Los Altos Resort (Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica)

By Admin

September 28, 2022

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Wednesday newsletters all the time function a resort or flight assessment.

Final April, I loved an awesome vacation in Miami & Costa Rica. You’ll be able to learn my journey reviews right here:

Evaluation: Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 Enterprise Class from Frankfurt to Miami
Evaluation: Acqualina Resort on the Seaside, Miami, USA
Evaluation: Nayara Tented Camp, Arenal Nationwide Park, Costa Rica
Evaluation: Nayara Springs & Backyard, Arenal Nationwide Park, Costa Rica
Evaluation: Lapa Rios Lodge, Corcovado Nationwide Park, Costa Rica
Evaluation: Andaz Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
Evaluation: 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
Evaluation: Los Altos Resort, Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park, Costa Rica (at the moment)
Evaluation: Edelweiss Air Airbus A340 Enterprise Class from Liberia to Zurich

In the present day: Evaluation of Los Altos Resort (Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica)

Tucked into the rainforest cover, Los Altos Resort provides a soothing ambiance within the pristine eco-wilderness close to Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park. Wake to the sounds of howler monkeys, glimpse toucans among the many timber, and breakfast with hummingbirds – you’ll be surrounded by restorative nature right here. Rooms at Los Altos range from spacious to very large. Every has an immersed-in-nature really feel, with sweeping outlooks over rainforest, sea or each. And all are suites providing kitchens and luxurious lounging areas – particularly nice for teams or households. Kids are welcome right here, however there are many moments for grown-up leisure too. Sip your fruit cocktail by the infinity pool with views over the ocean, wander down via the timber (or hop aboard the shuttle) for a day on the resort’s personal personal seaside, and even higher, take pleasure in a chef-hosted dinner in your personal balcony.

Los Altos Resort options in my high 10 checklist of the greatest inns & lodges in Costa Rica.

Have you ever ever stayed at Los Altos Resort? In that case, what was your expertise? Depart a remark.

On this assessment (extra data and photographs under my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

Los Altos Resort is situated on Costa Rica’s central Pacific Coast, a 10-minute drive from the doorway of Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park. Though it’s the nation’s smallest Nationwide Park, the gorgeous magnificence and variety of wildlife in its 683 hectares is gorgeous. Manuel Antonio boasts a mix of rain forest, seashores, and coral reefs. Its most well-known seaside is Playa Manuel Antonio, a half-mile lengthy, white sand crescent bisecting deep inexperienced foliage to 1 aspect and a non-public, secluded cove to the opposite. This seaside is taken into account essentially the most stunning within the nation and the snorkeling is superb too. The forest is house to sloths, iguanas, the uncommon and lovable squirrel monkeys, white-faced monkeys, and thousands and thousands of colourful little crabs. Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park may be very crowded (as a result of it’s really easy to entry) however there are a number of quick trails that supply a extra tranquil expertise.

Los Altos Resort is situated on a hill close to the doorway of Manuel Antonio village, inside strolling distance of a number of retailers, bars and eating places. The resort amenities solely occupy a small space on high of the hill, which supplies approach to a big nature reserve – known as Protect at Los Altos – that tumbles down the hill in the direction of the Pacific Ocean. The surroundings and trails contained in the resort’s reserve present a close to personal climbing expertise that rivals the perfect of what the close by Nationwide Park has to supply. With only a fast stroll from the suites, friends have the chance to select from various trails and to look at all kinds of wildlife, together with capuchin monkeys, sloths and toucans. A number of the steeper trails go down all the best way to a secluded gray sand seaside – known as Playa Tulemar – the place the resort has positioned some loungers beneath the timber for its friends (towels are supplied). For friends that don’t wish to stroll, the property additionally provides complimentary shuttle service between the resort and the seaside.

Los Altos Resort is the greatest resort within the Manuel Antonio space (though it feels extra like a superb 4-star property than a real 5-star resort). The resort is comprised of two 7-story towers in entrance of a safe and gated car parking zone (free self-parking is obtainable). Each towers are related by a communal floor ground. The latter homes a small open-air foyer, comprised of a concierge & reception desk and some sitting areas on the aspect, the place friends can wait for his or her excursions. Behind the foyer is a hall with the elevators that take friends as much as the suites. One finish of the bottom ground additionally incorporates a recreation room with a pool desk, pingpong desk and extra – a enjoyable place for youngsters and youngsters to hang around. On the opposite finish of the bottom ground is a store (promoting some snacks, drinks, toiletries and medicines) and a spacious and effectively outfitted health heart. The general decor – easy and colourful – feels very Costa Rican.

