Vacation Rentals by Owner

Trip of a lifetime!

Guest: Shirley (Chicago)
Date of Stay: 05/05/12 Review Submitted: 05/16/12

Just got back from my stay at The Jade House. It was magnificent, better than I dreamed for me and everyone that went. We had 8 adults and one infant so our needs were a little different but Heather and Derrick did not fail. I have to honestly say that they will do their very best to deliver a most memorable vacation if you are staying at their place. As for the house, photos say it all of it's beauty, it was unreal to wake up to those views, the home is so carefully thought out and provides everything you need and more. Heathers staff is wonderful, they make killer guacamole with plantain chips, and ceviche. They also prepared a lovely dinner for us that was excellent. Couldn't be happier with how it went.

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

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!

Guest: Wisco Jen (Monroe, Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 04/24/12 Review Submitted: 05/08/12

I don't even know where to begin. Our entire stay in Costa Rica was incredible. The Jade house was top notch BEAUTIFUL! The home was very warm and inviting. The open air concept is so different for us from Wisconsin and we loved it!! We had a few interesting creatures that tried to venture in to the house after dark, that was fun and interesting! No Mosquitos YEAH!!! The house has everything that you need for your stay in Costa Rica including an exciting trek up the hill to the house!! Technical aspects of the house that people want to know...The home is very spacious and we had plenty of room for the 6 couples that stayed there. We felt very safe and welcome by the owners Heather and Derik. We were fortunate to have a friend that lives there in Dominical to help us explore and adventure. Heather and Derik are wonderful and will help with anything. The pools and the view are spectacular! The beds were very comfortable and they have air in the bedrooms, if you want it. We enjoyed the windows open to hear all of the wonderful sounds of the Jungle. The maid service was great and made us some of the best Pico I have ever had!!! The Bar area was sweet, we always had ice and blended up some delicious fresh fruit cocktails:) The house is close to many beaches and the downtown area that is great! Very quaint and lovely. I would recommend the Jade over and over!! We fished, Kayaked (Pineapple Kayak Tours), Zip lined, Rode horses to the falls, Surfed, beached, went to the local festival and relaxed some too! The people that we met were Great and we hope to stay in touch! Vanessa, the Chef we hired to do 3 meals was AMAZING! She is a wonderful person who happens to be a very talented cook. She made us feel at home with her wonderful dishes. She set up the meals and cleaned everything up for us, I can't say enough how great it was to have her!! Try the Tres Leche, I guarantee you won't be disappointed!! I can't forget to say something about the Jolly Roger, the open air bar right near the house. Fun Fun Fun! We had great food and very cold drinks!! The Wings were great as well as the pizzas. The Habanero was Hot Hot Hot:) Our Trip to Costa Rica was a trip of a lifetime. We are forever grateful to the people that we met that made our trip what it was........WONDERFUL!

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

PERFECT venue for our wedding week!

Guest: SoxLove (Simi Valley, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/18/12 Review Submitted: 04/04/12

My now husband and I rented the Jade House for a week a couple weeks ago and the place is FANTASTIC! We had a group of 38 that travelled from California, Chicago, Hawaii and Mexico for our wedding at the Jade House. The place was big enough for everyone to relax and have a fun time. Heather and Derrick were very accommodating. They have contacts for just about everything, pedicures, legal stuff, DJ, fishing, ziplining, you name it they know who to get in contact with. We do have a few suggestions, you will NEED to rent a 4x4 vehicle to get up to the House. You will need to buy some food before you get to the house specially if you are arriving at night like we did. Please check out Jolly Roger bar they have these fantastic bollywood wings-its only a short walk away from the Jade house. I would recommed the Jade House to anyone that loves luxury, enjoys spectacular views and that can perform a cannon ball in 3 pools.

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

we miss it already!

