Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton · Star Class Junior Suite

Costa Rica

It's getting real. 7 nights, Star Class service, and everything you've been waiting for.

Departure
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Days
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Resort
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton
Room
Star Class Junior Suite
Departure
August 8, 2026
Nights
7 Nights
Star Class · Gulf of Papagayo
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton
Star Class Junior Suite
Star Class Butler Included All Inclusive Gulf of Papagayo
Check-In
August 8, 2026
Check-Out
August 15, 2026
Duration
7 Nights
8 days total
Savings
110,200 pts (~$1,102 off)
TD Aeroplan Infinite
Special Requests Confirmed
What You Actually Get
Star Class — this changes everything.
Most people stay at all-inclusive resorts and spend the whole trip navigating lines, waiting for tables, and planning around the crowd. Star Class removes all of that. Here's exactly what that means for your trip.
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Dedicated Butler
Your butler is assigned before arrival. They handle restaurant reservations, excursion bookings, special requests, and anything else you need — without you having to ask twice.
Contact your butler before you arrive. Pre-arrange your first night's dinner, morning excursion, and any surprises. They can set everything up so day one feels effortless.
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À La Carte Every Night
Exclusive access to the Star Class restaurant — no buffet lines, no reservations needed, no time limits. Steaks, fresh ceviche, tableside service. Use it every night if you want.
Ask for a table by the water for your first evening. It sets the tone for the entire trip.
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Private Pool Area
Separate Star Class pool — no day-trippers, no chaos, no fighting for loungers. Reserved seating, dedicated pool server, the whole service experience without the crowd.
Get there early morning before the heat peaks. 7–9 AM at the Star Class pool is a completely different experience to midday.
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Premium Suite Amenities
Stocked minibar refreshed daily, premium room service, pillow menu, in-room amenities that go beyond the standard. Your butler can customise the setup before you arrive.
Request your preferences before arrival — preferred drinks, room temperature, pillow type. It costs nothing and makes the first moment in the room feel exceptional.
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Exclusive Events & Experiences
Star Class guests get access to exclusive events, private beach setups, sunset experiences, and curated evenings that aren't available to the general resort.
Ask your butler on arrival what's scheduled during your stay. Some events book up — get on the list on day one.
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Priority Everything
Priority check-in, priority boarding for excursions, priority seating at shows. You're not waiting in lines — your butler handles the logistics so you can focus on the experience.
Mention your Star Class status at every booking point. Most operators and the resort staff give priority treatment the moment you mention it.
Before You Arrive
How to get the most from your butler
The difference between a good Star Class experience and an unforgettable one is almost entirely about how you use your butler. Most guests don't contact them before arrival. The ones who do have a completely different trip.
Email Before You Arrive
Contact the resort 2–3 weeks out and introduce yourself. Give your butler your preferences, dietary requirements, and anything you want pre-arranged.
Book Excursions Through Them
Your butler can arrange private or priority versions of excursions. Whale watching on a private boat instead of a group tour is a completely different experience.
Don't Be Shy
This is what they're there for. Special dinner setup, birthday surprise, specific wine preference, late checkout — ask. The answer is almost always yes.
Your Flights

Both direct. No connections.

Outbound · August 8, 2026
AC1873
YYZ
Toronto Pearson
✈
Direct · ~3h 15m
LIR
Liberia International
Departs
8:35 AM
Arrives
11:50 AM
Return · August 15, 2026
AC1872
LIR
Liberia International
✈
Direct · ~7h 30m
YYZ
Toronto Pearson
Departs
1:00 PM
Arrives
8:30 PM
What to Do

Seven days. Make every one count.

Gulf of Papagayo in August is peak season for wildlife, warm water, and adventure. Here's what not to miss — with insider timing for each.

