Costa Rica simply acquired included within the AAA Diamond designations that previously solely utilized to nations to the north. It offers a superb record of enormous resorts and lodges that make the minimize, although as of now, the highest decisions are 4 diamond Costa Rica resorts and lodges, with none scoring 5 (but).
The AAA diamond awards are in some methods probably the most prestigious {that a} resort can earn. They’re primarily based on advantage and an facilities/amenities guidelines, not any tourism board whim or paid membership charge, so it’s a reasonably goal and restricted record.
The final word designation is a 5-diamond award, which Mexico leads by a mile with 31 entries, in comparison with 3 in Canada and 10 for the entire Caribbean islands mixed. See the total record right here in our up to date put up on Mexico’s 5-diamond lodges and resorts.
This has at all times been a North American system although, with the designations not stretching south of Mexico. That makes some sense as a result of AAA is a U.S. auto membership, however now they’re increasing a bit and score lodges in Costa Rica.
5 Diamond vs. 4 Diamond Inns
In keeping with the judges, “5 Diamond properties supply final luxurious and modern delicacies.” To provide you an thought of what meaning, a number of the Mexico entries embody properties from 4 Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and Rosewood. It’s an elite record.
“4 Diamond properties supply upscale facilities and distinctive high-quality eating.” Which means they’re not on the pinnacle by way of checking off sufficient packing containers on AAA’s secret guidelines, however they’re nonetheless properties which might be well-maintained, with a lot to do, and with a well-trained workers delivering good service.
On this new itemizing from AAA, 11 lodges in Costa Rica obtained 4 Diamonds.
Mangroove, an Autograph Assortment Lodge in Costa Rica
The 4 Diamond Costa Rica Inns
As is the case in North America as effectively, chain lodges are likely to dominate these AAA lists as a result of amenities and facilities are simpler to placed on a guidelines than personalised service and “going above and past” are. The longer your record of amenities, the higher your probabilities of incomes a diamond.
Just one unbiased resort acquired onto this record, the debut of AAA 4-diamond Costa Rica resorts. The place we’ve got a full evaluation, we’ve linked to that. In instances the place the property was not a real luxurious resort that meets our requirements, you’ll discover a web site hyperlink the place you may get extra data and verify charges.
Arenal Springs Resort & Spa, La Fortuna (not the identical as The Springs)
Desires Las Mareas, La Cruz
4 Seasons Resort at Peninsula Papagayo, Guanacaste Area
The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa, Playa Conchal
W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal, Playa Conchal
The Spa at W Costa Rica
El Mangroove, Autograph Assortment, Playa Panama
Secrets and techniques Papagayo Costa Rica, Playa Panama
JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa, Tamarindo
Costa Rica Marriott Lodge Hacienda Belen, Heredia
Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, Quepos
InterContinental Costa Rica at Multiplaza Mall, San José
If you happen to’re questioning why a few of these made the AAA Diamond Awards record and luxurious properties with extra persona reminiscent of Nayara Springs or Grano de Oro that we’ve lined didn’t, do not forget that it is a checklist-oriented system. Image an inspector strolling round with a clipboard and searching for a minibar, a room service menu, a cellphone by the bathroom, room doorways that meet sure specs, a full fitness center, and a spa.
Thus you get an all-inclusive resort for the plenty like Desires or a conference resort by Marriott, however you received’t possible see a small boutique resort or upscale jungle lodge on the record.
Marriott Los Sueños chain resort
We’ve been to a few of these 4-diamond chain ones just like the Marriott at Los Sueños and the InterContinental in a mall in San Jose, however in each instances we felt like we may have been in Cleveland or Kansas Metropolis within the rooms. The goal of those properties is to be predictable enterprise/assembly/incentive lodges, not supply a pampering expertise for rich leisure vacationers.
If you’d like one thing value photographing and sharing on social media as an alternative, make nice reminiscences at this one not removed from the capital’s airport that was a three-diamond Costa Rica resort: Xandari Resort and Spa.
Two different issues to bear in mind with this record. First, it’s excellent news for those who’re into golf. 5 of those 4-diamond resorts are on or very close to Costa Rica’s golf programs. Second, a lot of them are within the northern Guanacaste area, so you may fly into Costa Rica’s second airport and get to your resort comparatively shortly.
For a extra rounded view of the finest luxurious lodges in Costa Rica, observe that hyperlink to learn our detailed critiques. We replace them usually and add new ones that make the minimize.
See extra about AAA and the diamond Costa Rica lodges and eating places at their newsroom website.
Article by Timothy
Timothy Scott is the founder and editor of Luxurious Latin America and has been masking the area as a journey journalist because the mid-2000s. He has visited every nation we cowl a number of occasions and is predicated in a UNESCO World Heritage metropolis in central Mexico, the place he owns a house. See contact data right here.
