Santarena Hotel at Las Catalinas

Hotels
9.1 (402 reviews)
Camino Las Catalinas 2 Calle La Ronda , Playa Flamingo , cr

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

Health or beauty spa nearby
Offsite parking discounted rates available
Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
Clubhouse
Electric bicycle charging station
Fitness facilities (surcharge)
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
Restaurant
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Clean rooms
Friendly staff
Beautiful surroundings
Cons:
Limited pool hours
Breakfast quality

Categories

Cleanliness
9.28
Rooms are clean and well-maintained, standard quality for this hotel tier.
Service
9.75
Staff are friendly and accommodating, significantly enhancing the stay experience.
Location
9.79
Perfect location close to restaurants, activities, and beach.
Room Quality
9.24
Rooms are spacious and comfortable with good decor.
Amenities
8.27
Rooftop pool is small and limited hours of service, but generally good amenities.
Value for Money
8.23
Breakfast quality does not match the price point, slightly overpriced.
Food and Beverage
8.78
Restaurant has good food and service, but breakfast options could improve.
Overall Experience
9.45
Overall a wonderful experience with lovely surroundings and friendly people.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-16 14:02

Property Description

Beachfront Urban Resort with a Tropical Twist

Rooftop Pool and Sea-View Lounge
Enjoy breathtaking Costa Rican sunsets from our refreshing rooftop pool and lounge, the perfect spot to unwind and relax.

Diverse Dining Options
Indulge in a variety of culinary experiences at our all-day bakery, ground-floor restaurant, and nearby specialty dining venues, offering something for every taste.

Wellness and Relaxation
Rejuvenate your body and mind at the state-of-the-art wellness center with meditation room and yoga studio, or pamper yourself at the nearby Wake Day spa for a range of luxurious treatments.

Experience the perfect blend of beachfront luxury and urban sophistication at Santarena Hotel. Book now to immerse yourself in the beauty of Las Catalinas.

Important information:

Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: LIR

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 1 year old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 10 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    People no matter the age stay for US$30 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

9.1
Based on 402 reviews
Cleanliness: 9.28
Service: 9.75
Location: 9.79
Room Quality: 9.24
Amenities: 8.27
Value for Money: 8.23
Food and Beverage: 8.78
Overall Experience: 9.45
M
Manuel • couple • cr
9
Lugar espectacular
Pros:

La arquitectura del pueblo, la tranquilidad y las vistas desde la altura, el paisaje es espectacular

Cons:

El servicio del restaurante Ponciana, muy mal servicio de parte de un salonero en específico, pero la calidad de la comida excelente

2026-04-11 • via Nuitee
D
Deisy • couple • gt
10
Una experiencia soñada !
Pros:

Absolutamente, todo ! El lugar es espectacular!!el servicio excelente, disfrutamos mucho !

2026-04-09 • via Nuitee
C
caroline • extended_group • fr
10
2026-04-08 • via Nuitee
J
Javier • family_with_children • cr
10
Pros:

la comida y el lugar

2026-04-06 • via Nuitee
J
Juan • family_with_children • cr
8
Momento en familia
Pros:

La tranquilidad , aseo , atención

Cons:

Acceso al Beach club

2026-04-05 • via Nuitee
F
Fernando • family_with_children • mx
8
Pros:

La calidad de los blancos es excelente así como la decoración del lugar excelente. La atención específicamente de Alexandra, Emerson y Michael sobresalen sobre el resto.

Cons:

Las camas no son cómodas y la atención del personal deja mucho que desear para un hotel de alta gama. Sin duda es un área de oportunidad del hotel. En el restaurante frente a la playa no fue nada agradable y no volvimos a ese lugar durante nuestra estancia. Otro tema que nos disgustó mucho fue que no se permiten fotos con cámara y fuimos abordados por personal de seguridad de Las Catalinas para restringir este tema a pesar que el hotel no nos advirtió nada al respecto ni tampoco se observaba en ningún información al respecto.

2026-04-04 • via Nuitee
M
Marie Constance • couple • fr
6
Not for us. Too touristy, medium quality and high prices.
Pros:

Rooftop pool, spacious rooms, beach access and trails, yoga and fitness classes.

Cons:

We had a strong humidity smell in the room, mold on the ceiling outside of our room. Breakfast has a lot of room for improvement. The hotel is located in a sort of secluded disneyland-like village. The quality of the restaurants available is not great, we expected much more given the prices.

2026-04-04 • via Nuitee
L
Lyse • solo_traveller • ca
4
On ne se sent pas dans la nature. La plage sable doré et noir, gros rochers cachés et petits caillou
Pros:

Déjeuner buffet ok Les fruits

Cons:

L'eau du robinet a mauvais goût, et refusent de donner des bouteilles d'eau. Au restaurant ils servent de l'eau filtré et refusent d'en laissé pour la chambre, résultat j'ai attrapé la tourista! le réfrigérateur ne fonctionnait pas et su début n'était pas connecté...ai demandé un 2ième pour mes médicaments. le frigo a dû être déplacé car à l'endroit prévu, la prise était au dessus du comptoir la porte du meuble ne fermait et le frigo dépassait de 2 pieds. ridicule
Restaurant pas assez de variété et croûte de pizza trop dire comme du ciment
Bruyant réparations à 7 am... pas de douche téléphone à ajouter. pas ce chaises de plage, faut s'étendre dans le sable, piscine infinité sur le toit pas très grande en céramique gris vert, a l air sale et l'est probablement. 10 chaises longues seulement. Les serviettes blanches, nettoyage douteux, pas si blanc.
A Preffered Hotel! Pas conforme au luxe de cette chaîne
4 kl pour s'y rendre est un cauchemar, la roue à deux sens pour s'y rendre est détruite par les gros camions de constructions, et quand on rencontre un camion qui prend la largeur du chemin on doit se tasser pour le laisser passer dangereux c'est l'enfer

2026-04-03 • via Nuitee
A
Anonio • family_with_children • pa
10
2026-03-30 • via Nuitee
S
Sandy • couple • ch
9
2026-03-27 • via Nuitee
I
ilo • solo_traveller • gb
7
Nice place, clean and comfortable, but staff need better training
Pros:

Breakfast and food in general was mediocre location was lovely.

