BOUTIQUE HOTEL CRISTAL BALLENA ^{* * * *}

Hermoso lugar, la atención excelente, vistas ni hablar, recomendadisimo para descansar y disfrutar.

Lindo lugar para descansar. Las camas son un poco duras pero el ambiente es muy apesante... una vista preciosa y una muy buena sorpresa es el desayuno, muy correcto. Servicio excelente, el hotel es muy recomendable !

Experiencia excelente e inmejorable. El lugar, magnífico y el personal de mucha calidad.

El hotel es muy cómodo, cerca de las playas.
Las habitaciones son lindas, creo que todas tienen vista al mar.
Nos quedamos una semana y todos los días hicieron servicio de limpieza en la habitación.
Hay wifi, aire acondicionado, ducha caliente, mini refrigerador, coffee maker, tv, camas con mosqueteros, jabón para ducha, champú, acondicionador, crema y toallas blancas.
El hotel queda en la montaña por eso hay cantidad de bichos e insectos.
El restaurante es muy rico, porciones grandes de comida, pero es caro.
La estadía incluye desayuno tipo buffet, lo usual: gallo pinto, natilla, queso blanco, huevo, plátanos, diversos panes, jaleas, tocineta, salchichas, panqueques, carne mechada, picadillo de papa, frutas, jugo de naranja, café, té. Ocasionalmente no hay picadillo pero hay carne desmechada, o en vez de salchicha ponen panqueques.
El restaurante es al aire libre, y en las noches hay insectos tipo langostas, muy grandes que interrumpen la cena porque le brincan a uno, eso es lo feo, aunque hay servicio de alimentación a la habitación por un costo de $7.
El ambiente es muy tranquilo en el hotel, la mayoría de los huéspedes son extranjeros pero si hubo al menos 2 famias ticas.

I think the glory days of Cristal- Ballena have come and gone. I debated between 3 stars and 4 stars
I think the pool , views and staff at the restaurant saved this place from the 3 stars.
As you drive up to the main entrance you get an initial feeling of grandeur, like the large gate and guard shack were reminiscent of a place of 5 star quality.
Well that vision ends as you enter the grounds and see what once were probably immaculately kept grounds. An exercise area, now over grown with grass and weeds, broken branches...weeds lining the drive. Just looks unkept..forgotten.
I get it, it's a large property and probably costly to maintain. But if it was me...first impressions say a lot. And initial impression was old. Surprised to find out it was built only 20 yrs ago.
The pool is big, beautiful and well maintained. Maybe one of the nicest pools I have seen in CR. The restaurant was decent, food pretty good. Staff very attentive and friendly. The view from the restaurant and pool area is pretty awesome. Lots of birds.
The rooms, well, pretty small, seemed dated. Like they need an upgrade,remodeling. They did have a porch that was great for bird watching or the occasional Coati.
The shower did not drain and when I informed the guy at the front desk he did not seem to care..sucks for the next guests..!
The trail they advertise is a muddy, steep, unmaintained trail. Not for anyone that is not up for a challenge.
Probably would not stay here again for the price. It does have a nice view and pool. I will give them that...