Costa Rica simply received included within the AAA Diamond designations that previously solely utilized to international locations to the north. It gives a very good listing of huge resorts and accommodations that make the lower, although as of now, the highest selections are 4 diamond Costa Rica resorts and accommodations, 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/services guidelines, not any tourism board whim or paid membership price, so it’s a reasonably goal and restricted listing.
The final designation is a 5-diamond award, which Mexico leads by a mile with 31 entries, in comparison with 3 in Canada and 10 for all the Caribbean islands mixed. See the complete listing right here in our up to date publish on Mexico’s 5-diamond accommodations and resorts.
This has all the time 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 ranking accommodations in Costa Rica.
Five Diamond vs. Four Diamond Hotels
According to the judges, “Five Diamond properties offer ultimate luxury and leading-edge cuisine.” To provide you with an concept of what meaning, a number of the Mexico entries embody properties from Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and Rosewood. It’s an elite listing.
“Four Diamond properties offer upscale amenities and distinctive fine dining.” That means they’re not on the pinnacle when it comes to checking off sufficient bins on AAA’s secret guidelines, however they’re nonetheless properties which are well-maintained, with a lot to do, and with a well-trained workers delivering good service.
In this new itemizing from AAA, 11 accommodations in Costa Rica obtained Four Diamonds.
Mangroove, an Autograph Collection Hotel in Costa Rica
The Four Diamond Costa Rica Hotels
As is the case in North America as properly, chain accommodations are likely to dominate these AAA lists as a result of services and facilities are simpler to placed on a guidelines than customized service and “going above and beyond” are. The longer your listing of services, the higher your probabilities of incomes a diamond.
Only one impartial resort received onto this listing, the debut of AAA 4-diamond Costa Rica resorts. Where we now 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 data and test charges.
Arenal Springs Resort & Spa, La Fortuna (not the identical as The Springs)
Dreams Las Mareas, La Cruz
Four Seasons Resort at Peninsula Papagayo, Guanacaste Region
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 Collection, Playa Panama
Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica, Playa Panama
JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa, Tamarindo
Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen, Heredia
Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, Quepos
InterContinental Costa Rica at Multiplaza Mall, San José
If you’re questioning why a few of these made the AAA Diamond Awards listing and luxurious properties with extra character reminiscent of Nayara Springs or Grano de Oro that we’ve coated didn’t, do not forget that this can be a checklist-oriented system. Picture an inspector strolling round with a clipboard and on the lookout for 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 lots like Dreams or a conference resort by Marriott, however you received’t probably see a small boutique resort or upscale jungle lodge on the listing.
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 City within the rooms. The intention of those properties is to be predictable enterprise/assembly/incentive accommodations, not provide a pampering expertise for rich leisure vacationers.
If you need one thing value photographing and sharing on social media as a substitute, 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 listing. First, it’s excellent news for those who’re into golf. Five 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 shortly.
For a extra rounded view of the greatest luxurious accommodations in Costa Rica, observe that hyperlink to learn our detailed critiques. We replace them usually and add new ones that make the lower.
See extra about AAA and the diamond Costa Rica accommodations and eating places at their newsroom website.
Article by Timothy
Timothy Scott is the founder and editor of Luxury 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 instances and relies in a UNESCO World Heritage metropolis in central Mexico, the place he owns a house. See contact info right here.