Escape to Paradise: Costa Rica's Marriott Hacienda Belen - Unforgettable Luxury Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Costa Rica's Marriott Hacienda Belen - Honestly, It's Pretty Freakin' Great! (But Here's the Real Deal…)
Alright, buckle up buttercups! I just got back from the Marriott Hacienda Belen in Costa Rica, and lemme tell you, it's a whole thing. They promise "Unforgettable Luxury," and, well, they mostly deliver. Before I dive into the tropical goodness, let's be real: I’m a sucker for convenience, and this review is gonna be real.
Accessibility &… Well, Let's Get Practical First
Okay, so accessibility. This is important, people! The hotel does have facilities for disabled guests, which is awesome. I didn’t need them personally, but I peeked around. They've got an elevator, which is a godsend (especially after those epic buffet breakfasts… more on those later). I didn’t see tons of ramps everywhere, but again, from what I observed, the accessibility looked pretty decent. I'd definitely suggest confirming specific needs directly with the hotel before booking to be absolutely sure.
Internet – The Lifeline of the Modern Traveler
Let's be honest, we all need that sweet, sweet Wi-Fi. Thankfully, Free Wi-Fi is in all rooms! Hallelujah! I could practically live-stream my entire trip (and you know I considered it!). The Wi-Fi in public areas was also good, like solid! Work-life balance right! We’re talking Wi-Fi in public areas and you can also get on the Internet and the Internet [LAN].
Cleanliness and Safety – The Post-COVID Reality Check
Right, the elephant in the room: COVID. The Belen gets serious bonus points here. They're all over it. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, professional-grade sanitizing services, and rooms sanitized between stays. You know, the usual. But they also had individually-wrapped food options (hello, delicious little pastries!). They had hand sanitizer stations everywhere, (which I appreciate given my germaphobia), and the staff were all wearing masks and trained in safety protocols. I didn't feel anxious by any means!
They also had daily housekeeping and room sanitization opt-out available – nice touch! I actually opted in for the most part, because, you know, gotta keep things sparkling! They also have first aid kit, **doctor/nurse on call.
They even had safe dining setup and sanitized kitchen and tableware items!
The Food Scene – And My Thoughts on Oversharing (Ahem, Breakfast)
Okay, the food. This is where things get… personal. I LOVE food. And the Belen gives you options!
- Restaurants abound! They have a restaurant, with Asian Cuisine in the restaurant, and Western cuisine in the restaurant, and an International cuisine in the restaurant. Seriously, you are covered!
- Breakfast [buffet]: THIS IS WHERE IT’S AT. I’m not kidding. The Breakfast [buffet] was insane. Picture this: a mountain of fresh fruit (hello, pineapple!), perfectly cooked eggs, pancakes, waffles, every kind of bread imaginable. And get this: Asian breakfast! I'm a sucker for a good congee, and they delivered. And of course, you can get Coffee/tea in restaurant, for that little caffeine pick me up!
- A la carte in restaurant: Sure, you can order off the menu. I did. It was delicious.
- Poolside bar: Yes. Because what says "vacation" more than a frozen margarita by the pool? They also had a snack bar that was good when you got hungry!
- Room service [24-hour]: I didn't use it. But the option is glorious!
- Vegetarian restaurant: Didn't hit this place.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – My Daily Routine
- Happy hour: This is a must-do. Great value, great drinks, great vibe.
- Coffee shop: Coffee was good and there are desserts in restaurant!
- Bottle of water: Free, which is awesome!
Things to Do – And the "Ways to Relax" – My Personal Spa Debacle
Okay, this is where the Belen REALLY shines. You've got options, people!
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Beautiful. Big. Clean. Perfect for lounging. Pool with view!
- Gym/fitness: I attempted. I lasted all of 20 minutes. I'm on vacation, people! But, yeah, they have a Fitness center.
- Spa/sauna: This is where things went a little sideways for me. Their spa is gorgeous. Like, seriously, Instagram-worthy. I booked a massage. I don't know what I expected. I always end up either giggling the whole time. The pressure was a little…light? But the setting was peaceful, and honestly, I felt relaxed afterward.
- Sauna: Didn’t get to the Sauna, maybe next time?
- Steamroom: I’d try the Steamroom, next time.
- Foot bath: Sounds amazing.
- Body scrub:
- Body wrap
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter (Mostly)
Concierge: Helpful, friendly, and always had a smile.
Daily housekeeping: My room was always spotless!
Laundry service: Needed it desperately.
Luggage storage: Thankfully necessary.
