The only upper-middle-range surf lodge in Nosara, Olas Verdes Hotel is an excellent option for travelers who want to learn how to surf while enjoying the area’s laid-back lifestyle. The hotel’s 17 spacious rooms are beautifully decorated with local woods and tropical accents. All have separate living and sleeping spaces and are equipped with kitchenettes. Though guests should note that only the bedrooms are air-conditioned -- one of the hotel’s many eco-friendly practices. Olas Verdes has a beautiful pool, an outdoor yoga deck, and an open-air restaurant, but its biggest draw is the on-site Safari Surf School, one of the best and longest-running in Nosara. Travelers looking for a yoga-focused vacation might prefer The Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort, which tends to be pricier but has more on-site amenities.
The only upper-middle-range surf lodge in Nosara, Olas Verdes Hotel is an excellent option for travelers who want to learn how to surf while enjoying the area’s laid-back lifestyle. The hotel’s 17 spacious rooms are beautifully decorated with local woods and tropical accents. All have separate living and sleeping spaces and are equipped with kitchenettes. Though guests should note that only the bedrooms are air-conditioned -- one of the hotel’s many eco-friendly practices. Olas Verdes has a beautiful pool, an outdoor yoga deck, and an open-air restaurant, but its biggest draw is the on-site Safari Surf School, one of the best and longest-running in Nosara. Travelers looking for a yoga-focused vacation might prefer The Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort, which tends to be pricier but has more on-site amenities.
Parque del Lago Boutique Hotel is an upper-middle-range property located just outside of San Jose’s city center. Its 40 guest rooms are subtly stylish, juxtaposing light and dark tones and featuring quirky artwork. The modest line-up of on-site amenities includes a nice restaurant with free breakfast, as well as several inviting meeting rooms. The hotel’s location provides easy access to lovely Parque Metropolitano La Sabana and ample dining options, but most of the city’s top attractions are a lengthy walk away. Balmoral Hotel offers an excellent alternative for travelers who prefer to stay closer to the sites of the city center.
Parque del Lago Boutique Hotel is an upper-middle-range property located just outside of San Jose’s city center. Its 40 guest rooms are subtly stylish, juxtaposing light and dark tones and featuring quirky artwork. The modest line-up of on-site amenities includes a nice restaurant with free breakfast, as well as several inviting meeting rooms. The hotel’s location provides easy access to lovely Parque Metropolitano La Sabana and ample dining options, but most of the city’s top attractions are a lengthy walk away. Balmoral Hotel offers an excellent alternative for travelers who prefer to stay closer to the sites of the city center.
This intimate, Balinese-inspired resort has 10 villas (one- and two-bedrooms) on the north edge of Santa Teresa. It's no wonder that Pranamar specializes in yoga and surfing -- it has, arguably, the best yoga studio in town (with daily classes), and is within walking distance of some of the area's best waves at Playa Hermosa. Between these activities (hiking and horseback riding are also possible) there is a peaceful pool and breezy beach for hanging out with a drink from the tiki bar. Guests can dine on healthy fare at Buddha Eyes (à la carte breakfasts are included), which turns romantic at night, before heading back to authentic villas made mostly of local wood -- just make sure to close the shades. Couples seeking more privacy should consider neighboring Florblanca Resort.
This intimate, Balinese-inspired resort has 10 villas (one- and two-bedrooms) on the north edge of Santa Teresa. It's no wonder that Pranamar specializes in yoga and surfing -- it has, arguably, the best yoga studio in town (with daily classes), and is within walking distance of some of the area's best waves at Playa Hermosa. Between these activities (hiking and horseback riding are also possible) there is a peaceful pool and breezy beach for hanging out with a drink from the tiki bar. Guests can dine on healthy fare at Buddha Eyes (à la carte breakfasts are included), which turns romantic at night, before heading back to authentic villas made mostly of local wood -- just make sure to close the shades. Couples seeking more privacy should consider neighboring Florblanca Resort.
This budget property is situated about a 20-minute drive outside of San Antonio. There's not much in the immediate area, though it's built just off of the I-35 North, making it easy to commute across the city. The hotel offers bland suites with kitchens and many guests complain of cleanliness issues. Nevertheless, the property attracts extended stays, offering low rates that draw some repeat guests. Simple amenities include free parking, laundry facilities, and vending machines stocked with snacks and drinks. For an alternative budget option with more features, check out La Quinta Inn San Antonio Lackland which has two pools and free hot breakfast for just slightly higher rates.
