Reviews for Playa Grande Vacation Rental - VRBO 163507 - 4 BR Guanacaste Estate in Costa Rica, Exclusive Oceanfront Estate with Private Pool

Location location location

Guest Becky R
Date of stay 03/10/13
Review Submitted 03/20/13

When this house is listed as "just steps from the beach" it is no joke. What a great spot! Previous reviewers have described the house itself as run-down and not well maintained, but I'm not sure I would agree 100%. True, first-hand it does not live up to its pictures on the website, and the house could use a face-lift, but everything worked -- A/C, electricity, plenty of hot water. And downstairs doors and windows were protected by locking, attractive iron bars and gates (which helped to address our concerns about the petty thievery throughout Costa Rica we had been warned of). The caretaker lives next door and discretely attended to the pool and yard every morning, so all was orderly and clean every day. Additionally, the rental agents were attentive and responsive and delivered on all promises (you can use them to find drivers, do your grocery shopping, find tour companies, etc.) For the uninitiated (me, for example, before our trip) I would like to offer some insight. Manage your expectations. The house is not 5-star by American standards. But Costa Rica is not the U.S. Also, if you have rented homes before, you might expect there to be basic kitchen amenities (salt & pepper, cooking oil, etc.), but you would be wrong here, so plan ahead for everything. Further, Playa Grande is a little remote. You may want to consider that rental car. You can actually get to Tamarindo, a busy, touristy beach town, in just a few minutes by way of the beach, but you have to cross the estuary to do it. This can be accomplished by walking at low tide (you're still going to get wet) or by taking a quick boat taxi ($1/person at this writing), but the taxi stops running at 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. and the cab ride back will cost you $30 and take half an hour -- there is just no easy way to drive. Despite that inconvenience, this remoteness also really appealed to our family. Tamarindo was just minutes away, but there were NO wandering beach vendors and very few people on the beach. Mostly it was just vacationers and surfers (nice beach for beginner surfers, btw). Another perk of the location -- if you are a birder, the house backs up to a mangrove forest and a quick walk to the end of the street takes you onto a nice path (must be a cut-through to the water taxi for the locals and vacationers) where I was able to observe several different species of birds. Heaven for a birder. Pretty sure you will want bug spray in the wet season, but bugs not a problem in March.

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

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Great location ... run down house ... poor service

Guest Surfer Steve
Date of stay 12/26/12
Review Submitted 01/12/13

We have been going to Costa Rica for 10 years and know what to expect when renting and staying there. This house is in a great location, has a great pool ... but is run down and not well maintained. The house smelled as though it had not been used for a long time, had broken items everywhere (cabinets, glass windows, toilets, etc.) and the electricity was spotty. It came with absolutely no amenities in place (like a coffee filter, bottled water, etc.). We had to keep going outside the house to an electrical breaker box to get the electric back on, and the AC did not work the last 2 nights. When we went to Bula Bula to talk the the 'managers' - they were nice but did not do much.When we arrived, we had to drag the property manasger to the house to get a few of the AC units working and were told nothing about the house. We were told our laundry would be done by the cleaning person --- who then proceeded to lock oour clothes in the laundry room --- we had to go to the manager to ask that the laundry room remain unlocked during our stay??? I would not recomend using this house, as there are plenty of beach front homes in this area that have to be maintained better.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, pet owners.

Owner response: I sincerely appreciate your feedback and have spoken with the property management company regarding your feedback. It appears much of the feedback relates to management responsibilities as opposed to the Casa. I should note that we have since partnered with a new management company and this is effective January 2013. It saddens us when guests are not completely satisfied with their vacation experience when staying at Casa Dorado. Over last 4 years Casa Dorado has received nothing but positive feedback from guests and we have welcomed back many repeat guests over those years. It also comes as a surprise to read your feedback since the Gerard party entered feedback into the visitor journal located in the Casa which conflicts with the feedback described in VRBO. Thank you once again for sharing your feedback and please email me if you have further questions.