Dry cleaning: Didn’t need it, but good to know!
Safe deposit boxes: ALWAYS use them!
Gift/souvenir shop: Filled with beautiful Costa Rican goodies.
Currency exchange: Convenient!
Cash withdrawal
Doorman: Always a nice touch.
Elevator: Essential.
For the Kids – And If You’re Going to Propose
- Babysitting service: Family-friendly!
- Kids facilities: The whole place is kid-friendly!
- Proposal spot: Romantic and beautiful.
Getting Around… or, My Taxi Mishap
- Airport transfer: Easy and smooth.
- Taxi service: Available. Be careful. I got ripped off a bit. Always negotiate the price beforehand!
- Car park [free of charge]
Available in All Rooms – The Nitty Gritty Perks
Okay, now let's talk about the rooms. You're in Costa Rica. The rooms need to be good. They are!
- Air conditioning: Absolutely essential.
- Complimentary tea: Score!
- Coffee/tea maker: A lifesaver when you wake up at 4 am from jet lag.
- Mini bar: Stocked!
- Free bottled water: Always appreciated.
- Wake-up service: Reliable.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Yessssss!
- Desk: I pretended to work for a bit.
- In-room safe box: For all your valuables!
- Hair dryer: Thank god.
- Bathrobes: Luxury!
- Slippers: Comfort.
My Overall Vibe (and the Verdict)
Look, the Marriott Hacienda Belen is a top-notch resort. Yes, the breakfast buffet alone is worth the price of admission. And yes, the pool is pure bliss. The service is generally excellent. The rooms are comfortable and well-appointed.
Where It Could Be Better: Maybe a little less "corporate" and a little more "Costa Rican charm." But honestly? This place delivers.
Final verdict: Highly recommended!
Escape to Paradise: Costa Rica's Marriott Hacienda Belen - Book Now and Save!
Tired of the same old vacation? Crave an escape that’s both luxurious and worry-free?
Look no further than the Marriott Hacienda Belen in Costa Rica! Nestled in the heart of lush landscapes and offering world-class amenities, this resort is your ticket to an unforgettable getaway.
Here's what awaits you:
- Unrivaled Comfort: Spacious, well-appointed rooms with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and all the comforts of home.
- Gastronomic Delights: From the legendary breakfast buffet (seriously, you HAVE to experience it!) to world-class dining options, your taste buds will thank you.
- Ultimate Relaxation: Soak up the sun by the sparkling outdoor pool, indulge in a rejuvenating spa treatment, or break a sweat in the state-of-the-art fitness center.
- Safety and Peace of Mind: Enjoy a worry-free vacation with top-notch cleanliness standards, including antiviral cleaning products, daily disinfection, and staff trained in safety protocols.
- Convenience at Your Fingertips: Relax with a concierge, daily housekeeping, laundry service, and more.
Alright, alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is a real Costa Rican adventure, fueled by caffeine, regret, and an unshakeable belief that I totally packed the right shoes. This is the Hacienda Belen, Costa Rica itinerary, unfiltered, uncensored, and probably slightly hungover.
Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen: A Slightly Unhinged Itinerary (or, "How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Gallo Pinto")
Day 1: Arrival and Immediate Panic (Or, Where Did My Luggage Go?)
- 10:00 AM (ish): Touchdown at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). The air hits you like a warm, humid hug. Or maybe it's just the anxiety of not knowing if my bag made it. (Spoiler alert: It didn't, mostly. One of the two bags made it. The other one? Still somewhere in the ether. Send help. And socks.)
- 11:00 AM: Shuffle through customs, dodging the usual chaos. Costa Rican efficiency is… charming. Eventually, I somehow grab a taxi (haggling is a skill I’m still refining – I probably paid too much, but hey, I’m alive).
- 12:00 PM: Arrive at the Marriott Hacienda Belen. Wow. The lobby is gorgeous, all open-air and lush greenery. The staff? Ridiculously friendly. Immediately feel a wave of guilt for my earlier baggage-induced grumpiness. Check in. My room is… okay. Bit of a view of a parking lot, but who cares? I’m in Costa Rica! (Also, where the hell is my other bag?!)
- 1:00 PM: Attempt to have lunch at the hotel restaurant. Menu is mostly in Spanish. "Uh, hola… I'll take the… arroz con pollo?" (Nailed it? Hopefully.) It’s surprisingly delicious, and the friendly server who just gave me a shot glass of what I believe to be rum makes up for my shaky Spanish.
