Hotel Riu Guanacaste
in
Playa Matapalo
,
Costa Rica
“With its beachfront setting, fabulous pool scene and great range of restaurants, this All Inclusive hotel ticks all the right boxes.”
Size-wise, this hotel is huge. And where big hotels go, great pools usually follow. That’s certainly true of this place. The main draw is the large network of pools fronting this grand property. Framed by neat lawns and plenty of palm trees, it’s an attractive spot. You’ll also find a swim-up bar here, too. And on top of that, there’s a kids’ pool, a whirlpool bath and a sun terrace with perfect rows of loungers.
From here, it’s only a few steps to the dazzling sands of
From here, it’s only a few steps to the dazzling sands of From here, it’s only a few steps to the dazzling sands of beach. If you fancy doing more than just sitting back and admiring the view, there are plenty of watersports on offer. Windsurfing and snorkelling are just a few on the list and the hotel also offers a free introductory scuba lesson back at the pool.
As for food and drink, you may need to loosen your belts. With three à la carte restaurants ranging from Italian to Asian, all tastes are catered for. The main restaurant is the place to fuel up on American-style breakfasts. Come the evening it’s all about international buffets with live cooking stations. The hotel also has a number of bars, two with terraces geared towards al fresco cocktails. Plus there's a casino and a nightclub.
Bedrooms, meanwhile, are dressed in neutral tones and have a slight colonial feel with ceiling fans and solid wood furniture. They all come with good-size bathrooms and a balcony, too. Upgrade and you can get a suite with a hydromassage bathtub in the bathroom.
From here, it’s only a few steps to the dazzling sands of
From here, it’s only a few steps to the dazzling sands of From here, it’s only a few steps to the dazzling sands of beach. If you fancy doing more than just sitting back and admiring the view, there are plenty of watersports on offer. Windsurfing and snorkelling are just a few on the list and the hotel also offers a free introductory scuba lesson back at the pool.
As for food and drink, you may need to loosen your belts. With three à la carte restaurants ranging from Italian to Asian, all tastes are catered for. The main restaurant is the place to fuel up on American-style breakfasts. Come the evening it’s all about international buffets with live cooking stations. The hotel also has a number of bars, two with terraces geared towards al fresco cocktails. Plus there's a casino and a nightclub.
Bedrooms, meanwhile, are dressed in neutral tones and have a slight colonial feel with ceiling fans and solid wood furniture. They all come with good-size bathrooms and a balcony, too. Upgrade and you can get a suite with a hydromassage bathtub in the bathroom.
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Photos of Hotel Riu Guanacaste
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Hotel features
Back to top
- Top Properties - Premier hotels are either 4 or 5 star, and have to score ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ with 90% or more of customers.
- More Luggage - Check in 23kg and carry up to 7kg of hand luggage.
- Priority Transfers - Thomson Platinum hotels are always the first or second drop-off.
- Day-before Check-in - Jump the queue with UK day-before check-in where available.
- Airport Discounts - Get 25% off airport hotels, meet-and-greet airport parking, and VIP lounges at UK airports.
- Platinum Service - Specialist Holiday Advisors are available at your hotel. Plus, at selected properties, you get access to a private Platinum lounge.
- See Terms & Conditions, A-Z guide for further information.
All Inclusive
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner in main buffet restaurant
- Snacks 24/7
- Optional dining in 3 restaurants, reservations required
- Unlimited selection of local and imported alcoholic and soft drinks, available 24/7
- Minibar regularly restocked
- Wi-Fi access in lobby area for laptops
- Activities as listed
- Entertainment as listed
- Other facilities as indicated
- Facilities not part of your All Inclusive package may incur extra local charges
Meals
- Main restaurant serving buffet meals
- Themed buffets 3 times a week
- Optional dining at 3 restaurants: Furama - Asian, La Toscana - Italian, & Grill - steak house restaurants
Swimming pool
- Swimming pool with adjoining whirlpool
- Extensive gardens
- Sun terrace
- Sun loungers, towels and parasols by the pool
- 'Santa Cruz' poolside bar with swim-up bar
Entertainment
- Daytime & evening entertainment programme
- Daily shows or live music
- Entry to the casino and nightclub
Activities
- Floodlit hard tennis court
- Gym, steam bath & whirlpool for guests over 18 yrs only
- Beach volleyball
- Selection of watersports including windsurfing & kayaking
- Snorkelling equipment
- 1 introductory scuba diving lesson in the pool
- Table tennis
For Families
- Hotel-run kids' club & entertainment, 4-12 yrs
- Playground
Other facilities
- These are not part of your All Inclusive package:
- Casino
- Drinks at 'Pacha' nightclub & casino
- Shop
- Use of computers with internet access
- Hairdresser
- 'Renova' Spa
- Beauty Salon
- Massage
- Pool table
- Nearby sports including watersports, golf & horse-riding
Other Information
Some facilities may incur extra local charges, please see the A-Z Guide
Travel longhaul with Thomson Airways and you can look forward to…
33-inch seat pitch as standard – that’s more legroom in longhaul economy than BA, Virgin Atlantic, bmi and Monarch*
Comfy leather seats
Cutting-edge seatback entertainment
Upgrade to Premium Class and you’ll get all this plus at least a whopping 36 inches all to yourself. Talk about living the high life!
