Review left by brandy

5 stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow! A terrific adventure yet we felt right at home 😀
We enjoyed stargazing while floating in the pool and marveling in the many sounds and sights of nature when rocking in the chairs outside the room. Our family loved seeing the monkeys and iguanas that live around the hotel. *Long may Gus the Gutter Iguana reign!*
Jordan and Joesph made us feel very welcome and comfortable. Every meal and drink was simply delicious and very reasonably priced. We have pretty high expectations too!! Our house keeper kept our room so tidy and always made my son's bed up to be so cute with his blanket and stuffed sloth. 😍
We loved meeting Phil and hearing stories that Heads like us (we got on the bus a further down the road) crave to hear. WRITE THE BOOK PHIL, or let me know if you want me to ghost write it😁
Most beautiful beach I have ever been to: Fine sand, not over crowded, perfect place for first time surfers.
If you are looking for a place to experience the best in life with an authentic and comfortable vibe, look no further. A Mecca for Deadheads to add to their tour bucket list. Thanks Phil and friends!! FARE THEE WELL!!!

“Sixth Visit and Counting”

Such a fun, happy place. Fabulous staff, yummy food, comfortable rooms and the best live music in Costa Rica. Celebrated my 70th birthday at the Grateful Hotel with 30 friends from the states and Costa Rica. Staff was gracious and worked long hours and several days to keep guests in Grateful style. You will have a Real Good Time when staying here.

“Sunday Funday”

Grabbed the free water taxi from Tamarindo to Grateful Hotel (12:30-5:00) Friendly greeting by wait staff & owner. Live music entertained us as we enjoyed cocktails & lunch at our shaded table. Kitchen delivered some of the freshest tuna & red snapper dishes we’ve enjoyed on this Costa Rica getaway.

“Life changing”

This is the first and smallest review I will write, but I did not want to wait any longer. I was there 3/28/23 - 4/4/23. Within these dates fell my 59th birthday and my 36th wedding anniversary. I could not have had a better time for both (same date). I have never eaten as well, on consecutive days, on vacation, in my life. The place is inside a national park. I took howler monkey pictures 40 yards from my room. If that is your thing come on. The staff is worth the trip alone. Franchesco is the absolute king of hospitality. I have never had service on the lever we received there, and day in and day out. These folks get it; from Chef, who's dishes are amazing and varied, to Olga and Carlos and everyone there...but Franchesco was a vacation saver and will always hold a special place in our hearts., More later on the live music for 5 straight days!!!!!.

 

“Adorable, quaint, super fun Grateful Dead Inspired inn located a stones throw by ferry to Tamarindo. Phil and Denise think of everything in order to make your stay perfect, Including fabulous music almost every night! It’s been a pleasure getting to know them and I will be back!
Disliked · When they pave the road I bet everyone will be cheering🥳”

Karen

 

“Great staff Victor, Alonzo and the young very friendly and helpful female manager! great musical talent ( Trevor Clark) and others .very friendly atmosphere .Tr. Phil the owner was always there interacting with the guests ,Nice Touch !!”

Tim - United States

 

“Awesome set up, amazing property, fantastic menu... and of course, great life music in a outstanding restaurant. It's a bit isolated, but that's the beauty of all!”

Pol - Curacao

 

“A lovely, peaceful getaway! Staff was friendly, helpful, and welcoming! On site restaurant was tasty, and breakfast was excellent. Highly recommend the pina coladas as well! Nice clean and cool pool! Comfy and giant bed!”

Benjamin - Canada

10/7/2022

“Great vibez”

We came for a few drinks in the evening. This place is so cool, lovely atmosphere, nice cocktails and the live band was epic. The location of Playa Grande is great, empty beaches in the day and the surf is spot on.

MishaC133

“Loved grateful restaurant”

Highly recommend for breakfast, lunch and or dinner. Food and drinks are excellent and they often have live music which is a great fun night out. Loved the atmosphere too. Owner very friendly.great location and you can take the water taxi to get there or if you are staying in playa grande it’s very easy to get to.

