Central Valley Hotels

HOTEL & VILLAS LAS CALAS rustic | ¢
www.villacalas.com
A small hotel, located in the mountain wilderness of a dairy farm. 7 bungalows of 2 types: "Cabaña Pequeña" with double bed and private bathroom with hot water; "Cabaña Grande" on 2 floors offers the same comfort and an additional kitchen and living room. Restaurant and an included visit to the farm (strawberries, trout pond). The surrounding protected forest is frequented by a variety of birds and other animals.
Our Opinion: The Villas offer rustic comfort in close touch with nature. Beautiful views on Poas volcano and the surrounding forest. The moderate prices are a plus.

POAS VOLCANO LODGE superior, charming | ¢¢
www.poasvolcanolodge.com
This small alpine-style lodge enjoys an unobstructed view of Poas Volcano and its surroundings. Lying amidst a finca, it is more of a guest house than a hotel. 11 rooms are decorated in simple and tasteful fashion. 4 categories: standard with shared bathroom, standard with private bathroom, suite and master suite with fireplace. Living room with fireplace, restaurant, billiards, table tennis, trampoline, horseback riding, mountain biking.
Our Opinion: The standard rooms are small but offer nice views on the garden. A great starting point for visits in the Poas area.

PEACE LODGE charming | ¢¢¢¢¢
www.waterfallgardens.com
Member of "Small Distinctive Hotels of Costa Rica"
Located in the middle of the La Paz Waterfalls park, this luxurious facility was designed in close touch with its environment (cloud forests at 1600 m). The spacious rooms (8 standard, 8 superior and 1 villa) are decorated with a particular taste. Gas fireplace, king size beds, mini-bar, satellite TV, DVD player and balconies overlooking the forest. The bathrooms imitate a cave with hot tub and… a waterfall (superior rooms). Several restaurants, swimming pool, parking lot and free access to all of the park’s conveniences.
Our Opinion: The lodge’s peculiar style might be a little kitschy but it is certainly luxurious. Enjoy yourself in an incredible ambience between James Bond and “The Sleeping Beauty". The superb La Paz Waterfalls make an exciting visit: they are like a miniature version of Costa Rica.

TURRIALTICO rustic | ¢¢
www.turrialtico.com
A small, chalet-style lodge, perfectly located on a hill (720m) over the Turrialba Valley and 10 min from Turrialba itself. 16 single rooms with sink, shower (hot water) and WC. The restaurant offers tasty regional dishes. The beautiful private garden (with orchids) of the owners can be visited for a small fee. This is an ideal base for excursions in the region, to the Irazu and Turrialba volcanoes, for white-water rafting, or as a stopover between the Caribbean and Pacific coasts.
Our Opinion: The (very) rustic rooms are not quite soundproof but the overall impression is still good. Very moderate prices.

TURRIALBA VOLCANO Lodge rustic | ¢¢
www.volcanturrialbalodge.com
Simple but well-maintained lodge with 12 rooms (private bathroom, wood stove). The mountainous site is only accessible by 4x4 and a good base for many pleasant strolls, including the crater of Turrialba Volcano (on foot or horseback). Only full board. Bar, reading room, restaurant.
Our Opinion: A distinctive place convenient for exploring this region, which was still spared by mass tourism.

GUAYABO LODGE superior | ¢¢¢
www.guayabolodge.com
Located near one of the entrances to the Guayabo National Monument and 1h drive from Irazu volcano, this small hotel is well maintained by its Dutch owners. The 22 rooms (from 1 to 4 persons) are all distinctly decorated and equipped with all comforts: private bathroom (shower) with hot water produced by solar panels and toilet. Restaurant, pleasant living room with fireplace, open terrace with a beautiful view on the surrounding countryside, parking place.
Our Opinion: A nice, unpretentious hotel with good reputation. Good value for money.

CASA TURIRE charming | ¢¢¢¢
www.hotelcasaturire.com
Member of "Small Distinctive Hotels of Costa Rica"
Nice replication of a colonial mansion in a mountainous setting amid tropical gardens with splendid views on volcanoes and rivers. 12 spacious and very comfortable rooms and 4 suites. Bar, elegant restaurant, swimming pool. Rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, tennis. A macadamia and sugar cane plantation on the property can be visited upon request.
Our Opinion: Makes a lovely stopover in this region! Good value for money.

