Worth Every Penny!

Guest: Jewels (Barrie, Ontario)
Date of Stay: 02/10/11 Review Submitted: 02/20/11

We recently spent the last four days of a two week vacation at this beautiful home. My brother said it all shortly after we arrived: "This must be how movie stars vacation!". The house had spectacular views of the mountains, and we were able to watch both the sunrises and the sunsets from the extensive patios. The pool and hottub were both very clean and perfectly situated with gorgeous landscaping nearby. The pool was a good size, which surprised me as mini pools seem to be common in Costa Rica. We felt very safe at this house, and appreciated having Elias available to help us out if we had any questions or needed anything. We had planned on a couple of excursions while in Atenas, but cancelled them as we didn't want to miss a day of hanging out at home! We did however make it to Zoo Ave, which was about a half hour drive from the house. It was very reasonably priced ($15 per adult) and we saw all sorts of animals that we probably would never spot in the wild. If you go, save room for some treats at the end...they have a wonderful assortment of pastries near the exit! We also made it to the Atenas market Friday morning, where we were able to buy all sorts of fresh vegetables and cheese. Unlike other markets we visited during our vacation, the prices were all posted. This was a great advantage to us as we had been charged what we call the 'gringo price' instead of the 'tico price' elsewhere. We were able to buy anything else we needed at two nearby grocery stores. The house is a perfect layout for socializing while in the main house, but also allows for people to escape to their own quarters. The kitchen is an entertainer's dream, with a large island where people can sit and talk to the cook. It seems like a lot of thought has gone into accomodating visitors, such as excellent speakers with an aux jack for mp3 players, a wide variety of reading material and a collection of brochures and menus from nearby attractions and restaurants. When we were first considering renting this property, we were a bit concerned about the distance to the coast. However, the luxuriousness of this property makes the hour drive well worth it, and the half hour drive to the airport is a godsend if you have an early morning flight out. It is also in a very central location if you plan to visit Arenal Volcano and also go south towards Manuel Antonio Park. Thanks Joe and Nancy for making this such an inviting and breathtaking retreat!

Owner response:Thanks Julie.... It was lovely to have you as a guest... Please come back when you can.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+.

A Retreat For Stressed-Out Professionals

Guest: Claus (FRANKLIN Michigan USA)
Date of Stay: 01/28/12 Review Submitted: 02/09/12

We stayed at this villa for 2 weeks and I hesitated before writing this review. By writing this review the world will now know about a place I consider a haven. This is the place you come, to remember what you have lost! The architecture of this well appointed home, the extraordinary setting and 360 degree vistas create a retreat for those wanting to exit the insanity. All the other reviews describe the home very well, you will not be disappointed. The gated community and the onsite caretaker provide peace of mind. Elias, the caretaker, is discrete but always there when you need him. The owner, is highly responsive via email if there are issues you wish to address. I highly recommend a private driver for Costa Rica. The charming town of Atenas is within walking distance. I look forward to returning and hope Joe will accept me again as a client whose only standard is excellence.

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

This rental will meet your expectations

Guest: Christelle B.
Date of Stay: 11/26/11 Review Submitted: 01/07/12

You will be really satisfied with this rental : you get what is described, and even more as the view from the property is fantastic. The house is really well located (on top of a mountain, so the view is breathtaking and is at a central point to go visiting any good places in the Central Valley), the house is spacious, fully equipped, the swimming pool is really big and well maintained. A bonus : Elias will be there for anything you may wish, but he won't keep in the way. You will need a car to travel to Atenas where you can find all the necessary stores. The renting process went smoothly and I got all the necessary information to enjoy my stay (map to drive to the house, tips for sightseeing and shops in Atenas). A perfect place for a perfect vacations: I have no regret, quite the contrary, for renting this place. The five stars are well deserved.