Los Altos Resort options 26 spacious condo-style suites, that are the biggest within the Manuel Antonio space. Throughout my vacation, I stayed in a Treetop Ocean View Suite on the third ground, that was being accessed by a non-public elevator opening instantly into the suite’s giant hallway. The fashionable suite featured an enormous front room, spacious eating space and its personal kitchen space. There have been 3 bedrooms, accommodating a most of 6 friends: one giant master suite with kingsize mattress, and two smaller rooms (one with a queensize mattress and one with twin beds). The master suite got here with its personal open-plan rest room (outfitted with one sink, a bathe and a bathroom), whereas the opposite rooms shared a small rest room (additionally outfitted with a bathe, sink, and bathroom). Complimentary toiletries had been supplied in each loos. There have been additionally two balconies, one connected to the residing space overlooking the rainforest cover and the Pacific Ocean within the distance, whereas the opposite balcony was shared by the 2 smaller bedrooms and ignored Manuel Antonio’s most important avenue.

Los Altos Resort options extra facilities than most different inns within the Manuel Antonio space, which makes it an ideal base for staying a couple of days on this a part of Costa Rica. It’s most important attraction is the pool space, situated a brief stroll from the primary constructing. The outside pool deck is ready excessive above sea stage and utterly surrounded by lush rainforest, aside from one aspect, which stays open, providing terrific views of the rainforest and the Pacific Ocean. A bar close by serves poolside drinks, plus there are additionally two sizzling tubs and a shallow wading space offering devoted areas for adults and smaller youngsters respectively. The pool space is very good within the late afternoon: blissful hour is obtainable by the pool bar and sunsets are spectacular right here, with the low solar splashing its radiant colours over the Pacific Ocean. Total, the pool space is a superb place to retreat to after day crammed with actions within the Manuel Antonio space (however don’t anticipate a serene ambiance right here as it could actually get very crowded, particularly throughout faculty holidays).

Positioned beneath the infinity pool is the resort’s wellness heart, which is house to a few of Costa Rica’s most skilled therapeutic massage therapists and aestheticians. Known as Orquieda, the power is the premier spa within the bigger Manuel Antonio space and the right place to go to any time of day, whether or not to get your morning began off to really feel refreshed or after coming back from one an outside tour. Completely located to maximise the views of the resort’s tropical protect and the Pacific Ocean, Orquieda – like its floral namesake – blooms with a colourful design. There are three therapy rooms, all of them situated alongside a big reception space. The spa provides a compelling menu of therapies, facials, and coverings, as effectively manicures and pedicures. In every of the menu choices, solely natural, all pure substances are used to make sure an all pure expertise, all while surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature.

Los Altos Resort options one restaurant on website, though its administration additionally operates two different eating places inside strolling distance of the property:
- Set above the pool deck and having fun with nice views is Karola, which has the status of being the premier connoisseur restaurant on the town (I didn’t strive all eating places in fact, however the meals was nice certainly). The venue serves worldwide delicacies with a tasty vary of meat, pasta, seafood and vegetarian choices. Every morning, Karola additionally provides a (quite restricted) breakfast buffet.
- A brief stroll from the resort is Samui Thai, a vigorous and extremely beneficial Thai restaurant, serving genuine Thai delicacies.
- Additionally not removed from the resort is Enso Japenese Sushi Restaurant, providing Japanese delicacies, curated by up-and-coming Chef Daniel Isea.
- Los Altos Resort additionally provides its friends the chance to schedule personal, chef-hosted dinners that may happen both in Karolas or inside in a visitor’s suite.

