More perfect than we imagined

Guest: LKF (Tampa)
Date of Stay: 08/08/11 Review Submitted: 10/08/11

The second week of August turned out to be the best time for our trip; we were a little nervous about it being the rainy season. However, it was a glorious week that included only a few, welcomed rain showers. We loved the house! It is perfectly designed to take advantage of coastal breezes and completely opens up so that you are ONE with nature. It had great access to places we wanted to go, but seemed like our own private compound in the jungle. We relished mornings on the porch listening to howler monkeys and sunset at the pool with the toucan chorus. The kitchen has just what is needed for cooking breakfast and stocking up on snacks. We eyed the gas grill and thought about cooking dinner...but at the end of the day of fun, we wanted someone to cook for us. The beds are super comfortable and the bathrooms are gorgeous. Having wireless access was also appreciated. Who can beat a view of the ocean and jungle and sounds of wildlife while catching up quickly on email? The pool area was breath-taking; we loved the path to the pool, the incredible view, and the spa for tired muscles. Every request we made was happily met (including access to the laundry). If you go, be sure to check out the 4 table sushi restaurant in Dominical (we went twice) and take the horseback ride with Don Lulu to the waterfall. Great fun.

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

Twelve out of ten

Guest: Lisa (wherever)
Date of Stay: 07/19/11 Review Submitted: 08/01/11

This was our 3rd visit to the Dominical area and even though this was not the most delux place we have stayed, my family rated it the best. When I asked my 15 yo daughter why, she said "it is the most Costa Rican". Every night we would watch "frog theater" at the pool, frogs lining up on the ledge in search of crickets. One morning at 5 am we were awakened by what sounded like lions. Later,with the help of utube we realized we had been visited by howler monkeys right outside our window. We have done most of the local tours. All are good. This year we had an excellent time snorkeling at Cano Island and whitewater rafting on Savegre. Jeanini and Juano are very helpful. Two suggestions. It would be useful to have a prepaid cellphone. Also, I found it very inconvenient not to have access to a dryer. I get that water is limited, but I spent most of the week in a wet bathing suit because,frankly, the night air does not dry.T

Owner response:We're pleased to hear that of all the homes in Dominical, that your family has visited, ours was their favorite. And we especially appreciate that you took the time to make suggestions for improvements. We are planning to make a cell phone available for our guests. Additionally, we are going to make the laundry available for guests. In the past, Juano has usually been available to wash, dry, fold and deliver our guest's laundry everyday except Sunday. With some minor adjustments we can have the washer and dryer available everyday. Sorry about the inconvenience.

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

Fantastic Family Vacation! Would recommend this house to everyone!

Guest: Veatch12 (Mt. Pleasant, SC, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/28/11 Review Submitted: 07/14/11

My husband and I with our four children rented this home for the first week of July. I have never felt compelled to write a review after a vacation until now. The other reviews do a great job describing the house and view so I will try not to duplicate even though we were simply awestruck with the view and the property itself. It was beautiful and peaceful. Our children are ages 13, 12, 10 and 6 and they did not want to leave (especially the pool and hot tub area). The property was perfectly safe and had plenty of room. We loved that you can open the house up to the rainforest and just listen (screened doors upstairs and large patio doors on first floor that completely open to the view). You can also hear the Pacific Ocean below. We did not know a lot about this area but found that our house was perfectly located for all activities, tours and restaurants. Juano was fantastic and was there when we asked for him and, after seeking our permission, he would silently replace the items we broke while we were out for the day (pool floats) and we would come home to new blown up floats and the trash was gone/taken out (my son could learn from this). Jeanini lives down the road and would come by to check on us whenever we were departing or arriving. They clearly made it a point to never intrude on the family time and would wait until they saw one of us at the gate (extremely friendly and gracious). We have stayed places where no one came around to help and places where they were always around and you wanted more privavcy. This was neither and exactly what we wanted! We will stay here again as this is the first place the family voted to which a return trip is needed. If you do not speak horrible broken Spanglish like me, Jeanini speaks perfect English with a beautiful Brazillian accent. Juano is also extremely patient and apparently understands Mime! All 6 of us recommend this beautiful home and the people were incredible!

