Costa Rica simply bought included within the AAA Diamond designations that previously solely utilized to nations to the north. It offers a very good checklist of enormous resorts and inns that make the minimize, although as of now, the highest decisions are 4 diamond Costa Rica resorts and inns, with none scoring 5 (but).
The AAA diamond awards are in some methods probably the most prestigious {that a} resort can earn. They’re based mostly on benefit and an facilities/amenities guidelines, not any tourism board whim or paid membership price, so it’s a reasonably goal and restricted checklist.
The last 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 checklist right here in our up to date submit on Mexico’s 5-diamond inns 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 inns in Costa Rica.
5 Diamond vs. 4 Diamond Resorts
Based on the judges, “5 Diamond properties supply final luxurious and modern delicacies.” To offer you an thought of what which means, a number of the Mexico entries embody properties from 4 Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and Rosewood. It’s an elite checklist.
“4 Diamond properties supply upscale facilities and distinctive superb eating.” Which means they’re not on the pinnacle when it comes to checking off sufficient 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 inns in Costa Rica acquired 4 Diamonds.
Mangroove, an Autograph Assortment Lodge in Costa Rica
The 4 Diamond Costa Rica Resorts
As is the case in North America as properly, chain inns are inclined to dominate these AAA lists as a result of amenities and facilities are simpler to placed on a guidelines than customized service and “going above and past” are. The longer your checklist of amenities, the higher your possibilities of incomes a diamond.
Just one unbiased resort bought onto this checklist, the debut of AAA 4-diamond Costa Rica resorts. The place now we have a full assessment, we’ve linked to that. In circumstances 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 information and examine 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
Should you’re questioning why a few of these made the AAA Diamond Awards checklist and luxurious properties with extra character resembling Nayara Springs or Grano de Oro that we’ve lined didn’t, keep in mind that this can be a checklist-oriented system. Image an inspector strolling round with a clipboard and in search of a minibar, a room service menu, a cellphone by the bathroom, room doorways that meet sure specs, a full gymnasium, 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 doubtless see a small boutique resort or upscale jungle lodge on the checklist.
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 circumstances we felt like we may have been in Cleveland or Kansas Metropolis within the rooms. The intention of those properties is to be predictable enterprise/assembly/incentive inns, not supply a pampering expertise for rich leisure vacationers.
In order for you one thing price 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 checklist. First, it’s excellent news in the event you’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 possibly can fly into Costa Rica’s second airport and get to your resort comparatively rapidly.
For a extra rounded view of the finest luxurious inns in Costa Rica, comply with that hyperlink to learn our detailed critiques. We replace them repeatedly and add new ones that make the minimize.
See extra about AAA and the diamond Costa Rica inns and eating places at their newsroom website.
Article by Timothy
Timothy Scott is the founder and editor of Luxurious Latin America and has been overlaying the area as a journey journalist because the mid-2000s. He has visited every nation we cowl a number of occasions and relies in a UNESCO World Heritage metropolis in central Mexico, the place he owns a house. See contact data right here.