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Costa Rica offers a surprisingly wide variety of accommodations. Here are some to consider.
The best high-end hotels and luxury resorts
As recently as five years ago, finding anything to fit in this category was difficult. But Costa Rica now boasts some top-notch luxury properties ranging from isolated and unique boutique hotels to large beach resorts. The following are the best of the best:
- Costa Rica Marriott (San José): The Marriott is hands down the best of the large resort and business-class hotels in San José. Everything is in great shape, the service is bend-over-backward, the restaurants are excellent, and the hotel features all the facilities and amenities you could want, save a golf course.
- Finca Rosa Blanca Country Inn (Heredia): If the cookie-cutter rooms of large hotels leave you cold, then the unique rooms of this artistic inn may be up your alley. Finca Rosa Blanca is set among the lush hillsides and coffee plantations of Heredia, just 20 minutes from San José.
- Peace Lodge (north of Varablanca): The rooms here abound in beautiful design touches, and the bathrooms in the deluxe units are the most spectacular in the country. Each room comes with a custom-tiled Jacuzzi on a private balcony. The hotel adjoins the popular La Paz Waterfall Gardens.
- Arenas del Mar (Manuel Antonio): This new boutique resort combines beautiful views with easy beach access, a rare commodity in Manuel Antonio. With large and ample rooms, excellent service and amenities, a fabulous restaurant, and a beautiful little spa, this place has a lot to offer.
The best accommodations values
Not looking to spend a fortune? No problem. Costa Rica is chock-full of excellent hotel and lodging values. Get the most for your accommodations dollar by booking into one of these fine establishments:
- Hotel Grano de Oro (San José): San José boasts dozens of old homes that have been converted into hotels, but few offer the luxurious accommodations or professional service that can be found at the Grano de Oro — and all at a great price.
- Hotel Le Bergerac (San José): This classy little hotel has been pleasing diplomats, dignitaries, and other discerning travelers for years. Ask for one of the garden rooms, or get the old master bedroom with its small private balcony.
- Villas Nicolás (Manuel Antonio): Most of the spacious, separate units here feature large, private balconies or terraces with classic views over the rain forest to the sea, at a fraction of the cost of most other Manuel Antonio hotels offering similar views.
- Villa del Sueño Hotel (Playa Hermosa): It's not right on the beach (you'll have to walk about 90m/295 ft.), but everything else about this place is right on the money, including clean, comfortable rooms; an inviting refreshing pool; and an excellent restaurant. You can't find a better deal in Playa Hermosa.
The best ecolodges
Costa Rica is a major ecotourism destination, and you'll find a wealth of wonderfully run ecolodges and nature resorts. Some of them, including several listed here, make a strong case for being listed among the top luxury hotels in the country.
- Arenal Observatory Lodge (La Fortuna): Originally a rustic research facility, this lodge has upgraded over the years and now features comfortable rooms with impressive views of the Arenal volcano. There are also excellent trails to nearby lava flows and a beautiful waterfall. Toucans frequent the trees near the lodge, and howler monkeys provide the wake-up calls.
- La Paloma Lodge (Drake Bay): If your idea of the perfect nature lodge is one where your front porch provides some prime-time viewing of flora and fauna, this place is for you. If you decide to leave the comfort of your porch, the Osa Peninsula's lowland rain forests are just outside your door.
- Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Lodge (Osa Peninsula): Large and comfortable private cabins perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by lush rain forest make this a great spot. There's plenty to do, and there are always great guides here.
- Lapa Rios (Osa Peninsula): Costa Rica's first upscale ecolodge has aged well. The duplex bungalow rooms all have spectacular views and are set into a lush forest. A number of tours are available for guests, and the guides are often local residents who are intimately familiar with the environment.
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