Gaia Hotel & Reserve- Adults Only

Please be aware before booking that this resort does not feel like a five-star resort.

We have stayed at many five-star resorts, as well as several other hotels and Airbnbs throughout Costa Rica on this trip, and all of them exceeded this “luxury resort.” We were immediately unimpressed with the rooms, which felt very outdated. The owner often describes them as a German Bauhaus design, but this is the same design the property opened with in 2009 and appears to have seen little updating since. Referencing a particular design style with rooms not meaningfully upgraded for 20 years feels like an excuse rather than a justification.

The biggest issue was the amount of bugs and wildlife in the room. We understand Costa Rica is tropical, but we encountered numerous bugs, multiple lizards, and even found bugs in our bed on more than one occasion. We stayed at several other properties throughout Costa Rica and did not experience anything close to this.

Many of the amenities were also unavailable. The advertised sky lounge is completely closed Which is not clearly noted when booking. The pool furniture was often not set up and remained wrapped in plastic for much of our stay, even on dry days. The swim-up bar was only open one day despite there being days without rain. The pool is also not clean and is covered in bugs, including wasps as well as leaves. From other reviews, the owner states they try and manage this, though I did not see a single person clean the pool and every other hotel we stayed at managed to keep a clean pool.

The restaurant was excellent, and the staff were friendly, especially the restaurant staff. Unfortunately, the resort itself fell far short of expectations and that is what this review is for.

What ultimately led to this review was how our concerns were handled. We politely asked about shortening our stay after explaining that we were on our honeymoon, that the resort was not meeting our expectations, and that we had even found bugs in our bed. The response was simply that we would still be charged. No one followed up, offered a remedy, or attempted to address our concerns. I had seen responses from ownership criticizing guests who simply left and posted negative reviews, so I thought it would be better to communicate directly and honestly. But no, this owner is simply concerned with collecting the money they receive when you check in before viewing their property.

To make matters worse, despite notifying Gaia multiple times that we were celebrating our honeymoon, the only acknowledgment we received was a list of upgrades available for purchase. Not a single person congratulated us. In contrast, when we moved to Parador for our final night, staff immediately congratulated us, upgraded us to a room that normally costs around $1,000 per night as a surprise, left chocolate-covered strawberries in the room, and later surprised us with champagne and a handwritten note. The Airbnb and other hotels also left out a bottle of wine and snacks.

Gaia was the most disappointing property we stayed at of all of our accommodations. Even sharing videos of the room with family and friends without comment, they joked whether we had skimped on our budget for this particular place. Many couples return to the place where they honeymoon, making it a valuable opportunity for a resort to create lifelong customers. Unfortunately, Gaia did the opposite. What is especially frustrating is that this experience could have been completely turned around had management shown any interest in addressing our concerns when we first raised them. Instead, we were met with a refusal to work with us and no meaningful attempt to remedy the situation. Because of that, I feel it’s important to share this experience here and with other travel groups so future travelers can make an informed decision before booking.

If you are looking for a true luxury or five-star honeymoon experience, I would strongly recommend looking elsewhere.

We stayed at Gaia Hotel in Manuel Antonio for 5 days. We had a great time at this hotel and very much enjoyed the beautiful setting in a nature preserve. The hotel is very different but in a good way and the service here is top notch! All the employees are extremely helpful, courteous and super welcoming and nice. The restaurant is really good and we ate an amazing breakfast every morning. The hotel rooms are also really nice as are the pools and the property overall. They have a very efficient system of coordinating your itinerary and the concierge is always available through WhatsApp to help with anything you need. I can tell you that this hotel has a great vibe and definitely is a place we would return to in the future. We saw wildlife while on the property including macaws, sloths and monkeys. It is truly a special place with amazing people working here! You will not be disappointed if you choose to stay at Gaia Hotel while visiting Costa Rica.

The staff were all great and view from the top deck was amazing at sunset. The issue for us was that we had expected luxury 5 star, and the standard just didn’t meet those expectations.

What an absolute pleasure! From the moment you check in and they ask you which fragrance is your preference for the shampoo and soap, you know you’re in for a great experience. Then they set up a WhatsApp chat with your concierge to assist you in anything that you require. The rooms were clean and nice. The staff was exceptional. Three nice pools to cool off. Great food. Even the owner, Boris, introduced himself and gave his personal extension if we needed anything. Just a super nice experience overall. Highly recommend.

