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Reviews of Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa 4 stars

Uvita, Costa Ballena, 85-1000 San Jos Uvita, Costa Rica

#16 of 50 hotels in Uvita

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 150 hotel reviews

9.0

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.3

  • Comfort

    9.3

  • Location

    9.2

  • Facilities

    9.1

  • Staff

    9.5

  • Value for money

    8.5

  • Free WiFi

    9.0

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 28 May 2024

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Noise from A/C on balcony. Price of drinks

    Beautiful location and lovely clean rooms. Great to sit and watch sun go down and bird watch. Lovely x

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 2 May 2024

    10
    What a great place!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Food was awesome, drinks were awesome, staff was awesome, and views were awesome!

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 25 April 2024

    10
    beautiful beyond what I expected
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    the actual food at the restaurant wasn't the best -- I would suggest the staff cut down on the menu size and prioritise quality over quantity of options. Having a one page menu with ~5 main course options that are refined, fresh, and focused is always better than 10 pages of 30+ options that will be poorer in quality.

    beautiful views, total tranquility, architecture is lovely, big pool with beautiful views, large breakfast buffet selection, nice to have a restaurant and bar on site, wait staff was very vigilant and accommodating, beautiful big rooms with great A/C

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 25 April 2024

    10
    Excellent stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    N/A

    Everything was excellent: value for money, view from the room (forest, toucans, many birds), pool, restaurant, etc.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 20 April 2024

    10
    Excellent hotel. Works well for couples and families.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Expand vegetarian options at the restaurant. .

    This is a great hotel. Rooms are large and well appointed. The pool is exceptional (very large with many special features). The location is close to a number of National Park Beaches. Restaurant was very good for the few meals we ate there. My favorite feature for this hotel was the exceptional Nature Trail they carved into the jungle. The trail is about a mile long and is very well done. Gives you a close up look at the jungle with minimal effort.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 19 April 2024

    10
    Astounding views, comfortable bedrooms, lovely outside spaces and unforgettable sunsets.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 6 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    No complaints at all. If the pool is too warm you can’t really get too upset. Can you!

    Amazing views of the ocean and the grounds overlook the forest. Close to nature with all manner of bird life… stunning. Everything was very clean, the staff were fabulous. The owners stay here and they are very friendly. I would highly recommend a stay.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 18 April 2024

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The hotel is owned by an Austrian family, this is the reason why the service is better than elsewhere, we had dinner, was a bit pricy but good, breakfast was also okay. The rooms would need to be refurbished, but they are clean and overall we felt comfortable. You can see many birds early in the morning, Tucan etc. The garden ist beautiful.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 7 April 2024

    9.0
    A charming hotel with pool in a beautiful setting.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Beds a little hard, could feel mattress springs.

    Beautiful location, calm relaxing environment. Great pool. Friendly helpful staff and incredible wildlife.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 7 April 2024

    9.0
    We had a very good time and give a big thumbs up to the staff, always friendly and cheerful. Muchas gracias 🙏
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Beautiful landscaping, fantastic views, wonderful staff, great pool area and spacious room and balcony.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 7 April 2024

    10
    Dream hitel overlooking the ocean with the biggest pool the tastiest food and cocktails and a rare family vibe.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Suite
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing. Totally stunning.

    This was the most amazing hotel I have ever stayed in. Photos don’t do it justice. It is utterly beautiful and unique. Small family business and owners on site. Very laid back but highest quality service. Had the best massage there. Kids enjoyed it too. Family suite perfect and we had room 1 which is the only one with an outdoor terrace. Vegetarian food was plenty and lush. Cannot rate this highly enough.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 5 April 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 2 nights

    everything was fantastic

    Amazing views from the rooms and pool area, beautiful sunsents, toucans :) This hotel is a magic place. Great breakfast, pool area and gardens. The best hotel we stayed during our 3 weeks trip to Costa Rica.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 16 March 2024

    10
    Would recommend to anyone looking to stay overnight in this area
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 1 night

    Exceptionally large swimming pool Room had patio with beautiful vista Excellent dinner outside on patio

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 6 March 2024

    9.0
    Perfect two nights to end our time in CR!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The air conditioning was turned off in the room when we arrived so it was very hot. Luckily, it worked very well and cooled off quickly.

    Beautiful tropical setting with lots of flowers and trees, and a beautiful pool with outstanding view of the sunset. The room was huge and comfortable. The restaurant was both convenient and top notch. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. We loved it here!!

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 25 February 2024

    10
    A perfect stay
    • Family with young children
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    It's a hidden gem. We regretted to have only stayed two nights. The view is amazing, there are tucans flying around in close proximity, the pool is large and there were only few other guests. The food is delicious, too, and the owners are very approachable. Waiters are very friendly and it's quite close to the Marino Ballena National Park. Book it, you won't regret it.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 22 February 2024

    9.0
    What a beautiful view!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Reception is not open from 8pm to morning. We had some neighbours that have been very noisy after 8 pm and no one could help us answering to our calls. The night guardian should keep a phone to answer in case of need.

    The Property is very beautiful! The room are comfortable, the swimming pool amazing, and the restaurant very good. People working at the restaurant and adorable and it was a pleasure. The garden is fantastic with many birds and toucans flying around.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 20 February 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Master Suite
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Room view pool wild life staff all wonderful food excellent

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 13 February 2024

    9.0
    4 relaxing days
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Needed own transport to get into Uvita or expensive taxi

    Lovely room with large balcony. Restaurant was excellent with plenty of vegetarian choices and fair prices. Lovely pool

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 13 February 2024

    9.0
    Great hotel and great staff
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    There isn’t anything specific I can say that would be negative

    Fantastic place to stay. Comfy rooms with a great view and brilliant pool. Staff really helpful and friendly

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 8 February 2024

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Great setting, but you need a car (or taxi) to get anywhere. Staff were amazing; helpful and always friendly: made us feel at home! Loved the birds: toucans morning and evening, and the biggest pool we've seen in Costa Rica. Restaurant was good and plenty of choice over 3 evenings.A well established hotel .

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 1 February 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Master Suite
    • Stayed 2 nights

    We travel to Uvita every two months as we are building a house there. We only stay at the hotel. The staff and facilities, its all perfect!

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: 30 January 2024

    9.0
    On arrival thought we’d arrived in Paradise, great wildlife
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Road leading up to the property is dreadful If you gave a room overlooking restaurant /pool there us a very noisy generator

    Setting, location and staff

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: 29 January 2024

    10
    Beautiful place, wonderful staff , delicious food!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Suite
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    It was beautiful!

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: 27 January 2024

    10
    Hard to leave this beautiful oasis in the jungle!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Beautiful property! Loved all the birds in the early evening and at sunset. Happy hour was a beautiful time of the day.

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: 21 January 2024

    10
    Tranquility & Style
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Junior Suite
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Gorgeous property. Gorgeous location! And ALL of the staff made you feel like a Princess!

    Stayed in January 2024

Showing 1 – 25

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