Review of Villas Sol Hotel & Beach Resort | This place want to market itself as a Costa Rican ...

4 years ago

This place want to market itself as a Costa Rican ...

This place want to market itself as a Costa Rican jewel amongst all inclusive resorts here in Guanacasta. It isn't a jewel at all in any sense of the word. Our trip started badly due to the Liberia airport closing and doesn't reflect negatively on the resort. Once back in Miami, we attempted to call every single number for Villa Sol both stateside and overseas numbers. Both have extensive phone prompts all of which end with "Sorry you are having trouble, goodbye." -followed by getting hung up on. When we arrive in Liberia airporr the next day, we were descended upon like locusts on fresh grass by dozens of vendors - NOT a friendly experience. We eventually found our driver holding a placard for Villa Sol...he wasn't looking for us but 4 other passengers. We were told to stand outside with another couple that he didn't expect. Once he found the 6 people he wanted we then followed him to the van. Wanting to make sure our stuff got packed, I loaded the luggage for all of us unexpected passengers. Once inside the hot steamy van, the driver insisted that we pay him $40. We explained that our transportation costs were already covered, he stated he wasn't going to move the van until he got paid. The other couple fortunately had International calling and luckily got the resort on the phone. After a tense conversation in Spanish the driver drove us to the resort, nearly clipped two other vans in the parking lot. The drive was truly 3rd world crazy. Here's the rest of our review on the resort. It's about 10 yrs past its prime. Jun is evidently there slow season and subsequently closed 1 of their two pools. They closed the pool with the swim up bar, restuarant and sand volleyball. The offer wifi but in only two locations, the main hotel and front desk reception- which is not where the put us up. Our first room was really basic and had no view whatsoever. We learned the first night that our ceiling was leaking from the rain. Our shower barely had hot water and the A/C struggled to keep pace the the outdoor temps. After our second night the resort moved us to the hotel, it had a wonderful view, A/C that worked, hot water and wifi. The food was hit and miss, mostly a miss. On multiple occasions I could identify meat that was from a previous meal recycled into a new entree. As long as they were recycling sausage or chicken- the meal was good. I don't know where they source their beef but it was the toughest, most gristle filled stuff on the planet. All the negative stuff aside, breakfast was a highlight, wonderful scrambled eggs and sausage, fresh made to order omelets and fresh local fruits were awesome! Because Jun is the slow season, the resort indicated dedcided not to advertise activities and were reluctant to support water sports down at their beach. They have their own dedicated chairs for the beach but they are chained into position and can't be moved. As expected from an all you can drink bar, everything is watered down, your best option is the red or white wine. We saw many couples ask for doubles only to take a sip a wonder if there is any alcohol in this drink. Wanderlust is selling a vacation club memberships here and is much like a timeshare offering and sales tactics. So based on our time why does Villa Sol warrant 3 stars and not less, 1. the actual people working in and around-they were very nice, 2. we are in Costa Rica. To do it again we would spend more time in Coca Beach area. I now know much more to look for in a resort for the next time. Parting shot, we gave the resort our flight number, they told us to check out at 1200, we did and missed our flight by an hour. After shuttling tens of thousands of people to the airport they should know there isn't a 4pm flight to Miami. The airport only has 3 flights in the afternoon! When we and the airlines called the resort, they couldn't be reached at all.