Reviews for La Fortuna Vacation Rental - VRBO 209647ha - 3 BR Alajuela Chalet in Costa Rica, Contemporary Luxury Chalet Located in Quiet Valley

Quiet Mountain Retreat

Guest Betty B.
Date of stay 02/17/12
Review Submitted 04/06/12

Thanks to Christopher and Pilly for a wonderful month of country living. Bajos del Toro was quaint, safe, quiet and lovely. Having our coffee on the deck and watching the smoke rise from Poas Volcano was heavenly. Although the chalet is a bit of a drive from touristy attractions, it was ideal for us. We added over 110 new birds to our bird count, enjoyed El Silencio, LaPaz, Arenal, Tabacon Hot Springs, Poas Volcano, Catarata del Toro and the Caribbean lowlands. Beautifully decorated, contemporary home. It was like living in a house straight out of "Architectural Digest". The furnishings were impeccable. Everyone was friendly, helpful and kind with our "Spanglish". Beds were comfortable. Kitchen was well furnished. Take a sweater, it gets a bit chilly.

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'The Views!'

Guest comment entered by owner

'The Views!'

Guest Heather
Date of stay 01/25/11
Review Submitted 01/27/11

Hi Christopher, Thanks again for a beautiful place! It was perfect for the 6 of us. What we like best: The view, The beautiful house layout The views, The setting in a small rural town with excellent views, The comfortable beds, The modern bathrooms with great shower heads, The well supplied kitchen, The hot tub, the massage chair, the tv and dvd player (to help entertain the younger set in the evenings), the sitting areas, The Uno game that was water proofed (played every evening)

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5 Stars!

Guest Dave, Rey and Don
Date of stay 07/03/10
Review Submitted 08/13/10

5 Star accommodation. Beautiful chalet, modern and with all the ammenities. Nice to have high speed internet access and laundry facilities. Next time I would travel with less since all the conveniences of home (and more) are there. The location is centrally located and we were able to travel to the Carribean and Pacific sides from the chalet. Best of all was the assistance and hospitality of Chris and Pilly. They do everything to help you with attractions and travelling within the country. Speaking of attractions, we were able to enjoy: hiking in National Parks, snorkelling, horseback riding, volcano sightseeing, zip lines through the jungle(my favourite), and just enjoying the incredble scenery of Costa Rica. Hope I am lucky enough to come back soon.

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

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One of our best vacations

Guest Ravi the digitaldoc
Date of stay 04/02/10
Review Submitted 05/03/10

The Chalet was great. It was exactly as described and better. Chris Downey and his friends were very helpful starting with how to get to the chalet to places to visit. Eriberto met us at Grecia and guided us to the chalet after loading up at the local grocery store. We had a great time at the chalet with plenty of relaxation and fun. The chalet was very well maintained with all the amenities.The GPS provided by Chris was a godsend in Costa Rica and I could not thank him enough for that alone. We did write a more elaborate review in the guest book comments at the home. Bajo del toro amarillo was a quiet and beautiful place to stay and we enjoyed every minute of it. We drove extensively to all the usual volcano, waterfall and rainforest destinations. We did hire a driver for the trip to Jaco and Manuel Antonio national park. It was worth the money. The mountain roads of Costar Rica need a separate forum to discuss. We had thrills of our lives driving through the mountains. Costa Ricans (Ticos) are the most friendly people we've ever met. It was a very memorable vacation. Highly recommend this chalet for the location, unique architecture and value. A lunch at the El Silencio lodge was the pinnacle of our trip. It was fantastic and is a must for everybody who stays here. Reservations are required, even though we showed up for lunch without one and were graciously accomodated. Thanks Chris, for everything.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6

Absolutely Breathtaking!!!

