Simply the Best,Great Views,Pool,Delicious Food,Great Advice,Peace

• just as good as it looks online

  just as good as it looks online

  • Guest plfish
  • Date of stay 12/01/06
  • Review Submitted 08/28/07
  We stayed here between Christmas and New Year's in 2006. We had two families: 4 adults, 6 older children (high school and college). The listing is very true to what you find when you get there. The owner is next door to the property, and he is as helpful as the best concierge in the finest hotel anywhere. You are within 5 minutes to 1.5 hours of almost any activity you can think of. The only negative thing to say is that we took so many digital photos that 8 months later we are still editing and organizing them!!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 24/27

• MORE THAN A VACATION - MORE OF AN EXPERIENCE, WHATEVER YOUR PREFERENCES

  MORE THAN A VACATION - MORE OF AN EXPERIENCE, WHATEVER YOUR PREFERENCES

  • Guest Bob
  • Date of stay 02/02/13
  • Review Submitted 03/22/13
  Patrick and Alicia were wonderful hosts for the relaxing and breathtaking setting we so much enjoyed. We've spent years in Costa Rica - however, the food Patrick prepared for dinner and the breakfast "feasts" prepared by Alicia were better than any food we have ever eaten in all of Costa Rica! This visit certainly exceeded our expectations!

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

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• What an absolute perfect escape!!!

  Guest comment entered by owner

  What an absolute perfect escape!!!

  • Guest Roberto S.
  • Date of stay 02/15/13
  • Review Submitted 02/22/13
  Thank You Patrick!! for making our stay in Paradise so enjoyable, all your recommendations were spot on, we couldn't have asked for a better guide, to send us on all the activities that we we really wanted to do. From the hanging bridges to Skytrek everything you advised was outstanding. The house was perfect, clean and gorgeous with lots of room for our group of 6 then 9 as the other group arrived. I've never seen views like what your home has to offer. The breakfasts were healthy and sooooo delicious with just the right amount of indulgence. Just outstanding in every way.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/2

• A Rustic Home

  A Rustic Home

  • Guest Kathy
  • Date of stay 01/23/13
  • Review Submitted 02/09/13
  We recently spent 3 nights at this home. Patrick, the owner, was very prompt in answering e-mails and was on hand to greet us. He was also our chef the first evening and served a nice meal. Patrick checked in with us each morning to see if we needed anything and was very willing to arrange any activities we desired. He had two very nice ladies who fixed and served breakfast each morning. The property description includes the word luxury and I feel this misrepresents what you get. This house is very large, and has lovely views, but is in no way luxurious. It could use some attention to such things as the bedding, linens, dampness, and mattresses. There is a large indoor pool that was 68 degrees and a hot tub. This is probably a better fit for extended families with lots of children. We enjoyed a drive to the Arenal Observatory Lodge. We took some great pictures of the volcano and did some hiking. Also had a wonderful dinner at the Gingerbread House restaurant nearby.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, families with young children.

  Owner response: Here at "The Sunset" we strive to attend to our guests comfort, activities, needs wants and concerns. Although we have never had these particular comments in the past I do feel that a few points should be clarified. Myself or my staff were never made aware of any of the issues raised by this client and we were in contact with our clients everyday as delineated in the review, had an issue of dampness been raised, or any other for that matter, we would have been more than happy to turn on the dehumidifier in the home and the air conditioning, which features a dehumidify option, change the sheets and linens and attend to any other raised concern in a helpful and cheerful manner. We do live in a rainforest and have many windows to take advantage of the magnificent views out location offers. In short, had our esteemed guest group let us know their was a coolness to the linens or any other issue, we would have addressed it happily and immediately. As far as not being considered luxurious in the reviewers opinion, I can only repeat what the home offers that many others do not, including air conditioning, included delicious breakfast, gas fireplaces, the highest quality of linens and mattresses available in Costa Rica, a huge library of books and videos, steam room, hot tub, indoor gym and exercise area, large pool, concierge service, a private buyer for articles forgotten or wanted, gourmet dinner service and many, many other first class amenities and services, which we feel brings a true sense and sensibility of luxury to a finely appointed home. Many of our clients in the past including A-list U.S. celebrities have had a wonderful time at "The Sunset" and felt very well taken care of, as expressed in other reviews. As will any group that comes here in the spirit of adventure and having a great time. In closing, we take our guests experience very, very seriously and as with any guest group, we are here to address any issues and assure the best possible vacation, set up tours, meals, hikes among other activities and see to it that a good time is had by all.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/3

