Reviews for Volcano Arenal Vacation Rental - VRBO 22582 - 4 BR Lake Arenal Villa in Costa Rica, Villa Encantada: 40 Acre Private Lakefront Nature Preserve

Amazing destination and service!

Guest Emi W.
Date of stay 03/22/10
Review Submitted 05/25/10

I recently spent 3 weeks in Costa Rica and was lucky enough to have a whole week here at Villa Encantada. A little slice of heaven on the lake, seriously. We were in an unfortunate auto accident on our way to the Villa from our previous destination, and after calling Glenn to inform him we wouldn't be in until after dark, he went above and beyond his role as property owner to concierge. Taking care of his guests in any way needed is what he does, and my experience at the Villa will never be forgotten. First rate all the way! Waking up to peacocks flocking about the grounds is truly magical. The fresh cool morning breeze off the lake, while enjoying delicious coffee on your own private pond was delightful. The grounds are meticulous. And while the pictures here are beautiful, it does the property no justice until you are there, immersed in its beauty. Words cannot describe how beautiful it really is. The activities are endless here, something for everyone indeed. We had a wonderful trip, and Glenn was just a phone call away to set up day trips for us, recommend restaurants and help in anyway possible. I have recommended this property to everyone I speak to. It's the best deal I've ever had traveling, and I'll be back for sure. I did not want to leave our little paradise at the Villa. Peace, tranquility and laughter is what you will find here, something never to be forgotten. Villa Encantada is Costa Rica!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 8/8

Magical experience in the tropical rainfores

Guest debah
Date of stay 03/17/10
Review Submitted 04/16/10

We only had a short stay in Arenal, but we were extremely pleased with our stay on the Villa Encantada property. We arrived to Villa Encantada after dark on our first day. On the way we had driven past the active Volcano Arenal as the sun was setting. Although this, in combination with a gaze at the thousands of stars in the sky prepared us for what we would see in the morning, we were absolutely mesmerized by the scenery the next morning. The symphony of tropical birds, howler monkeys, and waterfalls in combination with the intoxicating perfumes from the lush landscape of exotic flora and fauna that populate this 40 acre property evoke a sensory wonderland of sights, sounds, and smells in this tropical oasis. This home is perfect for families with a large common area, master bedroom suites in the basement, and a loft bedroom suite (overlooking the common area on the 2nd floor) that is perfect for kids. Although the villa has all of the comforts that one would desire (excellent grill, large patio and balcony overlooking a pond, full kitchen, etc…), the difference between this property and others in the Arenal area is the absolute immersion into the tropical landscape which best characterizes this region of Costa Rica. With a network of trails throughout the property leading to hidden waterfalls, and a short walk to Lake Arenal (kayaks available on property) the access to the rainforest is unparalleled. No review would be complete without words of praise for the property manager/owner. Glenn has an extensive knowledge of the area (restaurants, activities, etc…) which he was always glad to share with us. After only a few minutes of chatting with Glenn, we realized that he truly loves sharing the beauty of Villa Encantada and the surrounding area with those lucky enough to stay here. The Villa Encantada is a magical place that we not only intend to return to, but also will recommend to all of our friends and family.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 9/9

Magical in the tropical rainforest

Guest MC20000
Date of stay 03/17/10
Review Submitted 03/28/10

We only had a short stay in Arenal, but we were extremely pleased with our stay on the Villa Encantada property. We arrived to Villa Encantada after dark on our first day. On the way we had driven past the active Volcano Arenal as the sun was setting. Although this, in combination with a gaze at the thousands of stars in the sky prepared us for what we would see in the morning, we were absolutely mesmerized by the scenery the next morning. The symphony of tropical birds, howler monkeys, and waterfalls in combination with the intoxicating perfumes from the lush landscape of exotic flora and fauna that populate this 40 acre property evoke a sensory wonderland of sights, sounds, and smells in this tropical oasis. The Villa Encantada and Arenal Lakeview Villa are both located on the property. While we stayed at the smaller Arenal Lakeview Villa we requested to view Villa Encantada, the larger of the two villas, for a future trip we are planning. This home is perfect for families with a large common area, master bedroom suites in the basement, and a loft bedroom suite (overlooking the common area on the 2nd floor) that is perfect for kids. Although the villa has all of the comforts that one would desire (excellent grill, large patio and balcony overlooking a pond, full kitchen, etc…), the difference between this property and others in the Arenal area is the absolute immersion into the tropical landscape which best characterizes this region of Costa Rica. With a network of trails throughout the property leading to hidden waterfalls, and a short walk to Lake Arenal (kayaks available on property) the access to the rainforest is unparalleled. No review would be complete without words of praise for the property manager/owner Glenn McBride. Glenn has an extensive knowledge of the area (restaurants, activities, etc…) which he was always glad to share with us. After only a few minutes of chatting with Glenn, we realized that he truly loves sharing the beauty of Villa Encantada and the surrounding area with those lucky enough to stay here. The Villa Encantada is a magical place that we not only intend to return to, but also will recommend to all of our friends and family.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 10/10

