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About
#2 of 4 hotels in Sardinal
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El Hotel Riu Guanacaste 24h Todo Incluido abre todo el año y está situado directamente en la hermosa playa de arena fina de Matapalo, en la región de Playas del Coco, junto al Riu Palace Costa Rica. Su ubicación es ideal por su proximidad al aeropuerto Daniel Oduber LIR (33 km) y a Playa del Coco (18 km) e invita a explorar la zona. El hotel dispone de 701 habitaciones acogedoramente amuebladas con Wi-Fi gratuito y ofrece muchas comodidades. Relájese en el Renova Spa o póngase en forma en el gimnasio o en las pistas de tenis. 3 piscinas al aire libre, 1 piscina infantil. Para los más pequeños, el RiuLand Kids Club (para niños de 4 a 7 años y de 8 a 12 años) y para los adultos, animación diurna y nocturna, así como la Discoteca Pacha. Para los amantes de la gastronomía, ofrecemos estaciones de cocina en vivo en nuestro restaurante principal, varios restaurantes de especialidades con cocina asiática e italiana, restaurante gourmet, Steakhouse, y 5 bares.
#RiuParty en el Hotel Riu Guanacaste.
¿Te gusta disfrutar de las mejores fiestas durante tus vacaciones? ¡RiuParty está hecho para ti! Baila al ritmo de la música de los mejores Dj's y transfórmate con los espectáculos y performance que te ofrece cada fiesta. ¡Aprovecha tu Todo Incluido y disfruta de la mejor diversión con RIU!
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Property amenities
Free parking
Wifi
Pool
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Beach
Diving
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Parking
Hot bath
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Snack bar
Swimup bar
Poolside bar
Tennis court
Entertainment staff
Evening entertainment
Fishing
Table tennis
Nightclub / DJ
Kids club
Kids' outdoor play equipment
Business Centre with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot massage
Full body massage
Head massage
Massage
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Currency exchange
Gift shop
Shops
Sun loungers / beach chairs
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
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Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Safe
Minibar
Refrigerator
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Ocean view
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Family Resort
Green
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
40Car recommended
Grade: 40 out of 100
147Restaurantswithin 10 km
21Attractionswithin 10 km
Playa Matapalo, Sardinal 50503 Costa Rica
Getting there
Car HireSee all Sardinal car hire
9714Reviews2107Q+A100Room tips
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Grounds were beautiful and exceptionally maintained, buffet was very good, service was excellent. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 only because the rooms could use some updating and there could be more on site activities to participate in. All it all it was a lovely stay!
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Review collected in partnership with riu.com
Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
+1
Hotel's Favourite
Visited for a week in mid April with my husband and 2 friends and had a terrific time. Best trip ever and second time to Costa Rica. There are many positives to this resort and location: -warm welcome from David our Sunwing. Told us all we needed to know on route with humour and grace. -awesome friendly hard working staff -professional level night shows with the dancers who perform hard routines with smiles and energy that suggest they love what they do. Thank you Anote and Hedder and David for chatting with us about the dancers, the resort events and Costa Rica in general. Great Ambassadors for the RIU and your country. -excellent variety of and quality of buffet food and service (thank you Sammy, Roxanna and Anthony). Try the nachoes...chorizo sausages and poached eggs with salsa. -good el la cartes - Asian fusion buffet the best. Excellent sashimi and sushi rolls. We went twice. -clean rooms and pristine grounds with frequent sites of garden and cleaning staff doing their work throughout the week. They work hard in the hot sun. Exceptional thanks to all those doing these jobs at the RIU. -very fun night and daily events. Liked the RIU Party night, dancing by the pool, bingo, trivia and of course the best of all....the turtle release. Thank you Hedder. -delicious drinks...especially lobby bar and martini bar (our nickname) but the purple bar near night show stage. Thank you Greddy and Jeffrey. Best nightcap white Russians we have ever had. Yum. -beach is also great. Spent alot of time there under the trees. Water was warm. Sand great but hot. Bring water shoes or thick flip flops to wear to get across the sand in midday sun. Lots of small fish there, hermit crabs and iguanas to see at the beach. Even saw some resident howler monkeys in the trees one afternoon. Lots of bird species to be seen as well. Other things: -for the el la cartes, you do need to line up early if you want first seating but we did not have any problems getting in to any of them and the resort was at 95% plus capacity. Asian buffet uses the electronic buzzers to let you know when you can get in. Very convenient. - no problems with pool chairs if you dont mind being in the back rows. Perfect for those who dont need to be right in the action zone. - minibar- stocked every other day. Leave a note in the fridge with your requests if any...and maybe a tip. We had no problems. Its all inclusive so you drink mostly outside your room anyways. If you want more water (you get two large bottles a day in your room) take your empty bottle to the front desk and they will get you more. -room smell- yes there is a room smell which we concluded was coming from the toilet water? While tropical rooms can have a bit of a musty smell....this did seem different and a bit more potent then I recall from other resorts. The rooms are quite clean and well cared