Guest Tera&Gigi
Date of stay 03/06/10
Review Submitted 03/25/10

We were a group of 5 (it was a first time trip to Costa Rica for all of us). Our plane got in at night and on the scary drive up it starting raining and it was foggy and we could only marvel at the beauty of the inside of the house. The next morning every person awoke with the same expression...beautiful. The house is surrounded by mountains and the beauty of the area of Toro Amarillo is breathtaking. We loved every mintue of it. The house slept all of us comfortably. The house is a modern thing of beauty surrounded by quaint country houses. I spent a fair amount of time cooking in the kitchen and all the appliances were modern and plentiful. We had everything we needed at our fingertips from the internet to satellite tv to a hot bubbly jacuzzi. By the way sitting under the stars at night in the jacuzzi was simply wonderful. I can't say enough good things about this house and the entire country of Costa Rica. The home was beautifully maintained inside and out; everything was just perfect. This was our home away from home, and Costa Rica is definitely our new favorite destination. Also the entire time we were there we had a driver from one of the local tour companies. Our driver was EXCELLENT (friendly, knowledgeable, bilingual)--driving would have been scary and confusing for us so having a driver was most beneficial--and I would definitely use a driver service while in Costa Rica. We tried to see as much of the country as possible from the beach to white water rafting to caving to the volcanos to the waterfalls and we still feel like we missed a lot---this country has so many exciting and challenging activites to do. Nos vemos pronto Costa Rica (see you soon Costa Rica!!!) Tera & Gigi

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Owner response: We typically meet our guests in Grecia which is very easy to find from San Jose (about 40 minutes). Once in Grecia we help our guests provision, lead them to the chalet over the mountain, show them the amenities and let them settle in. We also provide a GPS and cell phone for the remainder of their trip so they can travel with confidence! Most flights arrive in the daytime hours and typically the weather is clear but when it's not we're there to assist. Sam's party elected to use a local driver who unfortunately made a couple of wrong turns. Our lesson in this is to meet our guests in Grecia regardless of their use of local transportation. Thank you Gigi and Tera for another 5/5! We're very pleased and proud our guests enjoy our chalet and the Costa Rican experience!

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Peaceful house, adventurous days!

Guest Donna D.
Date of stay 02/08/10
Review Submitted 02/26/10

This was our first trip to Costa Rica, and when I saw the chalet on the website, I knew this was the place for us. Our group ranged from 40-68, and we like off the beaten path. Staying at Baja de Toro was perfect for this group. If you like to be in the middle of the action, this place is not for you. 30 -45 minutes to groceries; many days we drove for several hours, but the drives were beautiful and part of the adventure of Costa Rica. The house was beautiful; waking up to the view of the volcanos/mountains was breath taking. Pilly was great--we met him in Grecias and we went to the market with him--and then followed him up and up and up to the chalet. Breakfasts with Seleni were delicious--we had long days, so starting off with a hearty breakfast kept us going for hours before late lunches. We hiked at El Silencio (and had the best lunch in CR there), went hiking at Arenal, visited a butterfly conservancy, toured a coffee plantation (Espiritu Sanctu), visited the Elyse Kunsler botanical gardens (where we had a private tour with the Director), volunteered at an animal rescue center, soaked in the thermal spas at Basque de Termales, hiked the Los Angeles Cloud Forest (and ziplined there) and drove the closed road to La Paz Waterfall gardens where we rode an ox cart and hand fed the hummingbirds. (You can ford streams with 4 x4's). We cooked at the house a few nights. Love the gas grill on the upper level. The house was a good set up for 7 folks. Love the design! The kitchen and bathrooms are to die for. We only had a few issues, one of which the hot tub, which Pilly had repaired, but the repair did not work. Hot water can be a little finicky, but a little patience goes a long way. Internet dial up did not work, but I had my Blackberry from work so we had a connection to the web. (Plus who wants to spend time on the computer in CR??) Having the GPS was a lifesaver, since maps and road signs are optional in CR. Chris and Pilly were really helpful as we planned out trip and Pilly checked in on us. Overall, we had a great trip and would recommend the house if you are willing to drive (or be driven) to the major attractions.

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

Owner response: Thanks for the feedback Donna. Just a few clarifications: The hot tub was working but it takes 2.5-3 hours to heat up fully so you do have to be patient. Hot water is provided by an instant heater but you have to, as Donna indicates, adjust the faucet slowly so you don't overshoot the desired temperature. We have now replaced the dial-up internet (which was not very reliable and of course slow) with a high speed connection and it works wonderfully! We have a notebook at the chalet available for our guests use. There is a small shop in the village to pick up sundry items but major grocery shopping is 30 minutes in Sarchi or Zarcero. There are many attractions very close by and I honestly can't think of a better location which brings you closer or places you more centrally than our chalet. Within 10 minutes there is fine dining, cooking lessons, spa facilities, hiking, mountain climbing, bird and wildlife watching in the national park, two sets of waterfalls, fly fishing and botanical gardens. Within an hour there is rafting, wildlife reserves, coffee plantations, hot springs, horse back riding, mountain bike riding (you can rent a bike), canopy tours, Poas volcano, souvenir shopping, nurseries and lots more! If you're looking for something specific, just ask and we'll let you know where you can find it!

