Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa
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Summary of reviewsCristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa is a highly praised destination nestled on a picturesque hillside, offering breathtaking views of the forest and ocean. Its strategic location near the Ballena Coast and several national parks makes it an ideal retreat for nature lovers and those seeking to explore local attractions, while still providing easy access to nearby amenities and beaches.
The breakfast experience at the hotel is generally well-regarded, featuring a variety of satisfying regional flavors, such as the traditional Tico breakfast. Guests appreciate enjoying their meals on a terrace with stunning rainforest views, although there is room for expansion in the breakfast options. Dinners are also a highlight, with excellent quality food and service complemented by sunset views, despite some feedback suggesting improvements in menu variety and pricing.
Guests frequently commend the spacious and clean rooms, characterized by impressive views and large balconies ideal for relaxation. The hotel's attention to cleanliness extends throughout the premises, ensuring well-maintained facilities and a serene environment. This commitment to cleanliness, coupled with a welcoming atmosphere, contributes to the hotel's tranquil and comfortable experience.
The staff at Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa are renowned for their friendly, attentive, and professional service, consistently making guests feel welcome and cherished. The harmonious team, including the personable owners, enhances the hotel's inviting ambiance.
The hotel's pool stands out as a key feature, providing an exceptional relaxation spot with sweeping ocean views and a warm, inviting atmosphere, further augmented by a spa and bar services. Families will find the accommodations particularly accommodating, with family-friendly suites and activities making it an excellent choice for a memorable getaway with children.
In terms of romance, the hotel offers an idyllic setting with beautiful sunsets and a tranquil environment, making it perfect for couples and special occasions. While the beds receive mixed reviews, the overall comfort of the accommodations is generally notable.
Although the WiFi service presents some variability, Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa remains a highly recommended destination, combining the allure of nature with exceptional hospitality and service.
Categories
The breakfast experience at the hotel is generally well-regarded, featuring a variety of satisfying regional flavors, such as the traditional Tico breakfast. Guests appreciate enjoying their meals on a terrace with stunning rainforest views, although there is room for expansion in the breakfast options. Dinners are also a highlight, with excellent quality food and service complemented by sunset views, despite some feedback suggesting improvements in menu variety and pricing.
Guests frequently commend the spacious and clean rooms, characterized by impressive views and large balconies ideal for relaxation. The hotel's attention to cleanliness extends throughout the premises, ensuring well-maintained facilities and a serene environment. This commitment to cleanliness, coupled with a welcoming atmosphere, contributes to the hotel's tranquil and comfortable experience.
The staff at Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa are renowned for their friendly, attentive, and professional service, consistently making guests feel welcome and cherished. The harmonious team, including the personable owners, enhances the hotel's inviting ambiance.
The hotel's pool stands out as a key feature, providing an exceptional relaxation spot with sweeping ocean views and a warm, inviting atmosphere, further augmented by a spa and bar services. Families will find the accommodations particularly accommodating, with family-friendly suites and activities making it an excellent choice for a memorable getaway with children.
In terms of romance, the hotel offers an idyllic setting with beautiful sunsets and a tranquil environment, making it perfect for couples and special occasions. While the beds receive mixed reviews, the overall comfort of the accommodations is generally notable.
Although the WiFi service presents some variability, Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa remains a highly recommended destination, combining the allure of nature with exceptional hospitality and service.
Boutique-style Hotel
Located in Uvita, Costa Ballena, this boutique hotel features a spa. The combination of comfortable accommodations and spa services ensures a relaxing and personalized experience for guests. Its location allows for easy exploration of the surrounding natural attractions.
Hotel with Infinity Pool
Offers an infinity pool with views of the ocean and surrounding landscape. Provides a relaxing and rejuvenating experience with spa services. The hotel is located in a quiet and peaceful area.
Hotel for Honeymoon
Located in Uvita, Costa Ballena, this boutique hotel and spa offers a romantic and relaxing getaway. The hotel is known for its beautiful views and tranquil environment, perfect for honeymooners seeking a peaceful retreat. Spa services are available for couples.
