Location: Monteverde
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, Parking, Restaurant, Juice Bar and Tea Room, Microbrewery, Room Service, Spa, and Wellness Center, Hot Tub, Complimentary Yoga Classes, Mini Bar with Organic Snacks, Bathrobes and Slippers, Hand Made Organic Complimentary Toiletries, Hair Dryer, Free Local Phone Calls, Magnifying Mirrors.
Getting to Monteverde is not easy, but the almost three-hour drive and the adventures you are sure to encounter on your way there, are well worth it, especially if you are staying at the Belmar Hotel.
The property on which the hotel sits has one of the best-rated locations in Monteverde featuring incredible views of the Nature Reserve and the Gulf of Nicoya on the Pacific Coast. On clear days you can also see the majestic Arenal volcano and even get a glimpse of the Caribbean Coast.
Interestingly enough; Costa Rica’s nickname is the Switzerland of Central America, it probably earned it for the grandeur of its mountains and political neutrality. And, as you drive up to the main building and the adjacent chalet rooms with their distinct alpine architecture, you will have to pinch yourself to make sure you are still in the tropics.
Aside from the beauty of its surroundings, this family-owned boutique hotel offers a unique experience that you won’t soon forget. The warm, friendly service and the rustic-chic accommodations with high-end finishes will take you by surprise. And what is most impressive is all this luxury is environmentally sustainable; the hotel has earned multiple eco-friendly certifications for their conservation and sustainable practices.
Every corner of this hotel offers breathtaking views of the gardens, the Monteverde Nature Reserve, and the Pacific. The rooms offer privacy and the perfect romantic setting for lovers. But, there is also plenty of fun things to do.
Take a horseback riding tour of Madre Tierra the family’s organic farm where you will spend time with the chickens and visit the dairy farm and milk the cows. Then see how they grow and harvest their sustainable organic crops. At the end of the tour, you will get the chance to cook and eat the foods you’ve helped harvest.
Being in Monteverde means nature lovers will have the time of their lives. Make sure to pack your hiking boots, as the hotel backs into the Nature Reserve and offers private trails through the vibrant cloud forest, full of birds, and other wildlife for you to enjoy.
After an exciting day touring the farm or hiking in the cloud forest, come back to the hotel and relax in the glass-enclosed hot tub or enjoy a hot stone massage.
Once you get back, visit the bar and sample one or two of the fantastic craft cocktails made with fresh ingredients from the organic garden. I suggest you also try some of their craft beer, brewed at their very own microbrewery.
One of the many gems of this hotel is their restaurant called Celajes. From its balconies you can see the Pacific Ocean; as for the food, prepare to be amazed by a real farm to table culinary experience. All the ingredients used in the elaboration of the dishes are either grown on the hotel’s gardens or the family farm.
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Pamper yourself by ordering breakfast in bed, the staff will also pack a delicious picnic lunch for you, room service is available from noon until 9:00 pm. If you are in a romantic mood, make a reservation for a private dinner to enjoy on your terrace or a private section of the tea room.
Bottom Line: If you love nature, but don’t enjoy roughing it out, and value eco-friendly, sustainable lodging then Hotel Belmar is the perfect place to stay during your visit to Monteverde.
