We just returned from a week long trip to Costa Rica. Our last day there was Christmas Eve. First, let me say I have read the negative reviews for this hotel and could not disagree more with their impressions. Going to Costa Rica it is impotant to understand and appreciate the fact that you are not going to be in a rush-rush type of culture. YES....everything is, for the most part, done at a much slower pace. That is precisely what we enjoyed about vacationing there! And yes...you most certainly should pay close attention to your belongings no matter where you are, but especially when you are in an unfamiliar place. Their culture has a "finders-keepers" mentality of which we had been forewarned, so we were always pretty careful. That being said, we found the staff to be sincerely friendly and accomodating and in our opinion, they went out of their way to please us. Each of the rooms. 18 I think, are roomy, well appointed with native wood furniture, SAT tv, small stocked frig, and come with a private balcony looking west over the grassy lawn to the Pacific and Isla Ballena. My first comment to my husband upon seeing this view was that I felt like I was in a movie. I never tired of this spectacular view, since it changed in wonderful ways as the sun went throgh its course. On clear nights, the stars were simply amazing. A very nice breakfast buffet with hot and cold items is included in your room charge, and though not spectacular, i enjoyed its simplicity since part of my desire while in Costa Rica was to eat simply and enjoy the local produce. The swimmimg pool was large and gorgeous and very clean. The entire resort is landscaped so beautifully with exotic plants and flowers and there are a number of quiet places outside that are covered and great to just sit and read or nap. Each morning we sat on our balcony with our coffee enjoying the toucans and quisingas and parrots eating fruit from a nearby tree. The beds have very firm mattresses, which is our preference. The bathrooms in the regular rooms are compact, but quite adequate, including the water pressure in the shower. After 3 nights, we decided to upgrade to a corner suite which had become available. It had a much larger bathroom and a huge corner balcony which we really loved. We felt the charges for our room was very reasonable and fair. In Florida, where we frequently vacation, we pay at least the same amount, if not more, to get the same level of quality that we received at Cristal-Bballena. We explored the area right down the road (Hwy. 34) in Uvita where we accessed an ATM, a grocery store, gasoline, and pharmacy. Also a wonderful crepe place called Creperia, owned and run by two French Canadian women, was a pleasant discovery in Uvita. There is plenty to do in this area if you want to get out and the staff was great in arranging tours for us. We ate most evening meals at the restaurant and enjoyed the
relaxed atmosphere and good food. On a special note, we would also recommend another restaurant, about 10 km north in Orajchal, called Citrus. It was on the level of any 5 star restaurant in the US and we enjoyed a particularly wonderful meal there our last nite. French chef there and you could tell by the quality of the food. Anyway, we plan to return to this part of Costa Rica in 2 years and would absolutely be staying at Cristal Ballena again. Wonderful, quiet, beautiful place to be if you want to get away and relax. We recommend it without reservation!