posted 01-09-2005 11:52
We've gone to Costa Rica multiple times. The last time, a year ago, we stayed at Villa Sol Playa Hermosa. It was VERY luxurious and a short walk (or tram ride) to the beach. We would definately stay there again. The surrounding area is great to visit, also.
We usually stay in San Jose the night we arrive in Costa Rica and then the night before we leave. Our favorite Hotel in a quiet part of San Jose is Le Bergerac Hotel. The cost is reasonable. You can book on-line at almost any site. It was around $89 a night which includes breakfast. We traveled with 2 other couples and they LOVED it there also!FODORS sf“the cream of upscale San Jose hotels”
This renowned, small luxury hotel and its wonderful tropical gardens, is highly recommended by Fodors and all leading travel publications. Created in the style of a French Inn, it remains an oasis of tranquility in the heart of the select Los Yoses area of San José.
The distinctive style and convenient location of this charming garden hotel provides the perfect base for your visit to wonderful Costa Rica whether as a tourist or business traveler.
Our exceptional reputation for outstanding and friendly service rivals any other luxury hotel. This, together with an elegant and relaxed ambience, encourages many of our guests to return to Costa Rica, to once again experience our very special atmosphere.
A very popular feature of Le Bergerac is that many of the rooms provide private and secluded garden patios in which you may relax and refresh both mind and spirit.
All rooms have custom made furniture, delightful décor and private bathrooms.
Breakfast, which is included in the room rates, is served either on the open air patio or in the garden restaurant.
Our senior staff speak English, French and Spanish and will be delighted to assist you with any help and advice that you may need during your stay in Costa Rica.
Services available include Airport transport and taxis, Laundry, Luggage storage for travel within Costa Rica, Internet access and Telephone in all rooms, Fax and full concierge assistance.
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If you want something a little more deluxe, but more expensive, check out Finca Rosa Blanca Inn. Very romantic!
Finca Rosa Blanca Inn
Type: Suburban
Class: Deluxe Boutique
Situated high above Costa Rica's beautiful Central Valley, and nestled amid ten acres of towering trees, exotic flora and coffee plantations, the Finca Rosa Blanca Inn offers an eclectic theme reminiscent of the architectural spirit of Spain's Gaudí, and the open free-form design of the American southwest. The Inn's décor includes lustrous hardwood accents, vivid jungle murals painted by talented local artisans, pre-Columbian artifacts, contemporary paintings and wood sculptures, beautiful weavings and a host of unique furnishings and art objects. The Inn offers an extraordinary master suite, three elegant yet whimsical junior suites, two spacious villas, and three uniquely appointed double rooms, each with its own private veranda. The spectacular hillside, spring fed infinity pool provides luxuriant relaxation, and is surrounded by tropical gardens, secluded decks and shaded verandas where guests can sunbathe and enjoy the magnificent vistas. Indulge in sumptuous nouvelle Costa Rican cuisine, prepared with care and creativity from the bounty of the Inn's fruit orchards and organic vegetable and herb garden. It's all waiting for you - at the enchanting Finca Rosa Blanca Inn.
"Finca Rosa Blanca is one of Costa Rica’s
-nay, the world’s!- preeminent boutique hotels, opened in 1989.
Inspired by Gaudí’s architectonics and the Santa Fe style,
the hotel is conceived as if from a fairy tale. Qué linda!”
Moon Handbooks: Costa Rica by Christopher P. Baker
"An absolutely divine hotel, on a bluff overlooking the Central Valley.
Probably one of the best hotels in the world"
Footprint, Costa Rica Handbook, 2003
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We stayed at a very nice hotel in the northern mountains of the rainforest of Costa Rica, between San Ramón & Arenal Volcano, Rainforest Hotel Valle Escondido. They offer a good price for guests for their Canopy Tour, which was Fabulous! I didn't hink I would be able to do it, but I'm so glad I did!
