Hotel Punta Islita - Islita

Excellence of resort. Nothing to do but play and relax.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We really enjoyed our stay. The hotel is more of separate villas nestled into the hillside overlooking the ocean, and it's very private and secluded. We went in November which is the off season, so there were not many guests. We enjoyed being able to have the place almost to ourselves. We used the spa for massages and did 2 excursions- horse back riding […] at sunset and watching sea turtles lay eggs. The food was very good in the restaurant and there is a local restaurant within a short walk for dinner as well. Our room was stunning and had a private dipping pool. the service was great too- they have vans to drive guests around if you don't want to walk and will help you set up excursions or anything else you need. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Hotel Punta Islita was not easy to get to with a 3 hour drive and bumpy roads but every minute of that drive was worth it. It was paradise. The staff are friendly and the room was private with breath taking views A++++++++++++++++++++

Genuine Expedia guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Fantastic place! The staff is simply incredible!!! From the concierge to service at the restaurant wonderful - 5 days was too short!!!! We got upgraded to a villa (we had booked 2 rooms) with a private pool! There is a shuttle to take you aroundl the site is simply wonderful! A true 5 star hotel!!!!!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Fantastic location, very nice restaurant and bar area, but very disappointing rooms: small and very basic, not worth a two star hotel. The price is high for the type of accommodation.

Genuine Expedia guest review

Every staff member we meet was friendly and willing to help us out with every detail of our stay. Marvin was the first person we met and he was fantastic. The food is delicious and pools are just beautiful. The zipline and horseback riding adventures were so well organized. Our groups included people of all ages and we all had a wonderful time. I would […] go back again and again!! Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

Everything was Great and outstanding. Unforgettable!

Genuine Expedia guest review

To be brief, this place is amazing. It's a beuautiful location and the grounds are wonderful. I stayed in their basic villa which was simple to be sure, but was very nice nonetheless (particularly the private little terrace overlooking the bay with hammock). Staff were friendly and attentive without being over the top and the facilities were top notch. […] I also really appreciate the sustainable community and environmental model adopted by the hotel. All that, and it's very reasonably priced to IMO. Could not ask for more. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This is one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever visited, with a perfect and harmonious combination of nature and luxury. This place doesn’t take all the credit it deserves, such as being listed among the best hotels in the world as posited by recognized magazines, a reason why potential guests may underestimate its beauty, luxury and excellence […] through its reviews and pictures shown on the Internet. When you see the entrance and the welcoming they give you as you stare at the beautiful amenities, you won’t have any desire to leave the place, which is perfectly convenient as it is quite far from near by places. The first day, after a rough drive (went during winter season and river was running water so we couldn’t go through that path and took the long route instead), we booked a couple’s massage. OMG! What an experience! It was a chocolate, full body, 4-hand massage, after which you are left alone to go and shower by the plants and the birds to then come back into a hot tub with champagne for two. DO IT! The food, although somewhat pricy, it was awesome, worth every penny. We also did the zip lining tour, which was an incredible experience too. Fruity drinks (alcoholic too) are made with natural fruits and are AMAZING! The amenities are simply great. We had a private hot tub in our bedroom. The pools are crazy beautiful (did I say the food was great?...). And the service, extraordinary. These people know how to treat a guest. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

The place was very beautiful - the villas were on the side of a rain forest hill leading down to a great beach cove. The views were great, and the food was great as well. The location was very remote, which was nice, but it was also difficult to get to (very rough, gravel roads for about half an hour or 45 minutes right up to the hotel). We didn't really […] go anywhere off the property of the hotel except to the nearby "town" within walking distance, which was basically a street corner with a snack shop. The food at the resort was expensive - we just graduated from college so it was expensive for us. We also saw lots of wildlife, which was very cool. Summer is the rainy season, and it rained every day. Overall, it was a great experience, and we would like to go back someday! Do the ziplining and eat the fruit! Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

