Encompassing 12 acres of tropical forest that enfolds six villas and five studios, all with exhilarating ocean views, this award-winning, adults-only hotel is one of the best choices in Quepos for serenity and privacy in spite of the surrounding over-development. Off the road to Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica's foremost national park, and then down a bumpy, winding rock road lined with hotels, the entry into this secluded wonderland is at the bottom of a graveled incline that rewards the arriving cars with complimentary parking at the top.
After a warm welcome in the reception cabana—of tropical wood inside and out—guests are escorted on a stone walkway lined with tropical plants and flowers to what the hotel lovingly calls their "luxurious nest." Along the way guests are led down steps and welcomed to the elegant poolside Sunspot bar and grill, a local favorite, open from 11 am to 10 pm and offering an expansive wine list and an inventive menu, specializing in gourmet fish, lamb and beef, served beneath purple-hued canopies (except in October, when the restaurant is closed). The sparkling infinity pool, whirlpool and individual sundeck areas seem suspended on a ledge overlooking the Pacific. Guests have the option of taking a brisk 10-minute jog down the winding paths to the secluded beach, or riding the electric-powered shuttle in this eco-friendly
property.
Guests with wireless laptops will be disappointed. Most areas offer only broadband accessibility. Cables are available at the reception, as well as use of a guest computer for an extra charge. There are no formal meeting rooms, but the restaurant can be divided into various separate areas and used for meetings or events. At inspection, it was beautifully decked out for a wedding reception.
Fitness buffs have no problem satisfying their needs with jaunts up and down the incline to the beach. An array of tours—rafting, kayaking, Manuel Antonio Park tours, canopy tours, horseback riding, jet ski safaris and world-class sport fishing are skillfully handled by the expert staff. In-room spa services are offered, as well as complimentary a la carte breakfasts that are delivered to each individual studio and villa.
Villas and the smaller, but equally charming, studios offer the same high-standard decor and amenities. They feature a furnished terrace with sea view in front, and a walled Japanese garden in back. They come with fully equipped kitchenettes; air conditioning and fans; vaulted ceilings, handcrafted tile, built-in cement sofas with comfy, tasteful cushions; and polished tropical hardwood furniture. The king beds are topped with Egyptian cotton bedding. Other amenities include: phones with voice mail, 26-inch cable TVs, CD players (DVD players and DVDs are available at reception) and coffeemakers. The posh baths clad in gray rock and tropical wood are shower-only. All offer Japanese-style robes, special Makanda-brand toiletries and hair dryers. The large villas boast sizable walk-in closets. The most private are Villas 5 and 6. The other villas have studios attached beneath them.
Villa 1, the most expensive, features a large Japanese garden and an open-air design. Villa 7 is closest to the pool and offers the best monkey sightings. Studios follow along similar lines and are often rented in conjunction with the villas to create even larger quarters. Room service is available only during restaurant hours. Security is excellent. The hotel's guards make non-stop rounds. Fire extinguishers are at ready in all of the accommodations. Smoking is allowed in all; pets are allowed in none; and none is wheelchair-accessible.
This plush gay-friendly redoubt sits in the shadow of unspoiled tropical forest. A staff ratio of 35 to a maximum occupancy of 24 guests results in repeat bookings, mostly from North Americans, who find it more luxurious than the larger and impersonal Parador, more intimate than the aloof La Mansion Inn, and more serene than Si Como No.
