PLANET HOLLYWOOD BEACH RESORT

The resort has a lot of potential but just didn’t meet our expectations. We upgraded to the “Star Class” which has its perks including an assigned concierge who will assist with reservations and such. Unfortunately they want to communicate via WhatsApp. That would be great except we didn’t have an account and trying to setup proved unsuccessful since WhatsApp wants to text you a code and we didn’t have international service. Instead we had to hope we crossed paths with our concierge.

The beach isn’t really a swimming beach, which is fine, but expect to be approached by locals selling excursions, massages, trinkets, and who knows what else.

The steakhouse and hibachi restaurants were very good and service there was great. The Tex-Mex consistently had slow service, to the point we wondered if we were forgotten. However the food was good whenever it showed up. The buffet was pretty predicable and generally pretty good. For some reason waiting to be seated always seemed to take so long; not sure why you can’t just seat yourself.

Overall it wasn’t a bad experience but not what we expected from a “5-star” resort.

Great location, service and so beautiful!

This was without a doubt the worst check in experience I’ve ever had. As a lifetime titanium elite member with more than 2,000 stays over 17 years I have grown to expect more. I get better service from a Springhill Suites than I received here today. Lied too, stalled, repromised, escalated to manager who started the cycle over again. All the while the “sales team” kept trying to sell me upgrades, spa packages, excursions etc. I finally had to threaten cancelling my stay and miraculously the room was ready…

Room is noted in the brochure they handed me at check in as having a stocked fridge with drinks and water. Fridge empty…. Room was ROASTING hot when I arrived… I turned it all the way down and went for a walk. Still not really cool - maybe my standards are too high.

Restaurants have timing gaps where there is NOTHING available! I stopped by the buffet… terrible… dude never did bring me the drink I asked for. Grabbed a burger at the Guys Burger place… 10 minute wait for a dried out burger. One bite, in the trash…

Went to the gym, was stopped on the way in and asked to fill out a form. Nice lady started running down spa packages I could add on before I stopped her.

Pool was Ok, but too many kids. Also there were guys there trying to hype up the crowd with bubble cannons… I was starting to look like a Cisco video so I headed out.

I have to mention that this resort is built into the side of a STEEP hill. Walking around is a real workout. This place is near nothing… took just under an hour to get here from LIR on a private transfer.

I am still in day 1 or a 5 day stay and I’m actually thinking about leaving tomorrow. I am so disappointed with this place… I should have listened to the bad reviews. This feel like those time share traps… I just waiting for that to start… AVOID!

Please don't waste your hard earned money and time here. Everything is a sales pitch, money grab or a nickel and dime transaction. If you don't purchase an upgrade to their "star class" system, you will be treated like a 3rd class citizen, poor food choices, disgusting drinks with alcohol that will make you sick, no daytime amenities except "calisthenics" with weird music at the pool that closes at 7:00 pm. No Costarican culture anywhere. The food is burgers, fries and pizza, or you can eat at one of the restaurants that open at 6:00 pm and close at 10:00 pm. (Plan on being there all night because service is extremely slow) No air conditioning - so no reprieve from the heat and humidity. If you go to the beach you will be haggled endlessly by vendors trying to sell you stuff. You are TRAPPED at the resort unless you book with THEIR agency for $200 and they "might" bring you back (it's not guaranteed). BEWARE of the time-share scam they will try to force you into purchasing for HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of dollars! If you want to have a good time, experience Costa Rica, eat good food, then choose somewhere else like Coco Beach or Tamarindo, an hour drive from the resort. Or you can feel robbed and mugged from Planet Hollywood Costa Rica.

Agree with the details of the recent 1 to 3 star reviews. We stayed 8 nights. The rooms are nice, the food and service quality are very poor across the board. Star Class benefits are not worth the price. For the price you pay and the "5-star" designation, it's absolutely a rip off. There are almost no meaningful perks offered to Marriot elite members. Would not come back or recommend to any family/friends.