No controller for the TV and bad shuttle service but overall good

Villas Playa Samara is a lovely property situated on a small bay with a large, rocky island offshore. Beautiful views and sunsets! Our rooms were very clean and well-maintained by housekeeping during our stay. However, we did have some problems with the plumbing -- stopped-up toilets and showers that had very little pressure. These were corrected, but it was a bit frustrating. The villas are roomy and comfortable but a bit outdated. The staff in general was extremely friendly and helpful. Only the front desk attendants were a bit testy when we brought our complaints to them regarding our bathrooms. We also had a lot of problems checking in due to the computer system being down. We were switched from room to room before they figured it all out. And one of our four rooms was NOT the junior suite that we had booked, but a smaller room. We didn't get a good explanation as to why this couldn't be corrected. The pool is beautiful and the beach is quite nice, but they don't seem to have enough towels. We often were told that they are in the dryer and more will be available in 30 minutes. There's not much assistance available for booking activities or tours. We eventually found a boat/snorkeling tour on-line that actually left from the beach right next to the property. It turned out to be great fun. But there's no concierge able to assist guests with activities off-property. We were there over New Year's Eve and they threw a fantastic party for everyone!!

The hotel staff was very friendly, but the property description is not realistic. This was an all inclusive stay and the food and restaurant area outside is not up to par, the NYE dinner was much better but still lacking. The hotel is outdated needs many upgrades and the food was TERRIBLE - not worth the money.

Great time etc.

Huge swimming pool with swim up bar is amazing. Buffet meals are excellent. BUT rooms are tired and need updating. ALSO there are no real 2 bedroom units. Instead they are one bedroom units with 2 beds = Big difference!

Bad service at check-in. Staff was silk - risk to contaminate guests. Not hot water in the room and moisture in the room. Only one buffet with a minimum of product offer as food service. Terrible hotel! Young and Weak staff and no manager to speak avalaible...

The website was completely misleading, but after accepting what they actually had to offer it is a nice resort and we had a great time. The website said the rooms would have sofas, they did not, and it said that there are 2 restaurants, there was 1 and it was buffet only. On multiple days housekeeping left us short on towels. That aside, the food was good, the rooms were clean and the air conditioner worked well to keep our room cool and dry, the pool was clean, the staff were wonderful (especially the servers and bartenders), the grounds were well maintained, and the beach was amazing. They need to update their website so people realistically know what to expect.

Excellent

Due to a mix up we stayed at Azura but the staff was extremely friendly and helpful and went out of their way to ensure we had a good trip. The food was excellent and we had different options each night! Overall a great experience

The resort was fine and the people were nice but the food is the worst we've ever had at an all-inclusive. We all got so sick, not sure if it was the food or water. The food was never really hot. They made omelets in the morning and used so much Pam cooking spray. The rice and pasta was never fully cooked. Breakfast was supposed to be at 7am but they were never ready and it took forever to get coffee.

Wonderful location with easy access to beautiful beach. Property is very nice and rooms are nice--although they could stand a few minor "extras". Pool is very nice. Food needed improvement--limited choices, not great quality although pineapple and watermelon was abundant and delicious.

We would not stay here again. Check in took forever and the staff was getting complaints right and left. This is not an all inclusive as advertised. No coffee or coffee maker in room. No phone. No drink glasses. Nothing in minifridge. If you wanted a bottle of water you had to buy it at the gift shop. Buffet was terrible and dirty dishes everywhere. One of the guests even started bussing tables to try and help out the staff I guess. Alcohol for mixed drinks was the cheapest, in plastic bottles… liquor we had never heard of… Just an overall disgusting environment with less than friendly staff. Shame on this hotel.

Very misleading and incorrect information in the description on their website. They reuse dirty glass cups and plastic cups for drinks at both bars. Only one buffet style restaurant that was very unsatisfying. The property reeks of sewer. The staff were friendly, but slow with their service. The gift shop was incredibly overpriced. Overall, just not a place I would recommend to spend a vacation.

Resort is right by the beach yes - but so limited only 1 restaurant/buffet for every meal. Wet bar wasn’t open majority of the day. No in house entertainment as much. And our rooms had no telephone to call front desk or for support. And 1 pool

Bad experience, avoid if you can. Definitely not 4 star, the hotel is not maintained, rooms are smelly, light not working, clotted sink, dripping water as shower. The entrance picture is very nice but all for the new facility being developed next door, the villa playa Samara is let with poor maintenance, cheap foods and cocktails “all inclusive”, almost empty buffet, garden not maintained, feels like a let down facility. The beach and view is very nice which makes the experience even more disappointing. This might have been a nice spot some time ago but let to decline, I’m surprised it is offered by Air Canada, it must leave a feeling of being trapped in a location not worth $500 to $600 and feeling to be ripped-off. We could leverage our stay by going out to other places but it was not the plan for all inclusive villa.

Clean property and nice beach access.

This is not a 4 star as they advertise The place is run down They have many of the rooms and villas assigned to full times residences for staff and construction workers Some rooms had been previously renovated but done poorly and it’s already breaking down and not cleaned well We got moved from our room and our new room was in a better location but the door lock was broken and bathroom was dirty They have rocks under the sink for earthy design but it had lots of hair from previous guest in it. We were so disappointed and would have preferred a refund and to stay somewhere else It took all day to get approval to move rooms and since are stay was short we wanted to just leave The buffet for the all inclusive had 6 options in total and a small salad bar, No other food areas It’s really the worst all inclusive I’ve ever seen Maybe a 2.5 star at best The staff were really nice Guest were unhappy and they were apologizing a lot but not their fault Bad management/ownership All I can say to anyone who has a reservation try to get a refund You will be so disappointed

Una experiencia sobre nuestras expectativas, especialmente en relación al servicio al huesped, extraordinaria disposición de quien pensamos era la manager y resultó ser la propietaria, con razón ese nivel de servicio lo replican felizmente los empleados, quedamos mas de satisfechos y agradecidos por todas las atenciones de la Sra. Faride Cano, Fressia, Mario, etc... Felicitaciones por la pasión y compromiso que ponen a su trabajo!

Beautiful location on the beach. A long 5-hour drive from the San Jose Airport.

This property is very dated. A lot of the units had furniture stacked inside them as though it was being stored. And I think more employees lived there than guests were there. A coffee maker in the room, but no coffee to make a pot. Fridge in the room was an added bonus, but is in need of cleaning and deicing. Pool bar and gym were closed. No bar to hangout in, one restaurant with the same food every day, but inconsistent on how it was prepared, towels and sheets were very worn, holes in our sheets and some of our towels had strings hanging off of them. The staff were very nice and the location was great, but the resort is in desperate need of updating. The second property is an adults only one, but looked busier and seemed to have better amenities. I love the country of Costa Rica and will return, just not to this property. Not sure if this property was closed for a long time due to COVID, but it sure does need some updating. Over all it was a pleasant experience, but not a 5 star one!