• Beautiful House overlooking Lake Arenal -- Better than advertised!

  Beautiful House overlooking Lake Arenal -- Better than advertised!

  • Guest Bobster
  • Date of stay 01/01/13
  • Review Submitted 01/09/13
  Our group of 13 stayed for four nights. The house is large and spacious and well furnished. It is located on a hilltop adjacent to lake Arenal. Its about 5 minutes drive from Nuevo Arenal and about an hour drive from the city of La Fortuna. Patrick, the owner, lives in another house adjacent to this property. He did a wonderful job in helping us coordinate our adventure plans during our stay. Breakfast was provided every morning and was very good. The pool and heated jacuzzi are in a covered palapa and very convenient. If you choose, they can provide dinner/chef services for evening meals and we did this twice and were happy with the food and service. In short, I highly recommend this place to travellers to this area who look for privacy and don't want to stay in a hotel type setting;

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Amazing Owner Built Home in a Fantastic Location

  Amazing Owner Built Home in a Fantastic Location

  • Guest Susan M.
  • Date of stay 05/28/12
  • Review Submitted 06/18/12
  This very large and unique villa has incredible woodwork with hand-carved doors and bright, colorful tiles including illustrations of every species of bird in Costa Rica. Patrick the owner is a great guy who also owns the Sunrise Cafe in town. The views are so awe-inspiring that you'll debate whether to go out or just hang around the place. There is a fully appointed kitchen, loads of interesting books, satellite TV, and all the modern perks. But you'll be hypnotized by the view of Lake Arenal and the distant volcano.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• A "True" vacation!

  A "True" vacation!

  • Guest Linda
  • Date of stay 09/23/11
  • Review Submitted 05/05/12
  I loved my visit. Seven girls all got away for a four day excursion and absolutely loved this house. Patrick cooked incredible meals. It was so awesome to come home from a day of adventure and have candlelight gourmet dinners waiting for us! The owner Patrick is an american so we our needs were understood since there was no translating needed. He set us up with a driver, who was so fun and would wait at each destination until we were done. We felt safe and well taken care of...beautiful views, great house, and hope to return...

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• A bit of Shangri-La!

  A bit of Shangri-La!

  • Guest Retiree from New York
  • Date of stay 02/18/12
  • Review Submitted 03/08/12
  We have stayed in a good many rental vacation homes -- most quite nice -- but this was the first which fully lived up to its description and perhaps a bit more. There were nine of us, including four year old twins, who came to celebrate our golden anniversary. What a wonderful way to celebrate. The house is beautiful and the views from it are truly extraordinary. We had the good fortune of having good weather throughout and the Arenal volcano was clearly visible as was Lake Arenal. "Red Sunset" (extremely descriptive of our views) has all the comforts necessary, but most important were the people who provided us with so much. Patrick was there, unobtrusively, whenever we needed him , provided us with expert advice on where to go (and not to go), and made all the necessary arrangements. That was no easy task considering the needs of the twins, an older brother, and six adults of varying ages and interests. We had great trips rafting, horseback riding, zip lining (for myself and my son), enjoying the hot springs, and hiking around the volcano. Our three grandchildren liked nothing better than staying at the house and enjoying the hot tub (the pool is a little too deep for them, but I enjoyed it), although they loved all of our activities. Patrick even baked two loaves of bread for us to us to make sandwiches to take on the plane when we departed! Jaime, our driver, was there to provide additional advice and he is just about the nicest person and most careful driver (on some difficult roads) one can imagine. He is truly a gentle giant. Jeff provided all our breakfasts and all our dinners except one -- we had one magnificent dinner at the Gingerbread -- and he did an incredible job. Imagine cooking for young kids who eat practically nothing, as well as some vegetarians, as well as cranky old folks (well, one of us anyway)! He consulted with us on meals every day, used a good many of Patrick's recipes (and Patrick took care of the desserts -- yum!), and provided delicious fare every day to which we looked forward to eagerly. And Jeff did all this with immense good humor. What a very special vacation and celebration!!

