I stayed two nights at the Amapola Hotel in Jaco, Costa Rica, on a Caravan Tour in January, 2007. I think that the architect of this facility should be congratulated for the very attractive design and layout of the various buildings, pools and gardens. The landscaping is very beautiful, and representative of the glorious landscape of the country. Some of our tour members told me their bathroom was not properly cleaned, lights did not work, and the shower enclosure door did not slide, but I did not have any problem with my room (Now I understand better why it is that on this site you will see negative and positive reviews on the same hotel and one writer wonders if the other stayed in the same hotel—clearly it can make a difference who actually cleaned your room versus who cleaned the other room, and how hard each room has been used). As to the room itself, I thought it was quite attractive, roomy and nicely laid out, with beautiful tropical hardwood cabinetry and a nice, quiet location with lovely garden view. I did notice, however, that someone had put up some very rough, unfinished ceiling moulding, with nail heads showing. This is not the way to maintain a building which was built to a four-star standard.
Our tour company selected this hotel for its outstanding pool facilities and grounds, as a base from which to travel to the lovely Manuel Antonio National Park a couple of hours away. Those who chose not to take the tour could just enjoy the all-inclusive facilities for the day. It was a summer holiday weekend and many Costa Ricans were enjoying the facility with their families. Dining is in the open air, and, as we found everywhere we went, there were no flies or mosquitoes, although cats and dogs sometimes drop in for a visit.
Be warned, however, that this hotel is in a very poor location, surrounded by vacant lots and derelict buildings. It is a winding four block journey without sidewalks or signs, down potholed streets, past cinder block and rusty corrugated metal buildings, surrounded by coils of “concertina” razor wire, to the beach. On the beach there is a half-built condo complex, with skeletal rusting rebar and weathered wood obviously exposed to the elements for quite some time. I cannot fathom why the hotel puts its name on the Amapola Beach Club—a 4-D facility—dirty, dark, dilapidated and dingy. It was also devoid of any business, and should be discontinued and demolished. The beach itself was muddy and covered with horse manure and garbage—very unattractive.
Should you come all the way to Costa Rica for an all-inclusive beach holiday, keep looking—this isn’t the place—and whatever you do, don’t follow the suggestion that you watch the sunset. In the tropics it gets dark really quickly and walking back in the dark is very definitely not a great idea.
Having said that, I still recommend this hotel for a stopping place if you don’t need to be on the beach, as it is truly a very nice facility.

We stayed here as part of a Caravan tour and quite liked it. It is a big resort with a great pool and for our tour was an all inclusive. The staff was friendly and the bartender efficient. It is about 2 blocks from Jaco and the beach. We didn't care mach for Jaco (best described as a dirty surfer town), but we liked the resort just fine. Would stay there again.

I stayed at this resort a few weeks back with caravan tours, i can say that this little resort is a 3.5 - 4 star. you have to think that your in central america and not in the usa when writing up a review.

The room was nice, i had a courtyard that was right across from the pool which was nice. the hotel staff was very accomodating and friendly.

the bathroom was a little on the "old side" and it was only a shower stall but hey you didnt need much else.

the food was quite good, as they grilled steak and chicken everynight.

this was a short walk to the town of Jaco which is nice or a 2 dollar cab ride :)

I would recommend staying here for sure.

plus if you want entertainment there was a casino next door, practically attached to the same building.

I too was on a Caravan tour. The paint on the walls of our room was peeling off. I was surprised that there was a $3 a day extra charge for the safe in each room. We we told that there were some problems with security and sure enough, one of the tourists' rooms was broken into. I would not recommend this hotel.