Hotel list
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El Establo
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User reviews
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Supersize resort tucked into a cloud forest
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| Restaurant | | Eco-Rating | | Service | | Location | | Grounds | | | | Room Service | | Laundry Service | | Wheel Chair Access | | Spa Services | | Baby Sitting | | | | Safety Deposit Box | | Television | | Telephone | | Internet Access | | Swimming Pool | | Gym | | Bar/Lounge | | | | Older Travelers | | Honeymoons | | Young Travelers | | Families | | Couples | | |
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I had the opportunity to return to Monteverde after approx. 10 years. I guess that my last time there was back in 1998 when I was still working for Costa Rica Expeditions and visited Monteverde Lodge, which was the nicest property in the area. This time, I stayed at El Establo, which is probably the best hotel in Monteverde, also the biggest. In my personal opinion, it's just too big for the area as most of the other properties have 30-40 rooms at the most. I frankly don't know how they survive the low season as I do not feel they can fill up 155 rooms every day! But the hotel itself is very nice, and has excellent service.
Upon arrival, you are welcomed by the staff and given a site map which shows the location of the different buildings in the property. Each building has between 6 and 12 rooms depending on the room types. There are deluxe units, honeymoon suites and family suites as well. The hotel offers free shuttle transfers between the buildings and the front desk and/or the different restaurants. Since I was driving, I drove to my building (#5) which was located about 500 yards uphill from the front desk. The views are really nice - my building in particular was located right in front of a beautiful pond and close to one of the restaurants of the hotel.
Each building has a van in the main entrance that serves the guests staying in that specific building. There is also a person in the main entrance to the building, welcoming the guests and helping them with their luggage, etc.
I stayed in a deluxe room - it was very spacious with two queen-size beds, TV, mini-bar, safety box, balcony overlooking the property and the mountains, and a beautiful bathroom with tub and shower. The suites usually have one king-size bed and jacuzzi while the family suites have two bedrooms and are designed for families traveling with kids.
The hotel has two heated swimming pools, a tennis court, basketball court, pool table and a conference center. There are also two restaurants and a piano/coffee bar. The hotel also has its own canopy tour and offers night walks through the forest.
Breakfast is included in the rate - it takes place between 6:30 am - 10 am in Las Riendas Restaurant, and the food is very good - including a great variety of options - from Gallo pinto to pancakes, eggs, toasts, fruit and several typical food like picadillos and tortillas.
My overall experience staying there was very good, and it has probably become my favorite property in the area.
| | | | Posted by Guest on 9/22/2009 11:53:51 AM | There was lots to do without needing to take a trip back to town.
| It is a bit far from Santa Elena, but right next to the cloud forest reserve, so it balances out!
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