Maya RW
Google
TLDR; Value for price was not great, largely due to the cost of food and excursions. Service and amenities were excellent. Food was decent, but not their strength. Accommodations, while older, are very good.
Notes: My boyfriend and I stayed in mid-August for 5 nights. When we arrived on a Tuesday, we were the only guests. All ratings are out of 5 stars.
Food: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The prices are extraordinarily high by anyone’s standards. Having recently come from New York and having lived in San Francisco for the last 5 years, I can confirm that their pricing is high, even for US standards (e.g. a cocktail runs about $18; the cheapest main dish runs $30 and it’s vegetarian). While ordinarily this would not phase me at an upscale establishment, at HSA you’re paying for something you could’ve easily made at home, and arguably it would taste better coming from your kitchen. Their food leaves much to be desired. If having great food is a requirement of your vacation, prepare to be sorely disappointed. The only positive thing I will say is that at least all their veggies and meats are fresh, as in picked or slaughtered on the farm daily.
Side note: There are glass jars filled with stale potato chips or cookies everywhere (in your rooms and in all the shared spaces).
Service: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What they lack in quality food, they make up for with excellent service. Attentiveness is their strength and they exercise it with gusto.
While their service people (bartenders, waiters, cleaners) were incredible, their management was subpar as mentioned in other comments. For example, they didn’t leave the final invoice for us the night before checkout, which was listed in their welcome packet. When we went to checkout the following morning, they didn’t have the invoice prepared at all.
Accommodations: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The rooms are as advertised: spacious, well-decorated, and with the promised views (we opted for room with a volcano view; it didn’t disappoint). As mentioned in other posts, they do not have AC, but they do have a large ceiling fan which helps with airflow (we were never too hot, but again, we were there during their rainy season). Like most French doors I’ve seen, theirs don’t have screens. There are mosquitos so we kept our doors closed with no issue. For those accustomed to staying in high end hotels, this one might disappoint you. The shower and tub are one, with awkward steps leading up to them. There’s no bathroom fan. Lighting was poor. The toilet and shower were separated by a curtain where I might’ve preferred a door. Don’t get me wrong, the room was good, but I would’ve preferred certain aspects to be more modernized.
Amenities: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Everything was wonderful and just like the photos. The landscaping is impecable, the pool is gorgeous, the dining rooms and patios are dreamy. The TV room, billiards room/bar, and library are well-maintained. The tennis courts could use some love (the roots from surrounding trees have started to break up the court pavement).