Gaia Hotel & Reserve- Adults Only

A little late on placing my review but it has been bothering me so I'm doing it now. I stayed at this place as a guest of a friend and on a busy Tuesday night as we were leaving their terrace restaurant, I walked passed one of their waiters as he was trying to walk back to the kitchen carrying empty dishes. Apparently he got upset that he had to stop for 3 seconds to let me pass, and after I walked by he continued on his way to the kitchen but not before he mumbled "Maricon" (Faggot) as he walked away. He was clearly irritated that I didn't let him go first. I just wanted to get out of the way.

I don't see how this is acceptable behavior anywhere, especially for a so called "5 star resort". I am LGBT and thought this place would be a safe place. Guess not. Mind you, one of the owners is openly gay.

Being non confrontational as I am, I do regret not addressing it on the spot or telling him off or telling Boris (owner) about it. Instead I internalized it and moved on, and that's on me. But I wanted to address it now as it continues to bother me and it's simply not acceptable under any circumstances to call a hotel guest a homophobic slur and try to presenting this place as a luxury establishment. That behavior doesn't seem so 5 star to me.

My stay at Gaia Hotel & Reserve was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we arrived, the staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcome—warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in creating a memorable experience. I have never stayed anywhere where the staff gives you a tour of the grounds so you know where to find everything.

The property itself is absolutely stunning. Nestled in the rainforest, it offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean (view from the restaurant is amazing, rooftop bar even better), with lush wildlife all around. We saw two species of monkeys (howlers & squirrel), tons of birds (including the gorgeous scarlet macaws), and other incredible species right from the hotel grounds, which made it feel like a true Costa Rican escape.

Another highlight of the Gaia was the free guided tours of their private reserve. Clarence brought us out and went above and beyond locating wildlife. Their scarlet macaw program, in particular, stands out—supporting the protection, reintroduction (through rehabilitation) and awareness of these incredible birds and helping ensure their presence in the region for years to come. Seeing scarlet macaws in the surrounding area felt even more special knowing the hotel plays an essential role in their conservation.

The rooms were nice—spacious, and immaculately clean. Waking up to the sounds of the birds singing and to an incredible view was unforgettable. The food was another highlight. Every meal was delicious, fresh, and creatively prepared, with a great balance of local flavours and international cuisine. Dining with that panoramic view made it even more special.

The pool and common areas were serene and luxurious, perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring. The hotel also offers easy access to nearby beaches and excursions, making it a great base for adventure as well. The is a daily hourly shuttle to and from the beach which was really nice.

What truly sets Gaia apart is the level of service—every interaction felt personal and sincere. It’s rare to find a place that combines luxury, nature, and hospitality so seamlessly. If you have WhatsApp they will provide you with a concierge you can message to book whatever you need, beach chairs, taxis, tours, room service, etc. We had Ada, and she was absolutely fantastic!

I would (and will) return in a heartbeat, and highly recommend Gaia Hotel & Reserve to anyone looking for an unforgettable stay in Costa Rica (especially if you love wildlife).

- personnel très disponible, serviable et souriant
- service de conciergerie
- vue sur le coucher du soleil
- navettes gratuites toutes les heures pour aller à la plage
- réserve naturelle autour du parc avec visite gratuite
- guide de l’hôtel dans le parc Manuel Antonio super (Clarence)

Its uniqueness. It’s a charming boutique hotel in a nature reserve (saw macaws, snakes, iguanas while chilling at the pool)
The food is excellent, service top notch, comfy beds (we slept so well)

Stephanie was our concierge and she was amazing and made us a fabulous trip The bedroom was spacious and the shower amazing The upstairs bar is very disappointing as is the swimming pool (just a bath really)

Schöner Pool, schöne Lage, nettes Personal

Der Service im Hotel ist hervorragend. Kein Wunsch bleibt offen - großen Dank an Ada!
Gute Lage zum Beach und zu vielen Restaurants. Es gibt einen Hotel-Shuttle. Das Restaurant im Hotel ist auch sehr gut - gibt auch Sushi. Und die Poolanlagen sind so gebaut dass nur für ein paar wenige Zimmer ein Pool zur Verfügung steht - exklusive Nutzung garantiert :)

Personnel sympathique

Very impressive

Outstanding hotel in a dream of a location. The team is all over the details. From allowing you to select your cosmetics brand, to a WhatsApp- based concierge service, to excellent assistance with tours and park access, to the restaurant team who were amazing. Tastefully decorated rooms which are cleaned beautifully, set within stunning grounds, simply brilliant!

Sehr freundliches Personal
Gemütliches Bett
Sauber
Super Lage
Wir waren am Pool alleine

What a beautiful property! Spacious rooms! Wonderfully welcoming and engaged staff!
My husband and I, along with our 16 year old son, stayed for a week and really enjoyed our visit. The restaurant was top notch - as beautifully presented as it was delicious. The ambiance was casually elegant. I enjoyed a spa journey and we all loved the hike in the reserve. Just a spectacular stay.

The staff were fantastic and made you feel like a VIP the whole time! Rooms were very clean and had proper storage for clothes.
They offer a complimentary tour of their reserve which is helping to reintroduce macaws back into Costa Rica. Clarence was our guide for this, and he was great!
Spa massages were well worth splashing out on and there’s a very fun little 24/7 golf cart service to get you to the front gates up/down a steep hill.

L’amabilité du personnel