Review: Los Altos Resort (Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica)

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

Last April, I enjoyed a great holiday in Miami & Costa Rica. You can read my trip reports here:

• Review: Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 Business Class from Frankfurt to Miami
• Review: Acqualina Resort on the Beach, Miami, USA
• Review: Nayara Tented Camp, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica
• Review: Nayara Springs & Garden, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica
• Review: Lapa Rios Lodge, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
• Review: Andaz Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
• Review: Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
• Review: Los Altos Resort, Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica (today)
• Review: Edelweiss Air Airbus A340 Business Class from Liberia to Zurich

Today: Review of Los Altos Resort (Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica)

• Location: Google maps
• Hotel website: Los Altos Resort

Tucked into the rainforest canopy, Los Altos Resort offers a relaxing ambiance in the pristine eco-wilderness near Manuel Antonio National Park. Wake to the sounds of howler monkeys, glimpse toucans among the trees, and breakfast with hummingbirds – you’ll be surrounded by restorative nature here. Rooms at Los Altos vary from spacious to huge. Each has an immersed-in-nature feel, with sweeping outlooks over rainforest, sea or both. And all are suites offering kitchens and sumptuous lounging spaces – especially great for groups or families. Children are welcome here, but there are plenty of moments for grown-up relaxation too. Sip your fruit cocktail by the infinity pool with views over the ocean, wander down through the trees (or hop aboard the shuttle) for a day at the resort’s own private beach, or even better, enjoy a chef-hosted dinner on your private balcony.

Los Altos Resort features in my top 10 list of the best hotels & lodges in Costa Rica.

Have you ever stayed at Los Altos Resort? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

In this review (more info and photos below my YouTube video):

• Pros & things I like
• Cons & things to know
• My verdict
• Tips for future guests & save money
• Best time to visit
• How to get there
• Photos

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• Los Altos Resort is located on Costa Rica’s central Pacific Coast, a 10-minute drive from the entrance of Manuel Antonio National Park. Although it is the country’s smallest National Park, the stunning beauty and diversity of wildlife in its 683 hectares is stunning. Manuel Antonio boasts a combination of rain forest, beaches, and coral reefs. Its most famous beach is Playa Manuel Antonio, a half-mile long, white sand crescent bisecting deep green foliage to one side and a private, secluded cove to the other. This beach is considered the most beautiful in the country and the snorkeling is excellent too. The forest is home to sloths, iguanas, the rare and adorable squirrel monkeys, white-faced monkeys, and millions of colorful little crabs. Manuel Antonio National Park is very crowded (because it’s so easy to access) but there are several short trails that offer a more tranquil experience.

• Los Altos Resort is located on a hill near the entrance of Manuel Antonio village, within walking distance of several shops, bars and restaurants. The hotel facilities only occupy a small area on top of the hill, which gives way to a large nature reserve – called Preserve at Los Altos – that tumbles down the hill towards the Pacific Ocean. The scenery and trails inside the resort’s reserve provide a near private hiking experience that rivals the best of what the nearby National Park has to offer. With just a quick walk from the suites, guests have the opportunity to choose from a number of trails and to observe a wide variety of wildlife, including capuchin monkeys, sloths and toucans. Some of the steeper trails go down all the way to a secluded grey sand beach – called Playa Tulemar – where the resort has placed some loungers under the trees for its guests (towels are provided).  For guests that don’t like to walk, the property also offers complimentary shuttle service between the hotel and the beach.

• Los Altos Resort is the best hotel in the Manuel Antonio area (although it feels more like an excellent 4-star property than a true 5-star resort). The hotel is comprised of two 7-story towers in front of a secure and gated parking lot (free self-parking is offered). Both towers are connected by a communal ground floor. The latter houses a small open-air lobby, comprised of a concierge & reception desk and a few sitting areas on the side, where guests can wait for their tours. Behind the lobby is a corridor with the elevators that take guests up to the suites. One end of the ground floor also features a game room with a pool table, pingpong table and more – a fun place for children and teenagers to hang out. On the other end of the ground floor is a shop (selling some snacks, drinks, toiletries and medicines) and a spacious and well equipped fitness center. The overall decor – simple and colorful – feels very Costa Rican.