Guest: daisy (long beach, ca)
Date of Stay: 03/03/12 Review Submitted: 03/19/12

my husband, friends, and i cannot even begin to explain how amazing our experience was in this beautiful home. derek and heather were more than accommodating throughout our entire trip. the pictures do not do this house justice. when we walked into the house all 10 of us were completely speechless, and overcome with excitement. to start with, the view is breathtaking, something none of us will forget. the interior of the house is gorgeous, and there is everything you could possibly need while staying there. the maids were in and out of the house almost everyday, keeping the house looking beautiful. one of them even came to cook for us the last two nights of our stay. i personally can tell you that her food was better than most restaurants i have been to. we highly suggest (if you feel like treating yourselves) that you have her cook for your group. each one of us learned to appreciate something new on this trip. and i think many of us were able to truly relax for the first time in months, or even years. we cannot thank derek and heather enough, along with the staff who kept the house running smoothly. hopefully one day we will be back!

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

Most Relaxing and Beautiful Vacation Spot Ever!

Guest: Colleen D.
Date of Stay: 02/25/12 Review Submitted: 03/29/12

Where do I start? From the moment my family and I arrived, we were overwhelmed by the house. The furnishings and architecture are fantastic and the views are breathtaking. The pools are the perfect temperature and were so relaxing - we probably spent the most time enjoying the view in the center pool. (Yes - center. There are 3!) All of the bedrooms are equally comfortable and spacious - it was nice to not have to fight over the best room! I also thoroughly enjoyed all of the exotic flowers and creatures. It truly made us feel like we were in the middle of the jungle. Once we had finally accepted that this was actually our home for a week, we were eager to check out what Costa Rica had to offer. Heather and Derek were so incredibly helpful. We told them what we were hoping to do and they made it happen. Throughout the week, Heather and Derek arranged for surf lessons, deep-sea fishing, a zipline tour, massages, pedicures, and in-house cooking. If you're at all interested in fishing or just taking in the views of the Pacific, I highly recommend the deep-sea fishing with Mario. Just bring plenty of water and sunscreen! On top of catching nearly a dozen huge fish, we saw monkeys, dolphins, sea turtles, humpback whales, and more. It was an amazing experience, plus the fish that we caught was the best fish I've ever tasted. Speaking of food, Heather and Derek arranged for the housekeepers to cook us an authentic Costa Rican meal that was spectacular. They made fried plantains, arroz con pollo, guacamole, pico de gallo, and black bean dip. They made way too much too, so we had plenty of delicious leftovers for the rest of the week. One thing that did take some getting used to was going up and down the hill to the house. However, the views at the top of the hill make it all worth it! Heather and Derek have a car available to rent that made our trips much easier. Also, there is a good, casual restaurant a bit down the hill - we drove to it but it is certainly walkable. My sisters and I did an excessive amount of research in order to find a great place to stay in Costa Rica, and we all agreed at the end of the trip that we had found the perfect house. What an amazing vacation!

Recommended for:

Terrific house however dangerous floors- please be VERY careful.

Guest: Cynthia R. (Hico, WV)
Date of Stay: 01/14/12 Review Submitted: 01/25/12

We just got home from staying at the Jade House. It truly is a beautiful home with a spectacular view. The privacy is also exceptional. However I cannot warn future guests enough about how dangerous the concrete floors are. The floor looks like shiny marble and when wet it is slick as ice. There were 10 people in our group and 3 of us fell badly and everyone else almost fell. There are throw rugs everywhere which slide like crazy when you step on them. I injured my leg and foot from falling down the 2 steps to the back of the swim up bar. My friend fell in the same spot and landed on the concrete stair on her back and is going in for xrays tomorrow. We knew to be extremely careful and still fell on those stairs. Another friend fell twice on the stairs from the upstairs. Heather insisted we were the first people she knew of falling. My advice is wear rubber soled swim shoes (like Tevas) at all times. The house doesn't have a phone so reaching Heather or Derek was difficult. However they did schedule activities for us and were great for coming to get us to see interesting wildlife. There were howler monkeys in the trees by the driveway (awesome!), toucans in the trees and more. We also enjoyed Heather and Dereks dogs coming to visit. I highly recommend ATV riding and a trip to Whale's Tail Beach. Various members of our group went offshore fishing 3 days with some success. By the way, you definitely need a car to get around. The main roads are 2 lanes or more paved and easy driving. Back to the many positives of the house. The 3 pools are beyond sensational. The bedrooms are spatious and comfortable. The bathrooms have gorgeous tile work. The kitchen has very high end appliances and made cooking a delight. The patio had numerous sitting areas for great relaxation. We would definitely recommend this exceptional house just please be careful on the floors. be mindful of the floors.

