Vacation Rentals by Owner

WOW!!! Everything and more...!

Guest: Sid & Donna (Birmingham, AL)
Date of Stay: 03/01/12 Review Submitted: 03/27/12

We just returned from 9 glorious days at your condo... All we can say is "WOW!!!!" Words and pictures can't even begin to portray the beauty of your slice of paradise! Thank you so much for sharing it with us! We had a totally relaxing, wonderful time! We would definitely like to go back again...hopefully soon! Everyone we met was so friendly and helpful...from the staff of Special Places...to Roy and everyone at the Palms. We went to the Beach Community Church on Sunday and met lots of nice expats there and enjoyed their casual, open-air worship. The condo was absolutely beautiful...we quickly grew accustomed to falling asleep and waking up to the sound of the surf...pura vida!!! Everything about the place was perfect; swimming in the infinity-edge pool, strolling along the beautiful white sand beach, sipping locally grow coffee on the balcony every morning followed by breakfast on the patio. One afternoon, Roy hooked us up with "Freddy" in Brasalito were we bought fresh-off-the-boat lobsters, brought them back and made full use of the gourmet kitchen. Another afternoon we took turns getting a beachside massage from Jeanette (another "wow" moment...total pampering…think outdoor spa bliss under the palms with a warm tropical breeze and the soothing sound of the surf rhythmically pulsing in the background…Aaaahh!). Not wanting to turn into total beach slugs, we used the gym, checked out the beach toys even had a few awesome paddle-surf sessions! And of course, what better way to wind down the day than sharing a nice bottle of wine as the sun slips into the Pacific and the stars begin to light up the sky. Yessir...that's the stuff dreams are made of!!! No shortage of great local restaurants to choose from either! We discovered a new favorite at Angelina’s...Passion Fruit Martinis !!! We opted to do our own excursion and drove up to Monteverde...did the zipline thing at Selvatura, met up with a naturalist guide who took us on a night hike and then a day hike the next morning. We can recommend our guide in the Monteverde area (Adrian) if you are interested. He is well educated, speaks fluent English and knows the forests and its inhabitants very well. It was a bit of a drive (4hrs each way...) but well worth it! The cloud forest is simply amazing. We stopped at Llanos de Cortez (near Bagaces) on the way back…it too was spectacular...another hidden gem! We can see why you and Wendy love it so much down there.Thank you again for sharing your beautiful place

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

Amazing Home - Beautiful amenities, staff, and location

Guest: Sunny D (Midwest)
Date of Stay: 02/11/12 Review Submitted: 02/27/12

This condo is better than described. The location is perfect for access to both the town of Flamingo and other nearby towns and activities. The condo itself was clean and well appointed - we had everything we needed for our weeklong stay! The staff was amazing - very helpful with arranging activities, meals, and advice on everything from which smoothie to taste (I recommend the melon/watermelon mix) to what time to come down for sunset cocktails. The beach was incredible! I have no hesitations in recommending this condo!

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

A Perfect Getaway!

Guest: shibu815 (California)
Date of Stay: 12/02/11 Review Submitted: 12/06/11

My husband and I had an absolutely fabulous vacation at this beachfront condo. The grounds at the Palms are magnificent - the beach, pool, and common areas are very well maintained and the staff went above and beyond to fulfill our needs. The house is amazing - gorgeous layout, furnishings, and views. We had every amenity we could possibly need and we enjoyed every minute! I honestly do not have one negative thing to say about our vacation. Every aspect of the trip surpassed our expectations. We hope that we'll be able to return to Costa Rica soon and we probably couldn't dream up a better venue at which to stay. Thank you again!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

The Perfect Trip!