01
Ocean
Humpback Whale Watching
Peak season offshore — one of only two places on Earth where both Northern and Southern hemisphere humpbacks come to breed. You're arriving at the exact right moment. Private boat tours available through your butler.
→Best time: 6–8 AM departures. Calmer seas, better surface behaviour. Book 2–3 days ahead.
02
Adventure
Arenal Volcano Day Trip
Three hours away — iconic active volcano, hot springs at the base, zip-lining over the canopy. Views at sunset that genuinely don't look real. A must if you have a free day mid-trip.
→Leave by 6 AM. Clouds roll in over the volcano by early afternoon almost every day.
03
Ocean
Snorkelling & Scuba
45 minutes by boat. Sea turtles, manta rays, reef sharks. Exceptional visibility. Multiple dive sites for all levels — beginner reef snorkel to advanced wall dives.
→Morning only. Afternoon wind builds every day — visibility drops, conditions get choppy.
04
Adventure
Zip-lining & Canopy Tours
Multiple operators 30–40 min from resort. Multiple lines, suspension bridges, rappelling. Views from the canopy are extraordinary.
→Midday works. Pre-book at least 2 days ahead in peak season.
05
Beach
Surfing Lessons
45 min south. One of the most famous surf breaks in the region. Green season brings consistent swells. Multiple surf schools for complete beginners. Combine with a beachfront dinner after.
→7–10 AM for lessons — best conditions before afternoon wind chop builds.
06
Wildlife
River Boat Safari
Slow river cruise through mangroves with crocodiles, howler monkeys, scarlet macaws. Green season means the jungle is at maximum density. Zero rush, total immersion.
→Early morning or late afternoon — wildlife most active at the edges of the day.
Where to Eat

On-resort and the best nearby.

Star Class ExclusiveOn Resort
Star Class À La Carte Restaurant
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton
Exclusive access — no buffet lines, no reservations required. Butler handles your table. Steaks, fresh ceviche, grilled seafood, tableside service every night. This is what you paid for — use it every single night if you want.
💡 Ask your butler on arrival to pre-book a table by the water for your first night. Set the tone immediately.
15 min
Ginger — Playa Hermosa
Playa Hermosa · Gulf of Papagayo
One of the region's most celebrated restaurants. Pan-Asian tapas meets local ingredients — tuna tataki, coconut shrimp, and a drinks list that punches above its location.
💡 Reserve 3–5 days ahead. Request garden seating. Must-do.
20 min
El Ancla — Playa del Coco
Playa del Coco · Gulf of Papagayo
Fresh-off-the-boat seafood. The best meal of the trip and it'll cost less than a cocktail at the resort. Cash only.
💡 Lunch only — sell out by 2 PM. Bring USD cash or local currency.
45 min
Langosta Beach Club — Tamarindo
Tamarindo · Gulf of Papagayo
Beachfront tables, wood-fired meats, killer cocktails, exceptional sunset views. The kind of dinner you talk about five years later.
💡 Arrive by 5 PM for a table before sunset. Golden hour here is extraordinary.
August Intel

Right place. Right time.

Pool & Beach
7–10 AM · 4–6 PM
Gulf of Papagayo heat builds fast. Best early morning and late afternoon in golden light. August afternoons bring brief 20–30 min tropical showers — the light after rain is spectacular.
Humpback Whale Watching
6–10 AM
Most active in the morning. Calm seas mean better surface behaviour — breaching, fin slaps, tail dives. Afternoon wind builds swells and reduces sightings.
Day Excursions
Leave by 6–7 AM
For day excursions — start early. Beat the heat and other tour groups. You'll be back by early afternoon with the whole evening still ahead.
Dining Out
7–9 PM
Restaurants hit their stride at 7:30 PM when the day cools. Book off-resort at 7 PM — settled before the room fills and catch the last of the evening light.
Sunset Photos
5:45–6:30 PM
Sunsets in August are exceptional. Green season moisture creates deep orange and purple sky colour. Set an alarm for 5:45 PM every day — don't miss one.
Nights Out
10 PM – Late
Local beaches come alive after 10. The resort has evening entertainment — ask your butler on arrival for the weekly calendar and book ahead for shows.
Explore

Everything within reach.

Your resort sits in Gulf of Papagayo — one of the most strategically located spots on this coast. Everything on your list is within 45 minutes.

Resort
Dining
Excursions
Beaches
Airport
Your Resort
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton — Exact Location
Playa Manzanillo, Bahia Culebra, Golfo de Papagayo, Guanacaste. Pinned to exact coordinates. ~45 min drive from LIR airport.
Address
Playa Manzanillo, Bahia Culebra, Golfo de Papagayo, Guanacaste
Resort Phone
(506) 4703-1000
Resort Email
assistgmpcr-lir@planethollywoodhotels.com
📍 Open in Google Maps 🏨 Virtual Tour 🎬 Lobby 📸 Photos
Property Layout
Resort Map — Don't Get Lost
The Star Class pool, restaurant, and butler service are in a separate area. Study this before arrival.
Packing

What to bring. What to leave behind.