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• A place you will not want to leave...

  A place you will not want to leave...

  • Guest Heidi C.
  • Date of stay 01/19/12
  • Review Submitted 02/04/12
  After spending a week in the heat at the beach, we were all relieved to arrive at Patrick's gorgeous home in the clouds. The weather was cool at night, but still sunny and warm during the day, which was perfect for all of the great activities in the area. We were always a little torn as to whether to go out and do a fun activity or just hang out and enjoy the house and the views! As everyone has said, Patrick and his staff are amazing, and truly help you make the most of your time there. He arranged for horseback riding, a jungle walk with the Maleku, zip lining, and even a real estate tour. Another highlight was dinner at the Gingerbread restaurant nearby, which was an incredible meal. Patrick also told us about waterfalls and hot springs which were favorites as well. We had five adults and five young children in our group, and there was plenty of room in the house for everyone to have their own space when they needed it. And the meals were delicious and hearty, dinners as well as breakfasts. We all loved the hot tub too, and the fabulous collection of adult's and children's books in the library. I highly recommend the Sunset, and we look forward to coming back again!!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• A wonderful place that you will not want to leave!

  A wonderful place that you will not want to leave!

  • Guest Heidi C.
  • Date of stay 01/19/12
  • Review Submitted 02/04/12
  After spending a week in the heat at the beach, we were all relieved to arrive at Patrick's gorgeous home in the clouds. The weather was cool at night, but still sunny and warm during the day, which was perfect for all of the great activities in the area. We were always a little torn as to whether to go out and do a fun activity or just hang out and enjoy the house and the views! As everyone has said, Patrick and his staff are amazing, and truly help you make the most of your time there. He arranged for horseback riding, a jungle walk with the Maleku, zip lining, and even a real estate tour. Another highlight was dinner at the Gingerbread restaurant nearby, which was an incredible meal. Patrick also told us about waterfalls and hot springs which were favorites as well. We had five adults and five young children in our group, and there was plenty of room in the house for everyone to have their own space when they needed it. And the meals were delicious and hearty, dinners as well as breakfasts. We all loved the hot tub too, and the fabulous collection of adult's and children's books in the library. I highly recommend the Sunset, and we look forward to coming back again!!

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

A group of ten people will pay as little as $58.37 a night with breakfast and tax included.Rates are based on a flat weekly rate of $1800.00 per 7 calendar days for four people. Each additional guest will be billed at $300.00 per person per week. Holiday weeks Christmas, New Years and Thanksgiving are $2300.00 per 7 calendar days for up to four guests, $350.00 per extra guest per week . 10 person maximum. Additional guests (over 10) are charged at $20.00 per extra guest per night. This entitles your group of two to ten people full use of the main house, pool house and grounds. Stays of less than 7 days are prorated and subject to availability, three day minimum. To see if your desired dates are available call toll free  1-866-4ME-CASA (we are one hour behind Eastern time, 6 p.m. in the eastern U.S.= 5 p.m here) from the U.S.Discounts available for all levels of scholastic, special needs and other special groups. A 10% discount is available for certain payment arrangements, call for details. You will receive exclusive use of the entire private main house and swimming pool, Jacuzzi area as well as the grounds for the term of your rental. Reservation deposit : 50% due to hold a confirmed reservation, balance due upon checkout.  Damage and Security deposit: $500.00 (refundable and may be waived).

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.