From
$194 / night
Total guests, Nights

A PRIVATE, ROMANTIC RETREAT FOR TWO! – Home 6764376 House

  • 1 bedroom
  • 2 sleeps
  • 2 nights min stay

A PRIVATE, ROMANTIC RETREAT FOR TWO! – Home 6764376

  • House
  • 1 bedroom
  • sleeps 2
  • 2 nights min stay

Key Info

  • Nearest beach 97 mi
  • Not suitable for children
  • Car essential
  • Air conditioning
  • No pets allowed
  • Private garden

Description from owner

Description

A roofed terrace wraps this contemporary home with views of Arenal Lake, Arenal Volcano, jungles & tropical gardens. 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 2 baths, kitchen, living & dining room. US plumbing. On demand Hot water everywhere. Perfect for Honeymooners!

In Costa Rica it is traditional to name your home. We thought about it a lot, and over our first few months building here noticed a pair of beautiful huge birds that flew thru the valley along side of the house almost every morning. They appeared to live deep in the mountain valley on the right side of the house as you look at the Volcano. As they fly, they let out a piercing cry that is unmistakable. We realized we were building our home near their “home” . It seemed appropriate to name our home “The Home of the White Hawks” We even had our exterior door carved with one of my photographs of this magnificent bird. SO….

Welcome to your home away from home…

LA CASA DEL

HALCON BLANCO

(The Home of the

White Hawk)

We hope you enjoy our home, the area, the people you meet and the places you go while visiting this part of Costa Rica. BEFORE YOU READ FURTHER, PLEASE NOTE WE ONLY ACCOMMODATE TWO PEOPLE IN OUR HOME.

COME ON IN….

As you come in the house, you enter your home for the duration of your stay. Your dining room, kitchen and living room are here, along with an amazing view of the Jungle, Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal, right from the house.

Walking to the living area, you see a floor to ceiling glass wall that looks at Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal. A double glass door leads to your wrap-around terrace, an amazing place to spend as much of your day and evening as you wish. We like the small table around the corner for breakfast or coffee, the window bar for a snack and usually have dinner at the dining room table. But experiment and discover your favorite places. Remember to pause and listen to the rushing river just inside of the jungle…it is a wonderful sound that helps you relax during the day and puts you to sleep at night.

The kitchen is fully equipped to do anything from a simple snack to a gourmet meal. Great utensils, plus a microwave, 5 burner gas stove, blender, mixer, toaster, pots and pans...pretty much everything. There is a second full bath downstairs as well.

Your bedroom is upstairs with another private terrace, amazing views, a comfortable queen size bed, and an en-suite bath with one of the most amazing rain showers you will ever take.

Outside, you will have full access to the owners private tropical garden that covers about two acres. It has banana trees, and many flowering trees and shrubs. Here you will also have access to many trails right on the adjacent property and a trail to a private waterfall...about a 30 minute walk.

You will be able to do most anything this part of Costa Rica is famous for within a 30 to 40 minute drive. Zip Line...the best anywhere. Hanging Bridges...Amazing. Butterfly Conservancy...one of the only ones in the world that actually raises all of its butterflies. Hot Springs...perhaps the best in Costa Rica, and all within easy driving distance from here. Horse-back Riding...right up the hill. Art Galleries....one right here others in La Fortuna. Hiking trails....close by, from very difficult to easy. Your choice. Good Food...it's here. Kayaking on a lake...right here. Climb to a lake filled extinct volcano...right here. Tube a white water river...Right here. Remember, you can walk to our private waterfall right from the house and be one of a very limited number of people in the world who have visited that particular one. The rivers that split into a "V" here are the rivers you hear from the house. And from the terrace you will see the Turkey Vultures and hawks fly so close you can see the reflections off their eyes, and Toucans often sit in a tree right off the patio. Between 9 and 10 most mornings, the White Hawks screech and fly from their home high in the rain forest and often sit and hunt nearby. Spider Monkeys and Howler Monkeys are heard most days and often seen in the trees that fringe the terrace Jungle and the Jungle behind the house. There is so much to do you could spend a week and only dent the surface.

We are in an area where only a few speak English, but somehow everyone gets by. We will tell you about great Lunch and dinner places, you will eat breakfast at the house, cooked for you in your kitchen (and best eaten outside on the terrace, in our opinion). In El Castillo about 10 minutes away, you will find a small grocery store, several restaurants, a church, a snake zoo, a butterfly conservancy, an art gallery and views as you drive up the mountain you can only imagine.