Guest: JT (Phoenix)
Date of Stay: 08/31/11 Review Submitted: 09/29/11

From watching the sunset between the palm trees from the balcony to listening to the rain and waves at night, this visit was nothing short of perfect. We visited in late August and if you are looking for peace and quiet, this is the time to go to Playa Flamingo. We had nearly the whole place to ourselves. Not to mention the tour guides and horseback riding—without the groups and lines. The villa was beautiful—very comfortable and well appointed. We slept like babies and awakened every morning to a beautiful sunrise and then walked down the beach to a nearby hotel for cappuccino (villa has a coffee maker if you prefer to make your own.) where we watched some of the locals gather as well as other tourists. The staff at The Palms does everything they can to make the stay at the property a wonderful experience. Ask ???? to prepare lunch for you to eat poolside or give him a few hours notice and he can make a 3-course meal for you for dinner. You never have to leave if you don’t want to because everything is taken care of. Truly a luxury property—what are you waiting for? Book it now!

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

Best beach in Costa Rica

Guest: Rob (Cave Creek, Arizona, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/26/11 Review Submitted: 07/11/11

That is exactly what the Costa Rican commercial real estate developer staying in the condo next door told me. "Best all-around beach in CR." Though I certainly don't have his intimate knowledge, I wouldn't doubt his judgment. He, his wife, and their two kids are world travelers, yet chose Flamingo Beach and the Palms Resort for their in-country vacation. I can say without reservation that the beautiful Palms Resort provided an outstanding venue for our first CR vacation. The drive from Liberia Int'l was enjoyable and quick. The condo and resort are five-star unless you need an overabundance of crowds and tourist nonsense to make you happy. If you are seeking a great, quiet beach, unbelievable views and sunsets, super-friendly resort staff, and great dining opportunities both at the resort and within a 15 minute drive, then this place is for you. Identical vacant condos in the Palms are being offered at a starting cost of $1.3 million, yet you can stay there and enjoy the same creature comforts for a minute fraction of that equivalent daily or weekly cost. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to make this choice...and I will be returning regularly to enjoy this majestic location.

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

"OUTSTANDING"

Guest: Jake (Charlestown, IN)
Date of Stay: 06/10/11 Review Submitted: 07/07/11

Words like amazing, astonishing, astounding and breathtaking do not begin to describe the property. There are two things consistent between my family and I. #1 We love each other without question and #2 We tend to disagree amongst ourselves constantly. (I am the only male out of a family of four) With that being said, my family wholeheartedly agreed that this vacation was the best vacation that we have ever taken. The condo is in immaculate condition and the location is sublime. The staff at the Palms define hospitality in its truest form and the locales are both considerate and friendly. I have already been recommending the condo to all my friends and family. My wife and I wanted a nice place to stay, a decent beach and activities for the teenagers. What we actually experienced was a 1st class immaculate condo, a gorgeous beach at our doorstep and adventures that we will never forget. We especially enjoyed surfing lessons, ATV's, mud bath, and zip lining as well as playing with monkeys and horseback riding. The owners are extremely kind and helpful people who are more than willing to answer any questions you might have. Thank you for the opportunity to stay at your amazing condo.

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

Best vacation ever.

Guest: First time visitor, not the last. (Southwest United States)
Date of Stay: 10/21/10 Review Submitted: 01/30/11

Our group of 4 stayed in John & Wendy's condo in October of 2010. This was our first time to Costa Rica, and I have to say, it won't be our last. The condo is a convenient ~45 minutes from the airport in Liberia (LIR). We were met by condo staff in the Playa Flamingo town and escorted to the condo. If you are arriving at night, I highly recommend having the staff stock some groceries for a late dinner and/or breakfast. Once the sun comes up the first morning, you won't want to leave. Even for food. The staff at the Palms excel at going out of their way to be helpful, but are never "in the way". They're great resources for trip-planning (sunset cruises (loved the Hibiscus!), snorkel/scuba diving, turtle watching, golf, restaurants, etc.) and are happy to go the extra mile. We will definitely be asking Roy to cook us a dinner at the outdoor grill/dining area during our next stay. The condo itself is stunning. The pictures on http://palmscostarica.com/ barely do the site justice. The sandy beach is only steps away. The grounds and pool are immaculate. If you ever get bored of sitting by the pool and relaxing in the sun for hours on end, there are shopping and restaurant options just a few minutes' drive away.