This budget property is situated about a 20-minute drive outside of San Antonio. There's not much in the immediate area, though it's built just off of the I-35 North, making it easy to commute across the city. The hotel offers bland suites with kitchens and many guests complain of cleanliness issues. Nevertheless, the property attracts extended stays, offering low rates that draw some repeat guests. Simple amenities include free parking, laundry facilities, and vending machines stocked with snacks and drinks. For an alternative budget option with more features, check out La Quinta Inn San Antonio Lackland which has two pools and free hot breakfast for just slightly higher rates.
Hotel Contessa, located on a quiet stretch of the River Walk, sells itself as San Antonio's "only luxury all-suite hotel," and in many ways it lives up to that claim. The 265 suites range in size from 500 to 800 square feet, and all feature separate living rooms and bedrooms with contemporary, southwestern-inspired decor, two 37-inch flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi -- but microwaves or mini-fridges only upon request, for a fee. The urban chic rooftop pool and Jacuzzi area is a nice perk, but the pool is small and gets crowded quickly. Those looking for some quiet relaxation should head to the adjacent rooftop day spa.
Hotel Contessa, located on a quiet stretch of the River Walk, sells itself as San Antonio's "only luxury all-suite hotel," and in many ways it lives up to that claim. The 265 suites range in size from 500 to 800 square feet, and all feature separate living rooms and bedrooms with contemporary, southwestern-inspired decor, two 37-inch flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi -- but microwaves or mini-fridges only upon request, for a fee. The urban chic rooftop pool and Jacuzzi area is a nice perk, but the pool is small and gets crowded quickly. Those looking for some quiet relaxation should head to the adjacent rooftop day spa.
Set in the shadow of Arenal Volcano, Hotel Arenal Montechiari offers quaint, garden-style budget lodging just a 10-minute walk from the shops, restaurants, and tour operators on La Fortuna's tourist-friendly strip. The 21 rustic, cabin-style rooms all include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges, plus private porches with volcano views. A lovely outdoor pool and open-air restaurant help set it apart from dozens of similar hotels in the area. However, the restaurant hours are limited to non-existent in low season, and Wi-Fi is spotty away from the lobby. Brisas Arenal Hotel lacks a decent pool but offers more seclusion and rooms, with a bit more sophistication, for less money.
Set in the shadow of Arenal Volcano, Hotel Arenal Montechiari offers quaint, garden-style budget lodging just a 10-minute walk from the shops, restaurants, and tour operators on La Fortuna's tourist-friendly strip. The 21 rustic, cabin-style rooms all include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges, plus private porches with volcano views. A lovely outdoor pool and open-air restaurant help set it apart from dozens of similar hotels in the area. However, the restaurant hours are limited to non-existent in low season, and Wi-Fi is spotty away from the lobby. Brisas Arenal Hotel lacks a decent pool but offers more seclusion and rooms, with a bit more sophistication, for less money.
Situated on the low-key downtown strip in the center of Manuel Antonio, the three-pearl Hotel Mandarina is central to essential services and the town’s most popular restaurants and bars. The hotel offers a number of common amenities, including an outdoor pool and an open-air space where free hot breakfast is served daily. All 12 rooms are designed with a distinctly tico (Costa Rican) decor, plus come with mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning. However, the walls between some rooms are paper thin and the lack of reliable in-room Wi-Fi can prove frustrating. The nearby Hotel Colina offers lusher grounds, a larger pool, and a happening restaurant/bar for lower night rates.
Situated on the low-key downtown strip in the center of Manuel Antonio, the three-pearl Hotel Mandarina is central to essential services and the town’s most popular restaurants and bars. The hotel offers a number of common amenities, including an outdoor pool and an open-air space where free hot breakfast is served daily. All 12 rooms are designed with a distinctly tico (Costa Rican) decor, plus come with mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning. However, the walls between some rooms are paper thin and the lack of reliable in-room Wi-Fi can prove frustrating. The nearby Hotel Colina offers lusher grounds, a larger pool, and a happening restaurant/bar for lower night rates.
