This hotel is a real gem. It is small, (only 7 rooms) and is in immaculate condition. The rooms are small, but since most time is spent outdoors (there are chairs outside each room) the room size is perfectly fine. The Pool/Spa are steps away from the room and it seems that very little time is spent in the room. The grounds of the hotel are great, The pool/spa is immaculate and available at any time. The beach is a short 10 minute walk down hill. Really easy to get to the beach. Not so easy to get back. The down hill changes to up hill, and is a real climb. I am old (76) and I could do it but discovered the easy way is to take the car down to the beach. Plenty of parking and shady spots to sit. Vendors have snacks and treats available.
Dennis and Kari are gracious hosts, and both are there to help anytime you need. They have an honor system beer/cold drink machines in the office. Just write down on the pad for your room what you drink and settle up when you leave. There are over 900 DVD movies available. There is no Satellite or cable TV. I didn't even turn of the TV
Dennis knows the area well, he's owned the hotel foe 12 years, and will recommend great places to eat. One Seafood restaurant is 4 KM away, and you have to make reservations. The seafood specialties were great, price was reasonable and the service was individual. The reason you make reservations is that if they have no reservations they are not open. We ate here twice in 4 days. All food is prepared to order, so be prepared to relax for 30 to 45 minutes while your food is prepared. It's worth the wait. This is a true taste of Costa Rica. A second place is directly behind the hotel. It's an Argentine Steakhouse, and it's great. Excellent steaks, cooked properly (don't ask for medium well or well done. Good steaks turn into less than desirable when overcooked.)My steak, a Filet Mignon was cooked a perfect medium with a hot pink center. Very flavorful and juicy. The roasted potatoes were delicious. The salad was great. All in all a great experience with fair prices.
The highlight of the trip was breakfast every morning. The first morning we were one of only 2 room that were occupied. Dennis and Kari prepared a cooked to order breakfast that was great. The rest of the time the hotel was full so they has a buffet set up. 5 kinds of fresh fruit, coffee, juice, scrambled eggs, pancakes, French toast, gallo pinto, and potatoes cooked in an Southern US style. The potatoes were delicious. I cook some very similar and I picked up a tip from Dennis on a better way to prepare them. I tried it the next day home and it is great.
We live in Costa Rica in the US winter months and in the US in spring and summer. I have been doing this for about eight years. I have stayed in very expensive hotels, very cheap hotels and everything in between. This hotel is the overall best hotel I have been in in Costa Rica. I have spent more money, had more amenities, larger rooms and have never been as pleased as I have here.
I will be back and probably spend 3 or 4 weeks a year here. It's a great place to relax, sit on the beach, eat good food, talk to the great owners, and generally enjoy Costa Rica.