Nice seaside and even higher swimming pools: A evaluation of family-friendly all-inclusive resort Desires Las Mareas Costa Rica

Getting there

Desires Las Mareas is about 56 miles north of Daniel Oduber Quirós Worldwide Airport (LIR) in Liberia, and the drive takes between one and two hours. Towards the top of the drive, you will be handled to panoramic views of the bay, and you’ll even catch a glimpse of a volcano in Nicaragua.

You may guide an airport switch by means of the resort’s partnership with vacation spot administration firm Amstar, and you will find the Amstar counter within the airport proper after customs. All I needed to do was give the representatives my title, and after providing me a beverage, they walked me to the car parking zone to fulfill my pleasant driver.

If you happen to do not wish to go the Amstar route, there are many different airport shuttle corporations to guide with prematurely. Taxis are additionally available on the airport in Liberia, and it’ll most likely value at the least $100 for the 1 1/2-hour drive.

Checking in

Pleasant employees members greeted me when my automotive pulled up, and I had a glass of glowing wine in hand inside seconds of my arrival. I used to be impressed by the open-air foyer’s soothing water options and colourful accents because the employees guided me by means of.

Since I used to be a most popular visitor — a standing you’ll be able to obtain by reserving one of many club-level rooms or suites — the employees confirmed me to the personal check-in space in the popular lounge positioned off the foyer. (Most popular friends can use their room keys to enter and benefit from this lounge anytime throughout their keep.)

The check-in course of was fast, and earlier than I knew it, I used to be in a golf cart on the way in which to my room. My private concierge, Joseph, got here alongside for the journey and gave me his contact info in order that I might textual content him with any questions.

I additionally downloaded Hyatt’s Inclusive Assortment app, which was an essential software all through my keep. On the app, you’ll be able to search for restaurant menus and hours, take a look at the property map, see the every day calendar of occasions, schedule housekeeping, guide spa remedies and order room service.

A spacious room with good out of doors space

The property homes 447 visitor rooms, together with commonplace and suite-style rooms. Some have ocean views, tropical views or pool views, whereas others have terraces with swim-out entry or personal sizzling tubs.

I stayed in a king swim-out junior suite, which was a nook unit that includes floor-to-ceiling home windows that provided stunning views of my personal pool. The mix of earth-toned decor, wealthy wooden furnishings and purple accents introduced a way of magnificence into the house.

Exterior, the terrace featured a cushty sofa and occasional desk, separated from the neighboring patio by a half-wall.

Contained in the room, there have been loads of lighting choices, however it felt a bit darkish as a result of its ground-floor location. Nonetheless, the mattress was comfy, and the blackout curtains made it simple to sleep. I felt secure on the bottom flooring due to the double locks on the sliding glass door.

The room’s small spherical desk and two chairs might function a spot to work if crucial. (I even discovered some goodies ready on this desk after I arrived.)

Beneath the wall-mounted 42-inch TV was a dresser with three storage drawers and two cupboards. The left cupboard held a well-stocked minifridge with Imperial beer, juice containers, soda, and bottles of nonetheless and glowing water. In the suitable cupboard, I discovered snacks, cups, three small bottles of liquor and a Cuisinart espresso machine.

I selected to retailer my baggage on the rack subsequent to the dresser, however there was additionally house within the massive picket wardrobe beside the entrance door. The wardrobe held hangers, additional blankets, robes, slippers, an umbrella, a secure and a steamer (no iron).

The lavatory and double-sink self-importance space might be separated from the primary sleeping space by drawing an extended curtain, however I selected to go away it open to get extra daylight all through the suite.

If I had forgotten certainly one of my toiletry objects, I might have been in luck for the reason that self-importance had an additional toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb and extra. A magnifying mirror and hair dryer rounded out the lavatory facilities.

The bathe and bathroom have been every separated from this house with a swinging glass door.

When reserving, you will have the choice to pick an everyday room or a “Membership Stage” room. As talked about above, staying in certainly one of these club-level rooms makes you a most popular visitor. Most popular friends can make the most of the Most popular Membership Lounge all through their keep, which provides a bar, a buffet with snack-size meals and loads of indoor and out of doors seating. These friends may also entry a most popular pool and luxuriate in a la carte breakfast choices within the Portofino restaurant (as an alternative of being restricted to the primary buffet at World Cafe).

In my view, reserving a club-level room is price it for those who’re touring as a pair or simply need an general stress-free expertise. If you happen to’re touring with children, who won’t recognize a nicer breakfast, lounge entry or the opposite perks, a club-level room won’t be price the additional money.

Eating choices

There are eight eating places and eight bars at Desires Las Mareas, so there was loads of selection when it got here to eating choices. I am unable to say the meals was the spotlight of my keep; nonetheless, the employees was all the time pleasant, and it was enjoyable to discover all of the completely different venues. I had conversations with another friends, and it appeared like all of them shared an identical sentiment.

Throughout my go to, the resort occurred to be internet hosting a big company occasion, so my concierge, Joseph, helped me make reservations to make sure I might eat the place I wished.

