Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique

Location: The hotel boasts a stunning location surrounded by nature and ocean views, providing a serene and picturesque setting. The proximity to a private beach offers guests a tranquil and exclusive experience, enhancing relaxation and leisure activities.

The hotel definitely lives up to its 5-star reputation when it comes to cleanliness, comfort, and service — everything felt polished and well-maintained. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the rooms were spotless with great amenities. That said, one night the food was a bit disappointing — not bad, but definitely below the standard you’d expect from a 5-star stay. Also, the overall atmosphere was extremely quiet. If you’re looking for a lively or social vibe, this might feel a little too calm or even boring at times. Perfect for anyone who wants peace and relaxation, but maybe not ideal if you’re hoping for energy, entertainment, or a memorable dining experience every night. The staff was great from the front desk to house cleaning with the amazing turn down service. The views from the room were amazing and property was clean.

Our experience started with Christopher and Esteban from the front desk and bellhop team. They were outstanding at welcoming us to the resort and helping us check in after a long flight delay. We were especially grateful for the large, well-appointed room with all the amenities you’d expect from a luxury hotel. The room was spotless and tastefully decorated. We loved the artwork on the walls and the quiet, relaxing atmosphere. Most mornings we enjoyed breakfast at Tico Tica and had a few dinners there as well. From the hostess to the wait staff, the hospitality was exceptional. Luis surprised us with a small anniversary cake on our first night, and Omar did the same on the morning of our actual anniversary. They also went out of their way to help us get on the road early one day for an excursion. On our last night, we dined at La Finka for a wonderful experience with Juan and our server Fernando (I believe that was his name). Fernando even offered me a tasting of their premium tequilas, which was a great touch. The pool staff also deserve special mention, especially the one they call “Chimpy,” but whom I affectionately called “Obama.” You’ll understand why when you meet him. He's a spitting image of him especially when he puts on the dark sunglasses. He was friendly, attentive, and always had drinks and lunch ready right when we wanted them. We were glad we spent time relaxing by the pool instead of busying ourselves offsite. With low occupancy during our stay, it often felt like we had the resort to ourselves. There was hardly anything to criticize, except that the turndown service came a bit early each evening, so we didn’t end up using it. Not a big deal. Be prepared for U.S. pricing here though. I live in California, so it didn’t seem very different, but it’s worth noting. That said, even eating offsite the few nights we did, was about the same, especially when you factor in the Uber to get there. Don’t miss the coffee shop either. It’s a treat to have your coffee brewed “Costa Rica” style right in front of you. Thank you to everyone for an incredible stay.