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

Awesome Vacation Home

Guest: Zunidon (Dallas, Texas)
Date of Stay: 05/07/11 Review Submitted: 05/29/11

My wife and I are in our mid 50’s and recently had the privilege of staying in this incredible home May 7th thru 14th. Words cannot really describe the experience we had there. This place is exactly as advertised. It is most comfortable and stocked with everything a house needs. The two bedrooms were huge and very comfortable. Lots of fans. Downstairs was a nice living room with couch, chairs, and satellite TV. The kitchen had a full size refrigerator, a nice tiled bar to eat at, and was well stocked to prepare most any meal. But it was the outside that was incredible. There was a huge patio with table and chair and a nice hammock for napping. The swimming pool was immaculate, and the views over the Pacific Ocean are truly magnificent. We awoke each day to the sounds of the Howler Monkeys and soon after were visited by Toucans and Parrots. Tropical flowers, buzzing with hummingbirds and colorful butterflies, totally surround you. Sean, Juano, Jeanini, and Andrew deliver hospitality above and beyond the call of duty. The nearby villages of Dominical and Uvita are very laid back and can provide you with any and all of your needs. Our favorite hangout was Tortilla Flats in Dominical. The food, service and atmosphere there is surfer/bohemian. We just loved it. And nearby are Ballena and Manuel Antonio National Parks with plenty of scenic beaches in between them. I would not hesitate to rent this property again. It was everything we could have wished for in a vacation. Pura Vida! Don and Debi Willis – Dallas, Texas

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

Fabulous views and location. Lived up to expectations and more.

Guest: William Bennett (Newark, OH)
Date of Stay: 04/17/11 Review Submitted: 04/22/11

Sometimes pictures can be worth a thousand words. Other times they might paint a rather inaccurate description. I tend to always expect a bit less than what pictures portray of any vacation destination, realizing that the selected photos pretty much always portray their accomodations in the "most favorable" light possible. But it is pretty rare, in my experience when the accomodations actually exceed expectations, not only for overall quality and amenities, but for location and ambience as well. This was the case for my first trip to Neal's Costa Rican paradise. Although I arrived at nighttime the home was invitingly warm and cozy upon entering. Two neighbors and friends of Neal's, Andrew and Jeanini, dropped by a short time afterwards, introduced themselves, and offered their assistance and neighborliness, as well as their help if it was ever needed. Sunrise the next morning proved to be nothing less than spectacular, which allowed time for a walk around the grounds in order to become familiar with the entire property. A short drive to the small sleepy fishing village (and central American surfing mecca) of Dominical, just a few miles away, offers most everything you would need during your stay, restaurants, stores and more. As mentioned in the ad, the view, setting and location, and quality of the accomodations are truly spectacular. You will not be disappointed. Be sure to eat at some of the local Dominical eateries, especially Tortilla Flats, which is located right on the beach. Open air dining with excellent choices for any meal of the day, including breakfast. Afterwards a stroll on the beach may be in order. Or purchase a souvenir at one of the dozens of stands set up by local vendors along the road. End your day watching the sunset from the home's front patio or while relaxing in the Jacuzzi spa overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I have been looking for a spot where my wife and I can vacation in the future, a place that would not only satisfy our cravings for comfort but is also located in a beautiful area and moderately isolated, but convenient, locale as well. And I cannot say enough good things about Neal (who graciously re-accomodated me twice w/o any additional cost or hassle), Neal's son Sean, and the wonderful neighbors Andrew and his wife Jeanini. It's not always just the accomodations and setting that make for an unforgettable vacation, but the people and hospitality that you have the fortune of meeting along the way.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing, romantic getaway.

Description doesn't do it justice!

Guest: Amy (North Carolina)
Date of Stay: 06/08/09 Review Submitted: 04/19/11

Finally getting around to writing a review for this place...stayed here a year and a half ago, and still have it bookmarked for when we get a chance to go back to Costa Rica. Me and my (now) husbands situation was sticky- he was coming straight from Iraq for his r&r, and I was coming from Texas. Due to us not knowing exactly when he would get in, the owner graciously gave us a couple days grace period in case he left Iraq earlier then he expected- which ended up happening. It was SO nice to know we still had a place to stay! View is undescribable, incredibly romantic ( so romantic we got engaged here!) Dominical is charming and has the best food out of anywhere in the world I've been(even beat Italy!). This house is a gem alone, but the service we received was beyond comparison...always promptly returning calls and emails and offering us so much help for our unique stiatuion. My husband and I now refer to the 2 weeks we spent here as the best of our lives(seriously! its that good!) Gotta love the view from the pool, absolute heaven. We WILL be back!