• Los Altos Resort features 26 spacious condo-style suites, which are the largest in the Manuel Antonio area. During my holiday, I stayed in a Treetop Ocean View Suite on the 3rd floor, that was being accessed by a private elevator opening directly into the suite’s large hallway. The modern suite featured a huge living room, spacious dining area and its own kitchen area. There were 3 bedrooms, accommodating a maximum of 6 guests: one large master bedroom with kingsize bed, and two smaller rooms (one with a queensize bed and one with twin beds). The master bedroom came with its own open-plan bathroom (equipped with one sink, a shower and a toilet), while the other rooms shared a small bathroom (also equipped with a shower, sink, and toilet). Complimentary toiletries were provided in both bathrooms. There were also two balconies, one attached to the living area overlooking the rainforest canopy and the Pacific Ocean in the distance, while the other balcony was shared by the two smaller bedrooms and overlooked Manuel Antonio’s main street.

• Los Altos Resort features more amenities than most other hotels in the Manuel Antonio area, which makes it a perfect base for staying a few days in this part of Costa Rica. It’s main attraction is the pool area, located a short stroll from the main building. The outdoor pool deck is set high above sea level and completely surrounded by lush rainforest, except for one side, which remains open, offering terrific views of the rainforest and the Pacific Ocean. A bar nearby serves poolside drinks, plus there are also two hot tubs and a shallow wading area providing dedicated spaces for adults and smaller children respectively. The pool area is especially nice in the late afternoon: happy hour is offered by the pool bar and sunsets are spectacular here, with the low sun splashing its radiant colors over the Pacific Ocean.  Overall, the pool area is a great place to retreat to after day filled with activities in the Manuel Antonio area (but don’t expect a serene ambiance here as it can get very crowded, especially during school holidays).

• Located beneath the infinity pool is the hotel’s wellness center, which is home to some of Costa Rica’s most experienced massage therapists and aestheticians. Called Orquieda, the facility is the premier spa in the larger Manuel Antonio area and the perfect place to visit any time of day, whether to get your morning started off to feel refreshed or after returning from one an outdoor excursion. Perfectly situated to maximize the views of the resort’s tropical preserve and the Pacific Ocean, Orquieda – like its floral namesake – blooms with a colorful design. There are three treatment rooms, all of them located along a large reception area. The spa offers a compelling menu of therapies, facials, and treatments, as well manicures and pedicures. In each of the menu offerings, only organic, all natural ingredients are used to ensure an all natural experience, all whilst surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature.

• Los Altos Resort features one restaurant on site, although its management also operates two other restaurants within walking distance of the property:
  • Set above the pool deck and enjoying great views is Karola, which has the reputation of being the premier gourmet restaurant in town (I did not try all restaurants of course, but the food was great indeed). The venue serves international cuisine with a delectable range of meat, pasta, seafood and vegetarian options. Each morning, Karola also offers a (rather limited) breakfast buffet.
  • A short stroll from the hotel is Samui Thai, a lively and highly recommended Thai restaurant, serving authentic Thai cuisine.
  • Also not far from the resort is Enso Japenese Sushi Restaurant,  offering Japanese cuisine, curated by up-and-coming Chef Daniel Isea.
  • Los Altos Resort also offers its guests the opportunity to schedule private, chef-hosted dinners that can take place either in Karolas or within in a guest’s suite.