Hotel Valle Escondido
A very special mountain hotel in the rainforest of Costa Rica
Rainforest Hotel Valle Escondido is one of the best hotels to stay in Costa Rica for nature lovers & those seeking relaxing moments. Enjoy the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica hiking through the 100% natural trails, horseback riding in the jungle, cloud forest, soaking in the Jacuzzi or swimming in the pool.
Rainforest Hotel - FrontdeskWelcome - Rain Forest Hotel Valle Escondido
Welcome to Valle Escondido!
You can also enjoy the Canopy Tour. Rainforest Hotel Valle Escondido is a "Hidden Valley" Hotel of 250 acres in the northern mountains of the rainforest of Costa Rica, between San Ramón & Arenal Volcano, half of which is a protected nature reserve dedicated to the conservation of ecology, jungle life & bio-diversity of this tropical rain forest. With many trails through the cloud forest / rainforest for hiking or taking a horseback ride to the river, you have the opportunity to observe the flora & fauna of this tropical region of rain forest. The property has orchids, a fishing pond & a chapel overlooking the valley.
This Costa Rican Hotel includes 33 rooms with beautiful views of the forest mountains, a Restaurant with typical Costa Rican foods & Italian cuisine.
Location 56 miles (90 km) NW of San José, 21 miles (33 km) N of San Ramón. Rates : Single $56, double $67. Multiday packages. Information/Reservations : (506) 231-0906, fax (506) 232-9591; e-mail valle@ns.coldnet.co.cr; Web site www.cmnet.co.cr/valle/.
At Valle Escondido Lodge, combine fantastic forest treks with walks through acres of ornamental plants grown for export, while you enjoy very nice quarters. The lodge has 25 rooms, each opening onto a covered terrace with a magical view of a valley and green, green mountains that appear and disappear in the mists. Large frogs convene on the porch in the evenings. Rooms are spacious and bright, with beautiful polished hardwood furniture, including an ample writing desk. Bathrooms have big lighted mirrors and bidets.
The restaurant, a short walk downhill from the rooms, offers an international menu with Italian specialties – food that’s a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Remember to take binoculars to the dining room to enjoy birds in the back garden while you eat. The restaurant is open to the public, a five-minute drive from the highway turnoff. A swimming pool and Jacuzzi have a fantastic mountain view.
Owner Marco Hidalgo grows and exports more than 20 species of ornamental plants to Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Guests can visit greenhouses and packing sheds. The farm includes 150 acres (60 ha) of forest and an abundance of mountain streams. The tall forest’s understory is a natural tropical greenhouse with heliconias and fascinating tree roots. I watched one masked tityra feed another. An aracari, a member of the toucan family, frustrated my attempts to photograph him but allowed wonderful glimpses. Near one trail is a huge tree with enormous buttresses where bats live.
Wide forest trails begin and and at the plantation. The lodge offers a tour – on foot, horseback, or mountain bike – to the San Lorenzo River for a swim in a natural pool or a hike to a three-tiered waterfall. They offer a guided tour of the ornamental plant farm combined with a forest hike. A trail hike without guide is free to hotel guests. Elevation is about 2,000 feet (600 m); temperature ranges from 68°F to 86°F (20°C to 30°C). Day visitors are welcome.
Getting there By bus : From San Ramón, take La Tigra/La Fortuna bus to sign at turnoff, short hike in. By car : From San Ramón, turn north for La Tigra and watch for “Valle Escondido” sign. Other : transfers provided; or take a taxi from San Ramón.
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Another one of our favorite places to stay is the Arenal Lodge which is right across the Arenal Lake from the Arenal Volcano. The volcano is active and will sometimes give you an extraordinary show!
Perched on a mountainside one mile from the water, Lake Arenal Lodge offers the finest accommodations and a breathtaking view of Arenal Volcano.
Surrounding the lodge are landscaped gardens, an inner patio solarium features, tropical plants, ferns, flowers and orchids.
The lodge, built in contemporary ranch style, has 12 junior suites, 1 luxurious master suite, and 6 standard doubles that can accommodate up to 42 guests, and includes such amenities as a fireplace, a game room complete with pool table, library and bar.