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

Absolutely Spectacular

Guest: Gary (Plano, Tx)
Date of Stay: 07/10/10 Review Submitted: 08/11/10

What more can we say. The location was great. The condo was spectacular. The grounds were immaculate and the ocean was a 30 second walk from our back door. Security was first-rate as well. Our family had a great time doing a lot (snorkeling, surfing in Tamarindo, going to a wonderful church service down the road on Sunday morning) and had just as much fun doing absolutely nothing. Can't wait to return one day!

Owner response:Gary, we are thrilled you had such a great time. Thank you so much for the kind words. John and Wendy

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June 2010 Vacation

Guest: David (Tampa, FL)
Date of Stay: 06/28/10 Review Submitted: 07/11/10

Our family enjoyed a truly memorable vacation in a luxury condo! This condo, its grounds and swimming pool were beautiful and impeccably maintained. Our kids, ages 21 and 18, enjoyed the area as well. We stayed Monday through Monday in late June, early July 2010. We flew into Liberia (LIR) and rented an SUV, then drove 1 hour to the condo. Tuesday we relaxed and drove around the local area and shopped in Tammarindo. We took the Combo-Tour on Wed around the Rincon Nat'l Park and Volcano. During that tour a van and driver/guide drove us 2 1/2 hours to Buena Vista, then we zip-lined, enjoyed a waterslide, horseback riding, a mud bath and relaxed in the natural hot springs. A long, enjoyable and memorable day! Thursday the teenagers rented ATVs for a 2-hour local tour. Friday, we took the riverboat nature tour in Palo Verde (1 1/2 hours from Flamingo beach) and enjoyed a "typical" Costa Rican lunch. The other days we rested by the pool and enjoyed the beach and ocean using the condo's boogie-boards and kayaks. This place is the nicest vacation spot we've ever been to. The condo has everything you need and we shopped at the local grocery store for meals and ate in restaurants three times. The BBQ grills and outdoor bar area on premises were wonderful! Local dining prices were higher than expected, about $20 per person. This was the "low season" and "rainy season", but there were only occasional showers each day and even they were very refreshing. Our activities were never "rained out". We highly recommend this vacation spot!

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

A Perfect Week at Flamingo Beach

Guest: Glenn and Carol (Palm Desert, Ca. USA)
Date of Stay: 06/09/10 Review Submitted: 06/20/10

Thanks John, for the opportunity to stay and enjoy your wonderful Villa at Flamingo Beach. You have furnished it beautifully with all the conforts of home in Costa Rica. The facilities at THE PALMS are truly first class with the beautiful grounds, infinity pool, fitness center, and proximity to the white sands of Flamingo Beach. There is no question that all your guests will be happy and impressed with your Villa and all the environs.

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

Guest: Judith V. (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Date of Stay: 02/22/10 Review Submitted: 02/22/10

We just returned from a week stay in your gorgeous condo! Our only questions upon rising each morning was what to do that day -- walk the beach, swim in the amazing pool, go into town to one of the wonderful restaurants, or just lie in the sun. Once we found the Auto Mercado grocery store in Tamarindo (Whole Foods Costa Rica style), we truly felt we were in Paradise! It was so hard to leave -- we'll be back next year. Pura Vida!

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Guest: Glen Zurlo (Millersville MD)
Date of Stay: 12/29/09 Review Submitted: 12/29/09

Wonderful experience that my wife and I can't wait to duplicate. Cannot possibly say enough great things. Beautiful place to stay in the best location with great people working to help.

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Guest: Honeymoon Vacation (Rhode Island, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/16/09 Review Submitted: 10/16/09

We stayed at this fabulous villa for our honeymoon. It is located in a private resort, with a private beach, in the perfect location. Everything about our stay was great. The villa is very spacious, clean and high end. If you are looking for paradise, this is the closest you will find to it. We recommend this property very highly and look forward to visiting again!