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A great chalet in a wonderful location!

Guest Michael & Tracy
Date of stay 11/27/09
Review Submitted 12/15/09

We are just back after 9 days at the chalet. What a great trip. We are a party of three adults and a 12 year old. First of all, the chalet is as described and pictured. However that does not begin to describe the location in the mountains which is spectacular. We were lucky to have sunshine most days, but even so, the cloud layers rolled in and out throughout the day and night to make the mountain view dramatic. The location is at the end of a valley at about 5,000 feet surrounded by cloud forest. It is in a small village with a convenience store, a couple of restaurants and bars (and a police station). Rancho Typico is very good. A car is essential IMO and the rental included a GPS (also essential). We managed just fine driving on our own, as long as you are OK with getting lost, travelling along roads that are closed (no singage), or driving narrow roads at night. To us it is part of the adventure but it is not for everyone (are you a destination traveller or a journey traveller?). Closest grocery stores are in Zarcero about 30 minutes drive. We managed our own groceries and cooking and had no difficulties. The chalet has everything you will need. There are a number of things to do close to chalet that are outstanding: eco hike at Bosque de Paz (reservations), hike to waterfall at Catarata del Toro, hike and dinner at El Silencio Hotel (reservations), coffee tour at Espiritu Santo (Naranjo - reservations). Other tourist destinations require a couple of hours drive: Volcano Poas (the shorter road is closed right now), La Fortuna, La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Christopher was very helpful getting organized for the trip and Pilly was there on site to settle us in at the chalet and was available if we needed him. A memorable experience by all.

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

Owner response: Construction on the road to which Michael refers is expected to be completed in the next month. The construction on the pass from Sarchi to Toro has now been completed.

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AWESOME

Guest Felecia
Date of stay 11/05/09
Review Submitted 11/19/09

This home is absolutely beautiful. The pictures on the internet is just a touch of it. It looks like something on HGTV. We had a party of 5 and we all enjoyed the home and our driver (Gustavo). He went out of his way to assure us a great time and he is very pleasant and knowledgable of the city/town. It always help when someone and in this case a native shows concern, interest, patience and promptness. Chris was very accomadating and helpful in many ways. This was the first time using HomeAway but with Chris' help made it a great experience. PG was friendly and helpful; What a wonderful vacation - This would not been possible without the assistance of Chris, Gustavo and PG; Thanks Guys!!

Recommended for: Girls getaway, romantic getaway.

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Rest, Relaxation and Reflection

Guest comment entered by owner

Rest, Relaxation and Reflection

Guest Jim - Hamilton, ON, Canada
Date of stay 10/24/09
Review Submitted 01/22/10

What can I say that Chris and Pilly do not already know about this place! I came to Toro for rest, relaxation and reflection. I achieved just that! Pilly you have been a great host. Thanks for everythying. Costa Rica is my favourite place outside home. When my life gets crazy and upside down, I will think of this awsome place.

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Delighted

Guest comment entered by owner

Delighted

Guest Bill, Jen, Kylie - Lancaster, PA
Date of stay 06/15/09
Review Submitted 01/22/10

Upon arrival, even in the late PM hours, was amazing. We were so delighted with the accommodations. Pilly had food stocked in the fridge and many local fruit choices. Each morning we had a delicious breakfast made by Selene and her sister Vivianna. We could not have asked for a more delicious and authentic start to our day. The mountains and farms that surrounded us were so beautiful that words could never describe. We loved our drives through Zarcero and San Ramon. The churches were gorgeous. We cannot wait to send Chris some of our favourites. Wednesday evening we were delighted to have the chef from El Silencio come and prepare a delicious dinner for us. Our kids loved watching him prepare fresh trout and tilapia. We loved all the organic lettuce and veggies. We finished with a wonderful berry, frozen mint and yogurt dessert. On our hike through El Silencio waterfalls we were fortunate enough to see a troop of Spider monkeys and four peccary. Nature abounds in this lovely piece of heaven! We so appreciated all that was provided for us. We will be back!

