Villas Playa Samara Beach Front Resort

Hotels
Independent
6.6 (101 reviews)
Samara-Guanacaste, Sámara, Guanacaste , Sámara , CR

Facilities

Fitness facilities
Express check-out
Free bicycles nearby
Arcade/game room
Electric car charging station
Boat tours on site
Garden
Luggage storage
Express check-in/check-out
Fitness facilities
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great location
Friendly staff
Cons:
Rooms needing updates
Limited spa services
Mixed opinions on value for money

Categories

Cleanliness
7.5
Guests appreciated the overall cleanliness of the hotel, although there were some mentions of rooms needing updating.
Service
8.3
Service was generally positive with staff friendliness noted. Some guests mentioned wait times as a minor drawback.
Location
8.1
The hotel's proximity to key landmarks and public transport was highlighted as a major advantage by guests.
Room Quality
7.8
Rooms were described as spacious and comfortable, although there were comments about the need for updates in some areas.
Amenities
7.2
Overall, guests found the amenities satisfactory. Some noted the gym and pool positively, while others desired additional spa services.
Value for Money
6.9
Mixed opinions on the pricing were expressed, with some guests feeling it was too high for the services provided.
Food and Beverage
7.3
The breakfast and restaurant services were generally well-received, although some guests desired more variety.
Overall Experience
8
Most guests had a positive overall experience and would recommend the hotel to others.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-08-03 15:29

Property Description

Luxurious Spa and Recreational Facilities
Indulge in onsite massages, facials, and an outdoor pool. Stay active at the fitness center and unwind at the poolside bar.

All-Inclusive Dining and Entertainment
Enjoy local and international cuisine at Arrecife, mingle at daily receptions, and visit bars/lounges. Gift shops, wedding services, and an arcade/game room available.

Convenient Amenities and Prime Location
Benefit from a computer station, express check-out, and dry cleaning services. Explore nearby beaches like Carrillo and Buena Vista or venture to Nosara Spanish Institute.

Experience beachfront luxury at Villas Playa Samara Beach Front Resort and book your stay now.

Important information:

  • This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties.
  • Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments. Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
  • One child 4 years old or younger stays free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding.
  • Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
  • This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).

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

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets not allowed

  • Sustainability Certifications

    Property confirms they are implementing guest safety measures

  • Noise policy

    Noise-free rooms not guaranteed

  • General

    Gloves are available to guests

  • General

    Guests are provided with free hand sanitizer

See all policies

Location

Guest Reviews

6.6
Based on 101 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.5
Service: 8.3
Location: 8.1
Room Quality: 7.8
Amenities: 7.2
Value for Money: 6.9
Food and Beverage: 7.3
Overall Experience: 8
C
Carolina V. family
10
Pros:

Great time etc.

2025-04-30 via Nuitee
W
William
8
Pros:

Huge swimming pool with swim up bar is amazing. Buffet meals are excellent. BUT rooms are tired and need updating. ALSO there are no real 2 bedroom units. Instead they are one bedroom units with 2 beds = Big difference!

2025-02-28 via Nuitee
J
Joann family
8
Pros:

The website was completely misleading, but after accepting what they actually had to offer it is a nice resort and we had a great time. The website said the rooms would have sofas, they did not, and it said that there are 2 restaurants, there was 1 and it was buffet only. On multiple days housekeeping left us short on towels. That aside, the food was good, the rooms were clean and the air conditioner worked well to keep our room cool and dry, the pool was clean, the staff were wonderful (especially the servers and bartenders), the grounds were well maintained, and the beach was amazing. They need to update their website so people realistically know what to expect.

2025-01-15 via Nuitee
L
Luis
10
Pros:

Excellent

2024-11-04 via Nuitee
A
Aaron partner
10
Pros:

Due to a mix up we stayed at Azura but the staff was extremely friendly and helpful and went out of their way to ensure we had a good trip. The food was excellent and we had different options each night! Overall a great experience

2024-08-18 via Nuitee
D
Debbie family
4
Pros:

The resort was fine and the people were nice but the food is the worst we've ever had at an all-inclusive. We all got so sick, not sure if it was the food or water. The food was never really hot. They made omelets in the morning and used so much Pam cooking spray. The rice and pasta was never fully cooked. Breakfast was supposed to be at 7am but they were never ready and it took forever to get coffee.

2024-02-29 via Nuitee
L
Linda partner
8
Pros:

Wonderful location with easy access to beautiful beach. Property is very nice and rooms are nice--although they could stand a few minor "extras". Pool is very nice. Food needed improvement--limited choices, not great quality although pineapple and watermelon was abundant and delicious.

2024-02-17 via Nuitee
V
Verified traveler
2
Do not recommend.
Pros:

We would not stay here again. Check in took forever and the staff was getting complaints right and left. This is not an all inclusive as advertised. No coffee or coffee maker in room. No phone. No drink glasses. Nothing in minifridge. If you wanted a bottle of water you had to buy it at the gift shop. Buffet was terrible and dirty dishes everywhere. One of the guests even started bussing tables to try and help out the staff I guess. Alcohol for mixed drinks was the cheapest, in plastic bottles… liquor we had never heard of…
Just an overall disgusting environment with less than friendly staff. Shame on this hotel.