A few other things to note. We serve a complete breakfast every morning, cooked to your order right in your own kitchen at a time you select between 7 and 9 AM. Most beef and chicken in Costa Rica are grass fed, and the fruits and veggies are generally Organic, at least where we are located. We have on demand hot water in every faucet in the house. Our toilets are American Style...you can flush the toilet paper, unlike most places in Costa Rica. Our water comes from a Jungle spring about 2 miles up the mountain.

You are close to Lake Arenal and a wonderful back road leads you around part of the lake for about 7 miles, before you come to a river crossing you can drive across in your 4WD vehicle...DO NOT TRY THIS DURING THE RAINY SEASON. We are managed by a neighbor, Kelly, who has a restaurant (La Ventanita) just down the hill in El Castillo. He is available on WhatsApp or a short drive/walk to town.

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Bed & bathroom

  • Bedroom 1: Queen Bed
  • 1 Full bath, 1 Attached (ensuite)

Amenities

  • Wireless Internet
  • Air conditioning
  • Mountain Views
  • Private garden
  • Grill
  • Balcony or terrace
  • Deck
  • Internet access
  • Stove
  • Fridge
  • Freezer
  • Microwave
  • Toaster
  • Kettle
  • TV
  • Satellite TV
  • Ceiling Fans
  • Linen provided
  • Towels provided
  • Housekeeping Included

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Access

  • Parking
  • Not suitable for wheelchair users

Getting around

You will need a car. This is the epicenter of activities for the Arenal Volcano area. We send you a list of guest suggested places to visit and things to do as well as a list of places to eat nearby. Also detailed directions of how to find us from either airport. We will help you with car rental before you arrive.

Interaction with guest

We are in Costa Rica about 6 months every year. We love it here. When we are not around, we have a friend who will check you in and be available to help with any questions at challenges you may have. In addition we have a young couple and their children who live on site in an apartment who help clean and cook breakfast for our guests as well. And we are always available by phone, email or messenger.

Policies

Check in time: 15:00, Check out time: 11:00
If you have any questions about check-in or check-out times, please contact the owner/manager.
Payment
This rental can only be paid for online through FlipKey using your credit/debit card or PayPal (never by bank or wire transfer).

Damage deposit: $350.00
Smoking
No smoking at this property

Cancellations

Change of plans? No problem. You could receive a partial or full refund, depending on when you cancel.

Booking confirmed

100% refund within 24 hours after booking (provided the stay is at least 60 days away).

24 hours after booking

50% refund of the amount paid (minus the booking fee*) if cancelled at least 8 weeks before check-in.

8 weeks before

25% refund of the amount paid (minus the booking fee*) if cancelled at least 4 weeks before check-in.

4 weeks before

No refund if cancelled less than 4 weeks before check-in.

Check-in date

* The booking fee is stated in the cancellation policy information on the payment page. This fee helps us run our secure platform and enables us to provide 24/7 customer support

House rules

This is our home which we are letting you use. We expect you to care for it as it were a treasure, which it is for us. No more than 2 people are allowed here, and we hope you love it and cherish your time here as much as we do,

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About the owner

John/susan H.
Calendar last updated:
22 Nov 2023
Years listed:
8
Based in:
United States
Overall rating:

Languages spoken: English

This property is hosted by a private host (consumer) and not a business. Bookings of their property may not be covered by EU or UK consumer protection laws. However, the Tripadvisor Rentals companies will provide you with the same customer service as with any other stay.

These are the details provided by the business owner.

Business Name

Business Address

Business Telephone

Business Email

Other Applicable Information

Map

Map

Map

Reviews

Excellent
7 reviews

Excellent
6
Very Good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0

“Breathtaking views, not so private.”

Reviewed 30 Jan 2020

As an architect, this house is what I dream about designing. It has the local character and craftsmanship we were looking for while still offering the amenities we are used to. The views cannot be exp… More

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on all reviews.