Hotel with Spa
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa provides a full-service spa with a massage chair, spa lounge/relaxation area, and spa facilities. The spa offers a range of beauty services including hair styling, hair coloring, haircuts, pedicures, manicures, waxing services, facial treatments, and massages. It also features a sauna and Turkish bath/hammam.
Family Friendly Hotel
This hotel is surrounded by tropical gardens and offers Mediterranean-style suites, an outdoor pool, and a poolside restaurant. It's also ideal for birdwatchers. A free shuttle to the beach is available, and the hotel has a private hiking trail, making it great for families who enjoy nature and outdoor activities.
Romantic Hotel
Located in Uvita, this boutique hotel offers a relaxing and intimate experience with spa services. The beautiful surroundings and luxurious amenities create a romantic atmosphere.
Hotel with Swimming Pool
Offers a large infinity pool with panoramic ocean views, providing a spacious and picturesque setting for guests to relax, swim, and overlook the Pacific coastline.
Infinity Pool Outdoor Pool
Business Hotel
This hotel offers meeting rooms and event spaces, which are suitable for business-related activities. It also features 21 guest rooms.
Hotel with Parking
This boutique hotel & spa has parking facilities. The hotel is known for offering relaxation and wellness services.
Accessible Hotel
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa is listed as being wheelchair accessible.
4-Star Hotel
This Mediterranean-style hotel offers suites with ocean views and a large pool surrounded by tropical gardens. Guests can enjoy the spa, free beach shuttle, and on-site dining. The hotel is praised for its friendly staff, excellent food, and beautiful location.
Hotel with Outdoor Pool
Located in Costa Ballena, this boutique hotel features an outdoor pool and spa services. Its proximity to the beach and natural attractions makes it a convenient and relaxing choice for travelers.
Guest Reviews
Nestled on a picturesque hillside, the Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa offers guests an exceptional location with breathtaking views of both the forest and the ocean. This hotel boasts a delightful tropical setting adorned with vibrant flowers and lush greenery, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers and bird watchers. The strategic positioning allows for superb views of the Ballena Coast, offering spectacular sunsets visible from both the rooms and the expansive pool area.
The hotel's proximity to local attractions is appealing, with easy access to the Marino Ballena National Park and the vibrant marine life it supports, as well as being a convenient starting point for exploring three sanctuaries: Marino-Ballena, Manuel Antonio Park, and Corcovado. Despite its quiet seclusion away from the bustle of the main road, the location remains accessible and close to amenities, providing quick routes to nearby beaches, diving spots, and small towns perfect for exploring waterfalls and local culture.
The hotel's atmosphere is enhanced by its elevated placement, providing unparalleled panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Guests frequently commend the friendly and attentive service, attributing the high standard to the hotel's Austrian ownership, which contributes to a superior level of hospitality. Whether lounging by the pool or enjoying the serene environment, visitors are treated to a unique blend of nature and luxury in this idyllic retreat.
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa provides its guests with a generally well-regarded breakfast experience that offers a delightful variety of choices. Many guests appreciated the ample selection and found the breakfast to be very satisfying and delicious, with typical regional flavors like the traditional Tico breakfast making a notable impression. The setting enhances the experience, as breakfast is served on a terrace with captivating views of the rainforest, adding a touch of natural tranquility to the meal. The presence of local fruits and traditional dishes were also highlighted as part of the excellent buffet options.
While the breakfast receives high marks for its overall quality and taste, some guests felt that it could benefit from more variety and better options at times. There were some mixed opinions on the choice and quality, with a few guests mentioning that the breakfast selection was sparse or lacked variety, and a couple found certain items, like pancakes, less enjoyable. Nevertheless, the attention from staff was noted as commendable, suggesting that requests were handled well to improve the dining experience.
The complimentary aspect of the breakfast seems to be appreciated, and for many, it was a satisfying start to the day with simple but filling options such as eggs, toast, and fruit. The presence of birds and wildlife adds an extra special touch to the morning routine. Overall, Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa offers a solid breakfast experience that complements the tranquil surroundings, even if there is room for improvement in expanding the variety further.