- 2:30 PM: Pool time! FINALLY. Ah, the bliss of bobbing in cool water, pretending the world doesn't exist. Suddenly, a rogue iguana decides to sunbathe right next to me. I scream. Loudly. People stare. I pretend to be admiring the view. Costa Rica, you are testing me.
- 5:00 PM: Room service (because I'm still bag-less, and who needs clothes when you have a bathrobe?). Order patacones (fried plantains). They are heavenly. Consider eating only patacones for the rest of the trip.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Try the local beer, Imperial. It's… refreshing. The guitarist starts playing, and it's all so utterly romantic… until I realize I'm dining alone. Begin deep dive into pondering the meaning of life, solo travel, and the whereabouts of my bag.
- 9:00 PM: Crash. Utter, glorious, jet-lagged crash.
Day 2: Exploring & Chocolate Nirvana (Or, The Day I Almost Met a Sloth…Maybe)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. Sun is already blazing. Coffee is a MUST. Hotel coffee – amazing. Suddenly, I’m a morning person, or at least, a person who needs coffee.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Gallo pinto. (Rice and beans, the national dish). Initially skeptical. Now… addicted. Seriously, I might move to Costa Rica just to eat gallo pinto every day. It's a life-changing experience.
- 9:30 AM: Arrange a driver (through hotel – convenient, slightly pricey. Worth it, perhaps?). Head towards a local coffee plantation, but I'm going to switch it up to Doka Estate Coffee Tour! This is it, people: The real Costa Rican experience.
- 10:00 AM: Arrive at Doka Estate! The aroma of coffee is overwhelmingly intoxicating. I'm walking a tour of this place, and I'm trying to be a coffee snob (I'm not). I'm learning about the harvesting process, from the red cherries plucked from the trees to the final cup of hot liquid. The views are ridiculous, the coffee is rich and complex – and I'm even starting to understand why people are so obsessed. This is where the fun really begins…
- 12:00 AM: Lunch. Traditional Costa Rican fare. Suddenly, I'm craving another gallo pinto! The tour guide, José, is a legend. He tells stories of the local life, the history of coffee, and… wait, did he say “sloth”? My ears perk up. Apparently, sloths hang out in the trees, and I HAVE to see one or I will be incredibly disappointed.
- 1:00 PM: Coffee-tasting: The holy grail. The tour leads the way.
- 3:00 PM: Chocolate time! Next stop: Rainforest Chocolate Tour. Chocolate, baby! We’re talking about the source: The cocoa beans. The tour is informative, fun, and messy. Like me. I might have gotten some chocolate on my face. Judge me.
- 5:00 PM: Return to the hotel. The day was awesome. But I didn’t see a sloth! Now, I may have made that up. I don’t remember seeing a sloth, but let's face it -- the thought of seeing a sloth is what matters the most.
- 7:00 PM: Rest and reflect.
- 9:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel. Try the local beer, Imperial. It's… refreshing. The guitarist starts playing, and it's all so utterly romantic… until I realize I'm dining alone. Begin deep dive into pondering the meaning of life, solo travel, and the whereabouts of my bag.
- 10:00 PM: Crash. Utter, glorious, jet-lagged crash.
Day 3: Last Day (Or, How I Learned to Embrace the Chaos)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up! Last day. Grab another gallo pinto (obviously). Make a trip to the pool.
- 10:00 AM: Hotel Check out. Say goodbyes. Smile at the staff members, and tip them properly.
- 11:00 AM: Trip home. Pray that the bag shows up.
- Afternoon: Land home, and the bag is still missing.
Reflections
Costa Rica is insane. Beautiful, frustrating, exhilarating, and messy. And I wouldn't trade it for the world… even without my favorite socks.
Pura Vida! (… and someone, please find my bag.)
Escape to Kosta Lodge: Your Unforgettable Swedish Getaway
So, what *is* this "thing" we're talking about, anyway? (And why is it the bane of my existence sometimes?)
Okay, okay, let's just *say* it: we're tackling the big, scary, sometimes-absolutely-glorious concept of **stuff.** You know, like... life? Experiences? The whole shebang. I mean, we're talking about things that make you laugh, cry, rage, and everything in between. Think of it as a giant, messy pile of… well, **stuff.**
My personal relationship with "stuff" is… complicated. I'm a recovering perfectionist, so you can imagine the internal battle. Sometimes it feels like I'm drowning in it. Other times, it's the reason I wake up with a spring in my step and ready to face the day! It’s a constant negotiation, a dance between control and chaos. Which is probably why I'm so obsessed with it. Sorry, I do get ahead of myself.