Owner response:We would like to address the issues mentioned here. We would discourage people from walking inside the house soaking wet. This is against our policy for smoking and soaking wet people. This group had been drinking extremely heavily for days, which may have had something to do with affecting their balance. The floor outside in designated "wet areas" and on all stairs is textured with non-skid sand in the finish. We have had thousands of people in and out of this house, stairs, pools, etc. After many parties, renters, guests, etc we have had no complaints up to this time. The rugs were tested. One of them was slippery and has been removed and replaced with a rug that does not slip. This group did not report any injuries at the time. In order to repair the landline, which works on a line of sight signal to the cell tower, we will need to get permission to trim back some trees. This should happen very soon, and our phone will be back up. Sometimes things in the rainforest jungles of Southern Costa Rica take time. in the meantime, renters are welcome to use our cell phones. Thank for your suggestions and we are sorry that people fell. We will make some changes to make sure that the house is safe and advise people to be careful, especially when soaking wet and drunk. Also: DON'T play with fire...or walk with scissors...pet stray dogs...slap large insects (flick them)...use 4WD...don't leave things unattended on the beach... lookout for rip tides, and wear sunscreen! DO: Jump in waterfalls (after checking depth)...surf... ride ATV's... catch huge fish... and get a massage!

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

The Jade House

Guest: Suzan M.
Date of Stay: 01/03/12 Review Submitted: 03/29/12

Heather and her crew were amazingly helpful! The Jade House was nothing short of extraordinary and our hostess ranked 6 STARS for her excellent service! That goes for her husband Derick too! They helped with surfing lessons for my son and his friends, arranged for a Zip-lining trip which thrilled my husband Mike, set-up a fishing charter and even arranged for some wild brush clearing on our lot in Uvita. That kind of service is rare and speaks to the heart of this family. In terms of the house, the pictures speak for themselves but don't forget the state-of-the-art outdoor stereo system and ambient lighting. It's pretty cool swimming to Van Morrison at moonlight. Joyful memories for a lifetime! Suzan Mullane Anchorage, Alaska

Recommended for:

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!

Guest: Susie (Denver, CO)
Date of Stay: 12/16/11 Review Submitted: 02/03/12

The property and the home are breathtaking. Everything is as advertised and both Heather and Derek are fantastic! We had a family emergency during our trip and they were a huge help. we were working on planning our next trip during our stay there...hopefully it'll come together soon! We arrived late in the night and didn't find the single beds until Heather showed us the next day....behind the bookcase in the hall outside the master bedroom (incase you arrive late and opt out of the tour upon arrival!) The experience was perfect, I highly recommend the Jade House.

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

Wonderful stay in a wonderful home

Guest: Saamra M. (San Francisco, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/22/11 Review Submitted: 12/06/11

Our stay in the Jade house was amazing. The house is even better than the pictures show, with an incredible amount of space, wonderful kitchen and bathroom amenities, and a very peaceful setting. The house is cleaned every other day, so even with a large group it always felt well maintained. We spent most of our time in the house, because it was too beautiful to leave, but when we did venture out, we found a great zip line operator, recommended by Heather the house manager, and had a wonderful time soaring through the trees. Heather was a great resource, and lives right next door, so is easily accessible for anything you might need. All in all, very highly recommended!

Recommended for:

Wonderful stay in a wonderful place

Guest: Saamra M. (San Francisco, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/22/11 Review Submitted: 12/06/11

Our stay in the Jade house was amazing. The house is even better than the pictures show, with an incredible amount of space, wonderful kitchen and bathroom amenities, and a very peaceful setting. The house is cleaned every other day, so even with a large group it always felt well maintained. We spent most of our time in the house, because it was too beautiful to leave, but when we did venture out, we found a great zip line operator, recommended by Heather the house manager, and had a wonderful time soaring through the trees. Heather was a great resource, and lives right next door, so is easily accessible for anything you might need. All in all, very highly recommended!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway.

