Nice seaside and even higher swimming pools: A assessment of family-friendly all-inclusive resort Goals Las Mareas Costa Rica

Getting there

Goals Las Mareas is about 56 miles north of Daniel Oduber Quirós Worldwide Airport (LIR) in Liberia, and the drive takes between one and two hours. Towards the top of the drive, you may be handled to panoramic views of the bay, and you may even catch a glimpse of a volcano in Nicaragua.

You may guide an airport switch via the resort’s partnership with vacation spot administration firm Amstar, and you will find the Amstar counter within the airport proper after customs. All I needed to do was give the representatives my title, and after providing me a beverage, they walked me to the parking zone to fulfill my pleasant driver.

When you do not wish to go the Amstar route, there are many different airport shuttle firms to guide with prematurely. Taxis are additionally available on the airport in Liberia, and it’ll in all probability value not less than $100 for the 1 1/2-hour drive.

Checking in

Pleasant workers members greeted me when my automotive pulled up, and I had a glass of glowing wine in hand inside seconds of my arrival. I used to be impressed by the open-air foyer’s soothing water options and colourful accents because the workers guided me via.

Since I used to be a most popular visitor — a standing you may obtain by reserving one of many club-level rooms or suites — the workers confirmed me to the non-public check-in space in the popular lounge situated off the foyer. (Most popular friends can use their room keys to enter and benefit from this lounge anytime throughout their keep.)

The check-in course of was fast, and earlier than I knew it, I used to be in a golf cart on the best way to my room. My private concierge, Joseph, got here alongside for the experience and gave me his contact data in order that I may textual content him with any questions.

I additionally downloaded Hyatt’s Inclusive Assortment app, which was an necessary instrument all through my keep. On the app, you may search for restaurant menus and hours, take a look at the property map, see the every day calendar of occasions, schedule housekeeping, guide spa therapies and order room service.

A spacious room with good outside space

The property homes 447 visitor rooms, together with customary and suite-style rooms. Some have ocean views, tropical views or pool views, whereas others have terraces with swim-out entry or non-public scorching tubs.

I stayed in a king swim-out junior suite, which was a nook unit that includes floor-to-ceiling home windows that provided stunning views of my non-public pool. The mix of earth-toned decor, wealthy wooden furnishings and crimson accents introduced a way of class into the house.

Exterior, the terrace featured a snug sofa and occasional desk, separated from the neighboring patio by a half-wall.

Contained in the room, there have been loads of lighting choices, nevertheless it felt a bit darkish as a consequence of its ground-floor location. Nonetheless, the mattress was snug, and the blackout curtains made it straightforward to sleep. I felt protected on the bottom ground due to the double locks on the sliding glass door.

The room’s small spherical desk and two chairs may function a spot to work if crucial. (I even discovered some goodies ready on this desk after I arrived.)

Beneath the wall-mounted 42-inch TV was a dresser with three storage drawers and two cupboards. The left cupboard held a well-stocked minifridge with Imperial beer, juice containers, soda, and bottles of nonetheless and glowing water. In the suitable cupboard, I discovered snacks, cups, three small bottles of liquor and a Cuisinart espresso machine.

I selected to retailer my baggage on the rack subsequent to the dresser, however there was additionally house within the giant wood wardrobe beside the entrance door. The wardrobe held hangers, further blankets, robes, slippers, an umbrella, a protected and a steamer (no iron).

The lavatory and double-sink vainness space could possibly be separated from the principle sleeping space by drawing an extended curtain, however I selected to depart it open to get extra daylight all through the suite.

If I had forgotten one in every of my toiletry gadgets, I’d have been in luck because the vainness had an additional toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb and extra. A magnifying mirror and hair dryer rounded out the toilet facilities.

The bathe and bathroom had been every separated from this house with a swinging glass door.

When reserving, you may have the choice to pick an everyday room or a “Membership Degree” room. As talked about above, staying in one in every of these club-level rooms makes you a most popular visitor. Most popular friends can make the most of the Most popular Membership Lounge all through their keep, which presents a bar, a buffet with snack-size meals and loads of indoor and outside seating. These friends may entry a most popular pool and revel in a la carte breakfast choices within the Portofino restaurant (as a substitute of being restricted to the principle buffet at World Cafe).

In my view, reserving a club-level room is price it when you’re touring as a pair or simply need an general enjoyable expertise. When you’re touring with children, who won’t admire a nicer breakfast, lounge entry or the opposite perks, a club-level room won’t be price the additional money.

Eating choices

There are eight eating places and eight bars at Goals Las Mareas, so there was loads of selection when it got here to eating choices. I can not say the meals was the spotlight of my keep; nevertheless, the workers was at all times pleasant, and it was enjoyable to discover all of the completely different venues. I had conversations with another friends, and it appeared like all of them shared an identical sentiment.

Throughout my go to, the resort occurred to be internet hosting a big company occasion, so my concierge, Joseph, helped me make reservations to make sure I may eat the place I wished.