We enjoyed cocktails in the bar looking over the view and the sushi was excellent.
We liked the fruit sticks given every afternoon by the pool attendant.

Personal super amable y atentos a todos los detalles ! Excelente relacion precio- calidad .

Absolutamente todo

This resort was nothing short of spectacular. We felt welcomed from the moment we stepped onto the property. They helped us park then shuttled us up to the lobby. We registered, met some of the staff and also met the owner Boris who welcomed us with a big smile. They gave us a tour of the property before showing us to our beautiful large studio room. The beds were so comfortable, the shower the best we have ever experience, the pool area fun to explore and La Luna restaurant top notch.

Everything about the hotel is 5 star, but what makes it truly special is the staff. Everyone made us feel at home. Two of the tours (Macaw and Manuel Antonio) were hosted by Clarence who was an excellent guide, providing many interesting details and he had the sharpest eyes to find and share the various wildlife around us. Ada our concierge was responsive and attentive. Abraham and others at La Luna (sorry I forget names!) were always on point, the food was delicious and presented beautifully. We both had a spa massage with Teresa which was phenomenal, hiking in this area can be strenuous and our muscles enjoyed the deep relaxation.

We had only booked 3 nights at this resort and wished we had booked more. It is definitely a place we would recommend and return to.

Eco style

From arrival to departure, the experience that my wife Lizzie and I had at Gaia was simply incredible. We’d booked Gaia for our honeymoon to Costa Rica, and rather uniquely, we decided to stay there for the full 2 weeks of our stay. We wanted luxury, we wanted links to the wildlife Costa Rica had on offer, and we wanted a central location that allowed us to travel around the Pacific coast, down to Uvita and up into the Cordillera de Talamanca; Gaia fulfilled all three.
In advance of travelling, communication with Gaia was seamless, with quick responses, providing clear information that helped guide our stay.
On arrival, we were transported up to reception via golf cart and greeted with a welcome drink and Johansy (our personal concierge) made sure to say hello. To our amazement, we’d received an upgrade for our stay and we can only express our eternal gratitude to Gaia for it. Arriving late, and following a long 24 hours of travel, we were offered room service without the usual charge.
The room and amenities were superb. Clean, comfortable, and beyond anything we had hoped for. The balcony in Room 211 quickly became our favourite place on Earth - the amount of wildlife we spotted just from that balcony was incredible, and the terrace was simply a bonus. The hotel itself has plenty of pool space and is set in lovely grounds that cater for a relaxing break.
The staff at Gaia are so attentive, and so friendly, it made it feel like a home away from home. I want to pay particular thanks to Ricardo, Jackneil, Tony, Antony and especially Abraham, who were so lovely, kind and helpful during our two weeks at Gaia. Extra special thanks go to Johansy, who was always there on WhatsApp if needed, providing live wildlife reports from reception, asking if we needed anything else during our stay, and who helped arranging guided tours of Manuel Antonio and of the Gaia reserve, as well as our catamaran sunset tour. I cannot express how truly thankful we are to Johansy for your constant friendly presence during our stay.
Across the board, the food is excellent; it is well priced for lunch and dinner, of good quality and the menu is varied, meaning that you can eat there multiple times during an extended stay. Breakfasts are fresh and tasty, providing enough sustenance for a long day out in the heat/humidity.
I highly recommend using the sunset bar on at least one occasion, because the 360 views are phenomenal. To be honest, the whole setting of Gaia is spectacular, with extensive views along to coast beyond Isla Damas, and Parrita and beyond.
The shuttle service to Playa Espadilla is an excellent addition to Gaia, as it is set a good distance away from the beach itself (which is a positive in my opinion).
Generally, Gaia is very well located for day-tripping to the likes of Rainmaker (35/40 mins), Uvita (1 hour), and we even squeezed in a drive to San Isidro/Perez Zeledon and San Gerardo de Rivas in order to visit the Cloudbridge Nature Reserve (2.5 hours each way).
Whilst in Quepos/Manuel Antonio I would absolutely recommend staying at Gaia Hotel & Reserve, in fact I wouldn’t stay anywhere else. When we return to Costa Rica, we will be returning for at least a couple of nights whilst seeing what else Costa Rica has on offer. Thank you all again for such a wonderful two weeks, you made our honeymoon so incredibly memorable.

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 :)