Reviews of Santarena Hotel at Las Catalinas 4 stars
Camino Las Catalinas 2 Calle La Ronda, 50304 Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica
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Reviewed: 28 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewEcerything was fabulous. Loved it!
Reviewed: 18 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 1 August 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewExcellent location, the only hotel in Las Catalinas. Overall, the room is pleasant, clean, and in good condition. They should clone Aurelio, the only person who provides good service.
The staff is truly rude and unfriendly. I arrived early from the local airport and felt uncomfortable. The welcome consisted of rudely telling me it was too early to check in. I certainly wasn't expecting the room, just a place to store my bags in order to enjoy the beach. Most of the staff seem unhappy with their jobs, and their behavior reflects this. The restaurant staff can't handle the pressure of having a full booked hotel, they either looked away to avoid serving you or took ages to serve you. Breakfast was below expectations. During my stay, it was a buffet-style, and there were many flies and birds that ate and contaminated the food, making it inedible. Drinks were inaccessible because the staff never showed up.
Reviewed: 1 August 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 25 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 7 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 25 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewBeautiful location
Pool service was lacking
Dear Christopher, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us! We’re truly glad to know you enjoyed our beautiful location and that you rated so many aspects of your stay — including our team, cleanliness, comfort, and facilities — so highly. It means a lot to us! We also appreciate your feedback regarding the pool service. We’ll be sure to share your comments with our team so we can continue to improve and ensure an even better experience next time. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to Santarena Hotel very soon! Stay Light, The Santarena Team
Dear Christopher, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us! We’re truly glad to know you enjoyed our beautiful location and that you rated so many aspects of your stay — including our team, cleanliness, comfo… Show more
Reviewed: 2 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewSantarena Hotel is beautiful! The property is clean and inviting and the staff was so welcoming and gracious. We were looking for a peaceful place to enjoy good food, meet lovely people and enjoy the amazing Costa Rican natural beauty and this place did not disappoint!!
There wasn’t anything that we didn’t like. If anything, we were disappointed that we didn’t find it sooner.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you enjoyed your stay, the peaceful atmosphere, and the natural beauty around Santarena Hotel. We hope to welcome you back soon! Stay Light, The Santarena Team
Reviewed: 2 June 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 16 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewNice hotel, well maintained and very clean. Very friendly staff and the rooms are quite nice.
1. No GYM!! A few wooden disks and some sticks doesn’t qualify as a gym. 2. This is a hotel located by the beach but it is NOT a beach hotel. What I mean is that they don’t make it appealing to spend time at the beach… no lounge chairs, no tables, no umbrellas, no service. No drinks, no water, no servers. If you go to the beach, prepare yourself to sit on the sand and not be very comfortable. They also have a pool in their top floor and we spent hours without a single soul coming to check on us to see if we wanted anything to eat or drink.
Alfredo, We're delighted to hear that you appreciated the cleanliness of our hotel, the condition of our rooms, and especially the friendliness of our staff. It's always encouraging to know when our efforts in these areas are recognized. Your feedback is valuable, and we’re actively reviewing ways to enhance both our beach and rooftop offerings to better serve our guests. We hope to welcome you back in the future and provide an even more enjoyable stay. Stay Light, The Santarena Team
Alfredo, We're delighted to hear that you appreciated the cleanliness of our hotel, the condition of our rooms, and especially the friendliness of our staff. It's always encouraging to know when our efforts in these areas are recog… Show more
Reviewed: 13 May 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 5 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewDefinitely location is the best plus the friendly staff. Specially Arturo and the waiters in the night shift. Bed is comfy and the room has a nice size.
The buffet breakfast has lowered quality vs previous visits. The scrambled eggs were awful the three mornings and the whole breakfast used to have higher quality in proteins overall.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We're delighted to know that you enjoyed our location, found the bed comfortable, and appreciated the friendliness of our staff—especially Arturo and our night shift waiters. We’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to them. We’re sorry to hear that the breakfast didn’t meet your expectations during this visit. Your comments about the scrambled eggs and overall protein quality have been noted, and we’ll share them with our kitchen team to ensure we make improvements. We truly value your loyalty and observations, and we hope to welcome you back soon with an even better experience. Stay Light, The Santarena Team
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We're delighted to know that you enjoyed our location, found the bed comfortable, and appreciated the friendliness of our staff—especially Arturo and our night shift waiters.… Show more
Reviewed: 30 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewRooftop pool and staff were exceptional.
The road conditions from Liberia airport, very slow.