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Guest Alex Reid & Family
Date of stay 01/20/10
Review Submitted 01/20/10

We LOVED Casa Dorado. Even if the house had been a tarpaper shack, we would have been happy because of its location -- a short private path away from a gorgeous, uncrowded beach. But the house is actually quite nice. All but one of the rooms has a big bed (instead of the all-too-pervasive pair of teeny beds), there are plenty of bathrooms, a perfect pool, and a workable kitchen. The staff at Bula Bula was always accessible and lightening quick in handling questions. The ladies in charge of cleaning and laundry were friendly, fast and thorough. The location is far removed from congestion and tourist blight. And the beach is just plain incredible. We couldn't have asked for a better experience than Casa Dorado.

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Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 11/14/09
Review Submitted 11/14/09

Casa Dorado is a great place to relax and enjoy nature. We've stayed there with a group of friends. We felt like we were able to see the beauty of the country better than staying in a hotel. We saw crabs, cranes, lizards, iguanas, and monkeys in the trees. The house was clean and had everything we needed. We cooked in some nights and there were several restaraunts in the area when we didn't feel like cooking. It was great to cool off in the pool. The beach is literally about 100 feet away from the house. Definitely bring bug spray for the mosquitos if you stay during rainy season.

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Guest Ron W2
Date of stay 07/07/09
Review Submitted 07/07/09

If you want a true tropical get away this is the place. The natural beauty combined with the relaxed atmosphere equals "ahhh". The house/pool/private beach combination is awesome. We took morning strolls on the beach, naps by the pool and delicious seafood dinners at the local hangouts. There was a lot to choose from- horseback riding, surfing lessons, estuary tours of the local wildlife or the best- nothing at all. I will definately be going back.

Owner response: Ron - We look forward to hosting you at Casa Dorado the next time your vacation plans take you to Costa Rica.

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Guest Richard K.
Date of stay 07/07/09
Review Submitted 07/07/09

Thanks to all at Casa Dorado and Bula for an amazing time. Our family all had so much fun and we look forward to a dose of the same next spring - aee you then. PJ and Family.

Owner response: Very happy that all the family had a wonderful time and thank you for the positive feedback. We look forward to hosting you again next year.

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Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 01/25/09
Review Submitted 01/25/09

I would like to Thank everyone involved with Casa Dorado for hosting us in this unique and wonderful environment. Our family spent 3 weeks at this beautiful home on the ocean, it was one of the most memorable fun vacations we have ever had. I recommend it for anyone looking for a retreat on the ocean while wanting to enjoy the tranquility, peacefulness and the warm Costa Rican atmosphere in this location. Thanks again to all who hosted us at this location.

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Guest Waldron Family
Date of stay 07/12/08
Review Submitted 07/12/08

Richard, thanks for everything! We truely had a memorable experience and I never felt so relaxed. The kids surfed whenever they had the whim, we saw monkeys and crocs on the esturay tour from Bula Bula. Everyone was wonderful, Nelson, Rita, Todd - the fuit truck, the bread truck the fresh fish truck - you can't beat that. Riding the cruiser bikes to the market. I can't say enough wonderful things about it. See you next year if not before!

Owner response: Very happy everyone had a great time. Thank you for the positive feedback and we look forward to hosting your family at Casa Dorado in the near future.

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Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 07/05/08
Review Submitted 07/05/08

A true treasure in paradise. Thanks to all for the wonderful memories and for sure we will be back.

Owner response: Thank you for the positive feedback. Very happy to hear everyone had a great time - even after the delay in getting here.

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Guest Stephens Family4
Date of stay 04/27/08
Review Submitted 04/27/08

A true luxury vacation home in a perfect location. Thank you to all for the support in helping make the holiday what it was. Casa Dorado truly is designed for guests who value the space and comfort of a private vacation home as opposed to a hotel.

Owner response: Thank you for the positive comments. Very happy to hear everyone had a great time. Look forward to hosting you and the family in the near future.

