The Ocean Front Villa inn Dominical,

Guest: Johnie & Babs (Folsom, NJ, USA)
Date of Stay: 02/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/17/09

John & Barbara, Folsom, NJ An absolutely private piece of paradise! It takes your breath away and at the same time is pleasantly overwhelming your senses of sight, sound and smell. Enjoy the comforts of "home" away from home. Lounge on the large, comfortable deck that wraps 180 degrees around the house, while lulled by the gentle sound of the ocean waves. Awaken to spectacular sunrises and experience unrivaled sunsets. Watch the monkeys swing in the nearby trees, the tucans, parrots and pelicans flying overhead and be dazzled by the brillant colors and smells of the native flora. Take a dip in the privacy of your own pool, as you look out at the Pacific ocean. Our first and lasting impression was "what else could be better than this" ? However, we did find fabulous restaurants, spa treatments, beaches, waterfalls, hiking and zip-lining through the lush jungles close by. We found our Xanadu at the Edge and have returned 5 times since!

Owner response:Take the advice of some of our favorite guests, they just can't get enough, book your time at Xanadu now!

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

Paradise

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/29/11 Review Submitted: 12/09/11

This house really was a home away from home, so BEAUTIFUL!! Our hosts, Karen and Doug, were the best! Definitely recommend this home to anyone staying in the Dominical area.

Owner response:Thank you so much! Yes, Karen and Doug do make the entire experience more wonderfull. Don't forget Karen is also a great chef, just let us know ahead of time if you would like to book her services!

Recommended for:

Beautiful home - well maintained and amazing views

Guest: Vicki V.
Date of Stay: 06/19/11 Review Submitted: 08/01/11

The Edge is beautiful! We spent a little under a week at The Edge this past June and it was amazing. The view is spectacular, the amenities perfect there's just not enough great things to say. Whether you're looking to stay at the house the entire time or venture out into town or down the road to the hotel for a drink it's all within a reasonable distance. Karen and Doug were great if we needed anything or had any questions about anything they were always there. Karen also swung by to check on us one night during a crazy rain storm when the power dropped for a bit, very thoughtful. I can't say enough good things about the property from the booking process to "checking" at the house everything went incredibly smoothly. You'll love The Edge!!

Owner response:Thank you so much. We are honored to have Karen & Doug as our Hosts, they do nothing but enhance "The Edge"! The view speaks for itself, it really is unbeatable, worldwide, no photo will ever do it justice. See if you can get into "The Edge", by booking ahead!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Amazing View

Guest: Adam (Nashville, TN)
Date of Stay: 05/30/11 Review Submitted: 06/09/11

The Edge lives up to it's billing. The living room features huge sliding doors that open to amazing views and ocean breezes. A troop of white-faced monkeys hang out in the trees next to the house. The house itself is nice, but the star of the show is by far the location. Dominical is a nice little beach town that features a surprisingly good pizza place. It's a great way to escape some of the growth that has overtaken the area closer to Manuel Antonio. Doug and Karen (the permanent house-sitters) are very nice and knowledgable about the area. They even made us freshly-squeezed passion-fruit martinis one evening. Overall, great place. Only knock (and it's a minor complaint) is that the house itself is slightly dated. That said, we'd definitely go back.

Owner response:Well, this is a perfectly honest review, I could not have said it better myself. Thank you! It is really all about the location and the view, no photos can do it justice. Dominical is a world away from Manuel Antonio action, yet just 35 min by car now that the road is complete. At "The Edge" the real jungle of Costa Rica and it's natural wildlife, practically private beaches and the never ending surf still exists. The Southern Zone is the only place to go if you want to say you have been to Costa Rica!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, tourists without a car, age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing.

The "Edge" is a one of a kind experience

Guest: Nod (Canada)
Date of Stay: 03/16/11 Review Submitted: 03/24/11

My family and I arrived at The Edge mid-March to one of the most spectacular views I have seen in Costa Rica. This was our 5th trip here and we have travelled extensively throughout the country so to be so impressed after all the sights we have seen is no small achievement. We were met by John and Amanda who were gracious and friendly hosts. The property is beautifully maintained and the privacy is second to none. The layout of the main house is an open invitation to put your feet up and relax in the comfort and beauty that surrounds you. The beds were comfortable and the bedrooms air conditioned. The main living area has tall sliding glass doors that allowed the entire area to be open to 180 degree views that take your breath away. You will not be dissappointed with an extended stay in spite of a number of comments made about the wildlife and the "mess" created. Hey, it's Costa Rica, that's part of the charm. Can promise that our family will be returning to this little piece of heaven on earth very soon.