Himitsu

On the primary evening of my keep, I loved dinner at Himitsu, which serves pan-Asian delicacies and hibachi. (If you wish to safe a spot for the hibachi expertise, reservations are all the time a good suggestion.)

To start out, I sampled a standard Costa Rican guaro bitter on the suggestion of my waiter, and I appreciated it greater than I believed I might.

I then ordered a miso soup, a scrumptious sushi sampler and a seaweed salad (the latter of which I most likely would not have ordered once more). My waiter insisted I ought to attempt the fried ice cream for dessert, and it was a manufacturing, to say the least. He heated up toppings and performed with hearth earlier than placing the steaming dessert on a plate in entrance of me — a enjoyable approach to finish the meal.

Portofino

That is the place to be within the morning for those who’re staying in a club-level room, because the breakfast is solely for most popular friends. There are a la carte choices obtainable, or you’ll be able to go subsequent door to get meals from the World Cafe buffet and produce it again to eat in Portofino.

I ordered one savory breakfast dish and one candy breakfast dish, for analysis functions, after all. The omelet was fairly tasty, and the pancakes have been certainly one of my favourite issues I ate at Desires.

At evening, Portofino is open to all grownup friends and serves Italian favorites, together with soups, salads, risottos, pasta dishes and pizza. The costume code right here is “informal magnificence,” which is a bit nicer than at a number of the different on-site eating places, and it looks like the meals follows swimsuit.

World Cafe

World Cafe provides buffet-style eating for breakfast and lunch.

There have been loads of fundamental choices, similar to eggs, contemporary fruit and baked items, alongside omelet stations and rotating specials like chilaquiles. Nonetheless, I seen there weren’t many meatless choices or actually any vegan-friendly dishes other than salads.

Mother and father will recognize the youngsters buffet space, the place their kids can independently serve themselves dishes which may attraction extra to their palettes.

Seaside Grill

This lunch and dinner choice beside the pool has a pleasant open-air design, so you’ll be able to nonetheless benefit from the pool ambiance whereas eating.

The menu provides varied seafood dishes, burgers and sandwiches, in addition to grilled specialties, all becoming for a light-weight lunch.

I attempted the couscous salad, which wasn’t my favourite, however the falafel sandwich on pita made up for it.

El Patio

Though the employees was very pleasant at this Mexican restaurant, I would not essentially advocate it for something apart from a margarita (I bought the passionfruit one).

I sampled the corn esquites and a vegetarian burrito however wasn’t an enormous fan.

Coco Cafe

That is the resort’s present store and cafe, the place you will get a sandwich, a espresso or a scoop of gelato at any time of day. The present store was very nicely stocked with souvenirs, garments, sunscreen and any sort of toiletry merchandise you would possibly want. I ended by just a few occasions all through my keep for a espresso and by no means discovered it crowded.

I did not get the possibility to attempt the sushi restaurant, Gohan, or the seafood restaurant, Oceana, for dinner, however they each appeared to have a pleasant atmosphere. Oceana’s menu has choices like clam chowder, ceviche and salmon — and an ocean view on the facet.

Professional tip: If you happen to’re celebrating a milestone or occasion throughout your journey, you’ll be able to guide a beachfront eating expertise to make dinner additional particular.

A pool in all places you look

This resort excels within the pool division — irrespective of the place you might be, you will by no means be too removed from loungers and turquoise water.

Technically, there are three primary swimming pools (not together with those that border the swim-out visitor rooms): the higher pool, decrease pool and adults-only pool. However, it seems like there are extra.

That could be as a result of certainly one of them is a whopping 44,000 sq. toes. You’ll find this large pool in entrance of the primary constructing that homes all of the eating places. This location makes it simple to seize a fast chew everytime you need after which return to your lounger.

Straight beside it, there is a small kiddie pool space with a mountaineering wall and trampoline so as to add to the enjoyable. There’s additionally a waterslide on the higher pool, which I might hear many kids having fun with whereas I used to be strolling round. The pool bar on this space additionally serves pizza — a handy place to cease when the youngsters get hungry.

The opposite primary pool is a couple of two-minute stroll away. It snakes across the beachfront space, and with so many various sections, it seems like a bunch of little swimming pools mixed.

One in all these sections belongs solely to most popular friends. I did not have to indicate any documentation proving I used to be a most popular visitor to be able to enter, however one of many employees members instructed me they maintain tabs on who’s utilizing the popular pool. The popular space has its personal bar and daybeds to lease.

There’s additionally a vigorous pool space with a swim-up bar referred to as Manatees. This space was all the time fairly packed through the day and provided a celebration ambiance, full with loud pop music.

Your entire pool is bordered by chairs and daybeds. I did not discover a ton of empty loungers at peak occasions, however it wasn’t overwhelmingly crowded both.

The Seaside Grill and Oceana eating places are on one facet, and the Barefoot Grill — which serves fast bites and might have fairly lengthy traces — is on the opposite. So, you will by no means have to stroll far to get refreshments throughout your pool day. You can even see the seaside from this space of the pool, and it is a good place to be at sundown.