Costa Rica Visit Sept 2011

Guest: Carol B. (Dallas TX, USA)
Date of Stay: 09/17/11 Review Submitted: 09/26/11

Outstanding, Superb, Magnificent, Excellent, Beautiful, Wonderful. I could go on & on but I’ve run out of adjectives. 1. First, the house – Big, beautiful, well made with lots of luxurious touches. There were 6 adults in our party & each had plenty of privacy. Each bedroom was quite big & had its own private bathroom. The master was downstairs but each upstairs bedroom had doors to the upstairs patio with gorgeous, panoramic views of the ocean. Also, a nice touch was the individually controlled air conditioning for each bedroom. The master bedroom was to die for with open doors to 1 of 3 swimming pools. The craftsmanship for the entire house was most evident in the exquisite tiles used throughout the house particularly in the bathrooms & kitchen. The house was quite comfortable. The furnishings were perfectly placed for the house to have a very airy & roomy feel. Not once did we feel cramped or crowded. There were 3 separate swimming pools, plus a kiddy pool that spanned the back of the house. The view of the ocean was outstanding from the ground patio as well as the 2nd story patio. There was an outdoor grill, ice maker, wet bar and wine cooler. It was absolutely perfect for outdoor living. With the cool perfect temperature the patio was the place we spent most of our time. The house is very secluded so it was very private, peaceful and quiet. 2. Services – Heather offered concierge services and greatly helped in arranging the many local tours. She was very pleasant and went out of her way to insure that our stay was outstanding. She was also helpful to provide information even pre-trip. She gave us tips on how to get to the house, where grocery stores were located etc. When we arrived we were fully equipped & had everything we needed. Heather was a great help. There are optional chef services provided by Vanessa. She was EXCELLENT. She provided us menus so we could pre-plan our meals. She arrived each night right on schedule and the food was outstanding. She cleaned up afterwards and packaged the leftovers so they could be used for lunch the next day. Her services can be reserved for as many days (including breakfast and/or dinner) as needed. We requested 3 nights but the food was so good we signed up for an additional night. Maid service came each day & was very non-intrusive. There was a team that worked very quietly & efficiently. We were able to do our own laundry as a washer & dryer were provided as well. 3. Loc

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

Jade House was AMAZING!

Guest: Skinny (Hermosa Beach)
Date of Stay: 08/22/11 Review Submitted: 09/14/11

I went with a group of 8 people and there was room for many more in this huge house! It was beyond what we expected and the hosts were helpful with anything we needed. We tried out the chef they recommended and it was well worth it and they totally helped set us up with local ATV tours, Zip Line tours, and Horse Back Tours and they all turned out great. The house and views from the infiniti pools overlooking the Pacific Ocean were breathtaking. I loved watching the sun come up in the morning while sipping on a tasty beverage. If you book this house you won't be disappointed at all!

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

Best Vacation Spot Ever!

Guest: Sarah F. (Dallas, TX)
Date of Stay: 06/25/11 Review Submitted: 09/01/11

I went down to the Jade House with a group of 11 people back in June. This place is amazing! The owners thought of everything when they built this house! The pictures don't even do the house justice - it is truly a beautiful place. We spent almost all of our time on the enormous covered outdoor patio - it was so relaxing and fun, and the views are absolutely breathtaking. We had the chef come to the house a couple nights, and her food was delicious. We would have had her come every night if she had only been available! Heather and Derrick were so friendly and helpful - they really made our stay an amazing experience and helped us plan all of our activities. I don't think anyone could walk away from a week at this house and be disappointed - I'm already looking forward to planning my next vacation here!

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

Best Vacation Spot Ever!!

Guest: Sarah F. (Dallas, TX)
Date of Stay: 06/25/11 Review Submitted: 09/01/11

I went down to the Jade House with a group of 11 people back in June. This place is amazing! The owners thought of everything when they built this house! The pictures don't even do the house justice - it is truly a beautiful place. We spent almost all of our time on the enormous covered outdoor patio - it was so relaxing and fun, and the views are absolutely breathtaking. We had the chef come to the house a couple nights, and her food was delicious. We would have had her come every night if she had only been available! Heather and Derrick were so friendly and helpful - they really made our stay an amazing experience and helped us plan all of our activities. I don't think anyone could walk away from a week at this house and be disappointed - I'm already looking forward to planning my next vacation here!