Essentials
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    Passport — valid at least 6 months beyond August 15, 2026Must Have
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    TD Aeroplan Infinite card — your travel insurance lives hereMust Have
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    USD cash — $200–300 for local restaurants and marketsMust Have
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    Phone + charging cable + portable chargerMust Have
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    Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+ — legally required at destinationMust Have
Clothing
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    3–4 swimsuits — you'll be in them more than anything elsePack
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    Linen shirts or breathable button-downs for eveningsPack
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    Light shorts and one smart casual outfit for the Star Class restaurantPack
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    Sandals + one pair of closed-toe shoes for excursionsPack
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    Light rain jacket — August showers are brief but realPack
Health & Gear
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    DEET insect repellent for jungle excursionsPack
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    After-sun lotion or aloe — you will burn faster than you expectPack
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    Motion sickness tablets — boat tours can be choppyPack
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    Electrolyte packets — heat and humidity dehydrate you fastPack
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    Waterproof phone case or dry bag for water excursionsGear
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    Download offline maps for Gulf of Papagayo before departureGear
What's Worth Buying
Specific recommendations based on where you're going and what you'll be doing.
Sun & Water
Essential
Raw Elements Reef-Safe SPF 50
Mineral-based, certified reef-safe, effective in tropical sun. Destination law prohibits chemical-based sunscreens. This is the gold standard.
Available at MEC, Well.ca, or Amazon. Get the tin — lasts all week.
Essential
Sea to Summit Dry Bag 8L
For boat excursions and water activities. Your phone, wallet, and camera need protection — the water is not gentle.
Under $30 at MEC. Get the 8L — big enough for phone, wallet, small camera.
GoPro Hero or Waterproof Camera
If you're doing any snorkel excursion, the underwater visibility is extraordinary. You'll regret not capturing it.
Rental also available through most dive operators on-site.
UV50+ Rash Guard
UV index averages 11–12 in August. A rash guard for snorkelling and boat tours is more practical than reapplying sunscreen every hour in the water.
Also useful for zip-lining — keeps harness from scratching.
Health & Comfort
Recommended
LMNT Electrolyte Packets
Your destination averages 33°C with high humidity in August. Electrolyte packets taken every morning prevent headaches and fatigue that waste a vacation day.
Bring 10–12 packets. Available at most health stores or Amazon.
Stugeron Motion Tablets
For boat excursions. Seas can be choppy in the afternoon. Stugeron is far more effective than Gravol for serious motion sickness.
Available OTC at most pharmacies. Take one hour before boarding.
Pre-Trip

Everything to do before you go.

Priority Now
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    Complete hotel pre-check-in onlineDo Now
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    Room requests confirmed — King Bed · Ocean View · High Floor · Non-SmokingDone ✓
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    Contact Star Class butler before arrival to pre-arrange experiencesBefore Trip
Book Early
  • ✓
    Book Humpback Whale Watching — August fills fast, private boat preferredBook Early
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    Book Arenal Volcano Day Trip if interestedBook Early
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    Reserve top restaurant picks — 3–5 days aheadDining
Travel Day
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    Online check-in for AC1873 — opens 24 hrs before August 8, 2026August 8, 2026
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    Download airline app · Save boarding passes to WalletPack
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    Pre-arrange resort transfer from LIR — ~45 min driveArrange
Finance & Insurance
  • ✓
    Notify bank of travel dates to prevent card blocksFinance
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    Review TD Aeroplan Infinite travel insurance documentsInsurance
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    Save emergency line: 1-866-374-1129Emergency
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    Exchange or load CAD → USD (resort pricing in USD)Finance
Essential Info

Everything you need, all in one place.

Hotel Pre-Check-In
Complete your pre-arrival check-in →
Confirm room preferences · Upload ID · Set arrival time · Request early check-in
Emergency Insurance
TD Aeroplan Infinite (primary)
Manulife work plan (secondary)
1-866-374-1129
Emergency Line · Available 24/7
Arrival Airport
LIR — Liberia International
~45 min drive to resort
Pre-arrange transfer or Uber — both reliable from LIR
Costa Rica

Six things that'll make you want to go even more.

The destination produces over 99% of its electricity from renewable sources — hydropower, wind, and geothermal. The lights at your resort are powered by a volcano.
Costa Rica · Fast Fact · 1 of 6
Living Roadmap

What to update, and when.

This page evolves automatically every day. A few times between now and August 8, 2026, come back here and ask Claude for a phase update. Each phase is a complete redesign with new content, new energy, and new things to act on.

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