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

What’s Desires Las Mareas?

Desires Las Mareas is a big, all-inclusive beachfront resort within the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica, close to the Nicaragua border. It sits on the calm bay of Playa El Jobo and is surrounded by a verdant jungle.

With 447 visitor rooms, a spa, three swimming pools, eight eating places and eight bars and lounges — amongst different attractive facilities — it is laborious to get bored right here. The ample quantity of occasion area additionally makes it appropriate for big company occasions or weddings.

The resort is a part of the family-friendly Desires Resorts & Spas model, which falls inside Hyatt’s Inclusive Assortment. All charges right here embrace meals and drinks (together with alcoholic drinks) on the eight on-site bars and eight eating places.

Reserving particulars

Hyatt loyalists will probably be glad to know that they’ll earn and redeem their factors with a keep right here. For one night time in mid-June, the money charge for a junior king suite is $692 for World of Hyatt members.

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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 may be handled to panoramic views of the bay, and you may even catch a glimpse of a volcano in Nicaragua.

You possibly can ebook an airport switch via 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 identify, and after providing me a beverage, they walked me to the parking zone to fulfill my pleasant driver.

In the event you do not need to go the Amstar route, there are many different airport shuttle corporations to ebook with prematurely. Taxis are additionally available on the airport in Liberia, and it’ll in all probability 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 via.

Since I used to be a most well-liked visitor — a standing you may 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 well-liked company can use their room keys to enter and make the most of 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 trip and gave me his contact info in order that I may textual content him with any questions.

I additionally downloaded Hyatt’s Inclusive Assortment app, which was an necessary device all through my keep. On the app, you may lookup restaurant menus and hours, try the property map, see the every day calendar of occasions, schedule housekeeping, ebook spa remedies and order room service.

A spacious room with good outside space

The property homes 447 visitor rooms, together with normal 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 supplied lovely views of my personal pool. The mixture of earth-toned decor, wealthy wooden furnishings and pink accents introduced a way of magnificence into the area.

Outdoors, 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, nevertheless it felt a bit darkish as a result of its ground-floor location. Nonetheless, the mattress was snug, and the blackout curtains made it simple to sleep. I felt protected on the bottom ground due to the double locks on the sliding glass door.

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

Under 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 bins, soda, and bottles of nonetheless and glowing water. In the fitting 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 area within the massive wood wardrobe beside the entrance door. The wardrobe held hangers, further blankets, robes, slippers, an umbrella, a protected and a steamer (no iron).

The lavatory and double-sink self-importance space might be separated from the principle 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 considered one of my toiletry gadgets, I’d 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 had been every separated from this area with a swinging glass door.

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

For my part, reserving a club-level room is value it when you’re touring as a pair or simply need an general stress-free expertise. In the event you’re touring with children, who may not admire a nicer breakfast, lounge entry or the opposite perks, a club-level room may not be value 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 can not 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 totally different venues. I had conversations with another company, and it appeared like all of them shared an analogous 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 may eat the place I wished.

Himitsu

On the primary night time 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 begin, I sampled a standard Costa Rican guaro bitter on the advice of my waiter, and I appreciated it greater than I assumed I’d.

I then ordered a miso soup, a scrumptious sushi sampler and a seaweed salad (the latter of which I in all probability would not have ordered once more). My waiter insisted I ought to strive 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 method to finish the meal.

Portofino

That is the place to be within the morning when you’re staying in a club-level room, because the breakfast is completely for most well-liked company. There are a la carte choices out there, or you may 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, in fact. The omelet was fairly tasty, and the pancakes had been considered one of my favourite issues I ate at Desires.

At night time, Portofino is open to all grownup company 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 among the different on-site eating places, and it looks as if the meals follows swimsuit.

World Cafe

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

There have been loads of primary choices, resembling eggs, contemporary fruit and baked items, alongside omelet stations and rotating specials like chilaquiles. Nonetheless, I observed there weren’t many meatless choices or actually any vegan-friendly dishes apart from salads.

Mother and father will admire the children buffet space, the place their kids can independently serve themselves dishes that may enchantment extra to their palettes.

Seaside Grill

This lunch and dinner possibility beside the pool has a pleasant open-air design, so you may nonetheless benefit from the pool environment whereas eating.

