Condovac la Costa

Perched on a hill above Playa Hermosa, Hotel Condovac la Costa is a mid-range time-share property with incredible views. The hotel has a friendly, almost familial environment, and it opened in 1980. The lobby area is rather bland, though it does have a desk to book excursions and a furnished outdoor terrace with excellent vistas. During the day though, guests primarily congregate around the hotel’s large pool area -- adults hang around the infinity pool and the swim-up bar, while kids take over the kiddy pool and waterslide. Families are the majority of guests here -- everyone from grandparents to teenagers to tiny tots. The weekends and low season see predominantly locals. 

Hotel Condovac la Costa is located in the sleepy beach town of Playa Hermosa. Perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean, the hotel arguably boasts some of the best real estate in the area. But those endless ocean views come with a catch: The property isn’t close to the beach; in fact, the beach is a five-minute drive or a hilly 25-minute walk from the hotel. Still, it's worth the trek -- Playa Hermosa is recognized as a “Blue Flag” beach, meaning it has achieved the highest standards of beauty, cleanliness, and accessibility in Costa Rica. Besides the beach, there isn’t much to see or do in the town of Playa Hermosa, so guests looking for shops, restaurants, and bars should head to the touristy town of Playas del Coco about 15 minutes away by car. Liberia Airport is about a 30-minute drive from the hotel.   

A major drawback to Condovac’s clifftop location is the steep hill that separates two parts of the property -- the lobby, pools, restaurant, and fitness center are located at the top of the hill, while rooms are at the bottom. The hill is steep and will likely leave even the physically fit winded. The hotel does have shuttles that circle the property, though.

All 107 rooms at Condovac la Costa are either one- or two-bedroom apartments. One-bedroom apartments are considered Standard Villas, and they are equipped with a full kitchen, a living and dining area, air-conditioning, and a bedroom with two double beds. The living area is a bit cramped, but the kitchen's large refrigerator, two-burner stove, cookware, microwave, and coffeemaker are definite perks. Decor varies a bit between apartments, but is generally pretty dated -- particularly the cheap-looking orange comforters in the bedrooms. Bedrooms also feature wooden furniture, a basket of pricey snacks, and towel animal displays, as well as flat-screen TVs. Bathrooms have showers and basic toiletries.

Two-bedroom apartments, called Platinum Villas, have the same features as the standard rooms, plus an additional bedroom, bathroom, and balcony. The master bedroom is slightly nicer, equipped with a king-size bed, mini-fridge stocked with wine and beer, flat-screen TV, and balcony with two chairs. The second bathroom is spacious, and has a separate shower and whirlpool tub.  

The large pool area, with three separate pools, is the hotel’s main gathering space. Families congregate here from dawn till dusk, particularly for activities such as water aerobics or tequila tasting. The largest is the activities pool, complete with a volleyball net and a slide. Adjacent is the kiddy pool, which is filled with toys that include beach balls and hula hoops. Then there's the infinity pool, which has a zero-entry shallow end, a swim-up bar, and incredible views of Playa Hermosa. Although the infinity pool isn’t restricted to adults, this part of the pool area is quieter and attracts an older crowd.

The hotel’s fitness center is in an open-air space, which has ceiling fans but no AC. It has a few treadmills, free weights, and ellipticals. There's also a small kids' club, plus lively activities are held throughout the day for both kids and families. It should be noted that these activities are sometimes conducted in Spanish, particularly during the off season when a majority of guests are Costa Rican.

Condovac la Costa offers free parking and Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi signal is strong and works well in both the rooms and common spaces. The parking lot is located at the bottom of the hill.  

The hotel’s only restaurant, Vista Dorada, overlooks the pool area and has a sundeck with incredible ocean views. It serves a la carte fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and an all-inclusive meal plan is available. The menu is varied and has plenty of international offerings, but the food receives mixed reviews.