Los Altos Resort is a part of Small Luxurious Resorts of the World (“SLH”), which is a group of small, impartial inns in additional than 80 nations. These inns pay to be a part of the SLH portfolio and to be marketed as a SLH property. Earlier than they’re welcomed into SLH assortment, the SLH growth workforce go to each, checking them towards an extended checklist of must-haves. SLH has a strategic alliance with Hyatt, giving World of Hyatt members the chance to earn and redeem factors and obtain unique on-property advantages at any collaborating SLH resort, together with Los Altos. This implies World of Hyatt members can keep at no cost at Los Altos Resort on factors.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Though Los Altos Resort has the all of the facilities of a 5-star resort, its general décor feels dated nor luxurious and it lacks the sophistication & magnificence of a real 5 star property. I’d describe Los Altos as a strong 4-star condo-style resort (quite than an enthralling 5-star boutique resort because it describes itself). There may be a lot room for enchancment (particularly with regards to finishes and esthetics) and to show the spot in a real luxurious house. Nonetheless, regardless of its lack of a wow issue, it’s by far the best choice on the town and value a keep once you wish to go to close by Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park. Simply set your expectations proper and benefit from the resort highlights resembling its setting in a beautiful jungle reserve, the spectacular (sundown) views from the pool deck, and the surprisingly good meals on the eating places (aside from breakfast). However if in case you have a 4 Seasons or Ritz-Carlton high quality resort in thoughts, don’t remain right here or you may be disenchanted.

The elevators within the resort open instantly into the suites (with a keycard). This would possibly really feel personal and fancy at first, but it surely’s not, because it might occur {that a} visitor might unintentionally step off the elevator into the mistaken house. Additionally, if separate friends are driving on the elevator collectively, the elevator door will open at every ground that was requested by these within the elevator or those that might have known as the elevator from their room to then head downstairs.

Solely the suites on the resort’s high flooring will take pleasure in a view of the rainforest cover and the Pacific Ocean within the distance. The decrease suites don’t include a view in any respect: they overlook both the car parking zone in entrance of the resort or the primary avenue of Manuel Antonio which runs across the again of the property. To be honest, the items on the bottom two flooring of the resort are essentially the most affordable prized rooms within the resort, however in order for you a view, be sure to ebook a collection on one of many high flooring.

The secluded seaside of the resort is a beautiful, stunning spot, with wildlife typically flying by or passing via the timber. However a number of elements of the seaside are lined in very sharp rocks, additionally underwater, which makes swimming right here a little bit of a problem, if not not possible. Additionally remember that the amenities on the seaside are restricted to some solar loungers and that getting from/to the seaside requires a steep stroll (or a complimentary switch by shuttle), so I’d not think about Los Altos to be a seaside resort. For many who desire sandy seashores with extra amenities, the general public seashores of Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park are a straightforward automotive, taxi or bus experience away (however an entry payment must be paid).

Breakfast provides an honest vary of things (e.g. eggs and omelets made to order, pancakes, French toast, contemporary fruit, freshy baked bread, yogurt, cereal, gallo pinto, various aspect dishes, glorious espresso and freshly made fruit smoothies). However the best way the breakfast buffet is offered feels quite poor and low cost (aside from the egg/pancake station): the objects are positioned in some plastic, poorly sealed packing containers on some tables in a nook of the semi-outdoor restaurant (attracting many bugs). Total, the breakfast expertise is less than par with the breakfast buffets of different 4- and 5-star inns within the nation .

MY VERDICT

Location: 8/10
Design: 7/10
Pool: 8/10
Rooms: 8/10
Meals: 8/10
Breakfast: 7/10
Spa: 7/10
Service: 9/10
Worth for cash: 8/10
Total expertise: good 7,5/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Get monetary savings: learn right here my ideas for getting the perfect deal at a resort like Los Altos Resort (and/or obtain many free perks).

Get monetary savings: World of Hyatt members can keep at no cost at Los Altos Resort on factors.

Room tip: in order for you a view, be sure to ebook a collection on one of many high flooring.

Learn my ideas for making ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

There are two major seasons in Manuel Antonio: the wet season and the dry season. The dry season (or excessive season) is from mid-December to mid-April and it’s the greatest time to go to as there’s a smaller probability of being drenched within the rain. The wet season (or “inexperienced” season) is usually from Could to November: it could rain for a number of days in a row (and torrential rains are frequent) however on a optimistic notice, resort charges and tour costs are considerably decrease and the nation turns a beautiful deep inexperienced.

HOW TO GET THERE

Los Altos Resort is situated in Manuel Antonio, which is a 3 hour drive from Jose Airport (SJO) and a 5 hour drive from Guanacaste Airport (LIR). There may be additionally a small airstrip in Manuel Antonio and several other day by day flights to/from San Jose or Liberia are scheduled. Click on right here for an up to date checklist of airways that supply direct flights to San Jose and right here for an up to date checklist of airways that supply direct flights to Liberia.