Hotel Review: El Mangroove Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a nature lover’s paradise, and people headed to the Guanacaste area have lots to discover. From an evening within the rainforest to a beachfront paradise, there’s something for everybody. Fortunately, there’s additionally one thing for each kind of lodge factors aficionado.

El Mangroove, Autograph Collection, is likely one of the many Marriott Bonvoy choices within the space. Whether or not you come right here for an entire trip or pair just a few nights right here with the opposite Marriott inns within the nation, this beachfront resort won’t disappoint.

In case you’re searching for an El Mangroove Costa Rica evaluation, right here’s our tackle this outdoorsy, upscale resort.

The resort is a couple of 20-minute journey from the worldwide airport, placing relaxation and rest inside straightforward attain after your airplane touches down.

El Mangroove is within the Gulf of Papagayo, which suggests the dark-colored sand on the Pacific Ocean seashore is true in entrance of the lodge. From there, friends are inside a brief drive of all types of actions, from zip lining and horseback using to water sports activities and mountain climbing.

What actually makes this lodge particular is its structure and the way in which it blends in with nature. The al fresco reception space contains a trickling fountain behind it. At check-in, friends are greeted with a breeze, a chilly towel and a glass of tropical juice.

The 2-story buildings are positioned across the property’s backyard, in a forest-like setting with views of the encompassing woods. Including to the ambiance, the occasional chook, raccoon or monkey will cross via.

One of many resort’s eating places is a ravishing, ethereal house with placing structure and views of the pool and the seashore. Pure gentle streams in from an open roof. And individually, there’s an air conditioned, glass-walled eating room that gives consolation to those that favor to be indoors.

Pathways wind across the resort, taking friends to the 5 swimming swimming pools, small fitness center and spa. It’s a brief stroll to anyplace on the resort, and a enjoyable strategy to discover the grounds.

Three eating places await El Mangroove friends, together with Makoko, which is open all day and has a global menu that includes every little thing from the day’s recent catch to tasty pastas and salads.

At breakfast, friends can select from a buffet with rotating Costa Rican specialties and eggs made to order or an a la carte menu. Don’t fear, the standard gallo pinto dish (a Central American favourite made with seasoned rice and beans) is a each day staple; don’t overlook to attempt one of many selfmade sauces to go together with it.

The Mexican chef typically makes use of a few of his favourite recipes so as to add spicier choices to the menu, and his particular sauces are an ideal instance. One sauce consists of oven-roasted tomato, habanero chile, onion, cilantro and herbs — substances that make it each smoky and spicy on the identical time. You’ll be able to even purchase the sauce to take house!

Matiss is the lunch and dinner restaurant nearer to the seashore. With tables set within the sand, it supplies a tropical vibe and an off-the-cuff menu of fish tacos, guacamole, salads and burgers.

Particularly spectacular is the meals and beverage staff’s dedication to providing vegetarian, vegan and youngsters’s menus. They transcend one or two dishes; as a substitute, they provide a full menu of choices for different diets.

A 3rd restaurant, Malú, is a visitor favourite, providing tasty Mediterranean meals equivalent to paella, pizza from an open oven, hearty pastas, and delectable grilled meats like rack of lamb and steak. Open just for dinner, it is a actual crowd-pleaser that earns excessive accolades.

You will battle to discover a friendlier employees than the staff at El Mangroove. Not solely do they attempt to get to know every visitor, however they supply doting service from the second you arrive. The Costa Rican “pura vida” way of life is in full drive right here.

Bar service is offered on the seashore, by any of the swimming pools, and within the eating places’ personal bar areas.

The visitor rooms at El Mangroove are spacious and cozy, providing a singular structure. Lots of the suites function an adjoining room, separated by a sliding glass door, the place friends can lounge in a hammock by the window or chill out on a settee taking within the views.

These screened-in sitting areas are usually not at all times air conditioned, giving friends a extra pure, beachy really feel within the privateness of their very own room.

Within the bed room, air con and ceiling followers work additional time. Snug beds function a quartet of massive pillows, a smooth cover and easy-access energy retailers.

Open-plan baths present little privateness, however they provide lovely bathe stalls which have eye-level glass panels that allows views of the forest whereas showering.

One of the best views are from the oceanfront constructing, however many friends favor being outside, having fun with the seashore, swimming pools and surrounding forest.

A number of the prime lodging include their very own non-public plunge swimming pools.

Every of the 5 swimming swimming pools at El Mangroove is exclusive. One is an extended, lap-style pool reserved for adults. One other is spherical and faces the seashore. A 3rd is good for teenagers.

Two extra swimming pools entice friends searching for a fast spot to refresh from the daytime warmth. Poolside cabanas carry a $150 cost, however they pack within the perks with a personal cushioned seating space, pool chairs, ceiling followers, fridges stocked with beer, water and smooth drinks, and butler service.

The resort options ample assembly house, with a number of conventional ballrooms, boardrooms and out of doors areas for receptions. Weddings are particularly common right here.

Plans are in place for up to date furnishings within the assembly rooms quickly.

In trade for the $30 resort price, the lodge provides quite a few facilities, together with actions like espresso tastings, yoga periods, valet parking, an hour’s use of watersport gear, and bikes for biking across the space.

Within the fitness center, friends will discover chilled towels, recent apples and filtered water. And El Mangroove is the one resort within the space with two non-public tour boats.

Scheduled for an replace is the resort’s spa, which has 4 out of doors therapy cabanas in addition to a number of indoor areas, together with an choice for {couples}. Therapeutic massage and sweetness choices present rest for friends.

Throughout their keep, friends also can take part in one of many lodge’s nature-focused actions, just like the on-site planting of a tree that’ll later be repositioned to a neighborhood forest. This exercise is free for friends.

Liberia Worldwide Airport is the closest worldwide airport to El Mangroove — about 14 miles (23 kilometers) away — and is served by all main U.S. carriers in addition to quite a few worldwide airways.

JetBlue TrueBlue level redemptions are depending on the price of the ticket, so the cheaper the ticket, the less factors you will want. We worth JetBlue factors at 1.5 cents every.

Delta Air Traces and United have ditched their award charts and use dynamic pricing. It’s exhausting to know what number of miles you will want to avoid wasting earlier than a visit until you recognize the dates of journey and the money price of the ticket. American Airways is shifting in an identical path, however its AAdvantage award map device makes it straightforward to plan your journey based mostly on the variety of miles you have got in your account.

If you wish to redeem factors for a keep at El Mangroove, Marriott’s award calendar can assist you select the perfect dates. Of the choices we checked for summer time journey, the most affordable charges had been 40,000 factors per night time, which is a superb deal.

(Prime picture courtesy of Marriott)