Lsanty18

“Sugarees restaurant at the grateful hotel”

The best veggie burger I have had in all of Playa Grande! Great environment and great food 🙂 breakfast is especially good! Love the French toast. They have live music 4 or 5 days a week and are great at putting on a fun show with a warm welcome.

allib389

Grateful for this place!
We have spent four months in the Tamarindo/Villarreal and have visited multiple restaurants & bars in the area…but I must say The Grateful Hotel & Sugaree’s Bar & Grill was our absolute favourite hangout on Funday Sundays. We went several times and often introduced new friends and family to this incredible place. Everyone enjoyed it!

The music, the food, the atmosphere, the staff & we would remiss if we didn’t mention the owner, Phil. They are what makes this little place on earth as unique and fun as any other place to be!

Wear your swimsuit and enjoy a dip in the pool as you sip on your favourite beverage, all while listening to some Bob Marley with Sebastian & with guest entertainment from all over the world. It’s pretty cool!

PaulineandRick

March 29, 2022

Feeling Grateful!
We were lost when we ended up at Grateful! The owner Phil suggested we relax and eat and then find our way. It worked! There was live music. We had yummy cocktails and dinner before we found our villa. We enjoyed our experience and returned before we left Costa Rica for another Grateful experience. I loved the passion fruit cheesecake

DTRLaw

 January 8, 2022

GREAT Experience, GREAT Food
We've eaten here 3x in a week! and are returning today for Funday Sunday. My wife and I originally came for the fun live music just a few blocks from the beach and soon discovered the amazing food and drinks. Favorite is the Ahi Tuna, followed by the Prime Rib -both we ordered blackened. Drinks are awesome and big. I'd say one of the better food options we've experienced traveling the world the past 1.5 years. During the day hang by the pool, at night by the bar with the lights and band the place transforms. Don't miss this place. It is the perfect places

Steve G

January 2, 2022

Delicious and fresh food, made with love
Food is top notch. I got the Sugaree burger and it was the best burger i’ve honestly ever had. It almost melted in my mouth. My family and I also ordered many Franklins Tuna Towers because they were so yummy. Any food I got was pretty great. We ate here for most of our week long stay… breakfast is included in the room price if you stay at the grateful hotel. The coconut cheesecake and passion fruit cheesecake were also incredible. I highly recommend the food and can feel it is made with love.
to call home when on the beach.

tacya898

November 25, 2021

Matt Mcnulty
I had no idea what to expect when I got on a plane and flew to Costa Rica with my buddy Greg to play some dead tunes at The Grateful Hotel & Restaurant.

From the moment I arrived I felt immediately at home. Phil and his staff were absolutely amazing. I can’t thank you all enough for having me and I can’t wait to come back and do it again. On our final day, I was presented with a “diploma” for I have graduated Grateful Hotel boot camp.

10 shows | 12 days | 150 Songs | 30 Hours of Music | No Breaks |

Friends, i can’t recommend this place enough and I will be back here soon - keep your calendars open!

🏝 PARADISE WAITS 🏝

Great hotel, great music and good vibes from the staff. Went for first time last week and going about again this weekend! Nice job Phil...an awesome concept. Pura vida!
Great hotel bar, Spacious roomsk.

Kindrid
05/13/2020

Love this little out of the way gem. Staff is awesome and helpful. i was having some tummy issues upon my arrival and Clayton at the bar was so thoughtful. making me club sodas with ginger and mint.

Yossi was the sweetest server and never let us down. The food is delicious with lots of vegetarian and vegan choices as well. The drinks won't you let you down!
We couldn't have been more pleased with Jean's concierge services. He made our arrangements for the Covid test to re-enter the US. All we had to do was answer our room door and pay the fee. six hours later we had our results. Jean also makes a great smoothie!
Being a fairly new place, it is understandable that there will be ongoing improvements, but Phil and his wife Denise have done a great job so far and i look forward to coming back.

Meena Saxena
4/19/2020

My second time here and it won’t be my last. Really enjoyed the place the owners are awesome great music great fun I liked it so much I’ll be back for my birthday in August with 30 friend

Maria Karuna Devi
4/19/2021