Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel

The hotel's private beach and multiple swimming pools stand out as its signature features, offering a serene and relaxing environment. Guests consistently describe the hotel as a homely and relaxing resort, often praising its beautiful scenery and well-maintained grounds. It's particularly well-suited for families seeking a fun and safe environment, with plenty of activities for children, and for couples looking for a quiet getaway. Short-stay travelers and those needing a convenient stop near the airport also find it ideal. To enhance your stay, be aware of the hotel's somewhat isolated location, making taxi or ride-sharing services essential for exploring outside the property. Also, consider that the hotel can host events, which might occasionally impact the quiet atmosphere.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel boasts multiple swimming pools that are consistently described as lovely, clean, and well-maintained, with some featuring a slide that is popular with children. A private beach with white sand and ample lounge chairs offers a tranquil spot, though some guests note it can be small and less ideal for swimming or snorkeling at low tide due to rocky areas. Wi-Fi is generally available and stable, but some guests experienced intermittent or weak signals in certain rooms. The indoor bar area is appreciated for its relaxed atmosphere, offering a pool table and darts. Guests also enjoy complimentary access to activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboards, and bicycles. While a kids club and play areas are available and enjoyed by families, some guests found the fitness center to be small.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Most guests commend the cleanliness of the rooms, often describing them as spacious and well-maintained. The beds are frequently highlighted for their comfort, with many guests enjoying a restful sleep. However, some found the beds to be quite hard. While rooms generally offer a pleasant stay, some guests noted that the decor can appear dated or old, with occasional musty smells. Noise levels can be a concern for some, particularly from loud air conditioning units, nearby construction, or team building events held on the property, as well as occasional barking dogs from outside. Amenities like refrigerators were sometimes reported as not getting beverages cold enough, and some rooms lacked complimentary drinking water or slippers. A few isolated reports mentioned issues such as bed bugs or cockroaches, though these were not widespread.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast buffet receives mixed but generally positive feedback, with many guests praising its large and extensive variety of both local and international options, including popular items like French toast and ube bread. However, some found the breakfast buffet to be average, limited, or lacking in certain Western varieties. The hotel features multiple restaurants on-site, offering convenience, but opinions on food quality vary, with some finding it good and tasty, while others describe it as average, not extraordinary, or even disappointing and overpriced. Drinks, particularly beer and soft drinks, are consistently noted as being expensive, with some guests considering the prices absurd. While some specific dishes like Kinilaw were enjoyed, others like ice cream or certain vegetable tempura dishes received negative comments.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is frequently described as isolated and out of the way, situated in the middle of nowhere or at the end of an alley, meaning there is nothing around within walking distance. This necessitates reliance on transportation for external activities. Despite its seclusion, the hotel is conveniently located close to the airport, making it a suitable choice for travelers with connecting flights. Guests consistently mention the need to use taxis, Grab (ride-sharing services), or tricycles to reach attractions, shopping areas, or other restaurants. While the hotel can arrange transportation, some guests reported that Grab services could be difficult to obtain or that hotel-arranged taxis were more expensive and sometimes unmetered. A few reviews noted that some local shops and Korean restaurants are accessible if one ventures out from the main gate.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receives overwhelming praise, being described as excellent, amazing, very nice, friendly, helpful, and attentive. Guests frequently highlight their accommodating and welcoming demeanor, noting that they often go above and beyond to assist with requests. Many appreciate the sincere and professional service provided across various departments, from housekeeping and bell services to restaurant staff and lifeguards. The check-in process is generally reported as quick and efficient, with some guests even being allowed early check-in. While some isolated comments mentioned a few instances of unhelpful or rude front office staff, the vast majority of reviews underscore the staff's commitment to providing a positive and memorable guest experience, making them a significant highlight of the stay.

Additional Information
A recurring theme in guest feedback is the hotel's strict no outside food or drink policy, with some reviews mentioning a significant fine for violations, compelling guests to dine exclusively at the hotel's restaurants. This policy, along with the sale of day passes to non-guests, can sometimes lead to the pools feeling crowded. The property has also experienced ongoing construction and renovation work, which, while necessary for improvements, occasionally resulted in noise or paint smells affecting some rooms. Guests should also be aware that the hotel operates as a non-smoking resort, with designated smoking areas that some found to be inconvenient or unpleasant. Some reviews also noted that the property, while well-maintained, shows signs of being older or dated in certain areas.