The menu presents numerous 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 reward store and cafe, the place you may get a sandwich, a espresso or a scoop of gelato at any time of day. The reward store was very effectively stocked with souvenirs, garments, sunscreen and any kind of toiletry merchandise you may want. I ended by a number of occasions all through my keep for a espresso and by no means discovered it crowded.

I did not get the possibility to strive 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 aspect.

Professional tip: In the event you’re celebrating a milestone or occasion throughout your journey, you may ebook a beachfront eating expertise to make dinner further particular.

A pool in every single place you look

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

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

That is perhaps as a result of considered one of them is a whopping 44,000 sq. toes. You will discover this large pool in entrance of the principle 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.

Immediately beside it, there is a small kiddie pool space with a mountain climbing wall and trampoline so as to add to the enjoyable. There’s additionally a waterslide on the higher pool, which I may 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 children get hungry.

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

Certainly one of these sections belongs completely to most well-liked company. I did not have to indicate any documentation proving I used to be a most well-liked visitor to be able to enter, however one of many employees members informed me they preserve tabs on who’s utilizing the popular pool. The popular space has its personal bar and daybeds to hire.

There’s additionally a energetic pool space with a swim-up bar known as Manatees. This space was all the time fairly packed in the course of the day and supplied a celebration environment, 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, nevertheless it wasn’t overwhelmingly crowded both.

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

A stupendous seashore with loads of area

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

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

Must you need to hire water sports activities gear, you are able to do so on the Amstar hut beside the seashore.

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

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

One part of the seashore is reserved for most well-liked company and has cushioned loungers and bar service.

The resort presents loads of actions right here to maintain company busy, together with seashore volleyball video games and a seashore social gathering. You possibly can simply test the occasion schedule on the app.

loads of remedy choices on the spacious spa

Friends looking for rest can ebook a remedy on the lodge’s 16,000-square-foot Spa by Pevonia. It presents a full-service salon, 10 personal remedy rooms and a snack bar space.

Within the salon, there are manicure and pedicure areas, a hairdressing area and even a fish footbath expertise. In the event you’re visiting Desires in your marriage ceremony, the spa additionally presents a separate bridal suite full with a costume stand.

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

I bought the possibility to strive 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 via the remainder of the swimming pools; it ended with a sizzling tub and chilly plunge.

It was a soothing method to spend an hour, and I felt pampered when a employees member introduced out a wholesome drink to get pleasure from in the course of the expertise.

Across the water function lined with teardrop-shaped coated sofas, you may discover personal remedy rooms. You possibly can ebook a therapeutic massage (from $215), a facial (from $175), a manicure (from $65) or every other rest expertise you may 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.

A number of leisure choices and actions

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

If you wish to depart the resort for an tour at any level, you may ebook a tour immediately on Amstar’s web site. The corporate presents a wide range of guided actions all through the Guanacaste area, together with rainforest hikes, whitewater rafting journeys, ATV excursions and horseback using experiences. Have in mind these excursions come at an additional value.

Causes Desires Las Mareas may not be for you

Touring with a big group with a large age vary? This Desires property will probably be an amazing match. Nonetheless, listed here are some cases when it may not be the best alternative:

• In the event you’re searching for a quiet keep, you might be happier elsewhere. Whereas there are actually some peaceable areas across the property, the pool bar can get rowdy in the course of the day, and there are many folks out and about always.
• As is fairly typical with all-inclusive resorts, the meals is not the principle draw. In the event you’re a foodie who needs to spend trip time indulging in advantageous eating experiences, this in all probability is not the place for you.
• It takes 1 1/2 hours to get right here from the airport, so if you would like a spot for a fast in a single day, take into account one of many all-inclusive choices simply half-hour from LIR.

Accessibility

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

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

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

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

Trying out

General, I had a beautiful keep at Desires Las Mareas, and I’d be glad to return to expertise the swimming pools, seashore and off-site excursions that I did not get an opportunity to strive.

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 company without delay. A number of the eating places are actually higher than others, however due to the well-maintained swimming pools and the straightforward seashore entry, you in all probability will not care an excessive amount of concerning the meals anyway.