Casa Anjali

I celebrated my 30th birthday at Casa Anjali, with a private chef each day and a photographer. When our group decided we wanted live singers, the concierge arranged it with just an hour’s notice. The home’s concierges were wonderful, and the service was amazing. We had breathtaking views, and I’ve never felt so at home while traveling. For groups, there are two room setups: a king bed with a bathroom inside the room, or a king bed with a closet and bathroom just outside. Daily housekeeping is included, unlike at a typical Airbnb, and they do laundry too. Bring cash to tip the housekeeper, concierge, and maintenance crew, who all help make the stay special. We were already trying to book again as soon as we left. The location is perfect, with restaurants and bars within walking distance, including the iconic El Avion in Manuel Antonio.

We had a large group, and there was plenty of room inside and out. Even in heavy rain, we could stay outdoors on the covered patio and porches. The view is magnificent, and wildlife is all around: iguanas, monkeys, and birds nearby while you relax in the pool with a cocktail. The house is close to restaurants, beaches, tour outfitters, coffee shops, and nightlife. One thing to know if you’re walking is that the driveway is a SUPER STEEP climb out. I recommend coffee and dessert at Emilio's Cafe, with its great views and delicious coffee, and lunch and a cocktail at El Avion, where the service and view were wonderful.

The screened doors and windows were a favorite for me. I don’t like AC, so being able to sleep with the doors open and a fan, listening to nature, was great. And please respect the wildlife around the house by being mindful of food, music, and other disruptions. We saw it all at Anjali: three kinds of monkeys every day, a sloth beside the house, toucans in the trees, and even a macaw that came to visit. I’d worried that wildlife sightings might depend on where the house was, but we had no shortage of them. There was hardly a reason to take a tour when it was right in front of us. The house, view, chef, cleaning, and location were all perfect. They even did our laundry every day. We couldn’t have asked for a better place for a family stay, and I can’t wait to return. I highly recommend it.

The house was clean, everything worked, and when something did break, the staff fixed it quickly. It looked just as it did in the pictures. We never felt unsafe in Costa Rica, and the property is gated with a guard there 24/7, though I didn’t feel it was needed. The concierge arranged a couple of meals with a chef. Ask for Diego, his Mahi Mahi was amazing. We also liked being fairly central in Manuel Antonio. We could walk to a small grocery store up the hill and a few good places to eat, including Emilio's for breakfast or lunch and Aqua Azul for lunch or an early dinner. The driveway is steep, but manageable for most people. The service was a big part of what made the vacation so enjoyable. Hazel helped before we arrived, then Jorge looked after us on site. They were incredibly helpful and never made us feel like a bother. There was also daily cleaning by the same person, including bed making and laundry, which is a real plus for a large group. El Avion is walkable, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Service was slow, it was pricey, and the food was average. We loved our Costa Rica vacation, the house, the service, the food, and how friendly everyone was. I’d recommend it and would stay here again if we return to CR. Pura Vida!