Those who want shopping and other people, Punta Islita is not for you. The hotel was simply beautiful and the employees were accommodating. We rented a car and drove the 2 1/2 hour route to the resort. We were greeted with cool cloths when we exited our car and were treated royally for the rest of the trip. Since the resort is so secluded, the food […] options were limited; we visited during the off-season, so the beach restaurant was closed during the evenings. We ate at Combuta, a little restaurant near the town of Islita for three evening meals. The menu at the main restaurant, 1492, was limited, and we wanted more diversity. Recommend the art gallery in the town of Islita for souvenirs; they are made by locals and are reasonably priced. We will return for a visit and enjoy all of the beauty and service. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

I was very impressed with Hotel Punta Islita. Isolated, beautiful, fun activities to offer, safe. I didn't leave the resort the entire week - except on the hotel-run excursions. The rooms were incredible - the private "balconies" with hammock and hot tub/pools were amazing. Staff were incredibly kind and accommodating. I love this place!

Genuine Expedia guest review

The resort at Punta Islita is wonderful. It took about 2 hours by car to the resort from the Liberia airport. The roads are not too bad, there is a small river crossing, but truly, the ride to the resort made sightseeing a pleasure. Our concierge was also very helpful and gracious. We were greeted as we pulled up to the resort with refreshing towels […] and we waited by the infinity pool while he checked us in. We also were given complementary drinks and they were delicious. We visited during the "green season" and it was as though we had the resort to ourselves. It did rain every night, but, the resort does provide each room with a large golf sized umbrella. Lunch and Dinner at the resort was reasonably priced and the food was delicious. We participated in the activities sponsored by the resort- zip lining and kayacking. Both were great experiences. It goes without saying, you should be moderately in shape to be a guest of Costa Rica. The hotel does provide a shuttle that departs every 30 mins. The to the beach walk is lovely as it takes you thru all the separate lodging and then the golf course and you get to appreciate the mango, star fruit and other indigenous flora and fauna. We did have ants in our room, however, our housekeeper did a great job at sweeping them out everyday. It really is to be expected when you are staying at a resort surrounded by such lush flora. We saw monkeys in the trees adjacent to our hut. It was very surreal. The spa was great too Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

Punta Islita is in a very remote location. Most of the roads in the area are dirt or gravel. The location, the property and the beach are beautiful! The service here was excellent. With Marvin's help, we upgraded to a bigger room after our 2nd night. Both rooms had a beautiful ocean view. Marvin was extremely helpful with anything we needed. The service […] at the beach and the main restaurant was also great. For lunch they would set up a table for us to eat right near the beach. Antonio in the main restaurant was very friendly and professional. The rooms are clean and well kept. The only negative is that you could hear people in the room next to you. The walls or ceiling should be a little thicker or more soundproof. Overall I would recommend this hotel to anyone. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

Punta Islita deserves all the outstanding reviews! The staff and facilities made our trip to Costa Rica a truly relaxing vacation. The staff was warm and hospitable and we knew many of them by name before we left. It's luxury without the pretension. Food, bar, location and activities were all excellent - saw howler monkeys, surfed, kayaked to the ocean […] and watched migrating whales - all without more than a 20 minute drive (which is good, because the roads in CR leave a little to be desired!). Don't miss a stroll into the little village of Islita and see some of the local art and crafts. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

Islita is hard to get to (via car), so go during the day. It took us about 4 hours from San Jose to get there. The way we went we had a river crossing, so be prepared. We stayed in room 24, which I think is one of the smallest rooms...but it worked fine for us. We had a great view of the ocean, and our own hammock! There isn't anything around Islita, […] so be prepared to pay $$$ to go on a tour to see the sights. The walk to the ocean takes about 15 minutes, and involves steep inclines and numerous stairs. They have a shuttle, so use it if walking/hiking isn't your thing. The beach is ok. They have a nice pool and pool bar, but the beach is a dark sand and the water is pretty murky and the surf fairly strong. The food at the restaurant is just good, and expensive! However, the view from the restaurant is amazing!! It is a very romantic hotel for couples that want to be away from everything. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

My wife and I loved the whole experience of this beautiful, remote, enchanting property. We got rejuvinated and cherished every moment. I was disappointed that we saw no monkeys as we have seen at other locations.

