. With only 9 tables, they are not properly set, so, you might not have glasses in one, or napkins in a other. Only one waiter for the whole place. We were very disapointed by tue chef as she decided to have music while she cooked, so it competes with the ambient music we have a the restuarant. Several times we asked the waiter, José Pablo to ask her to put it down, and she did not respond. By the fifth time I had to get up and ask her and she answered thar If i didnt like it I should close the door... I got upset and had to use the "i am a guest" card and finally got her to do it. Very inconsiderate and disrispectful of her. Another hickup is the fact that kitchen closes at 8:30pm, so you are sitting there, eating and they do not inform you they are "closing", so at 8:45 you ask for dessert and its not possible anymore. My husband asked for tea at 8:50pm and they said it was not possible.... Hot tea!!!!
5. Spa: Hamman is off and they turn it on only when you book it, so... we lost 25mins of our time while it "warmed up", because they do not warm it up before.... Jacuzzy was cold. Couples massage is outside next to the pool so there is no privacy! I asked for watsu and they said it had to be ordered 3 days in advace as the water had to be heated... I said that because I am pregnant I would prefer water not so warm so maybe they could wave the "3 day rule", but was informed that the treatment is only done with hot water. Also asked about the treatment called floating... but that pool was in "maintenance".
Overall, i would not come back nor recommend the visit, unless owner intervines and changes manager, properly trains staff and invest a little in maintenance.
Beautiful, friendly, great spa, but a little lonely...
lkurtz1 on 11/04/2017 02:05
I just stayed 9 days at the gorgeous wellness resort. The staff we wonderful, the food was great, the grounds are very asthetically pleasing, services, massages, etc were perfect. The only thing I found very odd was the lack of people there. I was the only person at the entire resort the whole time I was there! I don't understand the lack of customers. I hightly recommend this spa and think it's a great value for the cost. But staying there alone was a little weird at first. I finally decided to just embrace it, and by the last day when a few couples came for the day I found I didn't want to share my spa with them! haha. I hope they do a better job of marketing themselves in the future and if you go, I recommend going with a friend, a group, or a spouse. Very mysterious...