WOW with more WOW...

Guest: steve w. (Toronto Niagara Falls Ontario Canada)
Date of Stay: 01/21/12 Review Submitted: 02/06/12

We just returned after spending 2 weeks at Itzas' beautiful home...the pictures on the site actually dont even do this home justice...absolutely stunning...the owner (Itza) and her family go FAR above and beyond what most rental owners would do...a daily call to see how we were (7 of us travelling - 4 adults 3 children)...if we needed anything...where to eat...arranging tours for us or just getting us a taxi to the beach we've never in several vacation rental experiences had the attention paid with such attention to our comfort. The housekeeper/groundskeeper Ismail was not only thorough but HONEST...i had accidentally left about $100 US in local Colones in a pair of shorts and put through the wash...it was returned to me by the housekeeper the next day after he emptied the dryer!! unheard of in my books....the pool is cleaned daily (sometimes twice if leaves are in it) and despite what other reviews may indicate about the neighbourhood we walked to town many times and were always made to feel welcome by the neighbours (and their children)...dont miss out on one of Itzas' massages (or her daughter Abys') and if you need anything in town Itza, her son David or Aby will find you the best way to get there or arrange it for you. Dinner - Nicholas has best beef in Costa Rica that we've tried...lunch...Marlins or El Avion...ATV quad adventure is WELL worth the money. Snorkeling on the beach or close to the National Park was amazing!! Monkeys abound the house in early evening EVERY day and are a great source of amusement and better picture taking than you'll get anywhere else!!...couldnt recommend any higher...thank you Itza, David and Aby (and of course Scooby and Max!!). Steve,Nicole, Stephanie, Chris, Lisa, Curtis, and Vanessa - Toronto Ontario Canada

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Incredible home with everything you would ever need and more!

Guest: S T. (Canada)
Date of Stay: 08/15/11 Review Submitted: 10/30/11

We throughly enjoyed our stay in Itza's Enchanted Home. The master suite has the most gorgeous view from it's own private deck overlooking a nature's reserve and a stream running below. The other large bedrooms also have en suite bathrooms with plenty of room, unlike many of the other properties we have stayed in. The gourmet kitchen with a large living and dinning area was perfect for relaxing together after the tours that Itza arranged for us. She was the most perfect hostess and gave us the best massages we have ever had in our lives! The new swimming pool set in the private garden was our favourite place to relax before dinner. We highly recommend this lovely home and will be back again. Thank you, Itza for making our holiday one of the best ever!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

wonderful vacation

Guest: shelly (cedar rapids iowa)
Date of Stay: 07/14/11 Review Submitted: 10/10/11

We stayed at Itzas in July, Everything was absolutely perfect. The house was amazing and is exactly as the pictures show. The neighborhood it is located in is wonderful. I wouldnt of wanted to stay in other neighborhood. Everyone we met was extremely friendly and helpful. The only rude people we met in manuel antonio were americans. Itza is a very wonderful woman and will gladly help you with anything you need. Ishmal was also a wonderful person and does a wonderful job. You will not be disappointed staying in this wonderful home. Shelly Brown

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

Pura Vida

Guest: John1 (Montclair NJ)
Date of Stay: 07/30/11 Review Submitted: 08/09/11

I just spent a great week in Manuel Antonio at a Great House! Itza's house was a jungle paradise the house is open on 3 sides (screened in) to the back yard which is literally a rain forest complete with monkeys and toucans (Don't worry no jaguars). I have rented vacation properties all over the world and Itza and her house were by far the best experience I have had to date. The house was exactly as pictured and described on the VRBO post. We each had our own unique air conditioned suite with luxurious beds and plenty of space. There is a great little pool in the back for cooling off in the Jungle heat Itza is a very sweet lady that lives right around the corner and is available if you need ANYTHING! She really bent over backwards to make sure we were happy with the place and was a great resource for restaurants activities and tours. Her handy man is by everyday to clear up, change towels, make beds and even do laundry! Everyone in town knows Itza and treated us like we where her personal guests. She is also a great masseuse. The property is gated and secure. Some less seasoned travelers may be put off by the neighborhood as they approach the house since it off a beat up road lined with several poorer homes but they SHOULDN'T BE. All the neighbors are very friendly and cordial as you pass by. They are all friends of Itza and we felt like part of the community after a few days. Cab Service is good and reasonable and tours pick you up at the door so you don't necessarily need a car once you are there, but its best have one to get to Manuel Antonio If you want a boring Americanized resort stay someplace else. Stay with Itza and get a real travelers experience of the best of Costa Rica.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.