Cons:

Staff were no particularly helpful. Communication between Santarena and Central was patchy and in some cases chaotic

2026-03-26 • via Nuitee
E
Elena • family_with_children • us
1
Cons:

We’ve traveled all over the world, and this was one of the most expensive places we’ve visited—completely unjustifiably so. The pricing does not match the quality of the experience at all.

Driving to Guanacaste was extremely challenging. Many of the roads were unpaved, steep, and difficult to navigate. At one point, our car couldn’t make it up a hill and we had to turn around, nearly sliding backwards off a cliff. We eventually found an alternate route, but it was only slightly better—still rough and stressful.

Once you arrive, you’re pretty much stuck. The area is remote, options are limited, and prices remain very high while the food quality doesn’t match. Most of the restaurants in Las Catalinas have surprisingly low ratings, which reflects the overall experience.

On top of that, there’s an expectation to tip at levels similar to the U.S., which feels out of place given the service and overall quality.

2026-03-25 • via Nuitee
A
Alexey • family_with_children • us
10
Pros:

Great location, pleasant staff, very clean and spacious

Cons:

Everything was great, the town itself seems a bit overpriced, but to be expected, given it is an exclusively tourist area

2026-03-23 • via Nuitee
J
Justas • solo_traveller • lt
9
2026-03-23 • via Nuitee
B
Bernal • solo_traveller • cr
9
Cómodas vacaciones
Pros:

Las habitaciones son muy cómodas y el desayuno variado. El lugar es muy lindo, super cerca de la playa. La mayoría del personal muy amable.

Cons:

El agua de la piscina podría estar más limpia, no nos repusieron las toallas de piscina por unas limpias…una de las personas del restaurante del hotel fue un poco grosera cuando preguntamos si había mesa disponible para cenar; las personas que estaban esperando en primer lugar, era un grupo de turistas, extranjeros, con gusto les dijo que había una mesa para ellos, pero hacia nosotros nos dijo que no nos prometía nada de manera despectiva, por lo que decidimos no cenar ningún día en el restaurante del hotel.

2026-03-19 • via Nuitee
M
Marco • couple • ca
9
Clean, calm, relaxing and super friendly with touch of luxe.
Pros:

Santarena hotel and their staff were wonderful and created a high end experience. Beachfront hotel in a Euro feeling town. Daily breakfast (Gallo Pinto & eggs w/Lizano and so much more) was something to look forward to everyday after hiking or biking. Easy access to lots of great trails and the beach. The rooftop pool and sunsets were very relaxing. We rented a vehicle for a day to go surfing, enjoyed a Soda for a local meal and picked up reasonably priced groceries. If you want calm, relaxing with a touch of luxe this is a great place to go. We are planning to return.

Cons:

The restaurants, at hotel and sister hotel is very good however very pricey. The resto's in the village delivered mid tier food and service with high end prices; most menu options lack authentic CR food (e.g., American burgers, pizza, pasta, fish 'stick' tacos...) which was disappointing. One grocery store and prices were shockingly high. Hotel should offer beach chairs and services. The experience is to be car-less and we felt a bit hostage to it by not having a vehicle. Bottom line the restaurants, shops are the only game in town, town is growing so hopefully that brings more options and competition.

2026-03-18 • via Nuitee
C
Claudine • couple • ca
10
Ressourcement, tranquilité et temperature parfaite (janvier)
Pros:

Le Meilleur pour l’emplacement près de la mer. La tranquillité des lieux (pas de musique forte et de vendeurs sur la plage).

Plage Securitaire avec beau endroit tout pres pour voir des poisons.e

Cons:

Les prix trop eleves.

2026-02-26 • via Nuitee
K
Kerry • couple • ca
8
Very much enjoyed the stay.
Pros:

The property, and the town, are built with an old European feel and style, which we enjoyed. The beachfront setting was terrific, and the view from the rooftop pool was spectacular. The access to the hiking trails was an added plus. Service levels were very good.

Cons:

A couple things come to mind - we thought that with it being a beachfront hotel that it would have chairs available on the beach, which it did not. The roof top pool water was a bit on the murky side. The town itself was a bit expensive, and it seemed that it just needed more people in it, which I imagine will come as more homes are built on the surrounding hillside. On arrival, it was confusing, as they have moved reception to a shared space with another hotel - there needs to be signs pointing to reception, as it is confusing. I expected a seamless arrival, but without being able to find the reception area, it was not.

2026-02-25 • via Nuitee
K
Ken • couple • us
10
Beautiful Resort Location
Pros:

Beautiful location. Staff was wonderful.

Cons:

Very isolated and devoid of local people and culture except for the employees. Very expensive dining options.

2026-02-24 • via Nuitee
J
Jara • couple • cr
10
2026-02-22 • via Nuitee