for so not sure what else to say. We closed our toilet lid and it helped. This did not diminish our enjoyment of our trip but is worth mentioning in the event there is room to improve that. - Excursions: we went to Diamante Ecopark. Zipline very cool. Animal park...very nice. Cultural tour.....caught only part of that. More coordination of all day events should be considered by their group. After first event....we were left to wander to the other two events without set times. As a result we didnt get the cultural tour completed. This is not RIU connected but posting here as its offered by Sunwing as an excursion and is right next door. Be sure to ask of the set times for the cultural tour start so that you can be there for the start of one if purchasing multiple activities for the day and not miss thus part of the tour. We also rented a car and went off resort to see La Fortuna and enjoy hot springs and the arenal volcano. Wonderful experience. Ticos are warm and welcoming. Country is beautiful and this resort is great value for what you get. …
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
5 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from RIU Hotels and Resorts, Owner at Hotel Riu Guanacaste
Responded 26 Apr 2023
Dear Darlened, We wish to thank you on behalf of all our staff team for your wholeheartedly review and for being a lovely guest. Our best reward is learning our beautiful guests enjoyed their holiday. We cannot wait to see you again very soon! Kindest Regards! Hotel Riu Guanacaste Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
So I took a solo trip to Costa Rica and it was an amazing experience. The tours were nice as well as the transportation i had (Amstar). The hotel room i had was the Jacuzzi suite. It was 2 floors with a Jacuzzi on the top floor. The only thing I didnt like was the hotel was over-crowded. I mean way over capacity. That means the pools were crowded, The restaurants were full. They always ran out of something. The waiters did not offer to bring or refill a drink unless you were sitting outside. Also there were lizards and ants in my room on the first day. the Lizards that were on my balcony just took over at night along with the moths. If you love lizards and moths this may not be an issue for you. I am afraid of all things LOL!
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Hotel is always crowded and food selection is a 3 out of 10
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Guest OTAs, Owner at Hotel Riu Guanacaste
Responded 6 days ago
Dear Ataria C, We appreciate you took the time to leave your impressions regarding your recent stay with us. It is disappointing to read that despite our efforts we could not fulfil your expectations in some areas. The management will be informed in order to apply the right measures. We would like to underline that, Costa Rica is one of the 25 most biodiverse countries on the planet. Its beauty, caused by its biodiversity, is one of the main reasons why many tourists choose this destination. With an area of only 51,100 km², this small territory is home to more than 500,000 species, representing 6 percent of the world's biodiversity. It is estimated to be the country with the highest number of species per unit area, with 1.8 species per km². This fact is extremely important, especially in the current global situation. While protecting the local species and natural areas, we prevent future damages to the ecosystem, which will help maintain the spectacular views that all guests are willing to enjoy. Best Regards, Hotel Riu Guanacaste Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
All inclusive resort that goes the extra mile. Room was clean and comfortable, every single staff member was very, very cordial and helpful. The hotel changed up the menu a little each night, as well as different activities daily.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Guest OTAs, Owner at Hotel Riu Guanacaste
Responded 1 week ago
Dear Melissa P, Thank you very much for sharing your highly appreciated feedback with us on Tripadvisor. We are pleased to know that your recent stay has been generally pleasant. Furthermore, it is great that you have been able to enjoy the good service that characterizes us and for which we are known. Certainly, your compliments will be shared with the entire team and we all do hope to welcome you back soon. Yours sincerely, Hotel Riu Guanacaste Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
well worth it , beautiful resort for a family vacation.more importantly was the staff were super nice and courteous.the night shows was ok but however they had so many activities which would fit in anyone taste and style.food was abundant and great quality starting from breakfast through all day and lots of variety of buffet for everyone.
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Review collected in partnership with riu.com
Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Guest OTAs, Owner at Hotel Riu Guanacaste
Responded 1 week ago
Dear Ahmadnaghdi, Thank you very much for your compliments, our reward is your kind review with the confirmation of a job well done. It was a pleasure to host you. We would love to see you again soon. Loving Regards! Hotel Riu Guanacaste Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had the worse experience😞. On our last day someone (with a room key) went into our room and stole $1000 dollars from a wallet. After doing the report we found out that there are no cámaras anywhere. The general manager without any regard advice us to leave alone if we didn’t have any way to prove it 😒. Apparently it happens so often that he’s well prepared to disregard the situation. Nuestra experiencia fue fatal😞. El ultimo día de de nuestra estadía entraron a nuestro cuarto con llave y nos robaron $1000 dólares. Después de hacer el reporte nos dimos cuenta que no ay nada de seguridad en todo el hotel y el manager esta muy preparado para responder a la policía, por que pasa muy seguido. Favor tener mucho cuidado en estos lugares.