The Lodge was built for comfort and relaxation, and caters to anglers, naturalists, volcano enthusiasts, birdwatchers and outdoor enthusiasts.
La Fortuna, located 14 miles from lodge main entrance, features scenic trails and surrounding natural beauty, waterfalls, and typical Costa Rican cuisine.
Lake Arenal has an area of over 75 sq. km. and is populated with a very challenging game fish called the Rainbow Bass (Guapote) because of its iridescent colors. The rainbow bass is found only in fresh water rivers and lakes in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras. In Lake Arenal, the Guapote weighs up to 12 pounds and is taken with bass lures, deep runners and jigs.
For Fishing Arenal Lodge Offers:
* 16-Ft Mirrowcraft Bass Boats
* 30 HP Mariner Moter & Trolling Motor
* Experienced Guides
* Tackle, Rods, Reels, Box Lunch
Fishing - $300 (Max 2 fishermen per boat)
Includes: guide, equipment and box lunch, full day fishing
Arenal Lodge is finished with fine wood throughout to create a tasteful, natural ambiance. The hotel offers restaurant, bar , conference room, gift shop, jacuzzi, game-room, walking trails, laundry service and tour desk. There is a variety of comfortable and beautifully decorated rooms for you to choose from:
Standard rooms:
Located in front of the interior garden, include one queen size bed and one single bed. (Do not have view of volcano. All others with view from room.)
Junior Suites:
Enjoy the view of the Arenal volcano and pristine rainforest from your private balcony. This suite includes two queen size beds, a microwave oven, coffee maker, and a small refrigerator.
Chalets:
Located on the ridge line just above the lodge are five chalet duplexes. These cozy rooms complete with a balcony overlooking the Arenal Lodge, surrounding gardens, the volcano, lake, and rainforest. Each chalet has a balcony and kitchenette equipped with a small refrigerator, microwave oven, and coffee maker.
Master Suite:
A most spacious setting with two queen size beds. This suite boasts a delightful sky-lighted and plant lined bathroom, a large, private balcony with both volcano and rain forest views, and a kitchenette with a microwave oven, small refrigerator, and coffee maker.
Matrimonial Suite:
Watch the Arenal volcano from your suite, relax on a king size bed and enjoy a jaccuzzi bath tub, private terrace, sitting room, and kitchenette (microwave oven, small refrigerator and coffee maker).
ROOM RATES May 1 - Oct 31 /04 Nov 1 - Dec 19 /04
Jan 7 - Apr 30 /05 Dec 20/04 - Jan 6/05
Single Double Single Double Single Double
Standard Room* $58.00 $65.00 $64.00 $71.00 $73.00 $81.00
Junior Suite $86.00 $91.00 $114.00 $119.00 $148.00 $152.00
Chalet Room $91.00 $103.00 $117.00 $125.00 $154.00 $160.00
Master Suite $105.00 $117.00 $128.00 $137.00 $173.00 $188.00
Matrimonial Suite $123.00 $127.00 $144.00 $149.00 $197.00 $206.00
Additional Person $20.00
Rates include: Buffet Breakfast, and Mountain Bikes -Taxes of 16.39% are Not Included
* Economy rooms do not have view of volcano. All others with view from room
Contact Centralamerica.Com For Information & Reservations
* E-mail ArenaLodge@centralamerica.com
* For reservations use our e-mail Reservation Form
* Call us toll free from US or Canada 1-888-535-8832 / 1-800-948-3770
© Centralamerica.Com 1995-2004
All Rights Reserved
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Next time we go to Costa Rica, we'll go to the Southern part again and probably spend some days at the Crocodile Bay Lodge which is famous for their Sports Fishing. Haven't been there yet, but it looks great.
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Well, there you go! As you can tell, Costa Rica is one of our favorite destinations!
Timeshare Users Group Bulletin Boards
posted 01-09-2005 09:37
posted 01-09-2005 11:52
posted 01-09-2005 16:23