Response from the owner We are so glad you found the special design of our home wonderful. We designed it to have incredible views from every room and from both terraces. Great comments, especially from an architect. All the wood inside is locally harvested. The entire home was built without any power tools. And the views are amazing. The clouds rising from the jungle floor, Arenal Volcano dominating the view, the nearby river heard 24/7 making a restful sound, the walk to our private waterfall a special treat...it is a spiritual place. But to address your other comments, rarely is anything perfect. We have over 150 reviews from other rental sites and never has musty smells be an issue. Non the less, we understand you may be ultra sensitive, and we apologize for your feelings. Others have not noticed. The family who live "next door" are separated and not visible, as there is a flowering vine that separates the two areas, and they are only visible from parts of the carport or perhaps from the bathroom window. There are not "many children" living there, only an infant, a 10 year old daughter and a 17 year old son. Like all kids, they may have friends over to play and live their lives, but it happens during the day, and not in the evenings. They serve your breakfast every day, change your linens, and do some light housekeeping during your stay. The husband also maintains the grass and garden areas every Saturday. The rest of the time there is no one within view of the house working in the gardens where you can actually see them. We do try to take care of our property, and at the same time, be sensitive to our guests. We are sorry we only rated a 4 star review from you, and will take your comments into consideration as we continue to provide a 5 star experience to all of our visitors.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not TripAdvisor LLC.

“Wow! Incredible Experience!!!”

Reviewed 15 Oct 2019

My wife and I have been lucky enough to have travelled all over the world staying at many luxury resorts and awesome vacation rentals. The White Hawk property afforded us one of the best travel experi… More

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on all reviews.

Response from the owner Thank you for your many kind words. We feel the same. Every morning when we wake and go to the terrace to begin our day we consider ourselves two of the luckiest people in the world as we watch morning mist rise from the jungle floor and listen to the calls of the birds and monkeys. And as dusk turns to darkness hearing the songs of the nearby river lulls into relaxing solitude. Thank you for staying with us and for enjoying our home as much as we do. And it was fun to get to know you a bit with our morning and sometimes afternoon visits. Travel safe and continue to love your traveling life. Come back anytime. Susan and John

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not TripAdvisor LLC.

“Unforgettable views in a very romantic setting!”

Reviewed 26 Nov 2017

What an amazing property! The views are so much better in person, and the amenities are absolutely as described. The potholes in the road coming into the property are almost as unforgettable, but it… More

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on all reviews.

Response from the owner Thanks for your kind words. The drive to the house is one you just have to accept as a fact of life and take it slow and easy. And it is unforgettable. But you did venture into a fairly remote part of a third world country, and you see things here you may never see again. I will send your thanks to everyone at Phoenix. It is also our favorite place fro great Costa Rican food and pleasent people and great sunsets! Thanks for staying with us...

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not TripAdvisor LLC.

“Beautiful home, beautiful area”

Reviewed 29 Jul 2017

This was one of three homes that we rented around Costa Rica for our honeymoon, and this was our favorite. It is an absolutely beautiful home with AMAZING views (you wake up to views of the volcano!),… More

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on all reviews.

Response from the owner So glad you had a great time. Thanks for the kind words about our home. It is always special to rent it to those who seem to love it as much as we do. Thanks for staying with us...come back soon...Susan and John

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not TripAdvisor LLC.

“Amazing view”

Reviewed 10 Jul 2017

For me I really enjoyed the location and house. The house is comfortable and you can tell it is cared for. Once you get to the top of the hill you really feel close to the volcano. I enjoyed sitting o… More

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on all reviews.

Response from the owner Thanks for your kind words. Glad you enjoyed your stay with us and took the time to relax and watch the tropical world drift by. Many have felt it is a spiritual place and glad to hear you enjoy it here as much as we do. Always glad to share. Susan and John

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not TripAdvisor LLC.

“Gorgeous quiet get away”

Reviewed 3 Mar 2017

A long and winding drive up the mountain, past other quaint B&Bs, a restaurant and endless views ends at this beautiful home. Furnished with a mix of unique Costa Rican and American furniture and … More

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on all reviews.

Response from the owner Thanks for your kind words...glad you had a great time and enjoyed our home and the surrounding area...

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not TripAdvisor LLC.

“Artful modern house with captivating views”

Reviewed 8 Jun 2016

I knew this was the place for us when I saw the views of Mt. Arenal and the surrounding jungle on the rental page. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls, spacious terraces, original artwork, modern kitchen . .… More

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on all reviews.