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Guest Yvonne and Tim Reddy
Date of stay 04/22/08
Review Submitted 04/22/08

We had a wonderful time in Costa Rica and could not have stayed at a more fabulous home and location. We wanted, and had, a vacation home where my husband and myself and our grown children (each coming from different locations in the states) could relax and enjoy each others company. We ventured away from our surroundings and took a trip to Arenal area and had a Fantastic time on a Tram and Zip line Tour and we hiked. We stayed at Tabacon and enjoyed the hotsprings. It was Fabulous coming back to Casa Dorado to continue our surfing and relaxing. The house was well equipted, the beds were most comfortable. The beachfront was amazing! The management couldn't have been more hospitable. They helped us tremendously with the coordination of our excursion! I would highly recommend Casa Dorado to everyone.

Owner response: Thank you for the positive feedback. Very happy to hear everyone had a fabulous vacation. We look forward to hosting you and your family the next time your plans bring you to Costa Rica.

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Guest The Bates Family1
Date of stay 04/21/08
Review Submitted 04/21/08

Our family of five had a wonderful stay at Casa Dorado. The accommodations, amenities and staff (especially Rita and Michael) were outstanding. While we had plenty to do in the area, including taking a family surf lesson (we highly recommend Ian and his company Frijoles Locos), boating on an estuary tour and dining at local restaurants, we especially appreciated the peace and tranquility of your home and its surroundings. Truly a memorable experience.

Owner response: Thank you for the positive feedback and very happy to hear everyone experienced a great vacation.

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Guest Ken 9
Date of stay 04/07/08
Review Submitted 04/07/08

A beautiful place! Easy to get to! Secluded but not isolated! We could not have done better for our trip. We went down with 2 other couples intent on surfing, having fun and relaxing. Both accomplished!

Owner response: Thanks for the feedback - so happy to hear everyone had so much fun and we look forward to hosting your next trip to Costa Rica.

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Guest John LaBella
Date of stay 01/26/08
Review Submitted 01/26/08

Richard- The house is fantastic, the staff are great. I've surfed right in front of the house with offshore winds all afternoon, just did an estuary tour and caught a couple of fish along the way and saw a few monkeys up in the trees. The kids love the pool and all the shells along the beach, and I was pushing them into waves on a longboard yesterday - all this and we've only been here two days. The house is truly great and you can walk a few feet from the pool to the ocean, could not be any better. Thanks much, looking forward to the rest of the week and already know we'll be back. Unbelievable John LaBella

Owner response: John and family - Thanks for the feedback and glad to see everyone had so much fun.

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Guest Linda Reinhart
Date of stay 01/09/08
Review Submitted 01/09/08

My husband and I booked Casa Dorado with some good friends and we couldn't have been happier. We were worried that with three couples it would get a bit crowded but it was so spacious that we never noticed. The only terrible part was that we had to leave! Six days just wasn’t enough. As soon as we are able, we will be returning. A hint for any travelers…if you get over to the BulaBula, make sure that Felix fixes you a Siberian drink. They are too good to be missed.

Owner response: Thank You for the positive feedback. We certainly look forward to seeing everyone next time you plan to visit Costa Rica.

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Guest Helen B.
Date of stay 01/08/08
Review Submitted 01/08/08

Thank you for the wonderful vacation home – Stan and I have not had a holiday like this in years! There’s nothing more romantic than being on your own beach at sunset

Owner response: Thank you once again for the kind feedback. We look forward to seeing you again very soon.

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Guest Robyn21
Date of stay 01/05/08
Review Submitted 01/05/08

What a wonderful house and setting. We saw the howler monkeys, played some excellent golf courses, and watched the turtles! Our entire vacation was one we'll treasure. We'll be back for the same next year!

Owner response: Thank You for your positive response. Very happy you and the family got to enjoy Casa Dorado and caught up on the much needed sunbathing : )

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Vacation Rentals by Owner

Exclusive Oceanfront Estate with Private Pool - Playa Grande [#163507] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (17)

Location location location

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Great location ... run down house ... poor service

Great location ... run down house ... poor service