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Santarena Hotel
Las Catalinas, Costa Rica
Santarena Hotel
Las Catalinas, Costa Rica
$319
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2023 IP Members Choice Award

An Authentic Costa Rican Getaway that Blends Nature and Elegance

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LIFESTYLE
2023 IP Members Choice Award

The Santarena Hotel is a magnificent escape that seamlessly blends the best of luxury and the natural world. Set in between two picturesque Pacific beaches in Costa Rica, this upscale oasis lives in Las Catalinas, a tropical town, which allows no cars and aims to inspire visitors to connect with the land and bohemian culture. This dreamlike destination offers the best of both worlds, with the sprawling sea to one side and lush forestry to the other. With gorgeous accommodations, a lively lounge, access to the area’s famed beaches, and a rooftop pool, your visit will be one to remember. Highlights of the resort include:

  • 45 guestrooms equipped with modern designs meant to inspire and ease the soul
  • A rooftop terrace next to a swimming pool, with breathtaking views and a gin cart
  • Opportunities to swim, paddleboard, kayak, or snorkel at the region’s best beaches
  • A magical landscape offering hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails surrounding the resort
  • Urban spa experience across the street, where guests can enjoy a massage or manicure
  • Walking distance from Las Catalinas and its shops, plazas, parks, and restaurants

Living by the mantra “pura vida,” Santarena Hotel encourages a lifestyle where wellness is a top priority and where nature is cared for and enjoyed by all. The authentic, laid-back warmth throughout the resort makes this the ideal home base.

Hotel Amenities

Spa
Spa
Pool
Pool
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Event Space
Event Space
Non-Smoking Rooms
Non-Smoking
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Accommodations

Spread over four floors, Santarena Hotel’s 45 guestrooms are filled with a contemporary cool design with calming accents. Perfect for resting and recharging after active days in the sun and lively social evenings, rooms come equipped with comfortable furnishings and locally sourced amenities. Large floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the lovely Plaza Almendros and sustainable hardwood floors give an extra luxurious touch. The option of adjoining rooms offers extra connectedness for close friends and families traveling together. For extended-stay guests, there’s also a wide array of residential options, from one- and two-bedroom flats to large multiple-bedroom homes.

You will receive attentive service and unparalleled hospitality with a stay at Santarena Hotel. Daily housekeeping, a 24-hour concierge desk, and thoughtful staff are ready to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

Santarena Hotel | Almendro Suite
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Residences

Get the very best features of a luxury hotel within the comforts of a residential setting.

Offers

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Dining

Savor fresh flavors that accentuate Costa Rica’s seas, mountains, and farms, where the ingredients are drawn from, as you dine on Mediterranean-inspired cuisine at this luxe oceanside hotel.

Santarena Hotel | Ponciana Restaurant Alfresco Dining

Ponciana Restaurant – Inspired by summers in the Mediterranean and a general joy for life, the dishes at this signature restaurant feature ingredients sourced directly from Costa Rica. Its convivial atmosphere lends itself not only to sipping and dining, but to gathering as well.

Cuatro Calle la Ronda – Open all day with a grab-and-go menu, this bakery serves up house-made breads, wraps, salads, French pastries, and other Mediterranean-inspired bites that can be enjoyed on the terrace or taken with you on your next adventure.

Ponciana Bar Bocas – Sip specialty cocktails while enjoying small plates like charcuterie or bruschetta in this cozy, elevated lounge.

Activities at Santarena Hotel

Santarena Hotel | Exterior Aerial View with Surrounding Beach Town

Take a plunge in the pool or sip a cocktail with friends at the rooftop lounge. Jaunt down to the beach in the afternoon and return in the evening for a delectable dinner.

The hotel hosts several activities for hotel guests, including wine tastings, beach barbecues, dinners on the beach, and roasted s’mores around a firepit. For more active adventures, enlist the help of the concierge to delve into horseback riding excursions, surf lessons, riverboat cruises, zip-lining tours, scuba diving, sunset snorkeling trips, and hikes through Rincón de la Vieja National Park.

When venturing out on your own, head to the town of Las Catalinas and explore the many charming plazas, parks, shops, restaurants, and scenic outlooks, all within walking distance of the hotel. The tropical forest hills present hiking and biking trails while the Pacific Ocean offers access to swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Other area attractions include an urban day spa, sunset cruises, Marino las Baulas National Park, and a collection of beautiful beaches.