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa offers a dining experience that is generally well-received by guests, with frequent commendations focused on the excellent quality of food and service in the restaurant. The dinner at the hotel is often described as delicious, with guests appreciating the variety of vegetarian choices and the overall high quality. The restaurant provides a welcoming atmosphere, accentuated by a view of the sunset and quality service that includes table linens and cloth napkins, adding a touch of elegance to the dining experience. Many find the dinners to be worthy of a gourmet table, though there are mentions suggesting room for improvement, particularly concerning menu variety and pricing. Despite certain criticisms about cost and menu limitations, several guests have praised the 5-star quality meals and great service provided during their stay. Overall, the restaurant at Cristal Ballena serves as a delightful dining option, supplemented by other nearby dining establishments for those seeking diversity.
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa offers spacious and comfortable rooms that consistently deliver impressive views of the coast, garden, and Pacific Ocean. Guests enjoy the large balconies that often accompany the accommodations, providing a perfect vantage point for the serene surroundings. The rooms are praised for their cleanliness, with many featuring comfortable beds and decent storage options. The size of the rooms is frequently highlighted, accommodating guests with plenty of space, making them suitable for families and groups. Despite some feedback suggesting that the decor and amenities could benefit from a refresh, the overall atmosphere remains inviting and well-maintained. Balconies offer additional tranquility, perfect for relaxation while soaking in the breathtaking ocean vistas.
The beds at Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa receive mixed reviews from guests. Many appreciate the comfort and size of the beds, with some describing them as very comfortable or large. The provision of mosquito nets adds to the charm and practicality of the sleeping arrangements. However, others note that the beds are on the harder side and could be more comfortable, with some guests experiencing discomfort due to older, squeaky mattresses that need replacing. Although some find the bedding satisfactory, there is room for improvement in terms of ensuring more consistently comfortable sleep. Overall, while the spacious rooms and serene environment contribute positively, the beds themselves leave varied impressions.
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa is consistently praised for its cleanliness, reflecting a strong attention to detail throughout its premises. Guests commend the hotel for its clean and comfortable accommodations, where rooms are often described as spotlessly clean, nicely designed, and well-arranged. The pool garners appreciation for its pristine condition, alongside the overall well-maintained facilities. The property itself is noted for making excellent use of the natural landscape, creating a tranquil and serene environment enhanced by its general tidiness. Visitors highlight the cleanliness across all aspects of the hotel, from the rooms to the grounds, which are well-kept and beautiful. Emphasis on cleanliness is evident, supported by attentive staff and the use of new, comfy furnishings and linens. Despite occasional mentions of rooms requiring more thorough cleaning upon arrival, the overall impression is one of meticulous care. The hotel's dedication to maintaining high standards of cleanliness contributes significantly to the peaceful and comfortable experience it offers its guests, set against a backdrop rich in natural beauty and wildlife.
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa is renowned for its outstanding staff, who make guests feel welcomed and cherished throughout their stay. The team at the hotel, across all departments from reception to housekeeping to the restaurant, consistently delivers an exceptional level of service. Universally praised for being friendly, attentive, and helpful, they are described as professional and gracious in their dealings with guests. The restaurant staff, in particular, receives high marks for their vigilance and accommodating nature, alongside their warm and engaging interactions. Even the owners add a personal touch, frequently being noted for their friendliness and willingness to engage with guests, making them feel right at home.
The overall service is exceptional, characterized by a combination of competence, efficiency, and genuine friendliness. Guests often comment on the staff's ability to provide not only excellent service but also carry themselves with a personable charm that makes visitors feel as if they are among old friends. The management and team appear to work harmoniously, contributing to the hotel's welcoming atmosphere. The staff's ability to make every guest feel special and cared for is a hallmark of the hotel's hospitality, underpinning the positive experiences shared by many who visit this beautiful location.
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa offers a mixed experience regarding its WiFi service. While some guests noted that the WiFi is top-notch, others have encountered issues, citing that it is not very powerful and can be unstable, with frequent disconnections. There are reported problems with the service not working 100% all the time, which suggests some room for improvement. At times, there have been disruptions due to external factors, such as electricity outages. Despite these challenges, the WiFi service does function and serves its purpose, though it may not meet high standards consistently.
