Gaia Hotel and Nature Reserve - Manuel Antonio
Costa Rica
Recensioner
We absolutely loved our stay at the Gaia Hotel. This boutique property is a peaceful oasis tucked away in the heart of Manuel Antonio. With only 22 rooms, the experience feels intimate and personalized, and my husband and I truly felt pampered throughout our stay. Every member of the staff greeted us with genuine kindness and professionalism. They consistently went above and beyond to make our visit special. Whether it was Abraham greeting us with a smile and pulling out my chair at La Luna Restaurant or Oscar patiently answering all of our questions through the concierge, we always felt genuinely cared for. The accommodations were spotless, beautifully updated, and incredibly comfortable. The grounds were impeccably maintained, creating the feeling of a lush tropical paradise. If you’re looking for luxury, exceptional service, and breathtaking surroundings, we couldn’t recommend the Gaia Hotel more highly.
This resort was nothing short of spectacular. We felt welcomed from the moment we stepped onto the property. They helped us park then shuttled us up to the lobby. We registered, met some of the staff and also met the owner Boris who welcomed us with a big smile. They gave us a tour of the property before showing us to our beautiful large studio room. The beds were so comfortable, the shower the best we have ever experience, the pool area fun to explore and La Luna restaurant top notch. Everything about the hotel is 5 star, but what makes it truly special is the staff. Everyone made us feel at home. Two of the tours (Macaw and Manuel Antonio) were hosted by Clarence who was an excellent guide, providing many interesting details and he had the sharpest eyes to find and share the various wildlife around us. Ada our concierge was responsive and attentive. Abraham and others at La Luna (sorry I forget names!) were always on point, the food was delicious and presented beautifully. We both had a spa massage with Teresa which was phenomenal, hiking in this area can be strenuous and our muscles enjoyed the deep relaxation. We had only booked 3 nights at this resort and wished we had booked more. It is definitely a place we would recommend and return to.
Had an excellent experience at Gaia Hotel in Costa Rica! The staff was outstanding, friendly, attentive, and always ready to help, making us feel truly welcome throughout our stay. The rooms were spacious, beautiful, and impeccably clean. The views were absolutely stunning and made the experience even more special. The food was delicious, and we were pleasantly surprised by the affordable dinner prices considering the quality and atmosphere. Overall, everything exceeded our expectations. Highly recommended for anyone looking for comfort, great service, amazing views, and a memorable stay close to all the attractions.
Gaia Hotel is set in a stunning location within the forest, offering fantastic ocean views. One of the highlights of our stay was spotting a sloth very close during breakfast, which was a real treat. The hotel also offers a daily guided walk through their reserve, which we enjoyed—just be aware that it’s quite steep in places. However, if you’re expecting a true 5-star experience, it’s worth adjusting expectations. The hotel may have met that standard when it first opened, but it now feels like some basic maintenance and attention to detail are lacking. We stayed in a studio room, which was spacious and had a very comfortable bed. That said, the bathroom setup is unusual—it’s essentially part of the room, separated only by a sliding door. Also, the outdoor area opens directly onto a communal walkway, which limits privacy. During our 5-night stay, we didn’t receive evening turndown service at all, even on nights when we left the cleaning sign out, which was disappointing for a hotel of this category. The pool areas could also use some TLC. The lower pool, in particular, tended to collect quite a lot of leaves, which affected the overall feel. Breakfast was okay, but probably our least favourite of the trip. In contrast, dinner at the hotel was really good—the sushi was fantastic, and the tuna dish I had one evening was a standout. On the positive side, the shuttle service is very convenient and we made good use of it to get to the park and the beach. Keep in mind that the hotel is located on a steep hill, so you’ll likely need transport when heading out to restaurants or other areas. Overall, Gaia Hotel offers a beautiful natural setting and some great experiences, but it falls short of the service and upkeep you’d expect from a 5-star property.
At first we were a bit unsure about the hotel, but once we arrived and discovered the property, it was a really nice surprise. The hotel blends very well into the surrounding nature and the overall atmosphere is very peaceful. The rooms are clean and our suite was great, especially with the small private rooftop which made the stay even more enjoyable. The restaurant is simple but very good and reasonably priced. The lunch menu is actually excellent with simple dishes done really well. The dinner menu, however, tries to be a bit too elaborate and ended up being disappointing. The spa is also excellent and definitely worth trying. The service and concierge were amazing and very accommodating. They easily adapted to our requests, for example preparing an early takeaway breakfast when we had to leave early. Like many places in Costa Rica, some of the facilities feel a bit aging, but overall it was a very pleasant stay.