How do I even *start* trying to… you know… handle all the "stuff"? It's overwhelming!
Listen, I get it. Seriously. It's a freakin' *mountain*. Where do you even begin? Honestly? I usually lie down for a bit first. Just a good, long, dramatic sigh. Then… baby steps. Pick ONE thing. Maybe the overflowing junk drawer (I can relate!). Or the mountain of laundry that's starting to develop its own ecosystem. Don't try to conquer the world in a day. You'll burn out before you even get to the good stuff.
I’ve got this one story… my first apartment, right? I was SO pumped. I envisioned this minimalist, zen-like space. Reality smacked me in the face with a rusty metal spatula and a mountain of unpacked boxes. Honestly? I stared at those boxes for a week. A WEEK! Finally, I just started with the easiest one: the spices. It set this whole domino effect in motion (spices are important!). It's easier than you think. Just find the smallest thing, and do it. Even if it's just for 5 minutes. You'll feel better, I promise!
Okay, I'm trying, but I keep getting distracted! Squirrel! (Or, you know... social media.) How do I stay focused?
Oh, the distractions! They're the enemy! Seriously, my phone and I have a *very* complicated relationship. It's like, "I need you!" and "Ugh, leave me alone!" all day long. My best advice (and I'm still working on this myself) is to *schedule* "distraction time." Seriously! Give yourself permission to scroll, to check your feeds, to binge-watch that show you love… but set a timer. When the timer goes off, it's BACK to the task at hand.
Another thing that really helps me is telling someone what I'm doing. Like, "Hey, I'm going to clean the fridge now!" That way if they come in and I'm staring blankly at the inside of my fridge, they keep you on track, even if it's just because of the potential public shame. It's a total accountability hack!
What if I fail? What if I get overwhelmed and just give up? Is that okay?
Okay, listen. *Failing* is practically a prerequisite around here. It's part of the deal! Seriously. There are days when I feel like I can tackle the world, and then there are days when I can't even manage to put on matching socks. And you know what? That's *fine*. It's more than okay. It’s human.
One time, I tried to organize my entire closet. Like, KonMari style. I even got fancy, buying all those perfectly matching hangers. It lasted for, like, maybe a week. Then, life happened, and it all went downhill. It was a MESS. But, you know, I didn’t give up completely. I took a breath, put some of the close away, and went on to the next task! And you know what? It was fine! That whole process taught me *something*, and that’s the *real* victory here.
I'm starting to see a pattern, but what about things like clutter but it's not physical? How do I deal with the other "stuff" of life?
Ooh, that's a good one! Because we're not just talking about *stuff* to be put away! We're going deep here! I can totally relate. Mental clutter, emotional baggage, toxic relationships – that stuff can be heavier than a mountain of dirty socks. Honestly, I think it's the hardest part. It's definitely the hardest part for me.
I'm slowly getting better at recognizing the sources of my negative "stuff." For instance, I decided to cut ties with a friend who was always negative and dragging me down. It was painful, at first. It felt like losing a limb. But the relief? The freedom? It was *amazing*. I still struggle with toxic thoughts sometimes, but I'm getting better about recognizing them and challenging them. It’s a constant work in progress, but recognizing it is half the battle, right?
This is all well and good, but sometimes I just want to... *do* "stuff." How do I find more joy and meaning in the process? (Or at least, not feel like I'm just constantly surviving?)
YES! This is the *best* question! Because let's face it, life isn't *just* about avoiding the bad stuff. It's about finding joy, creating meaning, and making the most of this crazy ride. I'm a big believer in trying new things, even if they scare the heck out of me. Paintball? Nope. Karaoke? Double nope. But I tried them! And you know what? I had fun! I made a complete fool of myself at karaoke, and I have the photos to prove it. I *still* cringe! But I also did it! (Okay, fine, I've still never done paintball, but I digress.)
I try to remind myself, daily, to embrace the messy. To be present. To find beauty in the small moments. The laughter of my children. A perfectly brewed cup of coffee. The way the sun hits the trees in the morning. It's a conscious choice. And it's worth every single, messy second, because you deserve to live a life you love!
How do I maintain it all? Like, once I've started to make progress, how do I not backslide?
Ugh, the slippery slope! The nemesis! Okay, look. Backsliding is *inevitable*. Let's just get that out there. You *will* have days (weeks, sometimes!) where everything goes to hell in a handbasket. It's part of the process! The key is not to beat yourself up aboutWander Stay Spot
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