Hotel Riu Guanacaste

Kpaulse wrote a review May 2025

Ok but wouldn’t go back

The hotel was old but they are remodeling now. Half of the outlets in the room did not work. My biggest complaint was that the front desk personnel could not care less if you were happy. We booked 2 adjoining rooms with 2 beds in each room. When we got there they said sorry, we don’t have that and we got king beds not adjoining. We were on a girls trip and wanted to pay our own half on our cards but they required the first person there to pay for the whole room. The front desk personnel told us incorrect information several times. We had a private tour set up and they told us you had to walk to the front gate ( a mile maybe ) to meet them, that they would not be allowed inside the gate which was not the case at all.
The drinks were good but contained no alcohol. We all drank all day and never got a buzz the whole week. They had to be either leaving it out or it was watered down.
The pool area is very pretty and had plenty of chairs.
The food was ok, very similar to a buffet on a cruise ship. Lots of options but not the most inviting in the restaurants without air conditioning where the food sat out for hours.
It was inexpensive which is what we were looking for so you get what you pay for but I would not go back to this resort.

Date of Stay: April 2025

jesr346 wrote a review May 2025

Not 5 stars, would not go again

Went for a wedding. The place is extremely outdated. The room was EXTREMELY musty and smelly. I came home with my clothes and suitcase covered in the smell. There is nothing near the hotel. Any life is at least 25 min away. The excursion and leaving the hotel was the best part. Alcohol options are terrible. Food was absolutely awful. They attempt to cater to Americans and very poorly. A lot of buffet style food sitting out in the heat with flies flying around. Multiple people were sick. The staff was friendly but the hotel is NOT 5 star hotel in any way shape or form.

Date of Stay: May 2025

Paradise25819255542 wrote a review May 2025
Wichita, Kansas

Warning. Construction going on

We were assigned room 1016. Unfortunately we looked out what was suppose to be garden suite except they did not mention the construction going on next door at their sister resort? The noise started at 6:30 am. That included the dusts Had to cover my nose and mouth to go to the spa. The food was okay. Only had one problem with a restaurant that we waited for over an hour for our food and we left early tired of waiting for desserts

Date of Stay: May 2025

xxxxxx13903 wrote a review May 2025
Auburn, Alabama

DO NOT STAY HERE

The room was dated. The bathroom was disgusting, the hotel lobby was loud, felt like cattle, the bar was all bottom shelf and pre-made frozen drinks, the restaurants were buffets that were loud and picked through. A staff member was coughing on the fruit they were cutting up. One crappy plastic chair on the balcony. Dirty, loud, and smelled like a sewer.
booked this for a Christmas holiday. Spent a lot of $. Asked to leave after we saw our room. It was 5 pm by the time we got to our room, and it was too late to check out and find a new hotel. The front desk said we could check out in the morning for a full refund. I had to email the corp. office, the hotel, and finally, I got the credit 90 days later when I filed a complaint with the credit card company. RIU never refunded the $. Horrible in every single way.
My son was offered drugs on "their beach". When I complained, they said, "Ugh, that's what happens as it's a public beach.

Date of Stay: December 2024

amberfA5197YV wrote a review June 2025
Seattle, Washington

Worst Trip of my life

I stayed at a Hotel Riu Guanacaste from May 14th 2025 – May 19th 2025 and unfortunately, the experience was deeply disappointing. Upon arrival, I was placed on a floor far from my friends, and only after I raised safety concerns and being told no room was near my friends. After begging them to please see about some type of accommodation as I was a female traveling alone in a different country and suddenly a room was available right next to my friend and I was moved closer—suggesting they could’ve accommodated me all along but simply didn’t bother.

One of our group members found bed bugs in her room—something the staff didn’t even flinch at. No apology, no urgency—they just moved her to another room, nowhere near the rest of us.

The restaurants were consistently overbooked. The buffet was full of flies, the food was lukewarm at best, and hygiene seemed like an afterthought. One night, a friend bit into something she thought was glass. Staff later claimed it was salt, but instead of showing concern, they were dismissive and defensive. At a resort of this price point, that kind of response is unacceptable.