Owner response:Thank you so much, we are glad you enjoyed your stay and we certainly hope you do return. You are experienced traveler's in Costa Rica and you are right, when immersed in wildlife and jungle as you are at "The Edge" things can be a bit messy! At "The Edge" you will be living with geckos, monkeys, green parrot flocks, humming birds, morpho butterflies and more. However, if you want to come to Costa Rica for the real thing, this is the place for you! Amanda & John

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

Nice View ... BUT house needs cleaning and maintenance work

Guest: Tim (Alberta Canada)
Date of Stay: 01/21/11 Review Submitted: 03/03/11

No doubt The Edge has a great view, but the house itself needs some major cleaning thru out the entire house and maintenance work in the bathrooms. If you like permanent resident gecko's depositing their waste on the furniture and countertops all the time, mice in the house, main bathroom shower head leaks, dirty tub, toilet runs, windows need replacing, second bathroom shower leaks, screens all need replacing, upholstery is filthy, same with the furniture ... need I say more. The kitchen pots and pans need replacing. The hosts are nice people and very helpful with local knowledge. The view may be five star ... but the house is one star.

Owner response:"The Edge" is a magnificant 12 acre estate, and regarded as one of the primer properties in the south of Costa Rica. Dominical is not for everyone, we know that and we like it that way. Some people who visit are like "fish out of water" when experiencing life at "The Edge", which is what most guests actually come here for, Mother Nature and the the most biologically intense place on the planet. The property is managed weekly by a professional cleaning crew, pool maintenence company and gardener. It is also inspected personally by the owners prior to any guests arrival. When you stay at "The Edge" you will be imersed in your own private oceanfront wildlife reserve, complete with tribes of whitefaced and howler monkeys, toucans, morpho butterflies, humming birds, dolphin pods, sloths, and yes geckos! The geckos (yes) leave thier mark in the evening hours! This is why we recommend additional cleanings to maintain the property in the same condition as each new guest arrives. Some people when visiting Costa Rica would be happier staying at resort properties behind closed gates where there is no jungle or wildlife at thier fingertips, so they can stay safe from the reality of this beautifully wild land. "The Edge" is not the Four Seasons, but we can arrange to have your drinks served poolside and provide a trained culinary expert to satisfy whatever requests you may have. We have the pleasure of serving many repeat customers from all walks of life and strrive to make everyone's vacation as good as it gets, an ocean front experience at "The Edge"! Sincerely Amanda & John

Recommended for:

WOW!!!!!!! Panoramic Views

Guest: Mikey9 (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
Date of Stay: 02/06/11 Review Submitted: 03/01/11

We stayed here 2nd week of Feb/11 and had a great stay. There were 6 of us staying here, 4 in the main villa and 2 in the casita. Our first comments are that the pictures do not do any justice whatsoever. As we first walked in to "The Edge" on a sunny Sunday afternoon our jaws dropped. The scenery was outstanding to say the least. From the bird watching platform you could actually look down at the pelicans flying by (you're about 150 ft above sea level) and watch the many monkeys on the trees below the villa. Nearby restaurants and soda's including the Cuna Del Angel are incredible. Check out the Jolly Roger across the road and 2km up the hill, great burgers, thin crust pizza and wings for sure. Place was clean on arrival. DO NOT leave anything in cupboards or on counter tops if you leave in the evening, critters will be in to them for sure, ahhh - nature! John and Amanda are very knowledgable and helpful with any requests. Best ziplining is south of Dominical in Osa. Beds were comfortable, particularly in main villa. While we had read about road problems from Quepos south we had no issues. Travel time from San Jose to "The Edge" is ballpark 3 hours (watch your speed as cops still want your cash for speeding). I hope "The Edge" will be available in the years to come as we definitely will be back. John and Amanda are amazing hosts.....

Owner response:Well than you so much! It sounds like we need better photos! We strive to please and we will put this high on our list of "things to do". However, I'm not sure if there will ever be a photo that touches or captures the feeling of being at or ON "The Edge", as you literally are while here. The jungle is not for everyone, but we are glad it was for you, and we do hope you return! Amanda & John

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway.

I have fallen totally in love with "The Edge" !