• Los Altos Resort is part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (“SLH”), which is a collection of small, independent hotels in more than 80 countries. These hotels pay to be part of the SLH portfolio and to be marketed as a SLH property. Before they’re welcomed into SLH collection, the SLH development team visit each one, checking them against a long list of must-haves. SLH has a strategic alliance with Hyatt, giving World of Hyatt members the opportunity to earn and redeem points and receive exclusive on-property benefits at any participating SLH hotel, including Los Altos. This means World of Hyatt members can stay for free at Los Altos Resort on points.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

• Although Los Altos Resort has all the amenities of a 5-star resort, its overall decor feels a little dated and it lacks the sophistication & elegance of a true five star property. I would describe Los Altos as a solid 4-star condo-style resort (rather than a charming 5-star boutique hotel). There is room for improvement (especially when it comes to finishes and esthetics) to turn the spot in a true luxury space. Nonetheless, despite its lack of a wow factor, it’s by far the best option in town and worth a stay when you want to visit nearby Manuel Antonio National Park. Just set your expectations right and enjoy the hotel highlights such as its setting in a lovely jungle reserve, the spectacular (sunset) views from the pool deck, and the surprisingly good food at the restaurants (except for breakfast). But if you have a Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton quality hotel in mind, do not stay here or you will be disappointed.

• The elevators in the hotel open directly into the suites (with a keycard). This might feel private and fancy at first, but it’s a bit akward, as it could happen that a guest may accidentally step off the elevator into the wrong apartment. Also, if separate guests are riding on the elevator together, the elevator door will open at each floor that was requested by those in the elevator or those who may have called the elevator from their room to then head downstairs.

• Only the suites on the resort’s top floors enjoy a view of the rainforest canopy and the Pacific Ocean in the distance. The suites on the lower floors don’t come with a view at all: they overlook either the parking lot in front of the hotel or the main street of Manuel Antonio which runs around the back of the property. To be fair, the units on the lowest two floors of the hotel are the most reasonable prized rooms in the hotel, but if you want a view, make sure to book a more expensive suite on one of the top floors.

• The secluded beach of the resort is a beautiful spot, with wildlife often flying by or passing through the trees. But several parts of the beach are covered in sharp rocks, also underwater, which makes swimming a bit of a challenge, if not impossible. Also keep in mind that the facilities at the beach are limited to a few sun loungers and that getting from/to the beach requires a steep walk (or a complimentary transfer by shuttle), so I would not consider Los Altos to be a beach resort. For those who prefer sandy beaches with more facilities, the public beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park are an easy car, taxi or bus ride away (but an entry fee needs to be paid).

• Breakfast offers a decent range of items (e.g. eggs and omelets made to order, pancakes, French toast, fruit, bread, yogurt, cereal, gallo pinto, salad, excellent coffee and freshly made fruit smoothies). But the way the breakfast buffet is presented feels rather poor and cheap (except for the egg/pancake station), as the items are placed in some poorly sealed boxes on some tables in a corner of the semi-outdoor restaurant (attracting many bugs). IMHO, the breakfast experience is not up to par with the breakfast buffets of similarly priced hotels in the country.

MY VERDICT

• Location: 8/10
• Design: 7/10
• Pool: 8/10
• Rooms: 8/10
• Food: 8/10
• Breakfast: 7/10
• Spa: 7/10
• Service: 9/10
• Value for money: 8/10
• Overall experience: good 7,5/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Save money: read here my tips for getting the best deal at a hotel like Los Altos Resort (and/or receive many free perks).

• Save money: World of Hyatt members can stay for free at Los Altos Resort on points.

• Room tip: if you want a view, make sure to book a suite on one of the top floors.

• Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

There are two primary seasons in Manuel Antonio: the rainy season and the dry season. The dry season (or high season) is from mid-December to mid-April and it is the best time to visit as there’s a smaller chance of being drenched in the rain. The rainy season (or “green” season) is generally from May to November: it may rain for several days in a row (and torrential rains are frequent) but on a positive note, hotel rates and tour prices are significantly lower and the country turns a wonderful deep green.

HOW TO GET THERE

Los Altos Resort is located in Manuel Antonio, which is a three hour drive from Jose Airport (SJO) and a five hour drive from Guanacaste Airport (LIR). There is also a small airstrip in Manuel Antonio and several daily flights to/from San Jose or Liberia are scheduled. Click here for an updated list of airlines that offer direct flights to San Jose and here for an updated list of airlines that offer direct flights to Liberia.

PHOTOS

Below is a selection of my photos of Los Altos Resort. To view more photos of the resort, click here.

*** Follow me on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***