Casa Conde Beach-Front Hotel

We’ll be honest, Casa Conde doesn’t make the greatest first impression; it’s a bit hard to find from the main road (classic Costa Rican lack of signage), and the lobby, with its dark wood cathedral ceilings and bland tile floors, is humdrum and unimpressive. It isn’t until you’ve strolled the grounds, seen the rustic beach, and taken in the quiet atmosphere, that you can appreciate what Casa Conde has to offer. Casa Conde’s intimate size -- only 50 rooms -- means guests can get to know the staff and other travelers with ease, but it’s also the type of place where travelers can keep completely to themselves. Young children are welcome, as evidenced by the small play area adjacent to the activities pool, but most of the guests here are adults or families with older kids.     

Casa Conde is located in the small beach town of Playa Panama in Costa Rica’s northwestern Guanacaste region. The beach and the town, both called Playa Panama, are quiet and very low-key. Guests who’d like to get out and explore, or even just visit a local restaurant, will need to rent a car or call a taxi. The nearby towns of Playa Hermosa and Playas del Coco are about a 10- and 20-minute drive from the hotel, respectively. Liberia Airport is about a 20-minute drive. Road conditions in this part of Guanacaste are generally good, but drivers should also expect unpaved roads and potholes on small side streets.     

Guests driving to the hotel should note that the property isn’t immediately visible from the main road. The hotel next door, El Mangroove, has a large sign in front of its property. Casa Conde is located on the road immediately to the right of the Mangroove sign. 

Rooms types at Casa Conde are split between the older and newer sides of the property. Standard Rooms are older and smaller than the Superior Rooms and Master Suites. Though they are older, the Standard Rooms are by no means dated. Instead, they have a rustic, Spanish colonial style, with dark wood cathedral ceilings, terra-cotta tile floors, and clay-colored accents. Bathrooms are spacious, if a bit bland, with white tile floors, walls, and counters. Standard Pool/Ocean View Rooms have walk-in showers, while Standard Garden View Rooms have an additional whirlpool tub. All Standard Rooms are housed in hacienda-style buildings with semi-private front porches. However, these rooms lack natural light and have paper-thin walls that allow for sound to transfer between neighboring units.  

In our professional opinion, upgrading to a newer Superior Room or Master Suite is well worth the price increase. These rooms have brighter, more modern decor and nicer amenities such as whirlpool tubs and and bluetooth speakers. All feature natural wood tones, stainless steel appliances, and have large private balconies or patios. Master Suites have multiple bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens, and indoor/outdoor living and dining areas. 

Casa Conde has a few solid amenities, but its main feature are the two large pools -- one for activities and one for quiet relaxation. The large, freeform activities pool is located on the older side of the property, surrounded by a stone patio and lots of lounge chairs. It has an elevated shallow section for children at one end, a swim-up bar at the other, and is divided in the center by a volleyball net. There's also an adjacent small hot tub. During the day loud music blasts through the speakers, and guests gather for aquatic entertainment such as water aerobics and volleyball tournaments. The quiet pool is located on the newer side of the property, and is beautifully tiled with blue mosaic glass. It also features a swim-up bar, multiple spewing fountains, a hot tub, and an infinity edge. The area around the pool is grassy, which unfortunately means it’s also quite bug-filled.

Playa Panama, the public beach directly in front of Casa Conde, is a gorgeous stretch of sand with a rustic feel. Although there is a guarded security gate between the hotel and the beach, the area is safe, and remains quiet throughout the day and night. Though it isn’t as pretty as nearby Playa Hermosa, Playa Panama is known for its bathtub-like water (in temperature and calmness), and endless views of Culebra Bay.  

Although the hotel lacks a spa, Casa Conde does have a small fitness center and an outdoor kids' club, though both were undergoing renovations during our visit. As far as freebies go, the hotel offers free parking and Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi signal is strong in the hotel’s common areas, but tends to fade at the farthest reaches of the property.   

The hotel’s one restaurant, an open-air space with a Mediterranean feel, serves buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Unlike most all-inclusives, the selection here is small, but the quality is good and options are varied. Food tends to be a mix of Costa Rican, American, and European specialities. At lunch and dinner, the restaurant also has a varied selection of beer, wine, and liquor.