Sandos Papagayo

We generally had a good experience at this hotel. We returned again because our previous experience was exceptional. Although the service , food and amenities were excellent,unfortunately our room and the general upkeep of the hotel are starting to look a little tired, and need freshening up.Constructive criticism can help if used in the correct manner as there’s always room for improvement.

We loved this hotel when we first visited before Covid hit and were really pleased to be able to go back. We particularly enjoy the adults only pool where we can relax and enjoy a swim. The restaurant offered a fabulous choice of dishes at every meal. Walks along the seafront to the Marina and to the Playa Blanca shops gave ample opportunity to take in the views of the volcanoes and the islands.

This was an amazing break. The hotel was in a great location for us - on a peninsula with beautiful views. The food was lovely and there was always something to eat - even for my fussy young boys! The rooms were lovely, although the sofa bed could’ve been comfier - but that’s because my son is taller than me! Everything felt clean and maintained. The pools were very relaxing and just enough entertainment throughout the day for us all. There were plenty of places to spend the evening and watch a show or dance in a foam party! The staff were very friendly and helpful. I’m not sure the adults only area would’ve felt separate enough from the family areas - but that’s not why we came. We didn’t leave the complex for the whole week and had the most amazing time!! We might go back next year!

Great hotel, very friendly staff, clean room and lots of space, thoroughly enjoyed our stay would definitely recommend. The pool attendant was great helped to find a sun bed nothing too much trouble, never struggled finding a great spot, even used the Bali beds one day, you have to pay for this service but nice as a treat and views of the sea

Fantastic hotel. Food was marvellous, facilities surpassed out expectations and each member of staff was nicer and more helpful than the next.. This hotel went the extra mile to ensure we had a great time and the children were treated like royalty. We're going back!

We visited on July 10th for a week. I emailed the hotel before arriving and got exactly what we asked for, including bookings for the Asian and Mexican restaurant. This was our second visit so we did know what to expect. We went Royal Elite and to be honest I think this makes all the difference, even for me and I don't drink. We enjoyed the lounges with no queues for drinks, it was very busy at the pool bar in the evenings, where the outside entertainment was. We thought the food was absolutely fine, plenty of choice, only found one dish stone cold and that was from the Italian section, I guess I could have warmed it up in a microwave but I had already put salad on my plate before I realised it was cold. No big deal, I just didn't eat it, I certainly didn't go hungry. At any time of the day there was food available, either from the Royal Elite lounges, the snack bar or the restaurants. I came back a good few pounds heavier than I went. The main problem we found, which would probably stop me returning, is the sunbed situation. If we wanted to go around the pool, one of us would have to sit there from about 8am as if you left it any later you simply would not get a bed. I hated having to do this, but the alternative was that you would not get anywhere to sit. I totally realise this is the same at many hotels and I won't be going to them either at a busy time of year. On days that we had been out, to the market, or exploring, you absolutely had no chance of getting a few beds around any of the pools. People left their towels on for hours and hours without using the beds, which I absolutely could not do. The trick was for people to wait until 9am then all go to breakfast, which I don't have a problem with if they return after but when it comes to lunchtime and they still haven't used the beds then that is a problem. We still had a really lovely holiday but I just don't want sunbed wars on holiday.

The hotel is big but very clean. My room was quite big with good quality furniture and a comfortable bed. I only used the main buffet/ Italian restaurant. The choice and quality of the food was mixed but I never had to queue and wine, water and soft drinks are on tap. Not all the bars advertised were open and as a solo traveller I was disappointed there was no waiter service in the 2 bars I used. The bar staff reduced the queues quickly, however. Disappointedly the all-inclusive bar service finished at 23.00. I had a good 4-night holiday but will probably not return.

Went to this hotel a few years ago and decided to visit again as we had previously enjoyed our stay. Just prior to going, I read some reviews and I had that sinking feeling...... There was some truth in some of them but others were basically untrue. So, to set the record straight... The pools are cold, but only if you have been lying baking in the sun. Don't go in bit by bit as that is torture, just jump in and it is absolutely fine. There are some broken tiles around the pool area, but they aren't too bad at all and if they tried to mend them, there would be complaints that work was going on while people were trying to enjoy their holiday! The food was very good, yes it was 'repetitive', the first week was the same as the second week, but the choice was amazing, so even although there was a repeat, there were still numerous choices, including some distinctly Spanish ones which meant you could try little tasters of things. There were loads of salad platters and on this holiday, I tried 6 different types of fish that I had never had before, including shark. I also tried wild boar, rabbit and goat. The desserts were also amazing. The one area that I do think needs a little attention is the update in the rooms. We were in one of the refurbished rooms which was big but the bathroom was tired and some of the fittings had come loose. The shower power was weak and, depending on what time we showered, we could sometimes end up with cold showers. The air-con wasn't bad but it wasn't great either as even on full power we were still very warm at night. And finally, the balcony was enormous and the view was impressive but it would have been good to have had some loungers there so that we could have enjoyed it. However that will not deter us and we hope to visit again........

I just read so many reviews of this hotel and am actually appalled by some people. So I decided to write this review because me and my boyfriend had an amazing holiday. We went to Sandos at the beginning of June and stayed for a week. The reception staff was very helpful, and friendly. The rooms are very modern and nice, had a balcony facing the pools. Rooms are tidied daily, always lovely to come back to a freshly tidied room. All the buildings have lifts. The main food was buffet and an Italian style buffet which was a bit smaller, but there was pizza and pasta everyday! My boyfriend is an extremely picky eater and he had loads of things to eat, I am more extravagant so I had to try many different meals. Food is pretty much the same everyday but had different variations of each, e.g. they have paella every day but it has different ingredients: pork, sea food, etc... We also went to the Mexican one night, also very good. The main bar was amazing! Many different drinks included in the all inclusive, we had many cocktails and honestly we really enjoyed them, there were queues later in the evening (after 8pm or so) but we didn't mind - the fact that you can have as many as you'd like made up for it (as other places have restrictions on alcohol). You also get a great view out of the balcony in the bar (lovely for sunsets). The pools were lovely too, if wanted you can go to the adult only section, it is pretty calm there and there is an outdoor jacuzzi. I've now seen that they have put a rule of no reserving sunbeds before 9am and honestly that's for the best, when we went you could barely get a sunbed later in the morning as people would "reserve" sunbeds from 6am! There is a snack bar at the pool which serves many different things. There is also a bar, serving alcoholic slushies and other drinks, oh and ice cream. There are indoor jacuzzis and sauna/steam room, loved it. We went to the spa, amazing massages. There is also mini golf, tennis tables, pool (which was sadly broken). If you cannot be bothered to walk around the hotel to get mini golf sticks from reception and go out to play then don't bother going there at all as this is a big hotel and you definitely get your steps in. I love the space and would much rather have a big hotel, which feels like a proper resort. We absolutely loved Herberto at the bar and Williams in the restaurant, such welcoming and kind people!

Second visit exceeded the first. Food excellent and available 24 hours. Location of hotel is beautiful with a walkway to the marina and way beyond. Access to Papagayo beach is a short walk away and well worth a visit. Fusion resturaunt is amazing too. The hotel and pools are immaculate and cleaning goes on throughout the day. Every member of staff works together to give guests the best experience ever. The entertainment team ensure that your evening will be enjoyabe too. We are looking to book our third visit in september.