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Guest: David Ziring (Los Angeles)
Date of Stay: 10/07/09 Review Submitted: 10/07/09

I feel conflicted leaving a review of our stay in this condo. On the one hand, I can't rave enough about this place. On the other, I would hope it would remain a well-kept secret! We were there during the low season, only three other units occupied and nearly had the whole place to ourselves. 100 yards from the beach, wonderful infinity pool. Weather was great, got to grill fresh fish on their huge Weber grill, watched DVD's on the plasma, and spent mornings drinking fresh brewed Costa Rican coffee on the patio watching the waves. Walked into town along the beach each night to dine with the locals, and took advantage of the recommended tour guide to see the flora and fauna. We had an absolutely magical honeymoon thanks to the owners of this wonderful property. Shhhh! It's our secret!!

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Guest: Kate Smith (Austin, TX)
Date of Stay: 09/28/09 Review Submitted: 09/28/09

We celebrated our 20th Anniversary with a family trip to Famingo Beach. We had such a great time. The condo was beautiful and very comfortable for our family. The staff and grounds were fabulous. The beach was beautiful...we felt like it was our own private beach. There was so much to do. We filled our days with family surfing, a canopy tour, scuba diving, a sunset cruise and relaxing on the beach or by the pool. Thanks for making our trip stress free with such a nice and well set up condo.

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A must go/see/do!

Guest: SJH (Addison, TX, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/04/09 Review Submitted: 04/17/11

Absolutely wonderful vacation! The pics are spot on - the property, beach, & amenities are just as described; however, the stay is even better! A must go/see/do!

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

Guest: Carol Sharar (Mahwah, NJ)
Date of Stay: 06/14/09 Review Submitted: 06/14/09

We recently spent a week at the condo - celebrating my husband's 50th birthday. I did many hours of research in preparation for this trip, as it was our first time in Costa Rica, and I was thrilled with our accommodations! The condo was stunning and extremely comfortable. Truly, it was one of the nicest places we have ever stayed (rivaling our honeymoon trip to Hawaii). The location was ideal. We enjoyed many hours walking on the beach, swimming in the ocean and the infinity pool, and relaxing on the patio. We enjoyed shopping at the nearby markets and cooking breakfast and a picnic lunch "at home" and then venturing out for the day. I am glad also that we decided to stay in Flamingo Beach for our first trip. We enjoyed many local restaurants and felt comfortable and safe in our surroundings. Thank you for a trip of a lifetime. Carol Sharar

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Guest: Caroline Whitlock (Dallas, TX)
Date of Stay: 04/08/09 Review Submitted: 04/08/09

We stayed at the condo in March for our honeymoon and could not have been happier with our experience! The condo was in perfect condition and very clean. It was only steps away from the most gorgeous private beach and the infinity pool. The huge patios are perfect for sitting and watching the sunset over the water. We didn't have any complaints at all. If we had questions, a binder with a ton of information about Flamingo Beach and surrounding areas was located in the kitchen. All of the working staff at the condos were so nice and helpful. There was not a moment that we felt unsafe or unwelcome. We had the most enjoyable stay and hope to come back again really soon. This condo definitely exceeded our expectations. None of the pictures did this place any justice! I recommend this condo to anyone looking for a nice, relaxing vacation!

Owner response:Thank You Caroline and congradulations on your wedding! We are so happy you had a good time and look forward to seeing you again! John and Wendy Davey

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Guest: Jeff Bonanno (Denver, CO)
Date of Stay: 03/08/09 Review Submitted: 03/08/09

We just got back from a week at this incredible beautiful condominium. Where do we start. The facilities are amazing. A perfect pool overlooking a nice private beach. Great gym that overlooks the ocean while you workout. Everything was perfect from the high end furniture to the all stainless steel kitchen with every item you could need to cook great meals. We had high expectations from the pictures but our stay far exceeded our expectations. I can't say enough good things to justify what a great place this was vacation. I still can't believe how perfect of a location it was. This is a place that our family will come back to many times! It truly was a 10 out of 10.

Owner response:Thank you for the great feedback Jeff! So glad you enjoyed your stay. John and Wendy Davey

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