Response from the owner Thanks for your kind words about our home...glad you found it to be as special of a place as we do.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not TripAdvisor LLC.

Review 1-7 of 7

FAQs

How do I find more info about the property?

You can get in touch with John/Susan (the owner) through the contact form on this page.

If you’ve already booked, go to Manage your booking to send the owner a message.

What if I have questions before I book?

Send John/Susan (the owner) an email through the contact form on this page. Alternatively, if there’s a phone number on this page, you can call them.

How do I contact John/Susan (the owner)?

Send an email through the contact form on this page. Or if there’s a phone number on this page, you can call them.

If you’ve already booked, go to Manage your booking to view John/Susan the owner's contact details or send them a message.

What's the difference between 'Book your stay' and 'Contact the owner/manager'?

Use the Ready to book? form to pay provisionally online and send John/Susan (the owner) a booking request. You’ll find out within 24 hours whether they’ve accepted - no money will leave your account before then

Or send John/Susan (the owner) an inquiry through the Contact the owner/manager form if you’d like a quote or more info first.

What is a booking request?

When you pay online through the Ready to book? form, a booking request is sent to John/Susan (the owner). You’ll find out within 24 hours whether they’ve accepted - no money will leave your account before then.

Only bookings paid for through our site are covered by our trusted Payment Protection.

How do I know my booking is safe?

To book this property you need to pay through the Flipkey website. Only bookings paid for through our site are covered by our trusted Payment Protection. This means that in the unlikely event that you’re prevented or denied access to the property when you check in, we’ll offer a full refund for the stay.

Find out more about booking safely.

How do I know what it will cost for my stay?

Simply enter your dates in the Ready to book? form to calculate the cost of your stay.
Click Book now to see a full breakdown of the price.

You can also request a quote from John/Susan (the owner) through the contact form. The owner will email you the total cost for your dates and a link to book and pay online.

How do I know if my booking request has been accepted?

You’ll receive an email within 24 hours to let you know. Or you can check in Manage your booking. No money will leave your account unless it’s accepted.

How do I pay for my vacation?

Use the Ready to book? form to pay provisionally online. You can pay by credit/debit card or PayPal. John/Susan (the owner) will have 24 hours to accept the booking and no money will leave your account before then.

If you’ve been sent a quote, simply accept it and pay online through the email we sent you. You can also do this in Manage your booking.

Only bookings paid for through our site are covered by our trusted Payment Protection.

Why can't I call John/Susan (the owner) before booking?

You can exchange contact details with the property owner/manager once your booking is confirmed and you’ve paid in full. Paying and communicating only through our platform allows us to ensure that your booking is covered by our Payment Protection policy.

If you have any questions before booking, you can send the property owner/manager a message via the contact form on their listing. Once you’ve booked, you can discuss the rental and make arrangements for your trip by logging into Manage your booking.

How do damage deposits work?

In most cases, you don’t pay a damage deposit up front. Instead, we save your payment details securely and you’re only charged in the event of damage to the property.

Occasionally, you will pay a damage deposit up front as part of the total rental cost. In this case, the owner has 10 days after you check out to report any damage. If they don’t, we’ll return your deposit. If their claim is successful, we’ll deduct the agreed cost and return the remainder.

How can I view and manage my booking?

Go to Manage your booking to view all your booking details, pay the balance of your booking or cancel it if you need to.

How do I pay the balance of my booking?

You can pay the remaining balance of your booking at any point. Simply go to Manage your booking and click Pay now.

We’ll automatically charge the balance payment to the same payment method 10 days before it’s due. Go to Manage your booking to see when the payment will be taken.

How can I withdraw my booking request?

You’ll need to contact John/Susan (the owner) to do this. Send them a message in Manage your booking or through the contact form on this page.

How do I cancel my booking?

Go to Manage your booking to cancel your booking. Here you can view your cancellation policy to see if you’ll be refunded.

How do I make changes to my booking?

You can request to change the dates or number of people on your booking via the Manage your booking page. To change your dates use the Edit booking button. If you need to change the number of guests staying then send John/Susan (the owner) a message.

If John/Susan (the owner) agrees, they’ll send you a revised quote outlining the changes. You can review and accept/decline this from the Manage your booking page. You’ll have 48 hours to take action before the revised quote expires.

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