podotrio

Guest: podotrio (Colorado)
Date of Stay: 06/18/11 Review Submitted: 08/02/11

We had a very good time at Itza's Home. The listing description did not provide details regarding the location of the home - would recomommend 4WD vehicle. The photos of the inside of the home were very accurate, however, photos of the surrounding neighborhood would have been helpful. The property was clean, but needed maintenance - kitchen sink leaked, oven did not work, safe was not available to store valuables, front door lock broke (were told to "jiggle" key to get it to work; resulted in us having to stay at home >24hrs until fixed since we didn't have safe to store valuables), main level bathtub faucet leaked, and front gate worked sporadically. The owner was fairly helpful in answering questions/concerns but was evasive at times. We would not recommend this property to a friend or relative due to the above maintenance issues, not feeling safe in the home/neighborhood, and finding a scorpion in the front planter within the house on our last day. We did see tons of wildlife - two kinds of monkeys, a sloth, bats, and really enjoyed the pool. Ismael was wonderful - he even cracked open coconuts for us! We had a very nice time, but the home was not up to our expectations.

Owner response:Show Details Message body Thank you for your review on your stay at my home. I'm sorry there were some things not to your liking but we have addressed each issue and I am pleased to say they have been resolved. Of course I can't do anything about the location of the house, yes, it is at the back of local neighborhood, bordering on the jungle and a passing stream,. ( Once you close the automatic gate you feel as if you are in a different place, a natural place, private and pleasing) Although my neighbors homes may not be up to the standard of those in a gated community , never the less, these are their homes, and they are proud of them, and I am proud to have them as neighbors and friends. I want my guests to feel like they are part of the community and if they see my neighbors on the street they should not fear them, they should engage them. ( Ticos are very social and want to help you if they can) They are good people working hard for a better life ( Like us all!!) I have never pretended that this property was something it was not, it is a luxury home, with luxury amenities, priced well below similar homes in the area. ( A house like mine in a gated community here would cost two to three times as much as Itza's Enchanted does. ) Also, I am pleased to say we have taken care of your other concerns. Leaks fixed. Stove working. New Safe. Automatic security gate fixed ( even when it did not work automatically it still would open close and lock by hand.) I thank you again for your suggestions, sometimes if we don't hear these things we are not aware that they need fixing so this was most helpful to us. I would agree that for the months of Sept through Christmas a four wheel drive car would be advisable. Please don't hesitate to tell friends and family about my home, contrary to what you may think I don't think I am evasive with guests, I want to be there when they want me, but out of sight and mind when they do not, but if I gave you that impression I am truly sorry. I only want for my guests to have a genuine idea of Costa Rica, my Country, when they return home. As for the scorpion " it's a jungle out there" and should you happen to be bitten by one it would be no worse than a bee sting, remember you came to see the jungle and monkeys, birds, snakes and scorpions and much more wildlife reside there. I wish you all the best in the future and hope to see you again one day. Itza

Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Itza's Enchanted Home!

Guest: Laura (Fairfax, VA, USA)
Date of Stay: 03/05/10 Review Submitted: 12/15/10

Itza's house was AMAZING! Six college girls stayed at the house and our two guy friends stayed in the joining apartment. The house was PERFECT and a lot of fun. Itza was really sweet and her dog, Scooby was always waiting for us at the front gate!

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

itza may just be the best massage therapist in the world

Guest: steven k. (virginia beach)
Date of Stay: 04/21/10 Review Submitted: 04/28/10

i just got back from costa rica i had the equivalent of 4 massages in two days she absolutley is incredidble she is ethical honest fair talented and does the best massage ever i woke up after the last massage and didnt know where i was and felt 20 years younger shes terrific cant wit to go back steve kruth ceo gold mine jewelry virginia beach

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

itza may just be the best massage therapist in the world

Guest: steven k. (virginia beach)
Date of Stay: 04/21/10 Review Submitted: 04/28/10

i just got back from costa rica i had the equivalent of 4 massages in two days she absolutley is incredidble she is ethical honest fair talented and does the best massage ever i woke up after the last massage and didnt know where i was and felt 20 years younger shes terrific cant wit to go back steve kruth ceo gold mine jewelry virginia beach

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