Genuine Expedia guest review

Besides that stunning views, the private outdoor jacuzzi and hammock, the phenomenal (and very reasonably priced) food, it was the service that really blew us away. Everybody that worked at Punta Islita beamed with pride over their hotel. They wanted you to have a great time - and did everything in their power to help you out. The tours were great. […] We went kayaking and saw lots of birds and monkeys. The zip lining is awesome. We also did a 6 am bird watching tour and saw lots of birds. The only difficulty is the long drive over dirt roads. Difinitely rent a 4x4. You are going to love this place. We can't wait to go back. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

Hotel Punta Islita is an absolutely beautiful resort with excellent, caring staff. It is in a remote area, so if you are going to drive, be sure you are able to arrive before sunset, or you may get lost like we did! This is a perfect place if you are looking for a quiet, relaxing getaway.

Genuine Expedia guest review

Getting there is definitely party of the adventure, particularly in the rainy season. The last 20 miles or so are dirt paths through the woods, which in September were filled with potholes large enough to swallow an SUV due to being repeatedly washed out. The hotel is worth the effort of the drive, but probably would be smarter to fly to the nearby […] airport. The property is breathtakingly beautiful, the rooms nicely appointed and constantly kept clean by the staff. The staff was incredible and go out of their way to provide you everything you could want or need. There are lots of fun activities, and on these as well, the staff are well trained and very helpful. The food in the restaurant for all three meals per day is 5 star, and not unreasonably priced for such good cuisine. If you are looking for nightlife, shopping or lots of anything commercial, this is not your place. If you are looking for a luxurious place to relax and take in breathtaking beauty, it is the perfect place. Even though we went in the middle of the rainy season, there were several hours each morning that were sunny and that allowed for activitiies. Even when it rained most every afternoon, the private patios associated with each room allow you to sit outside and read, enjoy the whirlpool or take a nap in the hammock while being kept dry from the rain around you. Definitely a place that we would like to return to. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

The place is just amazing, the gardens, the pool, the beach just out of this world - a paradise - The food was excellent and if you want something they were not offering they do it for you - they just try to please you and do everything in their power to make you feel great. The service superb! the room was super clean. We had an amazing time and we […] can not wait to come back. One thing though - take the little plain to the resort - we drove from San Jose to Punta Islita and it was an adventure - only if you like to drive in dirt roads and see the high hills and slopes - it took 5 hours driving. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

Fantastic surrondings, good service, confortable bedrooms, bad bathrooms.

Genuine Expedia guest review

The location is remote, on the slope of a hill leading down to the ocean. The lower "cassitas" are very picturesques, surroundede by beautifull gardens and pathways, giving the area the feel of a village. The villas higher up are amazing, with all the amenities to live indepentently, including a swimming pool. They are build combining a modern and rustic […] style. The large living room had several resident lizards, and one of the bathrooms had a resident bat, and the garden had an amazing array of buterflies and birds, to be watched and photographed in the early morning sun. We could hear howler monkeys in the distance and flocks of green paraquets could be seen congregating in the nearby trees. The breakfast was good, but the dinners were superior, served under a huge canopy-like thatched roof. The beach is somewhat pebley and the waves are gigantic, but you can alawys swim in the infinity pool next to the reataurant or the one down by the water. They both have swim-up bars, and serve flavorfull drinks. The staff was well organized unitrusive and very friendly. Visit Punta Islita, if you like nature and luxury. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