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AMAZING TRIP!!!!!!! THIS PLACE IS AWSOME!

Guest Ababcock
Date of stay 05/23/09
Review Submitted 06/02/09

We went here with my boyfriend and two other friends. We had so much fun actually got to see the costa rican culture at its finest. The hot springs were amazing, the volvcano the beaches I could not be more happier. The chalet is gorgeous, has everything you need. The hospitality from Pilly was great as well he got us everything (food) we needed. Have the fridge already stocked when you arrive was an amazing treat. I can not explain how amazing it was. We will be back for sure. Thanks again. Cheers

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

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AWESOME!

Guest The A Team
Date of stay 03/24/09
Review Submitted 04/03/09

The photos and the description of this property say it all! It is a beautiful home in a quaint village. Everything about the house was wonderful...the design, the amenities, the view, the service and advice with itinerary. We were 2 hours from Poas and Arenal. You can see Poas smoking from the house on a clear morning but by car, it's 2 hours. We had fun with the locals at the restaurant in town (great food too). They recruited a guy from the bar across the street who spoke English to help us with the menu! Don't miss the hike to the waterfalls at the spa/hotel in town. We would definitely recommend this chalet to anyone! Pack pants and sweatshirts. This was the only place we visited in Costa Rica that wasn't hot in March.

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

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A small slice of Paradise

Guest Meeta
Date of stay 12/24/08
Review Submitted 01/07/09

We had a wonderful experience in Costa Rica. My daughter's comment best summons our trip, when asked for her favorites things on the trip she said - "the house and the volcano". You have truly built a beautiful home in a very peaceful area of Costa Rica. Having traveled to Arenal, Monteverde and the coastline near Jaco, we are glad we stayed in Baja Del Toro. The people there are friendly, also being out of the way made this one our most restful trips. Most mornings it was a battle to get everybody out of the house and we were invariable late, but worth it. The road to Arenal is mostly well paved and only a 2 1/2 hours from the chalet. We stayed overnight in Arenal because we wanted to travel to Monteverde the next day. The GPS system that Christoper programmed and let us use was a life saver! We realized that there were a lot of activities close by that were really worth it. The Catarata Del Taro waterfall is only 3 miles from the house, spectacular waterfalls and a great hiking spot. On days when the skies were very clear and we were able to see the Poas Volcano from the deck. Please make the drive to the house in day light, at least the first day you arrive and are familiar with the road. The road from Sarchi to the Chalet has many winding parts and hairpin turns so do be carefull especially at night or when it gets foggy. We were fortunate to be meet at the airport and we followed Roy to the house that first day. THANK YOU ROY for EVERYTHING! The chalet itself is beautifully designed and includes all the amenities of home. There are a few small things that need to be setpup correctly like the internet access and the hot tub but based on our experience I am sure this will get taken care of ASAP! The help is very friendly (they speak very little English) but we got our requests across easily. They not only cleaned the house but made us scrupmtious breakfast each morning, some mornings as early as 5:30 am so that we could be on our way! For our family and friends it was a memorable trip and we will be first in line when Christopher is done building his house in the South Pacific!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Vacation Rentals by Owner

Contemporary Luxury Chalet Located in Quiet Valley [#209647ha] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (13)

Quiet Mountain Retreat

Quiet Mountain Retreat

'The Views!'

'The Views!'

5 Stars!

5 Stars!

One of our best vacations

One of our best vacations

Absolutely Breathtaking!!!

Absolutely Breathtaking!!!

Peaceful house, adventurous days!

Peaceful house, adventurous days!

A great chalet in a wonderful location!

A great chalet in a wonderful location!

AWESOME

AWESOME

Rest, Relaxation and Reflection

Rest, Relaxation and Reflection

Delighted

Delighted

AMAZING TRIP!!!!!!! THIS PLACE IS AWSOME!

AMAZING TRIP!!!!!!! THIS PLACE IS AWSOME!

AWESOME!

AWESOME!

A small slice of Paradise

A small slice of Paradise