Hacienda La Isla

The host made sure we had everything we needed and did so much to make our stay special. We couldn’t find a fault with this incredible hotel. Thank you so much for everything! The pool was wonderfully peaceful, with howler monkeys in the trees as the only sound. There’s a chocolate tour onsite and a fantastic walk through the hotel’s own forest. Tucked into its own private jungle beside a National park, the place is peaceful, the food is amazing, and the rooms and facilities are lovely. The photos really don’t do it justice. Our best stay in Costa Rica, and such a special place.

The staff were polite, pleasant, and helpful. Without them, this would be a two-star stay. The buildings have charm and historical importance, but the lodge needs investment and ongoing maintenance. Our basic room had a comfortable bed, ceiling fan, and shower. There’s no air conditioning, despite what another reviewer said, perhaps a translation issue. The fan worked well enough. The shower curtain pole kept falling off the wall, and a bedside drawer came apart when opened. The bathroom is divided from the bedroom by a partition that doesn’t reach the ceiling. The nearby highway carries heavy industrial traffic, and the trucks drown out much of the bird sound on the forest path. That’s not something the lodge owner can control. Food was nice enough, but the menu was small. Breakfast was sparse, just a small plate of fruit and fried or scrambled eggs with rice and beans. When I asked for an omelette, the answer was a firm “No.” After a night walk at the Tirimbina Reserve, we got back around 9:30 pm hoping for a drink, but nobody was around and the place was completely quiet. Nothing was available.

We had a great time, even though we stayed just one night in August. The rooms were cozy, clean, and nice, with a historical connection. When we lost something valuable, everyone helped us look for it. They were a great team. The walking trail around the hacienda has lots to discover about the country’s plants and wildlife. Do the cacao tour too. The owner and staff made it entertaining, and I learned a lot about the plant, the drink, how cacao is made, and its history, past and present. Thanks so much!

The trail was okay and the first impression was decent, but the rest of the stay was not enjoyable. The rooms were dirty, with dust, cobwebs, spiders, and stains. During our two-day stay they weren’t cleaned, and even the bin for toilet paper wasn’t emptied. There’s no window to open, only a door onto the porch that anyone can enter through, along with all the mosquitoes. The roof beam in our room was rotten and looked as if the roof could come down at any moment. Worst hotel for us so far in Costa Rica. Breakfast was minimal, with very little choice. The chocolate tour cost $40, which felt far too expensive. It spent a lot of time on other things, like where tomatoes come from, and was basically a tour of the hotel garden. They showed us an original chocolate drink and a sweetened one, but no actual chocolate. Then we were told we could buy some for $5 at reception. The margarita at the bar seemed to be a premade mix, or was just bad. It tasted horrible.