Dear Brian, Thank you very much for your kind review and perfect scores! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our rooftop pool and that our team made a positive impression during your stay. We truly appreciate your feedback regarding the road conditions from Liberia Airport. While this is unfortunately beyond our control, we hope the journey was still worthwhile and that your stay with us made up for the slower travel time. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we look forward to welcoming you back again soon! Stay Light, The Santarena Team
Dear Brian, Thank you very much for your kind review and perfect scores! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our rooftop pool and that our team made a positive impression during your stay. We truly appreciate your feedback regardi… Show more
Reviewed: 25 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 22 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewIt was a beautiful place, the facilities, the food and the staff was GREAT
The bar could close later. Good drinks, very good food … the staff and the whole service was GREAT
Dear Arletty, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and perfect rating! We’re truly happy to hear that you found our hotel to be a magical place and that you enjoyed the facilities, food, and the service provided by our team. We also appreciate your feedback regarding the bar hours. Please note that, due to town regulations, we are not permitted to keep the bar open later in the evening. That said, we’re glad you enjoyed the drinks and the overall atmosphere! It was a pleasure having you with us, and we look forward to welcoming you back very soon. Warm regards, The Santrena Team
Dear Arletty, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and perfect rating! We’re truly happy to hear that you found our hotel to be a magical place and that you enjoyed the facilities, food, and the service provided by our team. We als… Show more
Reviewed: 20 April 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewEverything
Dear Mirna, Thank you so much for your wonderful rating and for taking the time to share your experience. We're thrilled to hear that everything met your expectations and that you had a relaxing stay with us. Feedback like yours truly motivates our team to continue delivering memorable experiences for our guests. We look forward to welcoming you back again in the near future! Stay Light, The Concierge Team
Dear Mirna, Thank you so much for your wonderful rating and for taking the time to share your experience. We're thrilled to hear that everything met your expectations and that you had a relaxing stay with us. Feedback like yours truly… Show more
Reviewed: 18 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewLocations is perfect. Service of the entire staff just superb. The room is large, clean, comfortable and very nicely decorated. Breakfast is good and the restaurant for dinner is a must
The pool is beautiful , but small. Having a gym would also be nice
Dear Jerri, Thank you very much for your excellent rating and for sharing such a detailed and positive review. We’re delighted to know that you enjoyed our location, the service provided by our team, as well as the comfort and décor of your room. We're also happy to hear that you enjoyed both breakfast and dinner at our restaurant. We appreciate your comment about the pool and your suggestion regarding a gym. While we do not have an on-site gym, we’re pleased to inform you that we have a local partner, Core Gym by Chakfitness, which offers a great outdoor space where guests can stay active while enjoying the beauty of the surrounding village. We look forward to the pleasure of welcoming you back in the near future. Warm regards, The Santarena Team
Dear Jerri, Thank you very much for your excellent rating and for sharing such a detailed and positive review. We’re delighted to know that you enjoyed our location, the service provided by our team, as well as the comfort and décor of you… Show more
Reviewed: 17 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewI booked with Booking.com at a rate of $285 per night. The night before I traveled I got a call from the hotel indicating that I needed to pay to hold the reservation and that the rate was $80 more per night. This is not right and should be unacceptable to you at Booking.com
The change or rates the night before we were set to travel
Dear Roberto, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re truly glad to hear that you had a great stay and appreciated our location, though we’re sorry to learn about the concerns you experienced regarding the rate. We have reviewed your reservation and confirmed that the rate booked through Booking.com aligns with the conditions provided at the time of booking and our system. Please note that the hotel is not authorized to modify any rates confirmed through Booking.com, and we strictly adhere to the agreed pricing. Our team does not alter confirmed rates; we only collect payment based on the total amount shown in your reservation. If there was any confusion or miscommunication prior to your arrival, we sincerely apologize and would be happy to investigate the matter further. Please feel free to contact us directly with more details so we can assist you. Thank you again for your visit, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future. Warm regards, The Santarena Team
Dear Roberto, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re truly glad to hear that you had a great stay and appreciated our location, though we’re sorry to learn about the concerns you experienced regarding the rate. We hav… Show more
Reviewed: 13 April 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 12 April 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 8 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewOne of the best hotels we have ever stayed at. Gorgeously decorated, perfect location on the beachfront, breakfast was delightful. My daughter and I had the best 3 nights and can’t wait to come back.
Dear Jessica, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and perfect rating! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you and your daughter had such a memorable stay with us. It means the world to know you enjoyed everything from our beachfront location and décor to the breakfast and overall comfort. Guests like you make what we do so rewarding, and we truly can’t wait to welcome you both back for another unforgettable stay! Stay Light, The Santarena Team
Dear Jessica, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and perfect rating! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you and your daughter had such a memorable stay with us. It means the world to know you enjoyed everything from our beac… Show more
Reviewed: 14 March 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewBeautiful hotel, extremely comfortable bedrooms in a lovely setting and incredible sunsets. All the staff were so lovely, very special stay!
Would have been great to have an upstairs bar on the terrace, however staff are on hand and happy to supply drinks if you need them!
Hello Ele, Thank you so much for your kind review! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your stay and found the hotel beautiful, with comfortable bedrooms and stunning sunsets. We’re also delighted to know that our staff made your experience even more special. We appreciate your suggestion regarding an upstairs bar on the terrace. We will certainly take it into consideration as we continue to improve our services. We hope to welcome you back soon for another memorable stay! Stay Light, The Santarena team
Hello Ele, Thank you so much for your kind review! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your stay and found the hotel beautiful, with comfortable bedrooms and stunning sunsets. We’re also delighted to know that our staff made your expe… Show more
Reviewed: 3 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 22 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 22 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewThe room and the location
The food from the hotel restaurant. And For the hotel guests when returning from the beach there is no shower or a any place to take off the sand-before entering the hotel
Dear Carlos, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed the room, location, comfort, and the food at our restaurant during your stay. Regarding your comment about the lack of a shower for guests returning from the beach, we appreciate your suggestion. We look forward to welcoming you again soon and providing you with an even better experience. Stay Light, The Sanatrena Team
Dear Carlos, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed the room, location, comfort, and the food at our restaurant during your stay. Regarding your comment about the lack of a shower for guests… Show more