Papagayo Golden Palms, Gulf of Papagayo

Pros

• The hotel is at the southern end of Playa Panamá, tucked into a large cove with direct beach access and a secluded feel.
• The on-site restaurant is a bit of a hit, with unique offerings to connect guests with the flavors of Costa Rica, plus an original experience with "interactive cocktails."
• Every room has its own patio, so you can enjoy private outdoor space and fresh Costa Rican ocean air. 
• Enjoy relaxing at the beachside firepits or in one of the hammocks, or stroll around the grounds, stopping at the small river to spot wildlife.

Cons

• The hotel has a good location for those wanting a little peace and quiet, but as a tradeoff, you won't be close to other restaurants or the downtown area.
• There's no gym available on-site. 
• The adjacent beach is a bit rocky and less groomed than other sandy, resort-style beaches. 

Additional Notes From Brittany

From the exterior, Papagayo Golden Palms seems like a pretty standard beachfront hotel with yellow cement buildings and terracotta-clay tile roofs. But after exploring, there's a lot to love. The restaurant serves tasty culinary creations that reflect the unique gastronomy of Costa Rica, and the hotel staff is more than happy to divulge the history and culture of their country. I noticed that travelers seemed to love relaxing in hammocks under the shade of palm trees, and the quiet location at the end of the beach gave off a serene vibe. This property is definitely a hidden gem!

Authenticity

The friendly hotel staff greets you with a towel and welcome drink, explaining how the beverage's ingredients relate to Costa Rica. This moment sets you up for the rest of your time here, as the property focuses on the guest experience, health, and wellness. The location enhances this prioritization, as you'll be in a quieter and more secluded area of Playa Panamá, and a small river runs along the property, creating a peaceful sound and attracting area wildlife.

Location

If you want a more remote location, Papagayo Golden Palms provides it! You'll follow a fairly long dirt road to reach the hotel, meaning you're pretty far from anything else. Exploring the area, getting to the downtown area of Playa Panamá, or eating at offsite restaurants will require a rental car, private transfer, or taxi. In return, you're closer to some other beaches in Papagayo, including Playa Bonita and Playa Buena, which are less than a 15-minute walk away. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

To keep those quiet, wellness vibes, you'll only find 36 units at Papagayo Golden Palms. There are six buildings spread across the grounds, each housing six rooms. You'll have your choice of Garden, Family, and Forest "suites," all providing air-conditioning, minifridges, and private terraces. Family rooms have double beds, while garden and forest options have one king bed and a sofa bed. 

Wildlife

The hotel is surrounded by 10 acres of lush tropical forest, which combined with the rural location, creates plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities. Previous travelers have spotted howler monkeys, iguanas, macaws, and other native birds, with the pool being one of the best spots to relax and watch the wildlife. 

Amenities

The hotel has a large communal pool on the central terrace, with a small heated plunge pool that's centrally set into the larger pool. Recently added, the Golden Palms Spa offers massages and beauty treatments, which you can enjoy outside or in the privacy of your rooms. Travelers with limited mobility can easily get around on the paved walkways, and all of the rooms are accessible from the ground floor, with most rooms featuring roll-in showers. 

Family-Friendliness

Families have enjoyed their stays here, with previous travelers citing the pool and beach proximity as some of their favorite features for keeping your kids entertained. Children ages up to the age of four stay for free, but there's a small extra fee for ages 5-12, and those older than 13 are billed as adults. Families will want to book one of the Family Suites as they offer extra beds. 

Other Highlights

A highlight is definitely the open-air lobby with a restaurant attached, which features al fresco dining and a recently revamped menu to showcase unique Costa Rican flavors. At dinner, the restaurant serves "interactive cocktails," which is worth the experience. The beach is equipped with hammocks and firepits that you're welcome to use. There are also swimming, hiking, and horseback riding activities offered on-site. Stay tuned for renovation updates, as the property has plans to offer brunch on the beach. 

Sustainability

The property's garden, filled with endemic foliage, is designed to support the native butterfly population, and they seem to be everywhere! The hotel also practices sustainability by reusing and recycling water for the gardens, hosting an elaborate recycling system, and prioritizing local ingredients for the restaurant.