Wonderful condo

Guest: sharoni01 (Austin, TX)
Date of Stay: 06/24/09 Review Submitted: 07/02/09

This property is luxurious, spacious and very well maintained. We were there with 5 adults and 2 children and the space did not seem cramped at all. The pictures depict the actual space very well. The beach and estuary in front of this property were our favorite among all the beaches we visited in and around Tamarindo. Thank you, Syd and Lynne, for a wonder stay and putting up with my million questions before the trip!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Wonderful condo

Guest: John (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 01/11/12 Review Submitted: 01/30/12

I recently stayed at this condo with my family for ten days and can say that it was excellent in all ways. Dealing with ownership and management was easy and efficient...and the condo and surrounds were just lovely. We will be returning.

Owner response:Thanks so much John, I am glad you enjoyed the condo as much as we do. Syd and Lynne

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, tourists without a car.

Fabulous place!!

Guest: Mass.Family5 (Boston, Massachusetts, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/03/12 Review Submitted: 01/09/12

I have nothing but good things to say about this rental. Everything was very well maintained/ well stocked and the views of the sunsets were absolutely stunning. It was nice to be somewhat removed from Tamarindo, but still within walking distance. I highly recommend the beach to the left of the property, by the Barcelo resort, as it wasn't crowded and had good waves for surfing. It was great ending the day with a dip in the pool or a walk on the beach. The property managers were also very helpful with arranging surf lessons and providing driving directions. I would highly recommend this property and would be thrilled to return.

Owner response:Thanks so much Stacey for your kind comments. We feel the same way about our condo. Syd

Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

April/May 2011

Guest: Harlan (Colorado)
Date of Stay: 04/28/11 Review Submitted: 09/20/11

We stayed in this condo for just over 2 weeks in Late April early May 2011. THE CONDO: The place is nicer then the pictures, and the pictures are nice! Not much more to say then that, its 4 star hotel quality, maybe better. We loved it, loved the views, loved pretty much everything about it. Be warned if you go in the rainy season though. We had one hard rain, and lost water for 1/2 a day and overnight. That means no water for a shower! We also lost electric for 1/2 a day and into the evening. It was not the condo's issue with electric, it was the full street. But its something to know as the larger places have generators. THE GROUNDS: The outside pool and grounds are great and well cared for as well. The property is gated with a 24x7 guard and gated parking for your car. Please note, the beach outside the condo's back gate, is not a beach though. Its more like a rocky area, you can't swim or surf there. Down the beach about a 1/4 mile is a nice resort area where the beach is accessable, or you have to drive into town. The condo location is not very walkable, you will need a car or a LOT of taxi rides.

Owner response:Thanks for your comments Audra. I would like to add a few thoughts. Firstly electrical outages in Costa Rica are very commonplace no matter where one stays. Usually they are minutes and at most hours. It is very unusual to last as long as it did in your case. In terms of the beach there are actually many areas to get into the water directly in front of the condo had you looked around.Also the initial part of the beach is quite sandy before the rocky area begins. As you have pointed out the more sandy beach is just south of the condo, however it is just a few hundred feet and by no means a 1/4 mile. I am not sure how you calculated that distance. Although the condo is one mile from the center of town this in my opinion and that of many people is an advantage to get away from the incredibly busy town center. In addition taxis are readily available at a rate of $4/way. Thanks again for your patronage.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, families with teenagers.

Fantastic Time in Costa Rica

Guest: ed (albuquerque, New mexico)
Date of Stay: 07/24/11 Review Submitted: 08/08/11

We rented the condo at the end of July. Even though the rainy season we actually only had rain some early evenings but not an issue. Condo was beautiful. Views outstanding. RPM was extremely helpful setting up tours of Palo Verde, Rincon de la Vieja, snorkling trip and the most beautiful golf course I have had the pleasure to play on (Hacienda Pinilla). Beach is beautiful but only point to note it is too rocky for swimming directly behind condo but less than 5 minute walk south was great beach (still would bring water shoes). I didn't rent a car and truly this was not an issue. Taxi ride (for 6) into town was only $5 and every restaurant or store will call back the same taxi you came into town (taxi drivers want your business and will give you their phone number). Tamarindo has great restaurants to choose from with unbelievable sea bass and lobster. The little store by the condo was sufficient for some basics. There is also a Sports Bar a block away (owned by ex pats) and we played in poker tournament. Teenage boys also had wonderful time and their biggest question is when do we return. Lastly, I do appreciate all the help that Sydney gave us in renting his condo. Thanks you and live the Pura Vida.

Owner response:Thanks a lot Ed for your kind and thoughtful comments. I hope we see you again in the future. Syd

Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car.