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

The view is spectacular

Guest: loves nature (Kentucky, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/17/10 Review Submitted: 04/08/11

We stayed at the home the week before Christmas in 2010. The house and furnishings are simple, but you will end up spending virtually all of your time outside. I've traveled extensively and have never stayed in a place with such amazing views. You can't help but be drawn outside. The view in the photos can not possibly capture the beauty of this place. For animal lovers, it's a paradise. The first morning, while taking a shower, two toucans flew in and sat on the shower window sill. They are beautiful birds and are not the least bit shy. They visited almost every morning thereafter. Many home owners in Costa Rica claim that monkeys commonly visit the grounds but it's been my experience that this usually isn't true. This property is the exception. They are in the surrounding trees pretty much all of the time. Expect to see parrots, monkeys, and various types of toucans on a daily basis. If you go outside early in the morning, look for the iridescent blue butterflies. They are huge and gorgeous. The pool is superb and the jacuzzi is heated (this is unique for Costa Rica - and we loved it!). This home (and the whole Dominical area) is for people who love nature and natural beauty. There are many local sodas and even a couple of very nice restaurants nearby, but this is a very laid back kind of place. If you want to relax, reconnect with your spouse, or spend quality time with friends or family, I don't think there is a better place to do it. Much obliged for allowing my husband and I to rent your home. We loved it.

Owner response:It's always rewarding to have guests who appreciate the real amenities of the property as much as we do. When I describe my visits to my friends, I relate the same experiences. The view, the animals and the people. You owe all the animals at your fingertips to all the fruit trees, blue salvia and hibiscus that Sean and Juano have planted over the years. In Costa Rica, each day is so spectacular, its enough just" to be", without even doing anything extraordinary Thanks again for staying with us. You will always be welcome.

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

Awesome views and private!

Guest: Fam4 (USA)
Date of Stay: 01/13/11 Review Submitted: 01/28/11

We really enjoyed our time in Costa Rica, the horseback riding up the waterfalls was amazing, and the canopy tour was fun, but we really enjoyed just relaxing in the pool soaking in the views. We also enjoyed the wildlife...all the birds, butterflies, monkeys (even howlers) and eating outside for every meal. Couldn't have asked for a better place to stay. One night we were treated to a rainstorm with lightning...made it even better to sleep with the rain. We will definitely be back.

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

Guest: Garret (-)
Date of Stay: 12/15/09 Review Submitted: 01/21/11

Neal: "I arrived home about 24 hours ago and I've done nothing but wish I could have stayed in Costa Rica. Your house there is wonderful, Sean, Juano and Andrew were nothing but friendly and helpful and the area is just magical. I've been to some pretty exotic and isolated places in my travels and can honestly say I've never enjoyed any place more. Tanks for sharing and thank sean profusely for helping me out with Hospital CIMA Just out of curiosity, what would that property cost in today's market and what does it cost to maintain it in such splendid condition? I doubt I could even dream of owning something as lovely as Casa de Stubbs, but I can always dream." sent to owners e mail on January 17, 2010

Recommended for:

Unreliable Renter

Guest: Garrett (St. Louis, MO.)
Date of Stay: 12/15/09 Review Submitted: 01/10/11

I have very mixed emotions about this property. I spent a month here and was very pleased. The people I dealt with in Costa Rica were wonderful and the property is everything the pictures show and more. The renter, however, has shown a willingness to renege on reservations long after accepting deposit monies which is just not acceptable. Bottom line, if you rent this property, pay the extra money for refundable airfare lest you end up in Costa Rica with no place to stay.

Owner response:Garret, frankly, I'm shocked at your statements. You were one of the best guests that we have ever had the privilege of hosting. Unfortunately, the party to which you refer was not cut from the same cloth. We were forced to cancel his reservation for a number of reasons, which I stated in an email to him: "We cannot in good conscience have guests in the house who are upset about the price and the accommodations before they even arrive." The credit card that was used for the deposit had expired and he was reluctant to give me another, insisting that he would pay with a check, which I informed him was unacceptable. We need the ability to recover for damages in the event of a problem. He was angry that we were not going to be providing beds for the two extra guests that he had added at the last moment, even though he had agreed to provide air mattresses for them in the unlikely event that there were going to be two extra guests. He was upset that there was going to be an extra charge for extra guests, even though it is clearly stated on the web page , that there is a nightly charge per person when the party exceeds 4 persons. We could not come to an agreement which was going to make him happy, so I informed him on Jan 5th that we were not going to be able to accomodate his party which was to arrive on March 12th. This would allow him ample time (64 days) to make another reservation. We even took the time to research the other sites and recommended another VRBO property which was available and could accomodate his party of 8 without any surcharge. We promptly refunded his money within 68 minutes of receiving his new valid credit card, which he acknowleded. Yet he complained to VRBO that he was canceled for no reason and did not receive a refund. This irresponsible and dishonest action created unecessary anxiety for our other VRBO guests. We have listed our property with VRBO for the last 3 years without a single complaint. We have never had a reason to cancel a reservation. However, under the circumstances, we felt that we had no other choice. I am especially disturbed that your comments that have caused anxiety for any of our returning or future guests.

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