The skyline over Jacó Beach on the Costa Rican Pacific has gotten a little bit more crowded with the addition of the long-awaited Crocs Casino Resort to the beach. But while the looming towers may look like just another resort, the hotel brings a level of luxury and class not often seen on the Jacó beachfront.
With 152 rooms, the new resort now swims with biggest fish in the already crowded Jacó hotel pond, but its amenities and spectacular location help it stand out. As with most resorts, a guest could conceivably have a wonderful vacation at Crocs without ever stepping off the property, but unlike the nearby Best Western, Crocs is not all inclusive.
Despite its mass appeal, most everything at Crocs feels fancy, shiny and new. From our entry into the lobby to our escorted journey to our room, I felt like I was in a luxurious boutique hotel more than a massive resort. The hotel’s general decor offers a kind of sterilized window into the Costa Rica outside the resort walls. The wall art shows Costa Rican landscapes, the restaurants have cute Tico-Spanish names and the real versions of the fake plants in the vases can be found in Costa Rica’s jungles.
Six stories up, our room was decorated in a neutral, modern style. It was luxurious and comfortable, but the real show-stopper was outside the window. Pulling back the curtains we looked out to a sweeping view of the ocean and Jacó Beach.
But the beach couldn’t hold our gaze for long because tilting our eyes below the horizon and back to the hotel grounds we could also see the hotel’s impressive pool area beckoning us downstairs. Featuring a waterslide, two underwater seating areas and three cold-water jacuzzis, the massive pool has something for everyone. It is also steps away from the soft sands of the blessedly uncrowded north-end of the beach.
But while the pool is great for lounging and swimming, diners beware of the El Zarpe poolside restaurant. Though fast and convenient, our boneless wings and cheese plate resembled something from the freezer section at the local pulpería more than anything that should be on the menu at an upscale hotel.
Once the sun sets and the pool closes (though not until 10 p.m.) the real fun continues inside. Gamblers will love Crocs’ gigantic casino, full of slot machines, card tables and even a unique Crocs version of roulette at the front. The second floor is also home to a club-style bar and restaurant with a DJ that keeps the music thumping late into the night.
Overall, Crocs had a little bit of something for everyone. Spring breakers looking to party, retired couples hoping to relax and families with young children can all have the vacation they are looking for. For the Jacó beach resort experience, there doesn’t seem to be a better option.