Himitsu

On the primary night time of my keep, I loved dinner at Himitsu, which serves pan-Asian delicacies and hibachi. (If you wish to safe a spot for the hibachi expertise, reservations are at all times a good suggestion.)

To start out, I sampled a standard Costa Rican guaro bitter on the advice of my waiter, and I appreciated it greater than I believed I’d.

I then ordered a miso soup, a scrumptious sushi sampler and a seaweed salad (the latter of which I in all probability would not have ordered once more). My waiter insisted I ought to strive the fried ice cream for dessert, and it was a manufacturing, to say the least. He heated up toppings and performed with hearth earlier than placing the steaming dessert on a plate in entrance of me — a enjoyable solution to finish the meal.

Portofino

That is the place to be within the morning when you’re staying in a club-level room, because the breakfast is solely for most popular friends. There are a la carte choices obtainable, or you may go subsequent door to get meals from the World Cafe buffet and produce it again to eat in Portofino.

I ordered one savory breakfast dish and one candy breakfast dish, for analysis functions, in fact. The omelet was fairly tasty, and the pancakes had been one in every of my favourite issues I ate at Goals.

At night time, Portofino is open to all grownup friends and serves Italian favorites, together with soups, salads, risottos, pasta dishes and pizza. The costume code right here is “informal class,” which is a bit nicer than at a number of the different on-site eating places, and it looks like the meals follows go well with.

World Cafe

World Cafe presents buffet-style eating for breakfast and lunch.

There have been loads of primary choices, corresponding to eggs, recent fruit and baked items, alongside omelet stations and rotating specials like chilaquiles. Nonetheless, I seen there weren’t many meatless choices or actually any vegan-friendly dishes other than salads.

Mother and father will admire the youngsters buffet space, the place their youngsters can independently serve themselves dishes which may enchantment extra to their palettes.

Seaside Grill

This lunch and dinner choice beside the pool has a pleasant open-air design, so you may nonetheless benefit from the pool environment whereas eating.

The menu presents varied seafood dishes, burgers and sandwiches, in addition to grilled specialties, all becoming for a lightweight lunch.

I attempted the couscous salad, which wasn’t my favourite, however the falafel sandwich on pita made up for it.

El Patio

Though the workers was very pleasant at this Mexican restaurant, I would not essentially suggest it for something aside from a margarita (I obtained the passionfruit one).

I sampled the corn esquites and a vegetarian burrito however wasn’t an enormous fan.

Coco Cafe

That is the resort’s present store and cafe, the place you will get a sandwich, a espresso or a scoop of gelato at any time of day. The present store was very nicely stocked with souvenirs, garments, sunscreen and any sort of toiletry merchandise you would possibly want. I finished by just a few instances all through my keep for a espresso and by no means discovered it crowded.

I did not get the prospect to strive the sushi restaurant, Gohan, or the seafood restaurant, Oceana, for dinner, however they each appeared to have a pleasant atmosphere. Oceana’s menu has choices like clam chowder, ceviche and salmon — and an ocean view on the aspect.

Professional tip: When you’re celebrating a milestone or occasion throughout your journey, you may guide a beachfront eating expertise to make dinner further particular.

A pool all over the place you look

This resort excels within the pool division — irrespective of the place you’re, you may by no means be too removed from loungers and turquoise water.

Technically, there are three foremost swimming pools (not together with those that border the swim-out visitor rooms): the higher pool, decrease pool and adults-only pool. However, it looks like there are extra.

That is likely to be as a result of one in every of them is a whopping 44,000 sq. ft. Yow will discover this large pool in entrance of the principle constructing that homes all of the eating places. This location makes it straightforward to seize a fast chew everytime you need after which return to your lounger.

Straight beside it, there is a small kiddie pool space with a mountain climbing wall and trampoline so as to add to the enjoyable. There’s additionally a waterslide on the higher pool, which I may hear many youngsters having fun with whereas I used to be strolling round. The pool bar on this space additionally serves pizza — a handy place to cease when the youngsters get hungry.

The opposite foremost pool is a couple of two-minute stroll away. It snakes across the beachfront space, and with so many various sections, it looks like a bunch of little swimming pools mixed.

Certainly one of these sections belongs solely to most popular friends. I did not have to point out any documentation proving I used to be a most popular visitor with a view to enter, however one of many workers members instructed me they hold tabs on who’s utilizing the popular pool. The popular space has its personal bar and daybeds to lease.

There’s additionally a energetic pool space with a swim-up bar referred to as Manatees. This space was at all times fairly packed through the day and provided a celebration environment, full with loud pop music.

Your entire pool is bordered by chairs and daybeds. I did not discover a ton of empty loungers at peak instances, nevertheless it wasn’t overwhelmingly crowded both.

The Seaside Grill and Oceana eating places are on one aspect, and the Barefoot Grill — which serves fast bites and might have fairly lengthy strains — is on the opposite. So, you may by no means must stroll far to get refreshments throughout your pool day. You can too see the seaside from this space of the pool, and it is a good place to be at sundown.