Amazing, relaxing, beautiful home in Nuevo Arenal!

Guest Mindy2009
Date of stay 11/22/09
Review Submitted 12/14/09

We stayed at Villa Encantada for 4 nights, just before Thanksgiving (2009). The home and property are absolutely beautiful and great care has so obviously been taken of both. The house was exactly as pictured and the amenities were as described. The homeowner, Glenn, went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable and helped arrange activities, made recommendations for great places to go, fabulous places to eat, and even arranged a special birthday cake for my sister. My husband and I went fishing on the lake and enjoyed the scenery and wildlife viewing while were out on the water. There are great trails on the property to explore and observe the tropical foliage, and the view of the lake from the house is gorgeous. There is a bird platform where you can put out fruit for the birds and we enjoyed having our morning coffee while trying to identify the visiting birds with the help of bird book there at the villa. It was hard for us to leave Villa Encantada, but as we headed to the beach for the rest of our vacation, we looked forward to a deep sea fishing trip that Glenn arranged for us there, as well. After spending the second half of our trip in Jaco, we sure appreciated the quiet, secluded location of Villa Encantada and the personalized hospitality that Glenn provided. I would definitely recommend this property to anyone interested in having a relaxing, quiet, beautiful and comfortable place to stay in a most beautiful area of Costa Rica. It might be a little bit remote for those that want to be in the middle of the hub-bub and activity of a busier town (i.e. La Fortuna- about 45 minutes drive from the Villa), but it was great to truly feel like we were 'getting away from it all' when we returned to the villa each night after a day of activities. Having a car is a must for this rental property, in my opinion. I would recommend hiking the trails at the Arenal Hanging Bridges as well as the zipline/canopy tour at Montagne del Fuego and the hot springs at Eco Termales which are very relaxing and quiet (although perhaps not quite as good for families with children- I would say it's more of an adult atmosphere, more about the hot springs than other forms of entertainment). Villa Encantada is truly in a tropical paradise and I hope that all who stay there enjoy and appreciate it as much as we did!

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 8/8

Villa Encantada - Costa Rica Paradise

Guest so cal runner
Date of stay 08/20/09
Review Submitted 10/16/09

My family of 4 (son 17, daughter 13) visited Villa Encantada for 10 days in August of 2009. We originally were going to stay on one of the coasts, but after we found out about all of the things to do around Arenal, we quickly changed our plans. We were looking for an adventure and something unique, and we most definitely found it. What we were not expecting was the fantastic hospitality and help we received from the owner. He helped us tremendously before we arrived, with suggestions on things to do, and maps, etc to go to the Villa, and once we were there, he bent over backwards helping to book reservations at the events we participated in such as zip lining, horseback riding, ATV's, etc. He has lived in the area for 14 years, and the advice he provided really made the trip so much more enjoyable. The Villa itself was incredible. When we arrived, I couldn't believe the accommodations that the house provided, and how lush the property was landscaped and maintained. We immediately went on a hike and quickly had an appreciation for the tropical ambiance that Costa Rica provides. Our family has been to Hawaii, Dominican Republic, Antigua, Puerto Rico and Mexico, and none of those places even compare by definition to the tropical climate and terrain that you can experience in Costa Rica. It even rained every day, and it made no difference on our trip. The house itself was bigger than we expected, very clean, and we realized quickly that we should have brought other people with us. The Villa can very easily accommodate three families of four, and even more if so inclined. There are many things to do around the Villa, and if you want to venture out more, like we did, La Fortuna is only 40 minutes away. There are plenty of places to eat around the Villa, and the nearest town is only fifteen minutes away, with a well stocked grocery store, gas station, and even a few places to shop for souvenirs. We were surprised to find very good German, Swiss and Italian food. Of course the local food was always very good. Initially, my wife was a little concerned about staying at the Villa, and she thought we might be too far away from civilization, but after a couple of days, she quickly settled in, and very much enjoyed the property. There was a cleaning service that came every few days, and did an outstanding job of tidying up. I would have to say their service was comparable or better to most 4 STAR hotels I have stayed at.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 8/8

