Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa

Hotels
9 (222 reviews)
Uvita, Costa Ballena , Uvita , cr

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

Health or beauty spa nearby
Offsite parking discounted rates available
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room service
Family rooms
Luggage storage
Safety deposit box
Fax/photocopying
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Beautiful views
Clean facilities
Good amenities
Cons:
High food prices
Noise from air conditioning
Distance from beach

Categories

Cleanliness
8.89
Guests generally found the hotel clean and well-maintained.
Service
9.86
Staff were consistently described as friendly and attentive.
Location
9.4
Beautiful views and accessible to nature, but some mention of distance from the beach.
Room Quality
8.35
Rooms were spacious and clean, but some complaints about noise and air conditioning.
Amenities
8.88
Good facilities and beautiful gardens, but some minor issues with refurbishment.
Value for Money
8.84
Generally good value, but some food prices considered high.
Food and Beverage
8.39
Good restaurant options, but some high prices mentioned.
Overall Experience
9.36
Guests have expressed strong loyalty and enjoyment of their stay.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-06 05:00

Property Description

Luxurious Mediterranean-Style Suites
Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, Cristal Ballena Hotel Resort & Spa offers spacious suites with ocean views, four-poster beds, and balconies. Each suite is equipped with modern amenities including satellite TV, a minibar, and a coffee maker for a comfortable stay.

Relaxing Spa and Outdoor Pool
Guests can unwind at the on-site spa or take a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool while enjoying the serene surroundings of Costa Ballena. The private rainforest hiking trail provides a tranquil escape for nature enthusiasts looking to explore the area.

Gourmet Dining with Ocean Views
Indulge in Costa Rican and international cuisine at the poolside Pura Vida bar-restaurant, offering stunning ocean views. Start your day with a delicious buffet breakfast featuring home-baked bread and fresh fruit, setting the tone for a memorable stay.

Experience luxury and relaxation at Cristal Ballena Hotel Resort & Spa. Book now for an unforgettable getaway!

Important information:

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.
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.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 12:00 PM

Property Policies

  • Parking

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

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 3 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 3 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    Children from 4 years old to 11 years old stay for US$40 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    You haven't added any extra beds.
    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
Based on 222 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.89
Service: 9.86
Location: 9.4
Room Quality: 8.35
Amenities: 8.88
Value for Money: 8.84
Food and Beverage: 8.39
Overall Experience: 9.36
L
Linda • couple • us
10
2026-05-03 • via Nuitee
H
Holding LINARUN • extended_group • fr
10
Top
Pros:

Le personnel, la piscine, le calme enfin j’ai adoré

Cons:

Rien

2026-05-01 • via Nuitee
R
Randy Bast • solo_traveller • us
9
2026-04-21 • via Nuitee
J
Juliette • family_with_children • fr
8
Un lieu magnifique mais
Pros:

La piscine, le cadre splendide, la tranquillité, l’entretien de la propriété, la propreté, wifi rapide.

Cons:

Les lits sont un peu durs, j’ai eu mal au dos. Notre chambre soi disant familiale petite pour deux adultes et un enfant et nous étions enclavés au rez de chaussée avec la climatisation comme vue sur la terrasse. Dommage, j’aurais aimé être en haut, l’hôtel était quasiment vide en plus ils auraient pu nous faire cette gentillesse. Le petit déjeuner n’avait rien d’exceptionnel, voire complètement banal par rapport à d’autres endroits: le gallo Pinto réchauffé sec, pas de choix, quelques morceaux de bacon, toujours les mêmes fruits les sempiternels ananas et pastèque (alors que j’allais dans un commerce à côté m’acheter de superbes mangues, granadilla ou fruits de la passion), il y a des restaurants magnifiques à Uvita on sent que le petit déjeuner était à l’économie. On attend à plus raffiné dans un endroit de ce type. Trop fonctionnel. Dîner idem mangé une seule fois assez cher pour la proposition pas terrible. Douche un peu vieillotte. Mobilier joli mais basique.

2026-04-21 • via Nuitee
J
Jo • couple • gb
10
A fabulous hotel with great views, staff and amenities. You need a car if you stay here to get around but worth the effo
Pros:

Everything! It was clean, comfortable. The pool was lovely and the staff were very helpful. There were lots of birds and wildlife around the pool and grounds.