2024-02-16 via Nuitee
P
Payton partner
2
Pros:

Very misleading and incorrect information in the description on their website. They reuse dirty glass cups and plastic cups for drinks at both bars. Only one buffet style restaurant that was very unsatisfying. The property reeks of sewer. The staff were friendly, but slow with their service. The gift shop was incredibly overpriced. Overall, just not a place I would recommend to spend a vacation.

2024-02-01 via Nuitee
T
Tinku partner
6
Pros:

Resort is right by the beach yes - but so limited only 1 restaurant/buffet for every meal. Wet bar wasn’t open majority of the day. No in house entertainment as much. And our rooms had no telephone to call front desk or for support. And 1 pool

2024-01-06 via Nuitee
S
Stephane family
2
Pros:

Bad experience, avoid if you can.
Definitely not 4 star, the hotel is not maintained, rooms are smelly, light not working, clotted sink, dripping water as shower. The entrance picture is very nice but all for the new facility being developed next door, the villa playa Samara is let with poor maintenance, cheap foods and cocktails “all inclusive”, almost empty buffet, garden not maintained, feels like a let down facility. The beach and view is very nice which makes the experience even more disappointing. This might have been a nice spot some time ago but let to decline, I’m surprised it is offered by Air Canada, it must leave a feeling of being trapped in a location not worth $500 to $600 and feeling to be ripped-off.
We could leverage our stay by going out to other places but it was not the plan for all inclusive villa.

2023-12-29 via Nuitee
D
Dariel
8
Pros:

Clean property and nice beach access.

2023-12-22 via Nuitee
T
Trina partner
2
Pros:

This is not a 4 star as they advertise The place is run down They have many of the rooms and villas assigned to full times residences for staff and construction workers Some rooms had been previously renovated but done poorly and it’s already breaking down and not cleaned well

We got moved from our room and our new room was in a better location but the door lock was broken and bathroom was dirty They have rocks under the sink for earthy design but it had lots of hair from previous guest in it.

We were so disappointed and would have preferred a refund and to stay somewhere else It took all day to get approval to move rooms and since are stay was short we wanted to just leave

The buffet for the all inclusive had 6 options in total and a small salad bar, No other food areas

It’s really the worst all inclusive I’ve ever seen
Maybe a 2.5 star at best

The staff were really nice Guest were unhappy and they were apologizing a lot but not their fault Bad management/ownership

All I can say to anyone who has a reservation try to get a refund You will be so disappointed


2023-11-29 via Nuitee
R
Rose family
8
Pros:

Beautiful location on the beach.
A long 5-hour drive from the San Jose Airport.

2022-12-17 via Nuitee
P
Pamela family
6
Pros:

This property is very dated. A lot of the units had furniture stacked inside them as though it was being stored. And I think more employees lived there than guests were there. A coffee maker in the room, but no coffee to make a pot. Fridge in the room was an added bonus, but is in need of cleaning and deicing. Pool bar and gym were closed. No bar to hangout in, one restaurant with the same food every day, but inconsistent on how it was prepared, towels and sheets were very worn, holes in our sheets and some of our towels had strings hanging off of them.
The staff were very nice and the location was great, but the resort is in desperate need of updating. The second property is an adults only one, but looked busier and seemed to have better amenities.
I love the country of Costa Rica and will return, just not to this property.
Not sure if this property was closed for a long time due to COVID, but it sure does need some updating. Over all it was a pleasant experience, but not a 5 star one!

2022-04-25 via Nuitee
R
Rodrigo family
2
Pros:

El aire acondicionado no funcionaba, la habitación es pequeña, no hay closet ni mueble donde poner la ropa, en el baño no hay mueble, la habitación no tiene ventanas, el personal del restaurante es amable pero no tiene capacitación ni experiencia. Muy mala experiencia, no se lo recomiendo a nadie.

2022-04-17 via Nuitee
V
Verified traveler
10
Una bendición
Pros:

Hola, la experiencia fue increíble, el trato, la comida, las villas, todo con excelencia. Disfrutamos mucho la estadía y regresamos muy satisfechos. Todo el personal súper especial muy amable, realmente fue una gran bendición haber optado por dicho lugar. Lo recomendamos al 100. Estamos muy agradecidos

2022-04-17 via Nuitee
Y
Yuniel
6
Nada recomendable!!!
Pros:

Hay mucho que mejorar, servicio ineficiente. No conocen las más mínimas normas de servicio, puede llegarte la comida primero, las bebidas detrás y los cubiertos de último. La habitación que me asignaron no servía el aire acondicionado, no tenía refrigerador (a pesar de decirlo en la reserva) la luz de la habitación quemada. Nos cambiaron a otra y en la espera, pudimos hacer uso de las instalaciones a hasta las 6 de la tarde. Realmente una experiencia nada positiva. No creo que regrese a este lugar.

2022-04-16 via Nuitee
P
Paola family
10
Pros:

Excelente lugar, nos gustó mucho. Las instalaciones son muy bonitas y seguras.

2022-01-26 via Nuitee
A
Adam family
2
Pros:

Worst vacation experience in years, possibly ever.

2021-12-29 via Nuitee