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: $1000 dollars stolen from my locked room, manger didn’t seemed to cared much horrible security.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from RIU Hotels and Resorts, Owner at Hotel Riu Guanacaste
Responded 1 week ago
Dear 920olmanm, We would like to thank you for taking the time to review us! It is disappointing to hear that you experienced the above-mentioned inconveniences during your stay and that they caused your holiday to be less enjoyable as we aim to deliver exceptional hospitality experiences to every guest, every time. Rest assured we will forward your comment to our management team to follow up and we are looking forward to having another chance to welcoming you back in the near future to share a more positive experience with you. Best regards, Hotel Riu Guanacaste Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
DON'T - WARNING (and the reason I decided to write a review): When they tell you to KEEP YOUR KIDS OUT of the Foam Pool Party, it's for a good reason. Let me clarify that this is not specific to this hotel bc it was the same caution required on our fam trip last year in DR! The foam is really cool, but not a fun bubble bath experience for kids. I'm 5'1" and was standing in the pool at the perimeter of foam party. The bubbles quickly spread over my head & it was hard to breathe and hard to make my way out! Parents were hustling to find their kids and pull them out. It actually affected our breathing and had us coughing for days after! DO: Make sure to partake in the "White (Dress-up) Party" bc the hotel goes all out every Friday to make it an unforgettable experience for all ages with face painting and a Magazine photo setup, not forgetting the lit rave-like dance party and specially made drinks! GREAT VIBES!!🎉 Special events aside, it was Super Relaxing and just fun!! Best of all was the beach -- beautiful rain or shine and absolutely NO seaweed. We couldn't get enough and it was hard to leave the water at the end of every day 🏖 Mind you, the pool areas were lovely and well-serviced too with specialty drinks every day like Pina Coladas, Blue Hawaiis and Coco Locos 🍹My fav was daily mouth-watering fried chicken (crispy and juicy), fresh pizza, quesadillas, seafood paella and the poolside lunch bbqs and fresh coconut water with coconut jelly 🥥😋 The rooms are truly outdated and in need of updates... same as when we last went in 2012 (no key cards wasn't too big of a deal; dusty rose/brown linens and even the lamps cut in half and mounted to the wall above the night stands <…
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Save
Helpful
Response from RIU Hotels and Resorts, Owner at Hotel Riu Guanacaste
Responded 2 weeks ago
Dear rred00, Thank you for taking the time out to leave a review! We are glad to hear our service exceeded your expectations and you had a pleasant time at our hotel. However, we are truly disappointed to hear that you were not completely satisfied with your recent experience with us. We appreciate you bringing these issues to our attention and will be sure to work to improve our services. We look forward to seeing you back again soon. With our best wishes we remain, Hotel Riu Guanacaste Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I was very pleased with the staff, room cleanliness and food and entertainment. The transportation from airport to hotel was excellent. Excursions were very affordable and excellent. very well taken care of and all the restaurants were very well served.
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Review collected in partnership with riu.com
Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from RIU Hotels and Resorts, Owner at Hotel Riu Guanacaste
Responded 3 weeks ago
Dear RickTirado, Thank you very much for giving us your kind comment and sharing it with the users of this channel. We are very happy to know that you felt at home in our accommodation, and we also appreciate your positive assessment regarding so many aspects of the services we provided during your stay. For our part, we will continue to try to improve and welcome you back very soon. Yours faithfully, Hotel Riu Guanacaste Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our experience at the Riu Guanacaste was far from satisfactory. We encountered numerous issues, including subpar customer service, disappointing food quality, and repeated instances of mismanagement. The food in all the restaurants was consistently below par, and it seemed that they were merely serving reheated buffet items. Additionally, our request for an early check-in was denied despite being just one hour ahead of the scheduled time. Once we finally got into our room, it was evident that it had not been adequately cleaned, and there was a leaking toilet in the bathroom, which was certainly not up to the expected standards. To further complicate matters, my parents had made a room reservation as well, only to be denied entry into Costa Rica due to a document expiration policy that was not clearly communicated. The hotel staff initially showed empathy and promised a full refund for our room in light of the situation. However, this promise was later reneged upon, and we were charged nearly $2000 for the six-night stay. In an attempt to address this matter, I raised a dispute with our credit card company. The hotel responded promptly, asserting that they had never offered a refund and referencing a no-refund policy which had not been communicated to us beforehand. As a result of these disappointing experiences, we have decided that this will be our last visit to this particular hotel and any other establishments under the Riu brand. We strongly advise against considering this hotel for your stay.…
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Room smells really bad. Pool gets super crowded and very loud. Food was cold, and unseasoned....