Other Nearby Activities & Attractions

  • Center of Joy
  • Tamaki sushi restaurant
  • Danta and Dantita Beaches
  • Pura Vida Ride
  • Papagayo Brewing Co.
  • Robert Trent Jones Golf Course III
  • Diamante Eco Adventure Park
  • Las Baulas National Marine Park

Location

Santarena Hotel is placed along the shore of the Pacific Ocean in Las Catalinas, within the Guanacaste Province of northwest Costa Rica. The oasis sits between two gorgeous beaches and borders lush forest hills. The town is refreshingly car-free and it prides itself on its walkable public spaces woven within nature.

marker

Address

2 Calle La Ronda, Las Catalinas, Guanacaste , Costa Rica

Transportation

  • Airport
    • Tamarindo Airport is 16 mi / 27 km from the hotel.
    • Liberia International Airport is 25 mi / 40 km from the hotel.
    • Tomas Guardia Airport is 44 mi / 71 km from the hotel.


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Reviews

4.0Trip Advisor Rating

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TripAdvisor Rating 5

Excelente service

Tue May 27 2025 11:25:49 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Jackeline M

Beautifull place and excellent service, the beach is very nice, the strong waves, the food es very deliciuous anr the big Quality. The room is confortable, the bed is the dream jaja, the sound the sea is great and relax, the personal service is kind a lot Tks for all

TripAdvisor Rating 5

Las Catalina two nights

Sun May 25 2025 19:38:41 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Sanjpink

Beautiful property and nice setup with beach on tha back of the property. Beach is right there. Very nice ambience in the lobby. Rooms are big and well equipped. Fruit tray in room on arrival was cherry on the top. I will highly recommend this property to anyone seeking relaxation with class accomodation.

TripAdvisor Rating 5

A little corner of paradise

Wed Feb 26 2025 10:59:19 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Joelle O

Beautiful boutique hotel on the beach in the center of Las Catalinas. Lovely staff who are helpful and attentive. Gorgeous rooms with balcony and lovely small infinity pool at top of hotel. Nice bar and restaurant. Close to everything in Las Catalinas.

TripAdvisor Rating 2

Pura disappointment!

Tue Jan 07 2025 10:50:22 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by June D

Never again! This is just a hotel in the middle of construction zone! NO amenities and worse a staff that do not provide assistance or information!! Want to book an excursion - you have to book through them - bur don’t ask them any questions or for any details - they will NOT provide them. When we checked in we were given NO information on restaurants, breakfast etc! We had NO idea the “hotel” restaurants required reservations! And the other “dining” establishments are a joke! Seriously BAD overpriced food and lackluster service. NO printed brochures with info on the “supposed” happy hour they have and the info on the website is incomplete and misleading. When you email them requesting information they do not reply! When we checked in I mentioned to the front desk guy that I had emailed asking specific questions about one of the excursions. He feigned shock and asked to what email the inquirer was sent! Once showed him on my phone the email I sent initially, the reply from the hotel and my subsequent email he apologized and said he had NO idea how they missed my second email. However- he still FAILED to answer my questions. But they have you “trapped” - there are no transportation options (this was our first time to Costa Rica and driving was NOT an option!!!). When we asked the hotel to help with transportation to the next town over for dinner we were told they could probably find someone for $35 (US) plus tip - one way! The Ubers which are scarce and cancel constantly was $12 round trip. The “beach”!is a strip of sand. No lounge chairs or places for you to truly enjoy the waves! Again, the hotel offers NO amenities for guests. Truly very disappointed. My first trip to Costa Rica may be my last! Bottom line - if you want to visit Costa Rica - do NOT come to Las Catalina’s and most certainly stay away from the Santerena Hotel!

TripAdvisor Rating 5

Into Yoga Retreat 🇨🇷💜

Mon Aug 19 2024 11:45:37 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Jennifer C

Hosting my Yoga Retreat and there was no question where!!! Santarena has always been good to me! Everyone and specifically Gabriela - Sales are so welcoming, helpful and kind!!! Looking forward to a beautiful and relaxing week of Yoga and Friendship!