Guest: Jazzie (Scottsdale, Arizona)
Date of Stay: 12/10/10 Review Submitted: 12/11/10

I am a former radio talk show host, whose show aired out of Phoenix for years and streamed worldwide. My show was about "True Love".... the most noble quest there is. The moment I saw "The Edge" I knew that it was one of God's most exquisite and romantic secrets of this Universe. What could possibly be more alluring than this beautifully magical villa nestled in a 12 acre jungle estate where the rainforest 'kisses' the ocean and the melodic sounds of the surf mixed with the exotic nights sounds of nature's most precious creatures lull you to sleep as if in a fairy tale. The fact that The Edge is located in Dominical is a huge bonus because you are so close to some of the most beautiful and exotic beaches in the world, as well as close to where all the very special activities take place, such as Kayaking, Zip-lining, Surfing, Whitewater Rafting, Riding horseback to the Waterfalls, Snorkeling and Scuba Diving, Exotic National Parks and Zoos, Hiking and too many more to mention. This is where it all happens! And all in the most ecological and bio-diverse natural settings one could ever possibly imagine. It is simply magical! There are no other words to describe the beauty that surrounds The Edge and Dominical! I cannot thank Amanda enough for all of her wonderful patience and communication with me in providing the necessary information to arrange a "True Love" vacation at The Edge .... of Paradise! "And in the end..... the love you take.... is equal to the love you make." ~ John Lennon With love and gratitude, Jazziette

Owner response:Thank you so much! You have captured the essence of "The Edge" and it's surroundings even better than I could on our website!

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

Dramatic!

Guest: Dawn and Jay (Alamo, California USA)
Date of Stay: 09/07/10 Review Submitted: 09/28/10

There’s only one word to describe "The Edge"----dramatic! My husband and I, our "kids" and their "significant others” arrived late at night after an action--packed drive from Monteverde involving an abandoned rental car with a failed transmission. We were tired, stressed and a little "vacationed-out." When we pulled up in our second car overloaded with legs and luggage and saw the welcoming lights of “The Edge” against the darkness of the jungle, we heaved a sigh of relief. We were home. The house is magnificent with remarkable handcrafted wood, tile and ironwork, sophisticated decor, excellent furnishings and all the amenities. It has a unique multi-leveled layout that gives couples complete privacy while providing huge shared living spaces. It’s perfect for grown-up families who want to still speak to each other after vacation. The house is designed to embrace the outside and is completely open to the wraparound decks with lovely furniture for slothful relaxation. The view is nothing less than remarkable. You’re literally perched over the edge of the ocean. We stayed during the rainy season for which we have no regrets because the dramatic storms just added to the experience. Plus, we "owned" every place we went. More mud, but no crowds. We snorkeled at Cano Island with great fish and whale sightings. We surfed in Dominical, but the waves were too strong. Try the smaller beaches nearby. Manual Antonio is beautiful, especially from the seat of a mud-covered ATV! A few went canyoning with Quepo Canyoning and pronounced it the "best activity EVER." But I confess that a lot of time was spent kickin' back at “The Edge” because it was so unique. We got local foods and cooked in just to enjoy the place. One night we hired a local chef from Kukula restaurant to prepare us a wonderful fresh fish meal. On another we went for an impromptu dinner at nearby Jolly Roger, which was one of the most fun evenings of the trip. Tip: get BOTH burgers and wings! But the greatest asset of “The Edge” is the owner, John. We tragically lost a valuable camera with 10 days’ of photos while ATVing through rough jungle trails. A dark end to an otherwise brilliant trip. But a few days later, John called that the camera had been found. He personally negotiated its return, spent an afternoon retrieving it and shipped it home. That’s the real reason staying at the “The Edge” was so dramatic. What an ending. Our deepest THANKS to John for going so far beyond the call of duty.

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

Gorgeous getaway

Guest: Dr. Jim in Raleigh (Raleigh, NC, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/07/10 Review Submitted: 05/11/10

Gorgeous views everywhere you look of the jungle meeting the sea and sky make time at the Edge truly blissful. We used the Edge to explore the local area beaches, but it was extremely inviting to return and kick back in the great room, pool, and decks surrounded by that view. Great family getaway. Extremely accessible. Would recommend for anyone. Owners were very accommodating and hospitable, meeting our every need.

Owner response:Thank you so much, It is always a pleasure to have people who can appreciate the essence of "The Edge" Come back soon! Amanda & John

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