Gaia Hotel and Nature Reserve - Manuel Antonio

The top notch service began with our correspondence prior to arrival where all of our questions were answered and transportation and tours reserved. We enjoyed private transportation from the airport (although our driver wasn’t there upon our arrival so we did have to call and wait 20 minutes). Upon arrival we were treated like royalty by the staff. Refreshing tropical drinks and a cool washcloth were waiting at check in. We were upgraded to a suite which was amazing! Large living room with sofa and eating area with fridge, separate spacious bedroom and private bath with huge shower and two sinks. Everything was clean and in working order, especially the air conditioning. Along with a small balcony off the living room, we had a private huge second balcony on the top floor with views down to the ocean. You feel like you are living among the treetops.|We enjoyed massages at the Terra Spa with a beautiful stone room and wall of windows looking out at nature. Our masseuse was professional and skilled, able to provide a full body massage in 60 minutes. |We ate breakfast and dinner at the onsite restaurant daily, dining in the open air with views of nature below and the Pacific Ocean out the distance. One night the clouds parted to provide a beautiful sunset. The menu is extensive for a small resort and provided both traditional Costa Rican food, along with a variety of other cuisine including delicious sushi and cocktails. The gourmet meals were a highlight with special touches like sorbet during dinner to cleanse the pallet and fresh breads and fruit in the morning. We would have tried every dish on the menu if we could have. Only disappointment was the lounge was being refurbished and was closed during our stay.|We also swam in the multi-level pools and took advantage of the free shuttles to the National Park. Our private concierge Jose took care of every need and was always available by text. We had a wonderful experience and couldn’t more highly recommend.

We had a fantastic visit this week. Got a great deal staying in the studio (off season and weekday). The room is attractive and a good size. The highlights were the staff -as everyone says they are so helpful even when I made some extra requests- multi-level pool with rushing water and gorgeous views, and the delicious meals! Also we saw sloths and macaws and other critters like geckos lizards and butterflies. Oh and there is a very special greeting that sort of sums up the welcoming feel of this special place!

My husband and I had a wonderful experience at Gaia Hotel and Nature Reserve. The property is gorgeous! It was so fun to hear howler monkeys all around! We even spotted some at breakfast one morning! The service at Gaia was impeccable. Being able to communicate with Juan Carlos, our concierge, via Whatsapp was so helpful. He helped us book tours, reservations, and was always available to answer any questions we have. We enjoyed our tour of the park with Clarence. He was excellent at spotting animals and making sure everyone on the tour was able to spot each animal. All the staff at Gaia was very polite and friendly. The shuttle service works great, and the hotel is in a great location. We just wished we had a couple more days to enjoy the hotel!

You'll want to get cozy for this one... but there is no short way to give an accurate review. |I have never experienced anything like the Gaia Hotel and Reserve. The location is absolutely breathtaking, and surrounded by jungle. The rooms are very clean and well maintained. I really appreciated the air conditioning after hiking. The 3 tiered infinity pool is amazing, we spent a lot of time at the pool observing wildlife which is abundant. Within 2 hours of arrival we saw a Sloth and 2 Scarlet Macaws.|However, the amazing staff is what truly sets the Gaia Hotel apart. José (our concierge) had reached out a few weeks before the trip to answer any questions we had and was able to help us get activities and shuttles booked in advance. As a result he helped make the trip so much easier and relaxing. I didn't know that was a service they offered when I booked it, but it was incredible to have his support. He was able to help us with Taxi's and everything within minutes. We didn't have to worry about any of the details. José took care of it all. |Everyone we met there were so kind and genuine. They remembered our names, and made us feel like family. Literally everyone from the security at the front gate, shuttle drivers, housekeeping, reception, to restaurant staff.|The La Luna restaurant was top tier, we had breakfast and dinner there almost every day and the quality was always excellent with a wide array of menu options. Ricardo, Andrey, and Brandon even remembered our preferences in food and drinks. |The Scarlet Macaw tour of the reserve was so much fun. Our guide; Clarence was also our guide for the National Park tour is so knowledgeable and deeply cares about the preservation of the wildlife and biodiversity that we were able to witness. |I could go on for days with only positive things to say. If it isn't already clear.. I will 100% come back to Gaia!

We had an amazing, 6-night family stay in the large 2-bedroom suite. Jose, our concierge, was helpful before and throughout our trip, booking excursions, taxis, recommending restaurants and other local spots. Every excursion we booked through Jose/Gaia was stellar and helmed by thoughtful, engaging vendors (these excursions included Nauyaca Waterfalls, Mangrove Boat Tour, Manuel Antonio National Park). The lunches included in these trips were some of the best meals we had! Clarence, the in-house guide for visitors to Manuel Antonio National Park, was so knowledgeable, spotting animals we'd never see on our own and offering details about the Park and the wildlife throughout. Everyone we encountered at the Hotel was so nice and helpful, from the guys manning the golf carts, to the shuttle drivers, the waiters, housekeeping and the Terra Spa's masseuse. Even the owner, Boris, and the Manager (whose name escapes me - sorry!), made sure to check in and ensure our stay was nothing less than exceptional..

Great property in the middle of the jungle, perfect location and easy access to the national park and beaches around the area with a convenient shuttle every hour. Food was great, as well! The best part about the whole resort is the staff - super friendly, funny, and quick to assist in anything at all. This place would have deserved a good review if the place was a tin shed based purely on the staff. Also our guide to the park was really amazing, we saw so many cool things! Absolutely recommend - the view from the restaurant was to die for!

I would 100% come back to Gaia Hotel Reserve and would recommend to anyone visiting Manuel Antonio! Even before we arrived, we received incredible service from our personal concierge, José, who helped us book tours, dinners, and made sure our stay was perfect. The food at the hotel is amazing, the views are beautiful, and the room was extremely comfortable and luxurious. All the staff members are extremely kind, friendly, and helpful. Cannot recommend this hotel enough! Not to mention it’s located within a nature reserve which is exclusive to hotel guests, an added bonus that made our stay unforgettable.

Thanks to the amazing people, especially our concierge Daniela, we had an amazing stay at Gaia. The rooftop/pool view for sunsets are one of the best parts! We will be returning to this hotel and recommending friends/family. We experienced the romantic dinner, the amazing catamaran tour, and the mangrove tour to see wildlife. The cart/shuttle service is very efficient for trips to the beach. You can treat Gaia as a hotel or resort, and I recommend for any travel itinerary!