Little slice of paradise

Guest Terry 14
Date of stay 06/30/09
Review Submitted 09/12/09

We spent four days at Villa Encantada in July 2009. The house and location was absolutely wonderful. It really is magical. My family had such a blast; we all have incredible memories and images etched in our minds: The kayaking on Lake Arenal, zip lining, swimming in the pond, looking at birds, exploring the water fall, the wonderful "Tica" meal in the house, and just relaxing and taking in all the incredible views. One of the best parts of the trip, totally unplanned, was the soccer we played two nights there in the town plaza with local young people. My kids loved interacting with the people -- to include Angel and family. The home owner, Glenn, was incredibly personable and conscientious--almost like family friend who was deeply committed to our stay being the best it could be.

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 8/8

Villa Encantada stay was terrific

Guest ticoatheart
Date of stay 03/01/06
Review Submitted 08/21/06

Our family spent 7 wonderfull days at Villa Encantada. Not too far away from Nuevo Arenal a quiet little town which we all enjoyed visiting. Villa Encantada is close to, and has a spectacular view, of Lake Arenal. The owner (your host) also has a pontoon boat available for fishing trips. Or, in our case, for sight seeing cruises. We were in awe of the beautiful Volcano Areanal. Our trip on the boat was so enjoyable and relaxing. Speaking of relaxing. From the moment we arrived at the Villa we felt at home. The Villa is everything we had read about prior to selecting Encantada as our vacation destination in Costa Rica. Honestly Encantada is everything it was to be and MORE. The Villa has a beauty and warmth you can feel the moment you see it... Not to mentiion how one feels upon walking in the front door. Of course you will have to tear yourself away from the spectacular view of Lake Arenal, from the front porch, in order to enter the Villa. Walking into the Villa you immediately have a view of the back porch and the garden paradise which is your backyard. The pond and island are the center piece of the back yard and garden. You will want to walk across the suspended bridge to the island where you can enjoy feeding the fish in the pond. A daily task my Granddaughter gladly took on and which we all enjoyed sharing with her. There are 4 Kayaks available to use in the pond or take down to the hill to Lake Arenal. My granddaughter and I tried our kayaking skills in the pond. She took to it like a duck takes to water. And, I can attest to the fact the water in the pond is clean, clear, cold and drinkable... As I swallowed half the pond before I mastered the art of getting onto the Kayak. Another fond memory from our stay at Encantada. The nature trails created by the owner are maped out for your review. Or, as wek did, you can begin exploring them on your own. Getting caught up in the beauty of the rain forest, following the flowing creek up to the water fall and beyond... An enjoyable time was had by us as we explored the gardens and trails of Encantada. Every morning we were awakened by the Howler Monkeys in the rain forest. Once you have heard them you are not likely to forget it. Even better than hearing them was seeing them one morning from the back porch of the Villa. Watching the amazing variety of birds eating from the bird feeder and taking a whole bunch of pictures... Most enjoyable! And, if you don't have a camera I seriously doubt if you will soon forget the first time you see the Toucans. We enjoyed the variety of restaurants which are easy to get to from the Villa. We found them to be clean, reasonably priced and the food and service was very good to terrific. Eating "Tico" is most enjoyable, and we would recommend the pleasure that can be derived from eatiing "Tico". The canopy tour is most enjoyable and only a short drive from the villa. If you want to see the rainforest try seeing it from the Top down... Very impressive. Our host, guide, skipper (on our boat tour of Lake Arenal) and new "Friend". Made our stay at the Villa truly and Enchanted vacation. You can not ask for a better host anywhere. We will return again to visit paradise at Villa Encantada. It is everything it was said to be... and more!! If you are going to Costa Rica you do not want to miss out on staying at Villa Encantada where you can experience the gem of Costa Rica... Lake Arenal, and the crown jewel Arenal the Volcano

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 37/39

Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Ira Arman
Date of stay 03/21/03
Review Submitted 03/20/03

