Inside the New Andaz Costa Rica Beach House
Our family of four recently kicked off the summer with a trip to the Andaz Costa Rica. This was a return trip to the resort for Josh and me, but the first trip to Costa Rica for our two girls. You can get a sneak preview of our time on the ground in Costa Rica in this post, but now it's time to dive into some of the specifics of our stay and the property The Andaz Costa Rica is one of the absolute best World of Hyatt redemption values in the world at just 15,000 points per night for a stay in a top-notch resort. Rates can easily creep into the $300 - $500 nightly range during peak times, but standard rooms remail just 15,000 points. Since it is a Category 4 property, you can even use a Category 1 - 4 award night that comes each year with the Hyatt Credit Card to cover part of your stay if you want to keep your points and cash tucked away for another day.
Inside the New Andaz Costa Rica Beach House
Something brand new to the Andaz Costa Rica since our trip last year is the opening of their very own Andaz Beach House. The onsite beach at the Andaz Costa Rica isn't the best as it is quite small and pretty densely populated with trees, so on our last visit, they had an arrangement that allowed guests to visit the nearby Prieta Beach Club on a shuttle at no charge.
Now instead of using the Prieta Beach Club as a second beach option, a shuttle bus plus short golf cart ride will take you on a 10 - 15 minute journey to their own private Andaz Beach House that is open from 10AM - 5PM daily. The new Andaz Beach House has a bar and covered area where you can enjoy lunch or snacks, as well as chairs and hammocks located under shade trees along the shore for relaxing.
The beach itself at the Andaz Beach House was clean, long, and home to very calm and relatively clear water that the girls enjoyed playing in. To be abundantly clear, this is not a Caribbean blue water beach by any stretch of the imagination. It is a is a fun spot to relax and play with your family for a few hours, but this is not the place that picturesque beach dreams are made of. In fact, as it is on the bay side, it feels more like a nice lake than anything else.
During our time at the Andaz Beach House, we loaded the kids up on a paddle board and paddled them out with goggles at the ready so they could stick their heads in the water and check out some of the marine life away from the shore. We were able to spot some various fish that kept them entertained for about half an hour.
In addition to the complimentary use of paddle boards, Andaz guests also have complimentary use of kayaks, water bikes, and snorkel equipment. There is motorized equipment such as jet skis available for a fee.
The Andaz Beach House offers outdoor massages on a massage table, with five-minute massage samples available at no charge. They also told us about a 20% discount at the Andaz Spa if we mentioned the Andaz Beach House when making our appointments. With two little kids along for the ride, we didn't try out any spa services on this visit.
Under the trees, they have some basic toys and games such as corn hole and Jenga available, along with complimentary water, sunscreen, and much-needed bug spray. Don't underestimate the value of included access to sunscreen and bug spray, as those things cost us a pretty penny when they were not readily available at the Westin Grand Cayman.
The outdoor shower, nice bathrooms, available flip-flops and ample towels were all touches that made the Andaz Beach House a welcoming and accessible place for families.
Dining at the Andaz Beach House
We heard multiple guests talking about how good the food was at the Andaz Beach House, so we were excited to enjoy a beachside lunch for ourselves. The food was indeed pretty good, though I didn't find it to be better or substantially different than the food at the resort which is also pretty darn solid.
On the Andaz Beach House lunch menu, you will find items such as:
- Spiced Shrimp Salad $15
- Shrimp Quesadilla $16
- Beach House Burger $19
- Spicy Pineapple Wings $16
- Kid Mini Cheese Burger $9
- Kid Grilled Cheese $9
- Kid Chicken Fingers $9
- Local Beer $6
My two year old was slightly disappointed in just how healthy the child's chicken finger meal turned out.
The smoothies, however, were a total hit with both girls and an easy way to get a bit of fruit mixed into their resort diet of cheeseburgers, chicken, muffins, and ice cream.
I was a fan of the 'Beach Cocktails' and 'Costa Rican Recipe' drinks that started at around $8 and would include ingredients such as honey water, mandarin juice, blackberries, rosemary, and of course various liquors.
There is 13% sales tax and 10% service charge added to the prices and of course you can charge the order to your room so you can earn as many Hyatt points as possible.
Andaz Beach House vs. Prieta Beach Club
The Andaz Costa Rica Beach House does not have a pool or a large enclosed area, which could present a problem during the rainy season downpours. While we very much enjoyed our afternoon at the Andaz Beach Club, the lack of a pool and the location on the bay as opposed to the ocean makes it somewhat of a downgrade from the Prieta Beach Club in my view. I would love to see a pool added at some point to the Andaz Beach Club as it is a great alternative to the beach, and would provide more entertainment options for the kids. I was told that a boat shuttle is in the works, so perhaps in the future, you can go from the shore of the resort to the shore of this Beach House without the bus shuttle to golf cart rides.
Mommy Points' Andaz Costa Rica Beach House Tips
- Shuttles leave from the Andaz resort to the Beach House every 30 minutes during the day, but they do fill up so make a reservation ahead of time.
- Children five and under eat for free at the Beach House and the Andaz resort, so don't try and make your little one share their meal since it is free to get their own.
- Be sure and look for wildlife on the short golf cart ride through the jungle to the Beach House as we spotted crab, termites, monkeys, birds, and more!
Has your family visited the Andaz Beach House and how do you think it stacks up to the nearby Prieta Beach Club?
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.