Kalapiti Luxury Jungle Suites is a three-and-a-half pearl boutique hotel surrounded by lush gardens, a nine-minute drive from Montezuma. There are only two suites, both are infused with Moroccan elements like arched doorways, Arabian windows, and baby-blue paint-washed walls. Expect king or twin beds, cedar accents, paintings of Moroccan streetscapes, and amazing bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and open-air showers. The hotel’s gorgeous infinity pool has a waterslide, a cold-water whirlpool, and lots of lounge chairs. Hotel amenities include a shared chef’s kitchen, an outdoor grill, a steam room, and naturalist trails full of blossoming fruits, herbs, and flowers. The free breakfasts include home baked bread and pastries. There’s nothing like this hotel nearby, but for an oceanfront stay with gorgeous villas and a tasty restaurant, it might be worth the higher rates at Santa Teresa’s (a 35-minute drive) Latitude 10 Beachfront Resort.
Kalapiti Luxury Jungle Suites is a three-and-a-half pearl boutique hotel surrounded by lush gardens, a nine-minute drive from Montezuma. There are only two suites, both are infused with Moroccan elements like arched doorways, Arabian windows, and baby-blue paint-washed walls. Expect king or twin beds, cedar accents, paintings of Moroccan streetscapes, and amazing bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and open-air showers. The hotel’s gorgeous infinity pool has a waterslide, a cold-water whirlpool, and lots of lounge chairs. Hotel amenities include a shared chef’s kitchen, an outdoor grill, a steam room, and naturalist trails full of blossoming fruits, herbs, and flowers. The free breakfasts include home baked bread and pastries. There’s nothing like this hotel nearby, but for an oceanfront stay with gorgeous villas and a tasty restaurant, it might be worth the higher rates at Santa Teresa’s (a 35-minute drive) Latitude 10 Beachfront Resort.
Hotel Chantel is a simple three-pearl property located in Playas del Coco with gorgeous views of the surrounding area. The hotel’s 11 guest rooms are cute and tidy with shared balconies, and some feature separate living areas and full kitchens. This relaxed inn offers a nice little infinity pool, widely acclaimed rooftop restaurant, and free local-style breakfast. The hotel’s hilltop setting offers scenic vistas over the surrounding countryside and out toward the coast, but it does place guests a long (30-minute) walk from the entertainment and dining of downtown, and it's almost equally far to reach the beach. Travelers who prefer to stay closer to the beach might also consider the budget property Hotel Coco Palms, although its rooms are far less charming.
Hotel Chantel is a simple three-pearl property located in Playas del Coco with gorgeous views of the surrounding area. The hotel’s 11 guest rooms are cute and tidy with shared balconies, and some feature separate living areas and full kitchens. This relaxed inn offers a nice little infinity pool, widely acclaimed rooftop restaurant, and free local-style breakfast. The hotel’s hilltop setting offers scenic vistas over the surrounding countryside and out toward the coast, but it does place guests a long (30-minute) walk from the entertainment and dining of downtown, and it's almost equally far to reach the beach. Travelers who prefer to stay closer to the beach might also consider the budget property Hotel Coco Palms, although its rooms are far less charming.
The upper-middle-range Azul Ocean Club is a 21-room beachfront property located off a bumpy unpaved road in an isolated part of Guanacaste. Such seclusion provides Azul Ocean Club with a quiet atmosphere and a gorgeous untouched beach, but these don't outweigh the property's downsides. Noticeable wear and tear and frequent maintenance issues make the hotel less than idyllic, and its white cottages and contemporary decor don't exactly reflect Costa Rica. The hotel’s lovely mosaic tile pool has a swim-up bar and a hot tub, but many guests will be disappointed by the un-swimmable beach. While there’s a small fitness center, game room, and free breakfast and Wi-Fi, there’s absolutely nothing to see or do in the immediate area. Those looking for a mid-range property with a bit more Costa Rican charm could consider Sueno del Mar Beachfront Bed & Breakfast.
The upper-middle-range Azul Ocean Club is a 21-room beachfront property located off a bumpy unpaved road in an isolated part of Guanacaste. Such seclusion provides Azul Ocean Club with a quiet atmosphere and a gorgeous untouched beach, but these don't outweigh the property's downsides. Noticeable wear and tear and frequent maintenance issues make the hotel less than idyllic, and its white cottages and contemporary decor don't exactly reflect Costa Rica. The hotel’s lovely mosaic tile pool has a swim-up bar and a hot tub, but many guests will be disappointed by the un-swimmable beach. While there’s a small fitness center, game room, and free breakfast and Wi-Fi, there’s absolutely nothing to see or do in the immediate area. Those looking for a mid-range property with a bit more Costa Rican charm could consider Sueno del Mar Beachfront Bed & Breakfast.