*Source: BATA website, September 2008
Exclusivity
Exclusive to Thomson Group customers in the UK
Tour operator rating
4 plus
Official Rating
5 star
No. of floors
6
Room facilities
Back to topRoom facilities
All rooms have air-conditioning, fan, satellite TV, radio alarm clock, telephone, minibar, liquor dispenser, hairdryer, iron/board and balcony or terrace. Standard rooms have twin beds or 1-king-size bed. Standard courtyard view rooms and Standard sea view rooms available.Suites have 1 double bed, bathroom with hydromassage bathtub and shower, walk-in closet and integrated lounge area with sofa.
We also offer Suites.
Location
Back to top- On Playa Matapalo beach
- 13km to nearest shops
- 33km to airport
Transfers
40 mins
Your guide to Playa Matapalo, Costa Rica
“Tucked out of sight on the Pacific coast, Playa Matapalo has hideaway escape written all over it.”
If there’s anywhere in Costa Rica that’s made for getting away it from all, it’s probably this place. Cupped into the central Pacific coast, it’s a beautiful bay that’s done a hide-and-seek act. So it’s ideal if you’re after some serious downtime in the sun. Walk down to the beach and you’ll see for yourself. A sweep of sand is fringed by mangrove trees and palms. And the views encompass a range of lush, cone-shaped mountains. As for the sea, it’s really clear and shallow, so it’s great for swimming and snorkelling. Bear in mind, the currents can be strong, though. You’ll find a few watersports here, too, like windsurfing and kayaks. Plus the breakers in some parts of the bay are good for surfing. Away from the sands, there’s not a lot else on the facilities front, which is where the appeal lies. Cattle ranches line the roads and you’ll find a few restaurants and shops sprinkled around, as well as some fishing villages. Unsurprisingly, most activities revolve around nature. If you’re feeling adventurous, take an expedition to the nearby national parks. With their rainforests, gorges and rivers, they’re fantastic for hiking, rafting and wildlife-watching. There’s plenty to do closer to Matapalo as well. Go fishing in the nearby Portalon River - it flows into the sea at Matapalo beach itself. Or take a walking or horseback tour through the surrounding forests. They’re alive with howler monkeys, iguanas, butterflies and colourful birds.
More on Playa Matapalo, Costa Rica
Reviews
Back to topHotel Riu Guanacaste reviews - what customers thought
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Back to top“With its beachfront setting, fabulous pool scene and great range of restaurants, this All Inclusive hotel ticks all the right boxes.”
Size-wise, this hotel is huge. And where big hotels go, great pools usually follow. That’s certainly true of this place. The main draw is the large network of pools fronting this grand property. Framed by neat lawns and plenty of palm trees, it’s an attractive spot. You’ll also find a swim-up bar here, too. And on top of that, there’s a kids’ pool, a whirlpool bath and a sun terrace with perfect rows of loungers.
From here, it’s only a few steps to the dazzling sands of Playa Matapalo beach. If you fancy doing more than just sitting back and admiring the view, there are plenty of watersports on offer. Windsurfing and snorkelling are just a few on the list and the hotel also offers a free introductory scuba lesson back at the pool.
As for food and drink, you may need to loosen your belts. With three à la carte restaurants ranging from Italian to Asian, all tastes are catered for. The main restaurant is the place to fuel up on American-style breakfasts. Come the evening it’s all about international buffets with live cooking stations. The hotel also has a number of bars, two with terraces geared towards al fresco cocktails. Plus there's a casino and a nightclub.
Bedrooms, meanwhile, are dressed in neutral tones and have a slight colonial feel with ceiling fans and solid wood furniture. They all come with good-size bathrooms and a balcony, too. Upgrade and you can get a suite with a hydromassage bathtub in the bathroom.
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