My own experience with the room was absurd. On the first night alone, I was locked out and had to walk all the way to the lobby—three separate times in the dark—before anyone came to “fix” the door. This problem continued for three nights in a row. Because staff couldn’t access my room either, it was only cleaned once during my entire stay. I tried requesting pillows and clean towels via the RIU app, which would mark them as “delivered”—but nothing ever came. You couldn’t even use the room phone to call the front desk unless you already had the number, which wasn’t provided anywhere. When I finally got a Wi-Fi access code from the front desk, it didn’t work either.

The second morning, the hot water stopped working completely. No warning, no explanation—just dozens of guests realizing they were out of luck. The same went for the resort’s so-called “white party”—canceled with zero notice. Guests got dressed up and showed up, only to be met with… nothing. It was just quietly scrapped like it never existed.
The spa was another mess. Services were oversold and poorly managed, with appointments being shuffled or outright dropped. The staff there, like much of the resort, felt robotic and indifferent—like they were just going through the motions.

The beach, while beautiful, wasn’t relaxing. You’re immediately swarmed by aggressive vendors the moment you step onto the sand. I understand locals trying to make a living, but the hotel makes no effort to manage the experience for guests.

Worst of all, I contracted E. coli on my last night at the resort. I was violently sick for weeks after returning home, requiring two doctor visits and ongoing treatment. Getting food poisoning is one thing—contracting a serious bacterial infection due to unsanitary conditions is another level of failure entirely.

For a resort brand that markets itself as all-inclusive luxury, the RIU delivered very little in terms of hospitality, service, or even basic health standards. I’ve stayed at many resorts over the years, and this was by far the worst. I won’t be returning—and I would strongly caution others to think twice.

Date of Stay: May 2025

36texas wrote a review June 2025

We had a positive experience.

A week before our family trip we read a lot of reviews about this resort and were honestly about to cancel the trip. I’m glad we didn’t!

The room was a little dated but we didn’t care because we only changed clothes and slept there. The A/C people complained about did great, even a little too cold at times. Staff were extremely nice and happy to serve you in any way.

The restaurants were a little weird because you had to be there early or you may not get a seat. At that point, they essentially close the doors. We really enjoyed eating at the buffet anyways because of the food choices including International Night.

The construction was on the other side of the resort so we didn’t get the dust and noise that many complained about. However, I can see how that would be a problem if you were directly across from it.

The kids water park was awesome, nobody was really there so you didn’t have to wait for each slide.

The beach vendors were a little annoying but very sociable and only trying to make a living. They were never disrespectful so I didn’t really mind them.

Overall,
The food was great, but not spectacular. The room did just what it needed to do, and the staff were great. I would return back!

Date of Stay: May 2025

JojoSoloTravel wrote a review July 2025
Bath, Somerset, England

Great for solos

I really enjoyed this hotel as a solo female traveler
I was put in a lovely room that was spacious and great views
I’m a vegetarian and I had some great meals in the buffet room
I didn’t used the specialized restaurants as I was on my own
The weather was not that great but I managed a little boat trip that I booked through the hotel

The pool area was nice but it did worry me that people drank all day at the pool bar and you never saw them leave the pool to use the bathroom
Hope the pool cleaners have good cleaning fluid 😀
Well done to Rui and the staff for keeping the grounds pretty

Date of Stay: November 2024

BackPacker237495 wrote a review July 2025

I think that the total resort is too big and the food that they serve is not that good tasting. I do not recommend this resort.

Date of Stay: August 2024

793makaylaf wrote a review July 2025

Not good for families

If you have a family with kids look elsewhere. This resort is a joke for families. There is nothing family friendly to do besides the pool. After dinner, if you can even get a seat, all activities are catered to adults. Save your money and go elsewhere. So disappointed. The front staff even agreed that it isn’t family friendly and catered more towards adults. Also the rooms don’t look like the photos

Date of Stay: July 2025

451prachis wrote a review July 2025
Baltimore, Maryland

Extremely Disappointing Stay – Avoid if Possible

This was one of the worst all-inclusive hotel experiences we’ve ever had. Despite being advertised as a brand-new resort, everything felt old, worn down, and poorly maintained. Our room had a strong, unpleasant odor and showed significant signs of wear and tear.

