I did have an excellent week, the resort was great, and the excursions were awesome! But... There were a few points that would make me double think a return visit or for me to do longer than 8 days.

Weekends:
Weekends are very busy as the locals arrive for their weekend excursion. This makes it extremely difficult to get service at bars and nevermind getting a table or food at the buffet. During a mesl when I went back up to the buffet my table was taken by the local family I was sitting beside. They had 2 other people join them and took my table. This was very unimpressive and I had to search myself for another table so I could finish my meal. During this time that the locals are there the quality of cleanliness in the public areas drop considerably. Also note because they speak the language they do get preferential treatment. You will be served last. Thanks to Edwin at the pool bar. He always looked after our group with attentiveness, friendliness and care. Great customer service with Edwin.

Dining area:
I only travel 4-5 star hotels and never had this happen. During my 8 day stay I was seated only once. The wait staff do not look after your table - if you get up to go to the buffet you are on your own. As previously mentioned I lost my table.
And I need to mention that English is not known by most staff. Staff barely understand english so it is hard to communicate. The a la carte restaurants are not a la carte - at least not according to what I am used too. With the exception of the steak house it is still buffet.
The food was the same day after day thus the reason why I would not be able to do in excess of 8 days. Also, black flys at the lunch buffet were out of control.

Rooms:
The rooms are spotless and well maintained. I called for extra pillows and a mattress top and it was sent immediately. No complaints at all.

Front desk:
No complaints at all they are very attentive and speak great English. No complaints at all.

Resort:
Basically everything is new and very well maintained. The grounds crew are awesome and it looks like a 5 star resort. Pool area kept clean and water sparkling. No complaints at all.

Excursions:
I would definitely do excursions from the tour company on the beach they are cheaper and better than this at front desk area. Costs Rica is a very safe place and there is so much to do! Sergio can help you book a tour as he is from the amazing tours company. Great guy!

That is my review all in all and I hope it helps!

Hotel was very basic compared to other Riu's that we have stayed at. There was only multi body wash missed the body lotion, conditioners etc. At the buffet in other Riu's they seated us and assisted with carrying your plates etc. Even Managers didn't assist and often stood in your way while trying to find a table. The servers were great at providing the basic service - there were no smiles or small talk just kept their heads down and did the best job they knew how. Unfortunately, our trip was during red tide and the smell on the beach was terrible. We enjoyed Costa Rica the weather and our selected tours were great.

Hotel was nice, clean, great service. Food in Buffet was great. Italian restaurant was good. Asian-not so good. if you go to the SteakHouse, they don't tell you but you can order Filet Mignon. Check before you go because the Ocean Beach when we went in April/2012 had Red Tide so you could not go in the water and it smells really bad and kills all the fish.

Good experience. The hotel was extremely clean and the food was good. I found the drinks were watered down and the wine was poor. I also would have liked to be able to get an expresso in the dining room which was not available. We had red tide while we were there so swimming at the beach was not possible.

This hotel is located on a private beach. You can walk miles and not find another. The sand at the resort is black and a nice scenic walk will take you to a beutiful coral beach. The food here is amazing. The cleaning staff is always busy. There are many excursions available as close as 10 minutes away. I highly recommend traveling inland to the mountains and rainforest. Costa Rica is a beautiful country and the people are just lovely.

Bel endroit, c'était une première pour nous au Costa Rica. Les chambres sont bien, il y a un peu de petites fourmis à la salle de bain. Les repas sont très bien, vous pouvez même sauter les restos à la carte et ne manger qu'au buffet. Il serve des très bons poissons tels que; red snaper, dorade, marlin, vraiment très bon.
La piscine est bien, vous devez réserver très tôt pour les chaises, car il y a beaucoup de monde ( beaucoup de locaux). À partir de 15h00, les animateurs font de l'animation au bord de la piscine. Pour ce qui est de la plage, pendant notre séjour la mer était "red tag" une sorte d'algue qui attaque le système nerveux des poissons , ce qui les faits nourrir , mais ne vous inquiétez pas cela ne dure pas et quand l'eau est belle tout est . Une expérience trippante, faites du boogie surf à la plage, ça ne coûte rien, il prête les planches à la plage.
Les excursions coûtent chers mais vaut la peine, surtout adrénaline combo ( cheval, tyrolienne, bain thermale et boue)
Nous y retournerons c'est sûr, mais un peu plus vers le sud . Sommes toutes c'est un bien bel endroit. Suggestion, vous devriez lire sur le Costa Rica , il y a tellement de choses à voir. Ah oui j'oubliais, on voit des singes, pas a la tonne mais ily en a. Les oiseaux comme ceux de chez-nous, mais en excursions ( env 1h30 de route) vous pourrez en voir.
Bon voyage
Brigitte

I was surprised that no one previously commented about the mountain fires or the dead fish on the beach due to the red tide.

However the food was good, staff are friendly and hard working and the grounds are beautiful.

Beautiful grounds , well kept and clean. No wine available for purchase just wine on tap. Buffet resturant had lots of variety but platters left empty.

Overall a generally enjoyable holiday. Maintenance staff constantly working to keep the grounds clean and trim. Staff largely pleasant and accomodating.