Hi Glenn, We finally got back to our home late Saturday night. My family and I sure did enjoy your beautiful house. And I must say "What a house." We were very impressed with the styling, orientation and decorations; especially the landscaping and all of the beautiful and detailed woodwork. What a view; it was breathtaking. Your staff was very friendly and went out thier way to accommodate our every wish. Miriam (the cook) was also very nice and made some wonderful dishes for us to enjoy. Everyone in Arenal was extremely friendly and pleasant. We look forward to returning to the area in the future. Your web site and information that your sent was exactly as advertised. Thanks again, Ira Arman ; Valrico. FL.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/7

Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Greg Crafts
Date of stay 03/21/03
Review Submitted 03/20/03

Hi Glenn - I got the $300 phone deposit in the mail yesterday. I've been meaning to write you and say THANK YOU SO MUCH for letting us stay in your beautiful house! All of us were amazed at how beautiful the house and grounds and view was. We've stayed a lot of places but yours was by far the nicest we have had the pleasure to stay in. The kids could not believe I had found such a nice place through the Internet - I gained a few brownie points in the process :) I've also recommended your place to several friends - I just heard my wife had also passed on your information to an associate and she is now in contact with you. It's an easy recommendation as it's so beautiful. Your note said the wind picked up after we left - well sometimes I have bad luck as well as good luck. Still we thoroughly enjoyed our vacation as we found Costa Rica to be a wonderful place to explore. Some windsurfing vacations I'd get bored stiff waiting for wind. But there we found so many other things to do including: rafting down a river, horse riding through the jungle, the hot springs at the volcano, a day trip to the ocean, fishing in the lake, dinner with Trino and family were just a few. So - thanks again. Next time we'll also try to make it a longer vacation! Greg Crafts; Kirkland, WA.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/7

Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Stacy Schriener
Date of stay 03/21/03
Review Submitted 03/20/03

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey Glenn, Villa Encantada was awesome. So much so, that we really felt like we were slumming it once we got to Jaco. The house is absolutely gorgeous and so are all the surroundings. You have done a wonderful job. We just got all our pictures back and had already forgotten how green everything is there. For the most part we just relaxed a lot. Each night we ate somewhere different. Our adventures included the Canopy Tour, La Fortuna waterfalls and Tabacon Hot Springs. All were absolutely beautiful. The landscaping is absolutely beautiful. Once we left Villa Encantada we made our way to Jaco just in time for the rain. So much for going to the beach. Anyhow our visit there was short and like I said we really felt like the luxurious part of our trip had ended. We had an incredible time. We certainly appreciate you sharing your home with us. Please send me some cards and brochures as I have already had inquiries from people we have showed our pictures to. Thanks again, Stacy Schreiner, Garland, TX

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/7

Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Jack Kaufman
Date of stay 03/21/03
Review Submitted 03/20/03

Hi Glenn, I just wanted to let you know that we made it okay and that everything is great, this place is truly magnificent. I must warn you though, it may have been a big mistake to allow a big mouth like me to know about this great place, I may have people knocking your door down to try to get in here. Well that is all I have for now, things are absolutely wonderful here and we really appreciate your help and your interest in making sure that all is well. Talk to you soon, Jack Kaufman; San Diego, CA

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/7

Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Nora Abat
Date of stay 03/21/03
Review Submitted 03/20/03

Hi Glenn, Your "Villa Encantada" was absolutely breathtaking. We enjoyed every minute of our stay there. We feel honored that you shared your home with us. We did get to ride horses with "Jim" which we enjoyed very much. The bird watching was fabulous also. We will be back!!! All of us fell in love with the country. Juanita, Ramon and Miriam were wonderful and made us feel right at home. Thank you again for allowing us to stay at "Villa Encantada". We are making a journal of our trip to put on the Internet and will link to your page. Nora Abat; Baton Rouge, LA

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

Vacation Rentals by Owner

Villa Encantada: 40 Acre Private Lakefront Nature Preserve [#22582] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (62)

Amazing destination and service!

Amazing destination and service!

Magical experience in the tropical rainfores

Magical experience in the tropical rainfores

Magical in the tropical rainforest

Magical in the tropical rainforest

Amazing, relaxing, beautiful home in Nuevo Arenal!

Amazing, relaxing, beautiful home in Nuevo Arenal!

Villa Encantada - Costa Rica Paradise

Villa Encantada - Costa Rica Paradise

Little slice of paradise

Little slice of paradise

Villa Encantada stay was terrific

Villa Encantada stay was terrific