TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

Second visit to Costa Rica, since we loved our previous visit to west coast we planned to only stay at a resort on the Pacific. We knew about the hillside layout and took full advantage of usually prompt van service to and from our room. Vans with only a couple instances were either immediately available came within minutes to take you anywhere on the property you needed. First adult-only resort and it was nice to not have any kids around. Enjoyed meeting many wonderful and diverse guests. The vibe was very friendly and welcoming. Resort had everything we desired nice beach (it is a cove/bay--not oceanfront). Pools were great. Did not have issues finding lounge chairs and being Preferred members enjoyed 2 days of free Bali bed assignments. Food was better than expected especially Portofino the Italian specialty restaurant. Staff were exceptionally friendly, caring and patient. Upgrade to oceanfront room was welcomed and while the room was a smidge smaller than some other rooms it had everything we needed. Housekeeping was great and mini-bar refreshed every day. Enjoyed beachfront pick up for snorkeling excursion. Nightly entertainment was enjoyable and shows lasted about 30 minutes. We'd go back! (Americans 65 and 69)

We booked this vacation with high expectations, but unfortunately the overall experience fell short from arrival through checkout. Check-in was fairly unremarkable and lacked the warm, welcoming feel we associate with resort vacations — there was no greeting, drink, or towel upon arrival. We were also immediately offered a $100/day “Preferred Stay” upgrade, which we declined. Prior to travel, we paid extra for a King Deluxe room with an ocean view, but were initially assigned a “standard panoramic view” room that was much smaller than expected. After returning to the lobby and presenting our booking confirmation, we were told the room we had reserved was considered “preferred,” meaning the benefits were only fully realized by purchasing the preferred package. Sorting this out took significant time and ultimately impacted the first day of our stay. We were later moved to an upgraded room, but even that room showed noticeable wear and tear. Furnishings and finishes were dated, and it didn’t reflect the quality we anticipated. I’ve included photos for reference so others can see the condition firsthand. The property overall appears tired and in need of renovation. While advertised as a 5-star resort, the experience did not align with that rating. Service throughout the stay was inconsistent. Dining options were limited, and food quality was underwhelming. We ended up dining at the Italian restaurant multiple nights simply because other options didn’t appeal. There was no pool service, so guests needed to get their own drinks, and room service orders were occasionally incomplete. While every trip has its imperfections, this experience was more frustrating than relaxing. I personally would not choose to return and hope the property addresses these concerns for future guests.

The spa services were amazing! Noe & Marilyn took excellent care of my wife and I. Definitely a 10 out of 10 for the spa services. The food was good. I would give it a 9 out of 10. The rooms were great as well. I will give them a 10 out of 10. The resort also offers guided activities, such as snorkeling and kayaking, which were also a highlight of our stay. The resort guides, Cherry, Daly, and Anderson, were very attentive and knowledgeable, and very encouraging when it comes to participation. My only drawback was having to take the shuttle everywhere you go because the resort is very spaced out and there are a lot of heels. Overall, this is a very beautiful resort and a very wonderful experience that we’ve had there. The people working on the resort made our experience one of the best we’ve had. Final shoutout to all the shuttle drivers who keep the resort running. We will definitely be coming back when we visit Costa Rica again.. This would’ve received a full five stars if the locations on the resort were more accessible.

Secrets tried exceptionally hard to meet our needs. As a timeshare owner elsewhere, we did expect the room to be more than a "hotel style" room. Although it was a nice room, it was very small. The all inclusive met our needs. The Italian restaurant was superb! We also enjoyed the hibatchi one night. The pools were clean and the entertainment was top notch. You will need to use the shuttle to get around. It came in a timely manner. Get out and do some excursions! Beautiful country.

This was our second visit to Secrets Papagayo, and it was even better than the first. The food was outstanding, and we experienced excellent service in every restaurant. The staff throughout the resort are friendly, attentive, and highly efficient, always making us feel welcome. The entertainment team did a fantastic job creating a fun and lively atmosphere, ensuring everyone was enjoying their stay. Housekeeping truly stood out as the best we have ever experienced at any resort. Our room was always cleaned early in the morning and kept spotless and comfortable throughout our stay. The grounds are absolutely stunning, and the spa area is incredibly peaceful and relaxing—perfect for unwinding. During our stay, we also looked for some outdoor activities and found NextTripCR.com. We booked several excursions with them, including a visit to Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, waterfalls, and a rainforest tour to see sloths. Everything was perfectly organized. The guides were knowledgeable and friendly, transportation was private, punctual, and very clean, and the prices were very reasonable. We highly recommend this hotel for couples looking for a relaxing and memorable experience, and Nexttripcr.com for anyone wanting to explore and enjoy outdoor adventures in Guanacaste. Thank you for an incredible two-week stay—we hope to return again someday!