Costa Rica really is beautiful. We had a great vacation and highly recommend one of the excursions to enjoy its diversity. People are great. Food was fantastic. Beach was not well attended and water was experiencing Red Tide.

Clean and comfortable hotel.
Good food and a great selection. Asia al la carte restuarant is buffet and the Italian al la carte is partially buffet the Steak House is truly al la carte. Nice staff.
The beach is awful. Rough and smelly with dead fish scattered on the shore.

beautiful compound and quiet location.very relaxing for me just looking out from the hotel balcony-better and easier than meditation.I was surprised to find that the patrons could get breakfast as early as 45 mins before the official breakfast hours although not all hot foods are ready. This is great for us going on early morning excursions. We could get more bottled water at the front desk for excursions or whatever.

hotel:
tres bel hotel et tres propres
chambres: tres comfortable
restaurant: la nourritures etait tres bonnes; beaucoup de varietes.
restaurant asiatique etait le plus decevant puisque ce n'etait pas a la carte mais plutot un buffet theme.
autre deception, c'est qu'on n'offrait aucun vin a la carte(vin maison n'etait pas tres bon!)
plage:
differente d'une plage des caraibe mais quand meme tres belle. la seule deception, est que nous etions dans une periode de "red tide" ce qui apporte de mauvaise audeur, poissons morts et aussi peut entrainer la fermeture de la plage.

We will go back to Costa Rica but don't think we would go back to Riu Guanacaste.

We were disappointed that we given a room facing the construction, and we had no way of privacy with workers all day facing our way until about 7 p.m. The food was always cold and no variety. Wine is terrible, water is from the tap. Service does not exist, we had to get our wine/and drinks from the bar, and the beach is dirty with a lot of dead fish all over, making hard to walk or swim. Would not go back.

Overall great vacation

This resort is very clean,grounds are beautiful,pool area has lots of lounges,towels and shade,as it was very hot but breezy.Wonderful! Staff were all very friendly and accommodating.This was our second visit to this resort and more improvements have been made since the first year it opened.Beach area is being improved.Bars and restaurants are well laid out and again all staff were wonderful!

RIU GUANACASTE

We got more than expected. Treated like royalties!

Many worthwhile excursions to choose from!

We have been to this hotel on three
previous occasions and would go back.
The road in has been paved all the way from the main road so much faster access.
This hotel has very helpful and friendly
staff.

Perfect holidays, excellent cleanliness of the hotel facilities, swimming pools and hotel room, excellent service at restaurants.All inclusive, great variety of food, excellent quality.
Pleasant peoples, always smiling, every trip well organized. We enjoy especially our trips with Chris! Without his comments all trips will not be fun. He call us "my family" and we feel like one. He told us about Costarica, people, and nature much more than any written guide we have with us. Great evening Shows, very good ballet! Weather was warm, but windy, Pacific ocean was cold. Swimming pools large, not crowded,if you are not ocean swimmer, you do not miss anything! Beach was clean,great walk in the morning - we have seen turtles hatching! Feeling safe, security patrolling during night. Internet free connection at the lobby. Great vacation. It was our second experience with Riu chain hotels, and we are looking forward to go to another Riu location.

Very nice resort, maybe a little big. Not fun having to get up early to reserve your chairs by the pool. Should have more umbrellas for shade.

5 star all the way!! Staff was awesome everywhere,great service,always friendly. They go out of their way to serve you. Hotel super clean and food was great!!

Everything about this hotel was great. Friendly staff, great food, good service and the hotel was extremely clean.

The staff were very friendly and helpful and fun. The hotel was very clean, they did a beautiful job with our room every day. The boggie boarding was fun to do at the resort. The excursions were great with Swiss travel, especially the boat ride to see the wild life. The food was very good and plenty of choices, the juice was a little watery but the fruit was amazing. A true five star resort, I would go back in a heart beat.

Overall stay was very pleasant. Staff was generally friendly and competent. Food selection was surprisingly broad. Bring sandals - the beach and pool deck get too hot to walk on. Construction and nesting birds make some rooms quite noisy from 06:00 in the morning. We had an elevator fail while we were in it (next to the one that was broken the whole time). We will return.

If you are looking for a beautiful resort with great service this is the place to go. The grounds and pool area are amazing. A la carte restaurants...not so much, but the buffet has so much variety eating there every night is not a problem.

Very nice resort, very clean , good food, nice pool

Careful! A "superior" room is just a standard room with a garden view. Rooms on the right side hover over the entertainment, and it's very loud at night. Rooms on the mountain side are quieter, you get to see the monkeys. A la carte restaurants are also buffet style. Wine is undrinkable, bring your own if you love your wine. There's a scam on the telephone in the sports bar. I informed the hotel last year, but they didn't do anything. Anyone who uses a credit card to make any call will be charged minimum $50, even for 1 minute call.

Hotel personnel very friendly and helpful. The landscaping unbelieveable...so pretty,drinks two thumbs up any thing you wanted.Rooms very clean...nice decor...cleaning staff the best. Food excellent gained 4 pounds...can"t wait for the palace next door to open...The Riu also repected wildlife ie seaturtles and monkeys and promote their livelyhood

very clean bathrooms, but the alcohol is water down.