We arrived at the resort before check-in time but nevertheless were immediately accommodated. The large weekend crowds had not as yet arrived. There had been some confusion in booking the rooms to our families' various requirements. One of our daughters is a vegetarian and asthmatic with sensitivities to mold and dairy products. So she had to change the rooms which had been reserved to ones which had not a hint of mold. That takes some doing in the coastal tropics!
There were two adult restaurants for dining - the La Firenza featuring Italian cuisine and at the beach, the Caņa Brava, which features sea food; an informal cafeteria style semi-outdoor restaurant, the Calypso, which features succulent, cooked-to-order specialities which are different each night; and a fast food kiosk near the swimming pool and the volleyball court, the Pelicano, which features burgers, pizza, nachos, hot dogs, beer and soft drinks. In addition to the spacious main bar there is a disco, The 19th Hole, and a swim-up bar. Along the beachfront white and brown pelicans and agnificaent frigate birds soared overrhead.
Other popular activities available were boogie-boarding, kayaking, snorkeling, wind surfing, tennis, volleyball, soccer, shuffleboard, ping-pong, miniature golf, an exercise gym, aerobics classes, dance classes, a kid's club with video and other games. Most guests had children about the same age as our gang. They ranged in age from babes in arms to old codgers. There was a dedicated kid's activities director who charmed the little ones as surely as had the Pied Piper of Hamlin. They followed him everywhere and were very well behaved.
Also on site were a gift shop, cyber-cafe, tourist center, transportation desk, and an excursion director who arranged our outings - such as river cruises, volcano trips, fishing, para-gliding, scuba diving and other water sports, horseback rides through the forest and surf, etc., all of which required special fees. Not all of us did the same things as a group nor at the same time.
Our unanimous opinion is that the Fiesta Hotel is fabulous - the kids (both generations) think it`s "COOL". Aside from two or three couples of Yanks, a similar number of Brits and several Germans the remainder of the 300 or 400 or more guests were Ticos (as the Costa Ricans refer to themselves). The facilities were beautiful and the service left nothing to be desired. They were most accommodating when we had to change rooms and
when I reported a broken shower head, it was replaced within 20 minutes. Security was unobtrusive, though vigilant around the pool and surf areas. Motion detectors were noticed in each room and in the hallways. The grounds were continually policed for trash and other refuse so that the resort was kept immaculate. And we were pleased that not one of us suffered any gastric distress whatsoever. However on the eve of our departure, our six year old awoke crying. His concerned mother asked him where he hurt, to which he replied that we had to leave the next day and he didn't want to leave!
When the date of our anniversary came around we were treated to an hors d'ovres party put on at the Sunset Bar on the pier by the management. It was a nice (and appreciated) gesture.
On departure, we were met by the van from Destionation Costa Rica Travel Services to take us back to overnight again at the Marriott Costa Rica Hotel and the by shuttle to the airport.