Banana Beach Bungalows

"This is not a relaxing hotel, but instead a loud party hostel with budget facilities: Music noise - the Banana Beach Club plays very loud music from the afternoon to 10pm which vibrates throughout the room. We were also woken up several times in the early by parties on the beach. You will get very limited sleep staying here. Pool - Most days non-guests use the pool, including loud and rude kids, and on one occasion a kid forced their dog into the pool. Generally it is very dated and very little care is taken in tidiness. Noise from the generators next to pool is constant. Reception - no fixed reception service as a hotel would typically have - one person is available at a “reception” kiosk room between 9am and 4pm. Any assistance needed outside these hours is made via WhatsApp so is not instant. Also we had a power cut for water and electricity on our second day, so could not receive updates as the WiFi was unavailable. Restaurant - the restaurant and hotel are completely separate, apart from the breakfast being complementary for guests, and this is unclear from the website as we only found out upon arrival. This means guests can’t freely use the beach loungers or set up a room tab for food/drinks. No explanation of breakfast, timings - got there at 7am only to be told it starts at 8am so we missed this several times from leaving early for tours/transfer etc. Room - No kettle, coffee machine but no powdered milk/crema. Fridge outside (not in room) and doesn’t open properly as gets caught by the cupboard door latch - kitchen light very dim so difficult to see. Only one bedside table so had to leave belongings on the floor. No clothes hangers or even hooks."

Horizon Hotel & Yoga Center

"My 8th visit to CR and 3rd to Santa Teresa. I came to Horizon to restore and reset after a long tough time recovering from a difficult family loss. My main objective has been to kickstart my wellness routine after a year and a half of being out of synch - exercise, healthy living, kind people with good vibes, fresh food prepared with love, surf, hike and priceless sunrises and sunsets. So far, I have found all of that at Horizon. Horizon is a quaint and charming mountain retreat, located a short walk up the mountain side of town. A trail interconnects all of the various element of this boutique resort. Gali and Yuav offer the perfect balance of being available while also maintaining privacy. There has not been a request that I have made that hasn’t been met in a very timely manner. Yuav is the best kept secret in ST - a true Renaissance man. I’m 100% straight, by the way. Yuav is a 5 star chef, while also maintaining a demanding resort management role. Did I mention that he is also a top notch yoga instructor? He also maintains many hobbies that most would find very interesting. I would be very surprised if there was a request made by a guest that he could not, or would not, satisfy. Gali is hands on and doesn’t miss much. She truly loves and breaths this hospitality experience. A few points of note: - If you are looking for a chain hotel, Horizon is not for you. You will not find staff that went to a brand name HRIM college or University. Frankly, you will find better here. - If you don’t like the charm of an old bohemian town that has evolved quite a bit since my first visit 30 years ago, this is not for you. - Costa Rica has evolved and is now a town that is represented globally. Not everyone here is a Tica. There are many cultures represented in ST, and the language and cultural shifts can create a disappointment if you’re not able to communicate properly. This is okay, in my opinion, by the way, as the food options here are more diverse and authentic than any big city in America, while still maintaining that beach side bohemian charm. Just be sure to choose your body language and words wisely as there can be a risk of gross misinterpretation and/or losing a friendship over same. - This is Costa Rica. The first thing I do when I arrive is obtain an ATV for my entire stay. Taxis are available and the drivers are super friendly and informative. But if you are a slave to taxis and walking everywhere, you may miss out on some of the charm and experiences. Full disclosure - I grew up on horses, dirt bikes and ATVs. I have been all over the world and have stayed at top 20 rated resorts in many countries, but Horizon is right there with the best of them. The website doesn’t nearly do justice to this place."

Hotel Ritmo Tropical - Pool and Breakfast