Nestled in a beautiful setting, Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa boasts an exceptional pool experience that consistently delights guests. The pool is enormous, impeccably clean, and designed to accommodate all ages and abilities, making it a haven for relaxation. Set amidst stunning surroundings, the pool offers sweeping and spectacular views of the ocean, which are particularly breathtaking during sunset. Guests frequently highlight the pool's warmth and perfect temperature, making it an ideal spot to unwind after a long day. The pool area is well-maintained and complemented by additional amenities like a spa, massage services, and a bar, further enhancing the overall experience. Whether it's enjoying the sunset or simply savoring the tranquility, this pool is a key feature that leaves a memorable impression on visitors.
Nestled in a stunning location with beautifully landscaped gardens, Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa offers an exceptional experience for families seeking a memorable getaway. The hotel provides a family-friendly atmosphere, including a spacious pool and accommodations that cater perfectly to families, such as comfortable family suites ideal for a family of four. Kids can freely explore the safe surroundings, engaging with the area's natural wildlife, thanks to the attentive staff who go the extra mile to point out creatures like frogs and sloths. The welcoming environment and friendly staff contribute to an outstanding experience that leaves families feeling well cared for. With its emphasis on comfort and fun activities for children, Cristal Ballena stands out as one of the top family-friendly destinations in the region, making it a highly recommended choice for those traveling with little ones.
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa offers a romantic escape characterized by sensational sunsets and beautiful views. The tranquility of the surroundings, enhanced by the presence of thousands of birds and the sounds of wildlife, makes it an idyllic retreat. The hotel, surrounded by nature, provides an amazing backdrop, ideal for sunset watching. Perfect for couples and travelers seeking relaxation, this charming and romantic hotel can be a great choice for special occasions like wedding anniversaries. Guests express pleasant surprise at the hotel's ambiance, which adds to its appeal as a romantic destination.
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Location
The hotel's proximity to local attractions is appealing, with easy access to the Marino Ballena National Park and the vibrant marine life it supports, as well as being a convenient starting point for exploring three sanctuaries: Marino-Ballena, Manuel Antonio Park, and Corcovado. Despite its quiet seclusion away from the bustle of the main road, the location remains accessible and close to amenities, providing quick routes to nearby beaches, diving spots, and small towns perfect for exploring waterfalls and local culture.
The hotel's atmosphere is enhanced by its elevated placement, providing unparalleled panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Guests frequently commend the friendly and attentive service, attributing the high standard to the hotel's Austrian ownership, which contributes to a superior level of hospitality. Whether lounging by the pool or enjoying the serene environment, visitors are treated to a unique blend of nature and luxury in this idyllic retreat.
Breakfast
While the breakfast receives high marks for its overall quality and taste, some guests felt that it could benefit from more variety and better options at times. There were some mixed opinions on the choice and quality, with a few guests mentioning that the breakfast selection was sparse or lacked variety, and a couple found certain items, like pancakes, less enjoyable. Nevertheless, the attention from staff was noted as commendable, suggesting that requests were handled well to improve the dining experience.
The complimentary aspect of the breakfast seems to be appreciated, and for many, it was a satisfying start to the day with simple but filling options such as eggs, toast, and fruit. The presence of birds and wildlife adds an extra special touch to the morning routine. Overall, Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa offers a solid breakfast experience that complements the tranquil surroundings, even if there is room for improvement in expanding the variety further.
Dinner
Rooms
Beds
Cleanliness
Staff
The overall service is exceptional, characterized by a combination of competence, efficiency, and genuine friendliness. Guests often comment on the staff's ability to provide not only excellent service but also carry themselves with a personable charm that makes visitors feel as if they are among old friends. The management and team appear to work harmoniously, contributing to the hotel's welcoming atmosphere. The staff's ability to make every guest feel special and cared for is a hallmark of the hotel's hospitality, underpinning the positive experiences shared by many who visit this beautiful location.
Wi-Fi
Pool
Family
Romantic
Yes, Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Infinity Pool, Outdoor Pool.
Yes, a spa is available at Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa.
No, Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa.
No, Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa doesn't have a gym.
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