Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica Resort and Spa

This is my personal review, and therefore subjective. We arrived in the early evening so it was dark, and although I had told the company that I had a fall and was somewhat limited in my mobility the transport dropped us off at the top of the hill with an...

This is my personal review, and therefore subjective. We arrived in the early evening so it was dark, and although I had told the company that I had a fall and was somewhat limited in my mobility the transport dropped us off at the top of the hill with an arrow to our room number (see photograph). Our room was accessed via steep and poorly lit stone staircase with no handrails. The room was a disappointment in that it bore little relationship to the photographs. We like some privacy when using the toilet, but as seems to be increasingly popular the accommodation was a single room with the shower and toilet behind the bed with opaque glass doors that did not shut. The first night I got up to use the toilet and shaved the skin from the top of my foot, blood everywhere. While I hung on to the wound my husband cleaned the floor. We are retired medics and carry our own kit so did not need external help. However it is now over two weeks and the wound is not healed. There was one bedside lamp and one chair. According to the concierge the next day our this was our entitlement. Alongside a more easily accessible room I also requested a second bedside lamp and a second chair, which we did get. The bed was very comfortable with lovely cotton sheets. Yes there is transport provided 24 hours, once ensconced in our new room we walked down the hill every day and used transport to get back up. It was efficient and the drivers were happy to help me get out of the van. The publicity states that the fridge is restocked daily, this was not required by us as we don't really drink alcohol (I am diabetic) nor fizzy drinks. We ended up with a fridge stuffed with both yet we had to beg for creamer. They do not supply kettles only coffee makers, which we used to make tea but we had to seek out tea bags. The main area in the complex consists of two small pools, which are stuffed with beds which in turn are saved by 07.30 in the morning. Some remain unused for hours and regardless fo labels stating that belongings will be removed they never were. This was also the party section. Luckily on day two we discovered the Serenity pool in the Spa complex which could be accessed via a short walk along the beach when the tide was out. There are grass terraces here once again accessed by stone steps with no handrails. Of course I fell down on day three and skinned the top of my other foot as well as wrenching my ankle. We adapted. My greatest disappointment was the sea, I knew the sand was volcanic and black, which was not a problem what I was not expecting was the lack of clarity in the water, then there were the jelly fish which we were warned about during our arrival briefing. I am a sea swimmer and had really been looking forward to some good swims across the bay. However the reality was that everyday there was with a red flag flying (rip tides) or purple (jelly fish). Food wise this resort was publicised as a gourmet destination, there was the Market Place where breakfast and lunch was served every day. The breakfasts were wonderful with glorious sun ripened fruit consisting of papaya, pineapple, water melon, sweet pink grapefruit. Heaven. There was a griddle where you could have your eggs cooked fresh. The female griddle chef cooked the best omelettes ever, paper thin like crepes but delicious. There was of course the usual array of bacon etc., which did not interest me. There was also the largest supply of cakes and doughnuts but of course they were catering for the American market. I did have a sneaky cinnamon bun occasionally. What was difficult was that we never knew when it would be open in the evening. The Pan Asian restaurant never had wontons although on the menu, although the Tom Yum soup was delicious, and on a couple of nights NO wasabi!!! The sushi was OK but differed every night regardless of what I ordered, the rest of the menu was iffy. The Italian produced some terrible food, crispy seafood starter that had been cooked several times. The Seaside grill was more consistent but I was disappointed at the lack of seafood on the menu. I had a couple of excellent New York steaks, with roast sweet potato. Their salad starters were delicious, but even here I had to send back my steak that I could have used as shoe leather. The resort itself is beautiful, the staff are delightful and ready to help particularly if you have a few dollars in your hand. The weather was perfect, and there were plenty of excursions available up into the rain forest.

Good things The excursions were great - kind personnel, professional tour guides, on-time arrival and departures for trips. We booked our excursions through Amstar. The resort was clean and had the exact amenities as marketed. Pools were clean, majority of the resort staff was helpful and kind. Plenty of shuttle...

Good things The excursions were great - kind personnel, professional tour guides, on-time arrival and departures for trips. We booked our excursions through Amstar. The resort was clean and had the exact amenities as marketed. Pools were clean, majority of the resort staff was helpful and kind. Plenty of shuttle vans to take us to our room. Average things The food is simply average. The asian restaurant was nice and had a small but good selection of sushi and main entrees. The Italian restaurant was so-so. If you like pasta it was good. If you are looking for quick in-out service you definitely want to go to the Market Cafe. They are open for B-L-D. Bad things: We paid for VIP, Club Preferred room and treatment. This was unfortunately a complete waste of money. The only benefit found was the VIP guests had a separate bar with higher end alcohol. None of the other perks were represented or seen by us. The door key to our room was supposed to open the VIP Club door, ours did not. We were supposed to be able to reserve a cabana by the pool but it was first come first serve on the wait list. I had $400 stolen from the room. My bad for keeping it in my backpack in a zipper closed pocket but still. They appeared to be responsive to the situation and informed me a manager would contact me directly but no one ever reached out to us. The VIP service is supposed to provide 24 hour room service. We never had anything delivered that I requested from my dedicated VIP Contact which I was assigned at check in. when I contacted David, he told me to call -0- from my room instead. Weird. So basically do not spend the extra money thinking you will be treated with kid-gloves because you will not. When we checked out, we had made reservations and paid through Amstar to take us back to the airport. We became concerned when the shuttle had not arrived. We called the Amstar office at the resort and they had NO RECORD of us even being at the resort !!! A bit concerning since we had booked three excursions and stayed at the resort for 6 full days. Slight identity crisis mode but nevertheless, we took a taxi to the airport. Cost $60 and I filed a report with my bank to get a refund. We spoke with a couple that has been a VIP member for years and they said this lack of treatment (they had the same concerns as us) was more than likely because Hyatt just bought the Secrets chain last year. Hmmmm…. Summary: Costa Rica is a beautiful country. Besides the ride to the airport issue, Amstar is great. I would probably not stay at a Secrets again regardless of the location.

