Hotel Vista del Cerro

The room was comfortable, though it looked a bit dated, more 90s than modern. It could be even better with a refresh. Still, we had a good stay at Hotel Vista del Cerro, with genuinely helpful staff and a host who made things easy from the start. They arranged airport transfers and helped us book a shuttle to Tamarindo, which we really appreciated. The location worked well for us: about a five-minute drive to downtown, 15 minutes to the volcano, around 25 minutes to Mistico Hanging Bridges, and less than 10 minutes to the free hot springs. We could see the volcano from our balcony.

It's near the volcano, and tour pickups from the hotel are easy to arrange. The bathroom was typical for Costa Rica, but they don't provide shampoo or conditioner. The hotel is fairly close to town, though walking there took a bit. The air conditioning worked well.

The staff were kind, personable and exceptionally accommodating. The location puts attractions within a 5-10 minute drive, the AC worked great in the humid climate, and the garden had lots of different flowers. From the second floor there is a volcano view, though clouds are common. During our five days we saw the whole volcano only once. Sleep was difficult. The beds and pillows were hard, and the beds creaked loudly when you got up. The beds were against a wall, with about three feet between their foot and the opposite wall. With the rectangular layout, the room felt like a shipping container. The main bed was a true double. Since it's on the main road, the noise at night sounded like planes taking off, and the big trucks like gunshots. This went on from 5 am to 1 am the next morning. There was no shampoo, conditioner or hair dryer. This isn't a 3-star hotel, it's a 2-star motel, and it doesn't offer a peaceful place to sleep. They don't allow a full refund for cancellation, and the very real, obvious noise issue wasn't disclosed anywhere. I feel cheated.

The road gets very loud at times, so bring earplugs. The overhead fluorescent bulbs made me feel like I was in jail 😅, and I'd suggest warmer lighting. But the rooms are nice and basic, with what you need. Fair price, great service and location, and a good stay apart from the road noise.