Espadilla Gardens Hotel Pool
Espadilla Gardens Hotel Pool
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Espadilla Gardens Hotel, Manuel Antonio

Simple hotel near the beach with two pools, tropical-themed rooms, and a forest-surrounded restaurant

Overview

Recently renovated and featuring 16 units, Espadilla Gardens Hotel is the sister property of Hotel Playa Espadilla (about one block away) and shares amenities like an open-air restaurant and a garden with a nature path. Espadilla Gardens directly connects to the beach via a walking trail, and its tropical-themed rooms are simple yet spacious and comfortable.

Pros
  • You can easily walk to the beach in minutes via a private walkway.
  • The property is relatively flat, unlike the many hilly accommodations in the area, so it's easier to navigate. 
  • The outdoor pool area is relaxing with private cabanas, beachgrass umbrellas, and loungers.
Cons
  • There's no room variety, just standard units with either one or two beds (one queen or one queen and one single).
  • The pool gets crowded at peak times.
  • There's no spa or gym on-site.

Kimkim's Take

Brittany
Brittany McNamara kimkim staff
Based on kimkim staff visit, March 2022 (Learn more)

Authenticity

As its name indicates, tropical plants and trees surround Espadilla Gardens Hotel. The vibe is casual, with one-story buildings facing an outdoor pool and garden, creating a relaxing and calm environment perfect for a Costa Rican vacation. 

Location

Espadilla Gardens Hotel isn't beachfront, but a short walk on a private nature trail takes you directly to Playa Espadilla. Likewise, a quick walk in the other direction will get you to the national park's entrance and popular Park Trail. Also within walking distance are plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafés.

Rooms & Bathrooms

All rooms are the same, with either a queen bed or a queen and single bed, so Espadilla Gardens is likely best for small families, couples, or a getaway for two friends. Rooms are bright and colorful, with warm accents, ceiling fans, and waterfall showerheads in the bathrooms. All feature air-conditioning, cable TV, minifridges, and coffee makers. 

Sustainability

Espadilla Gardens Hotel and Hotel Playa Espadilla sit on a property filled with primary and secondary forests protected under the Espadilla Wildlife Refuge. The hotels use energy-saving techniques and alternative energies (such as solar) and earned five stars in the Blue Flag and Green Flag (drinking water management) programs.

Wildlife

Guests can expect to see wildlife around the property, including monkeys, iguanas, toucans, coatis, and birds. The pool area is home to a few sunbathing iguanas. 

Amenities

The hotel has two pools. One is smaller and shallow, dedicated to children, and the other is larger. Since it's located next to the hotel's restaurant, food and drink are available poolside. A small path at the end of the parking area goes straight to the beach; it's only a two-minute walk from the entrance of Manuel Antonio National Park. The hotel doesn't have a gym, but guests can participate in hotel-organized activities such as horseback riding, hiking, and surfing. The hotel has accessible accommodations, and the rooms and common areas are all on one level.  

Family-Friendliness

Espadilla Gardens is family-friendly, with a children's pool and kid-friendly menu options in the restaurant. Triple Superior rooms are best for families, providing more sleeping areas and a larger living space. The grounds are stroller-friendly for travelers with young children.

Other Highlights

The hotel's Puerto Escondido Restaurant and Bar serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring traditional Costa Rican fare, international specialties, and a full bar. The restaurant itself is surrounded by Manuel Antonio's tropical rainforest, and travelers may be able to spot wildlife from their tables while they dine. 

Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3-star Hotel
Hotel address icon Manuel Antonio Park road, Quepos 195, Costa Rica

Traveler Reviews

4 total ratings, 2 with reviews
4.5 out of 5
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
4.3
Location
5.0
Staff
4.7
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.7
Touraj
Touraj K.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on May 23, 2023
We absolutely loved it. Very friendly staff. Clean room and amazing service. Not that many people and the pool area was great. Had everything we needed and could chill 24/7 by the pool if we wanted to, so a late night deep in the water was no issue and very enjoyable cause the water remained nice and warm. Read more

We absolutely loved it. Very friendly staff. Clean room and amazing service. Not that many people and the pool area was great. Had everything we needed and could chill 24/7 by the pool if we wanted to, so a late night deep in the water was no issue and very enjoyable cause the water remained nice and warm.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Right next to the Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio. Also a short walk to the beach, etc.
Staff
Leo was great and answered every question we had!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Diana our room service was great. She would make animal shaped with towels or do little surprises for us everyday!
Stayed in May 2023
M
Melinda A.
Fremont, CA | Reviewed on Nov 30, 2022
Lovely hotel. We really enjoyed the location, since it's basically one of the closest hotels to the beach, as well as the the national park. Super easy to walk to the beach, and relax, or take a surf lesson. There is a bus stop, so if you want to go up the hill or to Quepos, it's like 350 colones to get on the bus, and it comes every 15 minutes. Super convenient. The rooms are small, but the air conditioning is good! The pool is warm, and the restaurant is at the sister hotel just down... Read more

Lovely hotel. We really enjoyed the location, since it's basically one of the closest hotels to the beach, as well as the the national park. Super easy to walk to the beach, and relax, or take a surf lesson. There is a bus stop, so if you want to go up the hill or to Quepos, it's like 350 colones to get on the bus, and it comes every 15 minutes. Super convenient. The rooms are small, but the air conditioning is good! The pool is warm, and the restaurant is at the sister hotel just down the road.
Super convenient place to stay, and reasonable room rates.

Stayed in November 2022