Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen — Hotel in La Asunción

This location is beautiful, the grounds are so well kept and lots of natural views with well maintained public areas. All the amenities are clean and everything looks relatively new, or historic and well maintained. For instance, the pools, deck, and hot tub have clear, clean water, fresh towels, clean chairs and tables. Our room was very clean and everything worked. I loved the view of the mountains, hearing the birds, and watching the people out on the grounds.

The food was always exceptional. Even a shake in the cafe, or eggs in the lounge, or a drink in the bar, everything was served beautifully and tasted excellent.

The best thing about this hotel is the people.

Caleb Samudio giving us the tour, serving at the front desk, or training other people. He was so open to sharing his stories of the hotel and his culture.

Since she met me on day 1, Loreily Chaves always greeted me as 'Ms Barb', with a huge warm smile and a desire to ensure I got anything I needed. I felt so looked after.

Fillipe, the omelette maker in the lounge, was very special. He was so open and friendly. When he saw me taking pictures of birds, he found the QR code for the bird list. He will often chat with me when he is not too busy, about what is going on in the area. So personable.

Martha is most likely the manager. She seems to be very good at keeping things working properly, is well liked by others, and is super friendly to us, the guests. She was always smiling and helpful and often seemed to be grooming new people in their roles.

Sergio from the lounge, is another super friend and an easy to chat with person. I really enjoyed chatting with him.

Sendro, from La Castello bar, was so talented making my special drinks. It was a joy to watch him 'perform' the recipe.

Xinia looked after our room. It was always so clean. And, although she did not speak English, she was always very helpful and willing to try and communicate as well as she could. We always got what we needed from her.

Your people were all so friendly, not just the ones I got to know by name. They were always saying Good morning (Buenos días!). People did not walk by without a greeting. Those that I did get to know a little were knowledgeable and open to just sharing their experience, both in their jobs and as well, in their lives. It was obvious that your people are all happy to work here and they have huge pride in...

My recent stay at the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen left me thoroughly disappointed, overshadowing what could have been a memorable experience for our New Year's Party and my husband's 40th birthday celebration. Despite some positive aspects, the numerous issues we encountered significantly marred our overall impression of the hotel.

Overcharging for Children: The hotel unjustly charged us extra for our kids under 12, ages 7, 9, and 11, without any prior notice. Only after scrutinizing the bill did we discover these additional fees. The staff's unhelpful attitude and reluctance to rectify the error further exacerbated the situation.

Lunch Overcharging: A shocking incident occurred at the reception, where a group of 6 adults and 3 kids were billed an exorbitant $310 for lunch, a stark contrast to the advertised price of $17 in the lobby. Seeking a refund was met with resistance from the staff, who displayed an unapologetic and irritable demeanor.

Unresolved Credit Issues: Despite my multiple emails to hotel staff Valerio, Gianina (SJOCR), and corporate, regarding a promised $300 credit for dining and spa, I received only vague replies with no resolution or acknowledgment of the credit owed. This lack of customer service is unacceptable for a supposed luxury hotel.

Subpar Dining Experience: The quality of food at the buffet and hotel cafe was substandard, with bland and dry offerings lacking proper seasoning. Even a simple request for a salt and pepper shaker went unattended. My experience with guacamole from the morning buffet was particularly disappointing.

Pool and Hot Tub Maintenance: The neglect of pool cleanliness and malfunctioning hot tub jets further added to our dismay. For a luxury hotel, such lapses in maintenance are inexcusable and contributed to an overall unsatisfactory experience.

While I acknowledge the outstanding New Year's Party organized by a potential third party, the core issues in accommodation, dining, and customer service overshadowed this positive aspect. The sad reality is that, despite having rented six rooms for our group, none of us left the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen with a sense of satisfaction. The potential this establishment holds is regrettably overshadowed by its numerous...

Ten years had passed since the Marriott and I last visited each other. I wondered if we would still have the unquestionable spark and connection. I found that we picked up right where we left off, and the magic is unequivocally present.||Here are the Top 10 things to know about this Marriott:||1. It's more resort than a hotel, built with a gorgeous infinity pool and a separate fitness center. The treadmills have a serene view of the hacienda.||2. The hotel offers myriad on-site activities for adults and children.||3. The poolside scene feels like a beach resort with upbeat music and a towel cabana.||4. Ground floor poolside rooms have a patio and easy pool access. High-floor rooms offer calming views of the surrounding mountains.||5. The two-queen room has comfortable seating - an oversized lounge chair with an ottoman.||6. In-room air conditioning was refreshing (almost too much) with adjustable temperature. ||7. The Executive Lounge is superb and ascends to one of the best in the Marriott system. Evening appetizers are more than sufficient for a meal. One evening featured flavorful tacos, rice, and beans. Meats and cheeses were plentiful for a starter, as were the locally inspired desserts. Not to be outdone was the breakfast - delicious fruits and made-to-order omelets were two highlights. Snacks and drinks are available throughout the day. The Executive Lounge was memorable in all positive ways.||8. Mutiple restaurants across the food and attire spectrum are onsite. The sports bar is a great spot for a quick drink or bite.||9. The airport shuttle runs on a strict schedule, and it's not hourly. But Uber is accessible and inexpensive ($9).||10. Unfortunately, the hotel's popularity with business and leisure travelers seems to have driven up the rates. Rates for my stay consistently hovered in the $250+ per night range while other nearby Marriott properties were half the price. I was happy to pay the difference given these amenities, but it's worth noting the price differential.||Overall, the Marriott Hacienda was just as I had remembered. I approached this visit with incredibly high expectations based on our previous encounter, and the Marriott rose to the occasion. It's still the one for me...