HACIENDA TAYUTIC charming (eco-lodge) | ¢¢¢¢¢¢
www.haciendatayutic.com
This small, appealing hotel, which is more of a traditional "bourgeois country estate", is a little gem. In the heart of a major "finca" (organic macadamia, coffee and sugar cane plantations), this wooden house in the Turrialba Valley offers views on the lake and the surrounding mountains. The 5 bedrooms (3 in the main house, 2 in an outbuilding) are all different and were arranged with an eye for authentic details. The bathrooms are also originally designed by combining modern and traditional styles… Restaurant, small pool, many terraces, gardens, parking places. Free admission to the "Hacienda Experience" (see description in the appendix).
Our Opinion: One of the most charming and authentic addresses with tasteful decor. Ideal for a romantic stay… A small, perfectly restored 19th century church accommodates private concerts and other events.

OROSI LODGE superior, charming | ¢
www.orosilodge.com
Located 300 m from the town centre of Orosi. The Orosi Lodge offers 6 rooms on two floors with veranda or balcony. The pleasant establishment is well kept by its owners. Double or triple rooms with private bathroom and mini-bar overlook the Irazu and Turrialba volcanoes. Breakfast and home-made pastries. Parking places.
Our Opinion: The best (small) address for numerous walks and activities in the beautiful Orosi Valley: canoeing, horseback riding, mountain biking, visiting hot springs and the Tapanti National Park.

RIO PERLAS superior, charming | ¢¢¢¢
www.rioperlasspaandresort.com
Very pleasant location, situated on the banks of Rio Perlas, a few kilometres from the small village of Orosi. This establishment offers 69 good quality rooms of 3 categories: standard rooms, junior suites and cottages (cabañas) – which we recommend for their charm and quiet setting. The cottages are small wooden houses, nicely built into the nature, with living room and terrace overlooking the river. 2 pools including a hot spring, spa, massage, restaurant, bar, parking place. Golf cart available to reach the “cabañas”.
Our Opinion: A very good address, rustic and comfortable at the same time… and very competitive rates. Great walking opportunities in the vicinity. We particularly recommend one of the 20 cabins.

TETEY LODGE superior | ¢
www.teteylodge.com
This new, motel-style lodge is located on the southern outskirts of Orosi. 9 tastefully furnished and comfortable rooms. Mini-bar, coffee machine, satellite TV, fan, one bedroom for the disabled, 2 bedrooms with kitchen. Internet Service. Breakfast is served but there is no restaurant for other meals. Eating possibilities are available in town.
Our Opinion: Excellent little address in the charming town of Orosi. There are many activities in the region: canoeing, horseback riding, mountain biking, visiting hot springs and the Tapanti National Park.

SANCHIRI MIRADOR & LODGE rustic | ¢¢
www.sanchiri.com
This small lodge has a beautiful view on the Orosi Valley. Some 10 cabin-style bungalows are well maintained and relatively spacious: 1 double and 1 single bedroom, bathroom (shower with hot water), telephone, parking. 12 new rooms are in a modern building. Trips offered by the lodge include horseback riding.
Our Opinion: Unpretentious but very suitable establishment for a stopover in the aesthetic Orosi Valley. Reasonable prices.

PACUARE LODGE rustic, charming | ¢¢¢¢¢
www.junglelodgecostarica.com
This stylish lodge is only accessible by raft on the Pacuare river. Its rustic appearance is in perfect tune with the surrounding nature. The open cottages are built on piles, spacious and surrounded with flowers. Private bathrooms. All inclusive with fabulous cooking! Nice for a couple of active days – perfect for white-water rafting combined with a very romantic stay. Elevated prices.
Our Opinion: An ideal combination to escape civilisation on a raft… Hide away to find your peace in the jungle, near an Indian reservation. We strongly recommend the more secluded Riverview bungalows with a great veranda and an outdoor shower!