“Beautiful home in lovely setting.” This home had all the amenities to make our family comfortable. We loved sitting on the patio in the morning watching hummingbirds and listening to howler monkeys in the distance. The extensive DVD collection was a hit with our kids during some of our down time. The location near the town of Nuevo arenal was nice for short trips to the grocery store and many restaurants.

“Wow! You'll love the Red Sunset!” Are you looking for a luxury guesthouse near Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano? If so, look no further and book yourself into the Red Sunset. My husband and I, along with six friends, spent a week in March there. We are so glad we did! We found the accommodations to be everything they were advertised and more. The views are amazing and the house, pool house and grounds will give you plenty of opportunities to relax and explore. While the guesthouse is excellent, the very best feature is the owner/operator Patrick. Patrick met with us each day to help us plan activities and make reservations with the best tour operators. His local knowledge and recommendations were spot on each day, and his help was invaluable. The breakfast provided each morning was a highlight unto itself. Come prepared to eat well – you won’t be disappointed. We’ve never had meals of this quality at similar style lodgings. We also took advantage of the optional evening Chef services. While there were several great places to eat in the Lake Arenal area, all of which were recommended to us by Patrick, you won’t beat the meals prepared by Patrick and his wife. Our favorite was the Chicken Parmesan – sorry, Mom, but it was the best we’ve had anywhere! The Red Sunset was the perfect place for our Costa Rica vacation. We arrived as guests and soon felt like family. We’re glad we chose the Red Sunset!

“Beautiful condo, very friendly owners!!!” As we love to explore and participate on as many outdoor activities as possible, we needed to stay on a central location. This was perfect for us as arenal Volcano is within 1.5 hrs drive to the left and Monteverde within the same distance to the right. Liberia airport just about the same distance (all in all, very convenient for our purposes) note: as Costa Rica has so much to offer, 1.5 hrs is not an unusual drive if you want to experience as many activities and sites as you can) All the units are state of the art (wireless, fiber high-speed internet, kitchen appliances, etc) and with all the amenities of a very modern condo. The owners, Zen & Doreen were very nice and friendly and made us feel quite welcome. Thank you!!! :-) I have provided my e-mail address, in case anyone is interested in contacting me with any questions; I won't mind sharing and confirming all this information as I have nothing but great things to say about this place and their owners. All in all, a Great stay and will definitely stay here again next time while in Costa Rica. ~Manny (from Los angeles, Ca)

“A Beautiful Oasis” Milady was an extremely accommodating host. I traveled to Utila with 3 other college students who were studying in Honduras for the semester, and they found her place online. She was extremely helpful when making the arrangements prior to the visit, and her support continued throughout our visit. She brought us to the apartment as soon as we got off the ferry, which was very clean, spacious, and nicely decorated. We discussed a possible itinerary for the week using her suggestions and were able to ask her a lot of questions. Because we were on a budget, she recommended the cheapest (and best) places to scuba dive, rent snorkel gear, go out for dinner, kayak, hike, etc. We experienced so much of the island with guides that we wouldn't have known about unless we had stayed with her. She also brought us to the store multiple times to purchase water and groceries for the week. Her thoughtful and generous spirit truly made our vacation the best it could've possibly been, and we all agreed that it was a wonderful decision to stay with her. Her prices are extremely reasonable and you will receive far beyond what you pay for. My friends plan on recommending Milady's place to all future students who are studying in Honduras and to anyone else who is considering traveling to Utila! Staying with Milady may end up being one of the best decisions you make while planning your trip!

“Life is simply beautiful at Casa Tordesillas” Never have I (voluntarily!) gotten up so early in the morning as when a group of friends and I stayed at this amazing place with Chema and Marga. You couldn't wish for a more serene and yet spectacular sunrise (or sundown)with matching views than this. It's a truly inspiring place in many ways. Chema and Marga understand the art of hospitality and offer a comfortable stay with lots of possibilities to discover the area, also on horseback. Nature's great, food is good and there's so much to simply experience and enjoy in the amenities. It's exactly the place you are looking for to really get away from everyday life.

“Great Value!” We stayed at La Nina for a month from mid-January to mid-February. It is within a gated property, making it very secure. The cottage has a fully-equipped kitchen with all the utensils and appliances one needs to make meals. The appliances are fully functioning and sparkling clean. As a matter of fact, we made many dinners 'at home' because fresh fruits, veggies, meat and seafood are readily available from the supermarket only a few minutes from the cottage. The weekend farmers' market is not to be missed for those who love to cook. There is a small selection of dvds in the cottage. Bring your own and relax in the evenings with a beer or two, or a bottle of wine. You can also play music from your own device and enjoy! Although the daytime temperatures were higher than normal while we were there, the four ceiling fans kept the place cool and comfortable. If you really need to cool off, the swimming pool is the pièce de résistance! There is plenty of storage space in the bedroom. The ensuite bathroom is spacious. Alicia, the housekeeper, comes three times a week to clean and refresh towels and bed linens. Maxwell and Sascha, Pete's canine ambassadors, will always remind you of their presence albeit in the most unintrusive ways! For what we were asked to pay for the cottage, it is the best deal in town.

“An awesome, peaceful hideaway!” I discovered Finca Paraiso at B&B.com; and made reservations for Oct 2011. I usually rent a vehicle so the drive of about 30 minutes was not only interesting but exciting as well. The roads in CR are not well marked and are somewhat bumpy with a fair share of potholes. For the directionally challenged, the innkeeper might consider meeting the guests at the airport as an escort or taxi. On arrival, I was overwhelmed by the inspiring beauty of the property. The views are stunning. The grounds are superbly manicured and provide vast space for exploring and enjoying the peace and solitude of nature. There were hundreds of different plants, flowers, and trees. There is even a trout pond with waterfall. And, there is a mountain stream with many waterfalls that can be traversed. The inn has an indoor heated pool with a steam room too! As if all this isn't enough, my jaw dropped when I entered the suite. It was a villa with the space of three hotel rooms. The refrigerator was stocked with juice, bread, cheese, jam/jelly, and other foods. There was a fine bottle of wine as a welcome gift. It included a fireplace, living area, whirlpool tub, oversized queen bed, ample closet space and a bathroom with a large shower. There was television with DVD and cable service. Wired internet was also a feature. The room included a terrace with a table for enjoying meals outdoors. But the best part were the windows that surrounded the suite affording beautiful views of the mountains and valleys. I enjoyed time soaking in the quiet which allowed precious rejuvenation, physically, mentally, and spiritually. The innkeeper and his wife were very helpful in suggesting places to go and also in providing directions. They also provide a complimentary dinner of rainbow trout from the pond. A very delicious meal. I highly recommend Finca Paraiso. It will be my getaway of choice when visiting CR in the future. Pura Vida!