The BEST place ever

Guest: John (Ashburn, Virginia)
Date of Stay: 04/16/11 Review Submitted: 04/25/11

We've rented condos for our family all over the world and this was the best of all. Fantastic unit. Top quality large and small appliances. Very clean. Very comfortable places to sit throughout and the beds were comfortable, too. Plenty of beach towels. Even a nice selection of pillows to choose from. Having the master bedroom and lanai on a separate floor was wonderful. My wife and I made the best of it. Our teenaged boys loved it all, too. The pool was actually nicer than the picture makes it look. It was freshwater, clean and warm. It was also plenty deep for swimming laps. The grounds were meticulously maintained and the guard service handled gate opening for cars about 18 hours/day. The beach was fantastic. The tides provided huge variety of things to do. My boys loved "riding the rapids" as the tide flowed in and out of the nearby estuary. And the beach was never crowded, even Easter week. One informational note for renters (that should not detract from renting this fantastic place): The condo is about 3km beyond Tamarindo, where all of the restaurants are. The road between them can be be pretty rough in places with jagged rocks and lots of dust. It is a walkable distance (or for running as I do), but the unevenness of the road bed makes it tricky for a small rental car or on your ankles. The good news is the road is wide, there isn't much traffic on it, it's a short ride, and there's a small grocery store 250 feet from the condo. Don't let this stop you from going there... but plan your transportation needs accordingly. Thank you, Syd and Lynne, for letting us rent the place and for all of your help in planning the trip. We hope to be back again. Forget Hawaii, Tamarindo rocks!

Owner response:Thanks so much for your review John . Your words express exactly our thoughts about our condo and the area in general. The separation from the center of Tamarindo ( one mile ) as you realize makes for a much more tranquil and unspoiled environment. There are actually a couple of restuarants closer by. You can go to the Capitan Suizo beachfront restuarant or the Beach Club restaurant both about half the distance to Tamarindo. Hope to see you again. Syd and Lynne

Recommended for:Girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Beautiful spot!

Guest: Cindy (New Jersey, USA)
Date of Stay: 03/26/11 Review Submitted: 04/05/11

Beautifully decorated, well maintained, well stocked penthouse condo with a terrific location. We enjoyed all of the terraces using the top deck as our sunset happy hour spot. Sitting at the pool while enjoying a view of the ocean was the favorite activity of a few of us while the rest spent time surfing at the estuary. We enjoyed walking around Tamarindo to find restaurants for dinner although our favorite was the Langosta Beach Club. Syd or the staff answered all questions quickly and were helpful with reservations for activities. The Blue Dolphin snorkeling/sunset cruise was a hit. We will certainly be returning!

Owner response:Thank you so much Cindy for your kind comments. We can hardly wait ourselves to return to Tamarindo and our great condo for our upcoming vacation . Most people can not imagine what a great place we have until they visit. It is truly a piece of paradise. Syd

Recommended for:

Beautiful Spot!!!

Guest: Happy Customer! (Calgary, Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/11/11 Review Submitted: 02/23/11

We stayed at this condo over Valentines in Feb. It is a gorgeous condo. We walked the beach to Tamarindo almost every day. The sunsets are unbelievable! I can't say enough good things about this place. The location, the people who run the office at the condo complex. The pictures really don't do it justice. (And the pics are great). But when you walk in, and you sit on the patio overlooking the ocean, it's hard to capture on film. We look forward to returning.

Owner response:This is the typical response we get from all our guests and this conveys our own personal feelings about the condo and the location. We love to share the place as we know everyone of our guests will have a memorable holiday.This reviewer lives in our home town of Calgary. He met us personally prior to his visit and expressed to us how important the holiday meant to him and he wanted to be sure that our condo and location would measure up to his expectations. As you can see the condo met and exceeded them.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car.

Guest: Sergio, Calgary Alberta Canada (-)
Date of Stay: 12/19/10 Review Submitted: 01/16/11

Hi Syd your condo is absolutely beautiful with a great layout and we loved the quiet location in Langosta as compared to Tamarindo .The staff at the complex was friendly and dealt with any minor issues or questions we had immediately . When I met you at your house I mentioned that the idea was for my mother to sit on the balcony and have her tea and enjoy the view and that is exactly what she did and loved it . On a side note when I dropped my mother off at the airport to return to B.C. she began to cry and thanked me for taking her as she thought she would never see that part of the world . In the days since my brother and aunt have and said she has not stopped talking about the trip and is showing everyone her pictures. My son was bugging us to return to Costa Rica again when we were only 8 days into the trip. He took up boogie boarding and now loves it. I can answer your question with a simple "yes" , it was up to our expectations but I do not think that would truly show how we felt about the trip and the condo. On behalf of myself and my family thanks for the rental and we will be back .

Recommended for:

Fantastic Home Away From Home!!

Guest: Jim (Gorham, Maine)
Date of Stay: 11/05/10 Review Submitted: 11/17/10

We just returned from spending nine wonderful days at this beautiful property. It may be hard to believe but this property is BETTER than the photos displayed on the website. The staff was very professional. The complex was always kept exceptionally clean. The views were outstanding! My wife and I loved getting up early and relaxing on the upper patio with a cup of coffee watching the crashing waves and the surfers to the left. My only regret was turning in the keys and having to return to Maine. I wish we could have stayed there forever. We had two excellent meals at Carolinas. Do not miss the breakfast place on the beach when you walk the beach towards Tamarindo. If you want to eat at home this place has everything you need for cooking great meals. The fish here is very good. Also check out The Dragonfly for a great meal. Maybe they had a bad night but I would avoid the Voodoo lounge for dinner. We sailed, did the zipline canopy tour in Rinco de Veija, enjoyed the numerous beaches including Angellenos(Make sure you have lunch at Lolas. You might get to meet Lolita the pig). If you have never been to Costa Rica you are missing a trip of a lifetime. The Ticos and Ticas are very nice people who will help you even if your spanish is weak. Thank you for sharing your wonderful home with us.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+.