This was a beautiful hotel setting. The rooms and beds were comfortable. The view from the front porch was to the ocean and jungle. There is a hammock they bring you for your front porch. It was very beautiful. The hotel is remote which is what we expected. When the river runs high which it did for us, the cut off (the one the GPS system gave us) is […] not accessible. In fact the road to this cut off across the river has no sign. It dead ends at someones house. You must drive further down and around on a bumpy dirt road which takes an additional 30 to 40 minute. You need a four wheel drive. The pool that allows kids is at the beach area which is a 10 minute walk down. There is a shuttle. The pool by the beach is not very big. It is actually smaller than my pool at home. If you are looking for restaurants, there are only two real restaurants to eat at the hotel. The main one and the one by the pool / beach. There is only one local restaurant near the entrance to the hotel which we thought was good as we had kids. Overall, it was a nice experience and was very relaxing. The staff are very nice and friendly. I give them all an A+++. I would stay there again if I was in the area. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We had a terrific time at Hotel Punta Islita. Travelers should be aware of the rainy season in Costa Rica -- heavy rainfall directly affects the condition of the remote roads that lead to the hotel. My wife and I were unable to reach the hotel on our first night in-country due to river washouts, and had to try again the following day. The staff at […] the hotel are the friendliest people I've ever met in my life. The food at the restaurant is delicious. The hotel grounds are beautiful, well-kept, with just the right amount of encroaching jungle and nature. We spotted howler monkeys in the trees fifty yards from our bungalow, shared our walks with iguanas and parrots. The only problem we experienced was a leak in our room from the heavy rain on the first night of our stay. The hotel staff was incredibly responsive and accommodating, and we settled into a new bungalow within the hour. There are many things to do here -- ziplining, horseback riding, wildlife sightseeing, kayaking, spa treatments -- and I definitely recommend trying everything you can. We stayed for ten days, but would rather have stayed for a year. We'll definitely be going back. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

The hotel is in a beautiful setting, secluded and private, not for the activity loving action freak. Although if you would like to relax, play golf, zipline take a couple of tours, then this place is wonderful. Also, if there are other activities that you would like to do, they will arrange it for you. I would highly suggest renting a car. (The rental […] companies will drop off your car for a fee and pick up the car for a fee......it cost us $50.00 total - also, if you rent, 4 x 4 is the only way to go) The hotel consists on individual casitas with jacuzzi's or private plunge pools, with total privacy from others. There is a 9 hole par 3 golf course at the hotel - which is very challenging. There are 2 pools and a beautiful beach. Again, I cannot stress enough how great the staff is. Frank, the bartender is a fountain of knowledge and absolutely wonderful. We were house hunting on our trip and he assisted in getting us a lot of information about homes in the area, and where to go to find others. Honestly, there are not words to describe this experience, although I tried. Words and pictures do not do this place justice. It is a hidden jewel. We cannot wait to buy our piece of paradise. We are going back in December for 12 days this time. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

Excelente servicio y trato del personal, un lugar de descanso sin lugar a dudas. Necesariamente hay que volver

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Also ich muss schon sagen, dass dieses Hotel in allen Bereichen TOP ist. Sauberkeit, Service, Restaurant, Cocktails, Zimmer (Bungalow), Komfort, Ausrüstung, angebotene Aktivitäten und auch die Lage (an einem Berg gelegen mit Blick auf den Pazifik)!!! Der Berg ist aber auch ein Problem, denn um von Samará (liegt laut Expedia ca. 15 KM entfernt) dorthin […] zu kommen, braucht man ein spezielles 4x4 Taxi. Dieses muss, um nach Punta Islita zu kommen, Schwerstarbeit verrichten!!! Die Taxifahrt dorthin kostete stolze 60$ (einfacher Weg), was für 15 KM nun wirklich kein Schnäppchen ist! Auf diesen Punkt sollte im Angebot evtl. hingewiesen werden... Ansonsten keine Kritik, auch wenn die Preise im Hotel für Speisen und Getränke schon recht hochpreisig sind (ist aber gemessen am Hotelstandard in Ordnung). Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

Das Hotel ist wirklich eine Erholung. Alle sind extrem freundlich, das Essen ist der Hammer und die Lage mit Ausblick ist wahnsinnig schön. Auch die Zimmer sind toll, fast alle mit Whirpool und grandiosem Ausblick aufs Meer. Sehr empfehlenswert!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review