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from RIU Hotels and Resorts, Owner at Hotel Riu Guanacaste
Responded 3 weeks ago
Dear michaelbX6451YT, Thank you for sharing your feedback with us! As we are committed to provide excellent services to our guests, we are sorry to hear about your disappointment during your visit and that we did not manage to live up to your expectations this time. In case you wish to follow up or to raise a formal complaint, you can share your concerns with our After Travel department via email (in case of a direct booking using the following e-mail address: complaints@riu.com or through your travel agency). Our colleagues will be happy to attend you. We will of course share your impressions with the corresponding team for an adequate follow up as we are looking forward to having the opportunity to welcome you back in the future, so that we can provide a better experience. We remain with warm regards, Hotel Riu Guanacaste Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Our group of 8 stayed here August 28, 2023 to September 4, 2023. We had five rooms in total. Upon check in, the room allocations were mixed up, not sure if that was RIU or Sunwing, with two of our group not showing up in their booking, as well as room assignments not matching the booking. It was all straightened out fairly quickly. The rooms were all ocean view, 4032, 33, 34, 35, 37, with close access to the elevator. Although decor may be a little dated, the rooms were big, clean, and more than sufficient for a week stay. The AC worked fine, the beds were firm, but comfortable. We had extra pillows and blanket in the closet. No issues with the in room safe, shower (although a little tricky getting in and out if you have any mobility issues), or TV. The keys instead of cards was a non issue for us. The pools were busy, and quite warm during our stay. Not totally sure I would call them "kid" friendly, some adult themed behavior and chatter especially close to the swim up bar area. The buffet was fine, something for everyone unless vegan. One of our group is vegan, and found it difficult to navigate the inconsistencies with their signage, and what was available, as well as it seemed the understanding of vegan vs vegetarian is not quite understood. He did have a letter from the front desk, but this did not really help. The a la carte restaurants were ok, of the 3 we were able to try, still partially buffet style in the Italian and completely buffet in the Asian. The steak house was slow, and no AC. Line up early or risk not getting in. The lack of reservations was annoying, lining up in the humid outside areas was unpleasant. The beach had shaded areas to sit, lots of chairs. The vendors approach you, but do not harass you. The sand is hot, the water was warm while we were there. The swimming is really determined by the tides and ocean conditions. We spent a lot of time in the water, would not recommend little ones going in without a capable adult as the undertow can be quite strong. Check out for some reason had to be done at the convention centre, outside the front entrance and across the street, and everyone in your party has to be there, or they will not check you out. I had gathered all keys and towel cards for our group, wandered around to find the check out, only to be told after providing all info, that I had to return with everyone or I couldn't check out. Was not at all happy about that. And while most employees were warm, friendly, and kind, not all were, some were very rude. I cannot comment on the shows as I didn't really see any. The neon night was busy. The sports bar, has corn chips and queso, pre-made hotdogs, hamburgers and sandwiches. Fine for lack of anything else, not great. Overall, we had a great time during our week, we slept fine, we did not starve. Costa Rica is beautiful, this resort is well maintained and the grounds are gorgeous. I would come back to this resort depending on price. I would recommend with some cautions such as the a la cartes, the 24 hour food situation, some rude staff, the very high wall getting in/out of shower, lack of light in shower and the lack of AC in most areas other than your room. …
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
US$218 - US$402 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of GuanacasteGulf of PapagayoSardinal
NUMBER OF ROOMS
701
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Claim Your ListingHOTEL RIU GUANACASTE: UPDATED 2023 Resort Reviews, Price Comparison and 11,004 Photos (Sardinal, Costa Rica) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Hotel Riu Guanacaste
Which popular attractions are close to Hotel Riu Guanacaste?
Nearby attractions include Playas del coco (6.6 km), The Monkey Farm (3.7 km), and Playa Danta (6.4 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Hotel Riu Guanacaste?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a swimup bar, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Hotel Riu Guanacaste?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at Hotel Riu Guanacaste?
Guests can enjoy a swimup bar, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Hotel Riu Guanacaste?
Conveniently located restaurants include Guayoyo Coffee House, Maracuya Beach Front, and Numu Taproom & Bistro By Chef Nicolas Devenelle.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Hotel Riu Guanacaste?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and a fitness centre during their stay.
Are any cleaning services offered at Hotel Riu Guanacaste?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does Hotel Riu Guanacaste offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business centre, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Hotel Riu Guanacaste?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Does Hotel Riu Guanacaste have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.