Cons:

We did not like having to leave

2026-04-17 • via Nuitee
S
Sven • couple • de
8
2026-04-09 • via Nuitee
M
Malcolm • family_with_children • gb
10
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Restaurant Prices

2026-04-05 • via Nuitee
M
Monica • solo_traveller • gb
10
Relaxing stay w beautiful views.
Pros:

The beautiful views from my room were outstanding. Loved the beach down the road, so incredibly beautiful. I didn’t swim there mind. But a nice walk down there and on it.

Cons:

It was a little bit remote from anywhere else.

2026-04-03 • via Nuitee
S
Salas Hernández • family_with_children • cr
10
2026-04-02 • via Nuitee
J
Johannes • couple • de
9
Phantastisch
Pros:

Wirklich tolles Hotel mit großem Pool in Parkumgebung und phantastischer Lage mit tollen Sonnenuntergängen. Wir hatten ein sehr schönes Zimmer mit Balkon und Ausblick. Faultier und Schlange in direkter Lage zum Pool gesichtet. Unglaublich!!! Frühstück als Buffet gut, Abendessen mit Happy Hour vorab. Haben alles wirklich sehr genossen!

2026-03-29 • via Nuitee
R
Roland • solo_traveller • fr
9
2026-03-26 • via Nuitee
E
Eric • couple • fr
10
Magnifique !
Pros:

Très bel hôtel, avec une vue magnifique sur la forêt et l’océan Pacifique. Les chambres sont très confortables et bien décorées, très spacieuses. Le petit déjeuner est excellent, le restaurant aussi d’ailleurs. La piscine est gigantesque. C’est très calme et très bien placé.

Cons:

Rien

2026-03-25 • via Nuitee
R
Roberto • couple • cr
10
Very pleasurable stay.
Pros:

Perfect location to the Ballena Park and other amenities. Excellent food. Staff very attentive. Perfect sunsets! For birdwatchers it is a paradise! More than 20 different species in less than one minute, and a brand new jungle hiking trail within the property of the hotel.

2026-03-24 • via Nuitee
J
JACQUES • couple • fr
9
2026-03-24 • via Nuitee
R
Roger • family_with_children • ch
8
2026-03-22 • via Nuitee
B
Barbara • family_with_children • ca
10
Stunning views and beautiful pool
Pros:

Here’s the updated review:

A Lovely Stay with Beautiful Views

We only stayed one night, but it was a very pleasant experience overall. The 350° panoramic views are genuinely impressive, and the sunset in the evening was a nice highlight to wind down after the day.

The star of the property is without a doubt the immense pool — it’s spectacular, and the view from it is simply unbeatable. We could have spent hours there, and it alone makes the stay worthwhile.

Our room was spacious with high ceilings that gave it a nice, airy feel. The layout worked perfectly for our family — a king bed for us and two twin beds for the kids.

The staff were friendly and attentive, making us feel genuinely welcome throughout our stay.

Overall, a great choice for our family to end the Holliday, especially if you’re after stunning views and a magnificent pool.

Cons:

The property is a bit dated in terms of decor and style, but it is very well maintained and everything was spotlessly clean, which we appreciated.

One thing to keep in mind: the on-site restaurant is on the pricier side, so it may be worth budgeting for that or exploring dining options nearby.

2026-03-20 • via Nuitee
B
Bueti • couple • us
7
Great staff but the facility was average and the breakfast, as mentioned above, wasn't very good.
Pros:

A young woman at the reception desk helped me with a passport and airline ticket problem. She was incredibly kind, patient and knowledgeable.

Cons:

The breakfast was very ordinary. The pool is enormous and uninviting. If they want to make the experience of staying there more intimate, they should decrease the pool by half and surround it with shade structures and comfortable seating.

2026-03-16 • via Nuitee
S
Suzy • family_with_children • cr
8
Pros:

Pool and the view of ocean was great!

Cons:

Little out dated facilities, noise from air conditioner was little annoying.

2026-03-16 • via Nuitee
W
Warner Cordero • couple • cr
9
Cons:

Las almohadas estaban un poco incómodas

2026-03-09 • via Nuitee
T
Thomas • couple • de
9
2026-03-09 • via Nuitee