Tilajari Hotel Resort & Conference Center

Set on the bank of the San Carlos River, the sprawling property is an expanse of manicured landscaping where wild iguanas, sloths, and toucans roam day and night. Open-air buildings, lush tropical greenery, and copious use of teak and local woods all provide a distinct sense of place. With multiple pools, an array of conference space, and numerous multi-use sports fields, the property is geared toward hosting both business meetings and large events. Consequently, the clientele varies widely and includes all manner of travelers from families to executives to couples. Overall, the atmosphere is relaxed and quiet with a hint of sophistication.

With nothing in the immediate vicinity, guests will likely need a rental car to venture off-property. The many restaurants, shops, markets, and tourist services of La Fortuna are less than 30 minutes away by car. One of the country’s most popular destinations -- Arenal Volcano National Park -- offers hiking and outdoor adventure opportunities less than an hour’s drive away.The nearest major airport -- Juan Santamaría International (SJO) -- is more than two hours away by car (three hours or more during rush hour). For roughly the same rate, guests can either use the hotel's paid shuttle service or find private bus transportation at the airport. Taxi service to and from the airport can prove prohibitively expensive. Rental cars are available via several name brand providers in the airport terminal. However, navigating Costa Rican roads -- especially for tourists -- can be frustrating, dangerous, and (due to mandatory third-party insurance) costly.

Most of the 76 rooms are virtually identical with a decor that’s traditional but bold. Costa Rican teak and other rich, dark woods make up the furniture, flooring, and headboards while pops of orange and green add brightness to each space.Standard Rooms include a typical, studio layout that’s spacious enough for a king or two double beds plus a small dining set. Flagship Junior Suites are curiously smaller but offer upgraded fit and finish.Two large Family Rooms with a mezzanine and a separate living room are also available for guests who know to ask. All feature private furnished balconies with views of the San Carlos River, although some views are partially obstructed by trees. The list of modern amenities --including free Wi-Fi and cable TV (though some rooms still feature old tube-style sets) -- is decent for a three-pearl hotel. No bottled water is provided, however, the tap water is spring-fed and safe to drink throughout the property.Bathrooms are modestly sized, but upmarket materials like frosted glass doors, river rock flooring, and hardwood laminate add a hint of sophistication. Walk-in shower stalls and a selection of eco-friendly Raw Botanicals brand bath amenities are standard.

The sole on-site restaurant, Katira, is located in a large, casual, open-air space overlooking the San Carlos River. The dark wood seating, high exposed beam ceilings, and arched brick windows all look distinctly Costa Rican. A free, hot breakfast is served daily with a mix of Western items such as eggs, pancakes, fresh fruit, and coffee/tea service and authentic local fare like fried plantains and gallo pinto. Lunch and dinner are served a la carte with a focus on traditional local dishes. The food is widely reviewed as mediocre.The hotel’s main draw is its event spaces, with ample room for meetings and conferences of up to 1,000 people. Numerous sports surfaces, including volleyball, basketball, tennis courts, soccer fields, and a large semi-Olympic pool provide additional space to host large scale sporting events.Three outdoor pools (including a kiddy pool) and hot tubs serve as the social hub for most non-event guests. The space is ringed with lounge and Adirondack chairs. Although there is no poolside drink service, a full menu of food and beverages is available at the Katria Bar less than 50 feet away.A dedicated spa is one amenity the property lacks. However, typical in-room massage treatments are available for a fee. A clean, modest fitness room houses a dozen cardio and strength-training machines. Self-parking is free in several large lots. Wi-Fi is free in all common areas and, during our stay, we found the service mostly fast and reliable.