An attractive seaside with loads of house

Desires Las Mareas is located on Playa El Jobo, and this stretch of sand is spectacular, size-wise, in comparison with different resort seashores I noticed within the area.

Because it’s in a big cove, there are calm waves and secure swimming situations for youngsters.

Must you wish to lease water sports activities gear, you are able to do so on the Amstar hut beside the seaside.

There are additionally some impartial distributors on the seaside who will give you excursions once you hit the sand. A number of the ones I spoke to have been promoting off-site excursions and Jet Ski rides.

There aren’t a ton of seaside chairs, however the seaside was additionally by no means crowded after I was there. It appeared like most friends loved being on the swimming pools as an alternative.

One part of the seaside is reserved for most popular friends and has cushioned loungers and bar service.

The resort provides loads of actions right here to maintain friends busy, together with seaside volleyball video games and a seaside occasion. You may simply verify the occasion schedule on the app.

loads of remedy choices on the spacious spa

Company searching for leisure can guide a remedy on the resort’s 16,000-square-foot Spa by Pevonia. It provides a full-service salon, 10 personal remedy rooms and a snack bar space.

Within the salon, there are manicure and pedicure areas, a hairdressing house and even a fish footbath expertise. If you happen to’re visiting Desires to your wedding ceremony, the spa additionally provides a separate bridal suite full with a costume stand.

In between the altering rooms and the primary remedy space, there was a leisure room with loads of chairs in addition to a snack bar space with tea, fruit, cookies and snacks.

I bought the possibility to attempt the hydrotherapy circuit behind the spa space. Use of this self-guided circuit is included with spa remedies that final 80 minutes or extra. I began the circuit with time within the sauna and steam room, then adopted the numbered indicators by means of the remainder of the swimming pools; it ended with a sizzling tub and chilly plunge.

It was a calming approach to spend an hour, and I felt pampered when a employees member introduced out a wholesome drink to take pleasure in through the expertise.

Across the water function lined with teardrop-shaped coated sofas, you will discover personal remedy rooms. You may guide a therapeutic massage (from $215), a facial (from $175), a manicure (from $65) or some other leisure expertise you’ll be able to consider. These remedies are usually not included in your room charge.

The spa is open from 8 a.m. to eight p.m. every day, and the minimal age is 16.

Plenty of leisure choices and actions

Every day of your trip, you’ll be able to seek the advice of the exercise schedule on the app to see what’s taking place. Throughout my keep, I noticed seaside volleyball video games, a nighttime dance efficiency, a dwell violin present within the Rendezvous bar space and a film projected on a giant display screen by the pool.

If you wish to go away the resort for an tour at any level, you’ll be able to guide a tour straight on Amstar’s web site. The corporate provides quite a lot of guided actions all through the Guanacaste area, together with rainforest hikes, whitewater rafting journeys, ATV excursions and horseback using experiences. Consider these excursions come at an additional value.

Causes Desires Las Mareas won’t be for you

Touring with a big group with a large age vary? This Desires property will likely be an important match. Nonetheless, listed below are some situations when it won’t be the best alternative:

• If you happen to’re in search of a quiet keep, you could be happier elsewhere. Whereas there are definitely some peaceable areas across the property, the pool bar can get rowdy through the day, and there are many individuals out and about always.
• As is fairly typical with all-inclusive resorts, the meals is not the primary draw. If you happen to’re a foodie who desires to spend trip time indulging in high-quality eating experiences, this most likely is not the place for you.
• It takes 1 1/2 hours to get right here from the airport, so in order for you a spot for a fast in a single day, think about one of many all-inclusive choices simply half-hour from LIR.

Accessibility

In accordance with Hyatt, Inclusive Assortment properties present totally geared up accessible rooms upon request. Potential Desires friends ought to contact the resort prematurely to request these rooms — that are on the primary flooring with bigger bogs and bars for stability, amongst different options.

Nonetheless, the Inclusive Assortment’s phrases additionally state that it can’t assure the supply of accessible rooms or availability of wheelchairs on-site or on the airport. The Desires employees confirmed this after I referred to as and spoke to a number of members of the employees.

At this Desires property, there have been golf cart companies to move friends across the property and ramps subsequent to most small units of stairs. I additionally seen elevators in the primary constructing. Whereas the pool areas are wheelchair accessible, I could not find any pool lifts.

There is a small ramp to the seaside, however I could not get a definitive reply about whether or not seaside wheelchairs can be found to friends.

Trying out

General, I had a beautiful keep at Desires Las Mareas, and I might be comfortable to return to expertise the swimming pools, seaside and off-site excursions that I did not get an opportunity to attempt.

Whereas there have been some massive group occasions occurring throughout my keep, it by no means actually felt overwhelming or overcrowded. The eating places and swimming pools are clearly constructed to accommodate many friends directly. A number of the eating places are definitely higher than others, however due to the well-maintained swimming pools and the simple seaside entry, you most likely will not care an excessive amount of in regards to the meals anyway.