The food was another major letdown — bland, repetitive, and of very poor quality. There were no specialty dining options available, and the main restaurant was chaotic. The staff appeared disinterested and untrained; service was slow and inattentive.

One of the key amenities, the water park, was located at a completely different property. Getting there involved a long walk — nearly a mile — and required crossing another hotel. Incredibly, no towels were provided at the water park, so we had to carry everything ourselves.

Overall, this hotel fell far below expectations and did not meet the basic standards of an all-inclusive resort. I strongly recommend looking elsewhere

Date of Stay: April 2025

Venture401618 wrote a review August 2025

Beautiful Resort, But a Disappointing and Stressful Wedding Experience

RIU Guanacaste is a beautiful resort on the surface, but my experience — especially as a bride planning a destination wedding — was extremely disappointing.
After being asked to arrive two days early to finalize wedding details, the planner I had been working with was unavailable, and I was largely ignored by staff. I received conflicting information before my arrival (such as being told I could bring extra decorations or make changes to the wedding package), only to be told the opposite once I got there. No one had contacted me to go over final details by the morning of the wedding, which caused unnecessary stress on a day that should have been joyful. The onsite coordinator, Jordi, even threatened multiple times to cancel our wedding, despite the thousands we had spent and the group of guests we brought with us.
On top of the wedding issues, the rooms themselves need serious attention. While the grounds and views are gorgeous, the rooms felt damp and musty. I returned home with all of my clothes smelling like mildew, which was really disappointing after what was supposed to be a celebratory trip.
I wouldn’t recommend RIU Guanacaste for a destination wedding. The setting may be beautiful, but the lack of professionalism, poor communication, and room quality make it hard to justify.

Date of Stay: July 2025

Roam12566439710 wrote a review September 2025
Austin, Texas

WORST EXPERIENCE EVER- DO NOT BOOK

WORST EXPERIENCE EVER

I felt totally ripped off by this hotel. Long story short, after a mix- up with Hotels.com and Booking.com, I ended up with two identical separate reservations at this property ($4,000 value each) . I was not awear of this until check in. Upon explaining the situation the front desk made me pick which reservation I want to use and said that they will cancel the other.I immediately called Hotels.com to request a refund for the unused reservation ( because I stayed using the reservation with Booking.com). Hoels.com said that they will issue a refund as soon as the hotels confirms that I did not use the reservation. Unfortunately, they were unable to reach the hotel for 5 days which I was still there . Upon check-out I asked for a confirmation ( a printout of there system) that the reservation was canceled> The managers acted very shady and said that they couldn't give me anything. Upon pressing further I was able to get a screenshot of the system showing that they marked me as a "no-show" and charged me full value. SO SHADY!!!
I have tryed to reach Riu Complaints department to work with the hotel and confirm that I did not use the reservation. Hotels.com is unable to issue a refund until they hotel confirms with them. which they are refusing to do, I have never come across such dishonesty and short- sighted view. They have lost not only out family as a customer but all of our frequent travelers friends as well. I have never experienced worst customer service. For 6 months now I have tried to reach them in different ways and they are not responding. Overall, they charged me $8500 for 4 nights ( I didn't even get $800 value out of this place)

It is unfortunate that this beautiful property with so much potential is so poorly managed- everything from housekeeping, to restaurants operations and food quality to the front desk staff and upper management, Someone should flag Riu Corporate so they can fix this property before it ruins the reputation of their total brand. I am never staying at another RIU Hotel. Mistakes happen and how you handle them can make of break a business. This business is so broken.

Date of Stay: March 2025

X7068QXconnieh wrote a review October 2025
Brampton, Ontario

What a great 50th birthday!

