Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort in Costa Rica

Built on a thousand-plus acres, everything about Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort is expansive. The green grounds, the unique rainforest golf course, the twisting swimming pool, and the colonial style lobby, are all oversized and grand. And an on-site casino adds to evening action. The property contains 200 guest rooms, and even at full capacity one wonders where all the other guests are.

Guest Rooms at Los Sueños Marriott:

The resort's Spanish Colonial styling extends to its guest rooms. Rooms are bright and clean. Standard rooms have a writing desk with marble inlay, a chair with hassock, a flatscreen TV with a few English-language channels, and a king-size bed with curved dark wood headboard. All the extra pillows feel decadent. Rooms are air-conditioned and well sealed so the Costa Rican heat is no issue. There’s also a ceiling fan and plenty of closet space, with a digital safe inside. Bathrooms have a single large mirror framed in dark wood, a granite counter top with a single basin sink, and a not-very-deep bathtub.

This Marriott is run as an a la carte/all-inclusive hybrid. Various levels of “inclusivity” are available, depending on the level of Marriott rewards guests apply or their price range. Although room rates are reasonable, restaurants here are expensive. Meals and poolside drinks can add up quickly. To stretch the budget, look for the best deal you can find. A good package can make more than a thousand-dollar difference in a one-week stay. Note: Some alcohol brands are included, while others are not. Sometimes room service is included, other times not. No matter the package, guests are required to sign a receipt for each order, which some find antithetical to the all-inclusive experience.

La Vista is the hotel's primary eatery. The main room is air conditioned, or sit on the outdoor patio overlooking the pool. Food runs the gamut from Chinese stir-fry to pizza for the kids, and there’s not much local flavor on the menu. If meals are a part of your all-inclusive package, you won’t be bored by the offerings. If not, head into Jaco or Herradura nearby to sample more authentic and more affordable fare. The Marriott's Nuevo Latino is a slightly dressier and more expensive restaurant that serves dinner only. Puesta del Sol is an indoor/outdoor bar and lounge at lobby level. Arrecife is an in-pool bar.

The main activities at Los Sueños are golf, spa and swimming in the pool. For other adventures, guests must leave the hotel and the neighborhood, and those activities e.g. hiking, zip lining and water sports are not included in any package, though the hotel will help arrange adventures. Many are easy to find and are close by.

The pool is a large, twisting and bending affair. Even with hundreds of guests here, two can feel nearly alone in certain areas. Lounges and umbrellas are provided, and servers are ubiquitous. Chaises and hammocks are planted on the lawn that leads to Pacific Bay. Some pool activities, like water aerobics and volleyball games, are offered.

The beach is beyond a row of hedges a few dozen yards from the pool. The water of the Pacific Bay is warm, clean and calm. There are no ocean-grade waves. The beach itself is rocky and not that pretty. The hotel does not put chairs out on the beach, but guests do walk over for a stroll or a swim.

Elements of nature accent Sibo Spa. For example, its white-and-black pebble tiling references the volcanic sands of the coast; lighting fixtures evolve from cocoon shape to caterpillar shape and ultimately to a glass wall of butterflies. Various types of massages, facials and water treatments are offered, and any entitle the guest to a day pass at the spa and retreat’s other offerings, including the workout room, steam room, sauna and outdoor Jacuzzi facing the jungle. Couples massages are done in a private room and the experience continues with an outdoor Jacuzzi in a small garden made private by tall hedges. Couples may enjoy the space for one hour after treatment.

La Iguana is the only golf course in the world built in a rain forest. Greens and fairways of the first 9 holes are surrounded by primordial, mostly un-manipulated rain forest. The 18-hole course itself is manicured to include native plants. Monkeys and colorful birds are often spied. Golf carts come equipped with a GPS system that warns of imminent sand pits and even allows duffers to order food and drinks to be delivered to the next hole.

The property’s relative proximity to San Jose makes it a choice destination for a wedding: it’s an easier spot for guests to reach than other Pacific Coast options. The Marriott's ballrooms accommodate parties from 20 to 500 guests. There are several sprawling grassy areas, including three waterside lawns, can be transformed with the right décor into ceremony and reception areas for a beautiful sunset wedding. Wedding coordinators who can help customize, plan and execute a flawless affair are on site.

Los Suenos offers honeymoon packages that include eco-adventures, golf and spa treatments. Packages aside, there are dozens of places around the property for canoodling romance-seekers to snuggle up and relax. From poolside hammocks to the cushy settee areas in the lobby, it will be easy to spend several days or more in comfortable intimacy. Likewise, the property makes it easy to socialize with other guests if that’s your speed. Head to the cocktail lounge before dinner, where freshly sun-burned Americans sip mojitos and admire the sunset.

Occasionally a staffer at the pool will encourage revelers to whoop! for no discernible reason. This microphone-shouting seemed to be regarded by all as silly and intrusive. The revel-maker was mostly ignored. On a return visit we'd avoid Nuevo Latino; the menu that makes no sense. There’s too much foam, too many oversweet, purees and no finesse. Average wines are given top-shelf prices. Service is frazzled and forgetful. Also, Internet service is inconvenient. Wi-fi was not accessible on any device (Kindle, iPhone, laptop) anywhere on the property. There is wired internet that’s DSL speed, but a user must be tethered to the desk.

The property is especially family friendly and the sounds of children are heard almost everywhere — restaurants, in all public spaces, and at the pool. But moms and dads need romantic getaways, too. Los Sueños makes it possible and comfortable with on-site babysitters and camp counselors. As for childfree couples and honeymooners, if the sounds of children and parenting parents won't interrupt your stay, Los Sueños is still plenty romantic. We spotted couples and families of all ages and backgrounds, including several same-sex couples.

Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
Herradura, 5024005 Costa Rica
Toll free from US and Canada: 1-888-236-2427

Official Hotel Web Site

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Nearby Los Sueños Marriott
Eco tours and hikes are popular, and the concierge can assist in coordinating offsite activities. Jet skiing and zip lining adventures are less than 20 minutes by car. You can also head to the town of Jaco (about 1 hour away) for jet ski cave-exploring. Visit nearby Herradura for meals, day trips and discos. Ask the concierge about “the hotel with the great sunset” for a truly sprawling and romantic dusk cocktail activity.

Note: A popular night spot in Herradura is The Beatle Bar, a local attraction whose name you’ll hear thrown around. Be warned, prostitution is legal in Costa Rica. The Beatle Bar is little more than a brothel dressed up as a nightclub. When asking around about nightlife action, be specific about your interests.

Getting to Los Sueños Marriott
The property is located just over one hour from San Jose, thanks to a new road. The most convenient way to get from San Jose to Los Suenos is to hire a car with a driver, or to rent your own car.

At Los Sueños, the first entrance is off a local road, and has a security gate that leads guests into a subdivision of condominiums. There is a second guarded entrance to the hotel property. The entry cul-de-sac to the hotel is a few miles past the main entrance, and is surrounded by red adobe buildings which house Sibo Spa, the entrance to La Iguana Golf Course, Stellaris Casino and the hotel lobby.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation and meals for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.