Recommended for:

Relaxation, Beauty and Luxury

Guest: Kimberly R.
Date of Stay: 11/09/11 Review Submitted: 11/29/11

Anyway, our stay at your house was FANTASTIC in all ways! Our late arrival brought us our first impressions under the spell of light cloud cover and the impressive landscape lighting that literally took our breath away. The 10 days were spent enjoying our friends surrounded by the beauty and spell of your top-of-the-mountain retreat. Our days were spent taking in the myriad of features close-by and unique to Costa Rica. It was the perfect completion to every day to come back to our luxurious home-away-from-home. The weather was fantastic in Atenas (best climate in the world) and it was so nice to be lulled to sleep by the night time rain a couple nights. We enjoyed the little, nearby town and it's people were quite gracious. It was spellbinding to watch the clouds move in to envelope the mountaintop. The toucans, and many other birds, salamanders, dragonflys and resident Iguana and orange cat were companions to our group. Just the sounds and smell of your spot still linger in my mind! Elias was exemplary and we enjoyed getting to know him and his wife Valeria. She, by the way IS the great cook that you said she was-those Empanadas...yum! We appreciated your recommendations for activities and were met by Costa Ricans in every place that were so friendly, accepting and happy. Thank you, Joe for sharing your place with us! I can certainly see what attracted you to Costa Rica and what a find for you to own that little piece of heaven!

Recommended for:

Someplace Golden...

Guest: patty n.
Date of Stay: 07/29/11 Review Submitted: 08/09/11

We landed in Costa Rica at 5:30 am, last Thursday morning. We arrived to our rental in the late morning, after a long car rental ordeal and a disappointing and overpriced breakfast. I was worried that our internet house rental would also be a disappointment. We were dumbfounded... The beautiful Bali designed property is delicately nestled on one of the highest peaks of Atenas-overlooking the lush and silky greens of the dense forest. There is no TV, no electronics devices, no electro-magnetic static to interfere upon our connection with one another. It is only the sound of gentle rain, cicadas, howler monkeys and toucans that sing to us each day. My ears and my senses have been awakened to a sound that I can only describe as sacred. The moist weathered wood, the wet banana leaves and the scarlet dirt permeates the warm air. It is a smell that is so unfamiliar to me, yet resonates within me. Every evening, the clouds embrace us at dusk, as if sheltering us for the night. There are butterflies the size of my palm and dragon flies of bright green and pink that dance around us in the morning sunshine. It's gently raining now, as it usually does in the evening and the clouds have entered the house, saying hello. How strange is it to be so high that even the crows and bats hover within several feet-the air still blissfully warm. It's 7 in the evening. The birds are singing to us as Gilbert and I sip a glass of Malbec. Daniele and Gilbert are working on a puzzle. Sage and Claire are touching the clouds and laughing. And, I love my husband again. He has been transformed. His smile has become joyous again. He has finally breathed in life after such an exhausting year. Nature, I think, in it's rawness forces you to look inside and remember why. And thanks to this little piece of heaven, we have all been charmed... Thank you Joe!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

The way life should be...

Guest: Sandy (Livermore Falls, ME, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/07/11 Review Submitted: 05/25/11

Thank you for sharing your home with us for a week! We had an absolutely wonderful time and are considering going back next year – if it is available that is! There were two mother/daughter pairs in my party and we all managed to find our own space and never once felt crowded. Everything that we needed to cook was there and the kitchen was an absolute dream. This property is very well maintained and does not present itself as a rental property. The landscaping, buildings, pool, and scenery were all gorgeous! The location is wonderful and makes this place feel like a private hilltop retreat. The very friendly town of Atenas is a very short drive away and for the adventure seekers, there are several attractions about an hour away. We also drove down roads just to see where they went and the countryside is just stunning. By the way, I recommend a GPS. When we didn’t like going anywhere, we relaxed in the hammock or one of the many chairs and lounges that surround the three different pavilions. The villa blurs the line between outdoors and indoors with the large doors and windows. We even managed to survive no TV for a whole week! We didn’t really miss it because the birds – especially the hummingbirds – and butterflies were very entertaining. The pool and the hot tub were just what we need to relax at the end of the day. Although I was initially concerned with having a caretaker on site, Elias was never intrusive and helped us immediately when needed. This is the best home I have ever rented. Thanks again!!!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Paradise Found