BOOKED DIRECTLY THROUGH RIU

We recently stayed at this RIU resort as a family of six to celebrate my husband’s 50th birthday — and we had a fabulous time. I've been to other RIU's before and didn't think they could get any better, but this was the best vacation!

FOOD & DINING - So much food!

One of the absolute highlights of this resort is the abundance and quality of the food. There are so many places to eat — from themed restaurants to buffets and casual snack spots — and each one had something different and delicious to offer. My kids can be notoriously picky eaters, but they absolutely thrived here. Whether it was fresh fruit, made-to-order omelets, flavorful pastas, grilled meats, or decadent desserts, they ate like champs and kept going back for more. Having more then 1 place to eat and little food stations by the various pools was a hit for us.

The buffet was always well-stocked and fresh, with rotating options that never felt repetitive. We also tried a few of the à la carte restaurants, and each one delivered top-notch service and cuisine.

STAFF – The Heart of the RIU Experience

The staff here deserve a standing ovation. Every single person we encountered was pleasant, professional, and genuinely seemed to enjoy their work. They were always happy to help, whether it was answering questions, bringing extra towels, or just sharing a friendly smile in the hallway.

What really blew us away was how special they made my husband feel on his birthday. Not only did they surprise him with a cake and sing to him (which absolutely delighted our kids!), but several staff members made a point to wish him a happy birthday throughout dinner. That kind of attention to detail and personal touch meant the world to us.

️ ROOMS, POOLS, & BEACH

Our rooms were clean, spacious, and very comfortable. The housekeeping team did an amazing job keeping them spotless and well-stocked every single day. We had everything we needed — from cold drinks in the mini fridge to fresh towels and a cozy bed to crash in after a long day in the sun.

The pools were beautiful, with plenty of loungers and shaded areas. There was always music, good vibes, and activities happening without it feeling overcrowded. The beach was just steps away and absolutely stunning — soft white sand, clear turquoise water, and plenty of room to spread out and relax. Truly a postcard-perfect setting.

️ Resort Layout & Renovations – Exciting Changes Ahead

This resort currently has both an older section and a newer one, and while everything was still in great shape, we learned that the older section will be closing for renovations soon. Honestly, even before the updates, the entire resort already feels fresh, clean, and well-maintained — so we are extremely excited to come back and see how they improve it even more!

️ FINAL THOUGHTS – The best 50th Birthday ever

RIU might be categorized as a “budget” resort by some, but in our experience, it delivers a five-star experience through and through. From food and service to amenities and atmosphere, every aspect of our trip felt special. We’ve now stayed at two RIU properties in a matter of months, and both times have left us beyond impressed.

We are all still talking about this trip and how great it was, the best vacation we have had so far.

Date of Stay: November 2024

chenseya wrote a review October 2025
San Jose, San Jose Metro, Province of San Jose

Good and affordable all you can eat hotel.

A really nice hotel, this month the hotel was renew and their new interior design is astonishing, it is worth the visit to see how beautiful the place has become. I recommend going to the hotel and have a nice time with your family and/or friends.

In regards to the food, it was ok. Not bad at all but not memorable. In terms of variety, it have way too many options which were great and it was amazing but the flavors sometimes were not at point but not complaints about bad food. I enjoyed for the price of the stay (All you can eat style). Drinks in the pool bars were also ok, not very memorable and they does not seem to add a lot of alcohol unless you ask them.

The staff was great, all of them were very nice and welcoming. I saw that some of them did not know a lot of the details of the Hotel like building locations or events, but I suppose it is because they were pretty new at their job. The more experience ones have more information at hand.

In term of entertainment, they had a lot of events and a lot of staff members that did their best to include as many people as possible. Staff members from Rio Fit or the other departments were great, I loved joining the AquaFun or Pilates with the staff. In addition to this, the night events were great, they had kids shows in the early evening and after that every day they had a show with dance and other talents. Every night was different and the only thing missing is the visitors to be more joyful and have more participation of the events but that is not due to the Staff.

Overall, I had a great time and I hope more local (Costa Rican) people get to enjoy the Hotel. I recommend the visit.

Date of Stay: October 2025