Francis made or vacation extra special. Her smile had happy energy was contagious. She motivated me to try new activities. In addition to sharing her positive energy Francis is an excellent painting instructor. Very patient and encouraging.

We have returned from a wonderful 10 night day at Secrets. A fabulous relaxing hotel after an incredible 4 night tour in Arenal and Monteverde. The wildlife around the hotel is truly amazing. We spent most of our time around the spa pool as it was far quieter than the...

We have returned from a wonderful 10 night day at Secrets. A fabulous relaxing hotel after an incredible 4 night tour in Arenal and Monteverde. The wildlife around the hotel is truly amazing. We spent most of our time around the spa pool as it was far quieter than the main pool area. Nice to walk along the beach up to the lively area for a couple of hours now and again though. We enjoyed the food at the Asian, Italian and Seaside restaurants. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Aqua restaurant which was a lovely setting. Staff at this hotel go above and beyond for you. Special mention to Ingrid, Edward, Joshua, Alonso, William, Estaban, Victor and Giovanni. We had a trip out to Coco Beach in a Uber which was really good for a few hours. We highly recommended this hotel in incredibly beautiful 🇨🇷 Costa Rica.

Edward was amazing! Great experience! Edward was a fun Blackjack dealer and made the event very enjoyable! I would recommend him to anyone looking for solid resort entertainment and an overall pleasant person! Really great time playing Blackjack!

The hotel is nestled in a beautiful Pacific bay, rooms built up into the hillside. As we were in the 400's we had to take the shuttle up and down each time, meaning once down by the pool/beach it would take half an hour to go back up and down...

The hotel is nestled in a beautiful Pacific bay, rooms built up into the hillside. As we were in the 400's we had to take the shuttle up and down each time, meaning once down by the pool/beach it would take half an hour to go back up and down each time. We couldnt fault the service, cleanliness and standard of the hotel, however, it really wasn't for us. If you want a relaxing beach holiday don't go there! There are two pools; one full on party pool and one relaxing, however, almost impossible to get sunbeds at either unless you are there before 7.30am to put towels down. Why put signs on the beds 'do not reserve' if no-one manages it? There seemed to be plenty of watersports although reports of many people being stung by jellyfish was off-putting for a dip in the sea. There are several restaurants on site, none of which was outstanding, but plenty of choice, and fine for all inclusive. Nowhere else to go in walking distance.

My wife and I went for our honeymoon and we had the most wonderful experience we could ever imagine. The staff the service everything about the resort was picture perfect and could not read it any better then 10/10. Alonso, Edward, Jean Manuel, Randy, Steven, Allison, and the entire staff...

My wife and I went for our honeymoon and we had the most wonderful experience we could ever imagine. The staff the service everything about the resort was picture perfect and could not read it any better then 10/10. Alonso, Edward, Jean Manuel, Randy, Steven, Allison, and the entire staff made the experience even better than we could have dreamed of. My wife and I are already dreaming of coming back! We cannot rate this resort better :) Thank you to the amazing/attentive/fun staff!

Although we had a wonderful rest we do feel we should feedback some valid downfalls to this hotel as we were informed it was a couples, quiet and romantic location. This is incorrect. We feel it is a four star and not a five star hotel. We had to constantly...

Although we had a wonderful rest we do feel we should feedback some valid downfalls to this hotel as we were informed it was a couples, quiet and romantic location. This is incorrect. We feel it is a four star and not a five star hotel. We had to constantly ask for towels and drinking water in our room. There was a lack of tea and various items missing daily in the buffet restaurant. The hotel also hosts weddings every weekend and this brings large groups. The main pool is a rowdy pool and has a 'spring break' atmosphere which is great for some but when you are told that this is a couples hotel and it has a chilled romantic vibe this was a huge shock. There is a quiet pool but you are cut off from the activities and daily classes and there is one restaurant at this pool. We have also taken this up with our tour operator. A huge negative also was our room and the adjoining door to the next room. I was told this was from when the hotel was a family hotel in the past. We heard everything that the guests got up to and obviously vice versa which for us was very uncomfortable and not at all private. The sun bed situation that other reviewers have mentioned unfortunately does exist. Fortunately I am an early bird so had my bed every day but I was there at 6am and by 7am most beds were taken. More beds are needed and parasols. We wouldn't return but we would like to thank the staff for trying with the resources that they have and the pool staff especially make an effort daily to entertain everyone. The drivers around the resort deserve a shout out for their impeccable manners and friendliness.

Worst so called 5 star ever visited. Disgusting food everywhere, very weak drinks, and be up at the cracking of dawn to get your sunbed (and I MEAN DAWN). Only 60% occupancy and still no beds. You have to use the shuttle to get anywhere that is up hill. Very steep.

Very good experience. The entertainment team was wonderful. Giovanni, Alison, Francis, and Mauren were all wonderful. The food was always amazing and the staff was friendly and attentive. The rooms were always clean and taken care of when room service came to clean.