A lovely seaside with loads of house

Goals Las Mareas is located on Playa El Jobo, and this stretch of sand is spectacular, size-wise, in comparison with different lodge seashores I noticed within the area.

Because it’s in a big cove, there are calm waves and protected swimming situations for youngsters.

Must you wish to lease water sports activities gear, you are able to do so on the Amstar hut beside the seaside.

There are additionally some unbiased distributors on the seaside who will give you excursions once you hit the sand. A number of the ones I spoke to had been promoting off-site excursions and Jet Ski rides.

There aren’t a ton of seaside chairs, however the seaside was additionally by no means crowded after I was there. It appeared like most friends loved being on the swimming pools as a substitute.

One part of the seaside is reserved for most popular friends and has cushioned loungers and bar service.

The resort presents loads of actions right here to maintain friends busy, together with seaside volleyball video games and a seaside celebration. You may simply verify the occasion schedule on the app.

loads of remedy choices on the spacious spa

Visitors in quest of leisure can guide a remedy on the lodge’s 16,000-square-foot Spa by Pevonia. It presents a full-service salon, 10 non-public remedy rooms and a snack bar space.

Within the salon, there are manicure and pedicure areas, a hairdressing house and even a fish footbath expertise. When you’re visiting Goals to your wedding ceremony, the spa additionally presents a separate bridal suite full with a costume stand.

In between the altering rooms and the principle remedy space, there was a leisure room with loads of chairs in addition to a snack bar space with tea, fruit, cookies and snacks.

I obtained the prospect to strive the hydrotherapy circuit behind the spa space. Use of this self-guided circuit is included with spa therapies that final 80 minutes or extra. I began the circuit with time within the sauna and steam room, then adopted the numbered indicators via the remainder of the swimming pools; it ended with a scorching tub and chilly plunge.

It was a calming solution to spend an hour, and I felt pampered when a workers member introduced out a wholesome drink to take pleasure in through the expertise.

Across the water function lined with teardrop-shaped lined sofas, you may discover non-public remedy rooms. You may guide a therapeutic massage (from $215), a facial (from $175), a manicure (from $65) or another leisure expertise you may consider. These therapies usually are not included in your room charge.

The spa is open from 8 a.m. to eight p.m. every day, and the minimal age is 16.

Numerous leisure choices and actions

Every day of your trip, you may seek the advice of the exercise schedule on the app to see what’s occurring. Throughout my keep, I noticed seaside volleyball video games, a nighttime dance efficiency, a reside violin present within the Rendezvous bar space and a film projected on a giant display screen by the pool.

If you wish to go away the resort for an tour at any level, you may guide a tour immediately on Amstar’s web site. The corporate presents quite a lot of guided actions all through the Guanacaste area, together with rainforest hikes, whitewater rafting journeys, ATV excursions and horseback using experiences. Be mindful these excursions come at an additional value.

Causes Goals Las Mareas won’t be for you

Touring with a big group with a large age vary? This Goals property shall be an awesome match. Nonetheless, listed below are some cases when it won’t be the best alternative:

• When you’re searching for a quiet keep, it’s possible you’ll be happier elsewhere. Whereas there are actually some peaceable areas across the property, the pool bar can get rowdy through the day, and there are many individuals out and about always.
• As is fairly typical with all-inclusive resorts, the meals is not the principle draw. When you’re a foodie who needs to spend trip time indulging in high-quality eating experiences, this in all probability is not the place for you.
• It takes 1 1/2 hours to get right here from the airport, so if you would like a spot for a fast in a single day, think about one of many all-inclusive choices simply half-hour from LIR.

Accessibility

In response to Hyatt, Inclusive Assortment properties present totally outfitted accessible rooms upon request. Potential Goals friends ought to contact the lodge prematurely to request these rooms — that are on the primary ground with bigger bogs and bars for stability, amongst different options.

Nonetheless, the Inclusive Assortment’s phrases additionally state that it can not assure the supply of accessible rooms or availability of wheelchairs on-site or on the airport. The Goals workers confirmed this after I referred to as and spoke to a number of members of the workers.

At this Goals property, there have been golf cart companies to move friends across the property and ramps subsequent to most small units of stairs. I additionally seen elevators in the principle constructing. Whereas the pool areas are wheelchair accessible, I could not find any pool lifts.

There is a small ramp to the seaside, however I could not get a definitive reply about whether or not seaside wheelchairs can be found to friends.

Testing

General, I had a stunning keep at Goals Las Mareas, and I’d be blissful to return to expertise the swimming pools, seaside and off-site excursions that I did not get an opportunity to strive.

Whereas there have been some giant group occasions occurring throughout my keep, it by no means actually felt overwhelming or overcrowded. The eating places and swimming pools are clearly constructed to accommodate many friends directly. A number of the eating places are actually higher than others, however due to the well-maintained swimming pools and the simple seaside entry, you in all probability will not care an excessive amount of concerning the meals anyway.