Guest: Clif/Barb/Tom/Ann (Long Island)
Date of Stay: 04/16/11 Review Submitted: 05/05/11

The only thing I can say is that leaving this place will be heartbreaking! Everything was more beautiful than advertised. The view was spectacular beginning with sunrise and ending with sunset. The gardens surrounding the house create an oasis of privacy. The soft breeze and the joyful birds make you forget to stop relaxing. Elias the caretaker was never intrusive but available if assistance was needed. The owners were also helpful and responsive to questions & concerns when arranging our stay. The house had everything required to feel at home and relaxed. When we left the house for an adventure we couldn't wait to get back and cool off in the pool. We enjoyed our stay completely & all would gladly return for another visit. We would not hesitate to recommend this Paradise to everyone!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Eleven day Heaven!!

Guest: Smiley (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/26/11 Review Submitted: 03/16/11

This house is truly magical. It was very comfortable and the views incredible and the flora and fauna were exactly what you want and expect for a tropical location. Elias the caretaker was a welcome addition (albeit very discreet) as far as questions that do arise and his wife Valerie is a great cook. The only negative was the pool is not heated and is very cold. We found it very hard to leave the beauty and comfort of the house but the the ease and happiness of the people in Costa Rica made the trip fun and easy. Good places to eat in Atenas and driving a bit of a challenge. Zip lining is a must and the Imperial beer is teriffic! Pura Vida!

Owner response:Thanks for the lovely review... And thanks for the feedback on the pool... We've now installed a pool heater for guests who request warmer pool water.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, people with disabilities, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Rockstar Retreat

Guest: Craig & Andrea (Corpus Christi TX. USA)
Date of Stay: 01/27/11 Review Submitted: 03/06/11

We cannot say enough about our stay in Joe and Nancy's home. It was PURA VIDA all the way. Joe's description of his home was spot on and lived up to all of our expectations. We had friends that stayed down the street and they spent most of their time with us, Elias was a wonderful help throughout our trip and his wife made a truely awesome meal for our whole gang. If you are looking for peace and solitude, then this is the place for you. Between the the lush gardens and relaxing ammenities you cannot go wrong. Atenas is minutes away and getting back and forth is a snap, Joe and Nancy's house is well built for entertaining or just hanging out if you want to feel like a movie star. Our stay was like a second honeymoon that was unforgettable. You are right in the middle of all the places that you should see when you are in Costa Rica; Jaco beach, Manuel Antonio state park, Poaz volcano and the waterfalls which will take your breath away. If you want the best when you go to CR, you should be staying at Joe's place in Pica Flora!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Owner response:Thanks Craig and Andrea.... Glad you enjoyed your stay in Costa Rica... It was a pleasure to have you as guests.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers.

4 day stay was quite incredible

Guest: sreynnie (toronto ontario)
Date of Stay: 02/11/11 Review Submitted: 02/20/11

We stayed here for 3 nights, 4 days. The weather is absolutely exquisite and the estate is magnificent. I don't know that I'll ever forget it. There is a reason why this place books up almost every week. The listing was accurate, clean, well-maintained, excellent customer service when I asked about a burned out light bulb it was fixed promptly with an unrequested apology. I would strongly recommend this to anyone, including business clients (which is the strongest recommendation you can get from me). We liked the town immensely. Seemed safer than the other towns we have been in. When I emailed Joe about wildlife and other questions, he promptly replied. We had planned some trips to other locations but somehow once we got there, we rarely left (except for Friday market which was excellent). Funny how that happens - maybe something to do with the hammock, hot tub and pool. An enchanting place, to be sure. Sincerely, Steve Reynolds

Owner response:Thanks Steve... Glad to hear you made it to the Friday Farmer's market in Atenas. That's one of our favorite things to do... Hope you get a chance to return in the near future.

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