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

Simply Amazing!

Guest: Andrew (Dallas, Texas, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/25/11 Review Submitted: 07/05/11

An exotic setting with an amazing house. I would recommend this house to anyone looking for more than a home away from home. This house is better than any 5 star hotel. We just returned from a trip with a group of 11 people, and we could not have asked for anything better. The reviews I read on this site before we left seemed too good to be true, the weren't. The house and the views are amazing. Close to great fishing, diving, surfing, restaurants (Tortilla Flats) and anything else you would want to do. I would recommend getting a chef at night. Well worth them money! Amazing food. Also be sure to talk with Heather and Derrick they are extremely helpful and full of great stories. Thank you very much Jade House and Heather and Derrick. Great Trip! Would go back any day. Actually I wish we never left.

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

Absolutely beautiful

Guest: Nikki (Colorado)
Date of Stay: 05/20/11 Review Submitted: 06/22/11

We can't say enough how much we enjoyed our vacation at the Jade house!! The pictures don't do it justice!! It's got everything you need and more!! The owners were extremely nice and helpful with reservations too. We felt safe leaving the doors unlocked the entire trip!! I highly recommend staying at the Jade house!! We hope to go back again next year!

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

Fantastic house!

Guest: Kristy & Paul (Sonoma, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/20/11 Review Submitted: 08/20/11

We stayed here for a week in April, 2011 (during Easter week). The house is fantastic & was plenty big enough for our party of 13! We each had our own bedroom with bathroom, and our 2 teenage boys LOVED the Harry Potter-like hidden room downstairs! It was hard to even leave the house to do activities, because it was like being at a resort! We so enjoyed the huge infinity pool & swim-up bar outside. The weather was perfect while we were there, and there were no bugs or mosquitos at the house, because of it's location up on the hill. The only thing we were not prepared for, was the cost of groceries in town~ very expensive! We were glad to have stocked up on food at the PriceSmart in San Jose (like our Costco here) before heading to the house. Would highly recommend doing that. I would also say that renting a 4-wheel drive vehicle is a must~ the hill is very steep & rocky going up to the house. There is a fantastic little bakery that we found in Uvita~ very inexpensive & delicious.....the empanadas were to die for! There was also a great fish market in Dominical. We had great, fresh seafood every night. The zip-lining & horseback riding in the area were lots of fun. If we ever get back to Costa Rica, we will definitely stay here again. I would highly recommend this home to anyone!

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

AMAZING!!

Guest: Kim (Cumming, Georgia, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/03/11 Review Submitted: 06/22/11

Our trip to Costa Rica was fabulous and the Jade House was just icing on the cake. The views from the porch were breathtaking. We were welcomed by a clear night and millions of stars twinkled and you actually feel like you can reach out and touch the stars. Heather told us that it is not common to have such a clear night and told us that you can see the Southern Cross and we found it. It is true what the song says, "when you see the Southern Cross for the first time you understand why you came this way”. The home was beautiful and very comfortable. Our family of 10 had plenty of space to have your own quiet areas and even to spread out around the pool. The three pools and the area around them allowed the teens to sunbathe and the adults were able to relax under the porch and ceiling fans. All of the bedrooms were furnished with soft and comfy beds with linens. The bathrooms were designed magnificently and you felt that you were staying in a first class resort. The cleaning staff came in while we were out of the house, but we were there, they were very efficient and took pains to not disturb us. We were fortunate to have taken advantage of the services of a private chef who prepared dinner for us the first night of our arrival. We highly recommend their services also. The food was fresh and well prepared. We were treated to a variety of side items with fish and chicken along with local desserts. The location of the house was adjacent to a supermarket that was only 15 minutes from the house and offered meats, and staple goods. The fish market was a little less desirable to the eye, but the quality off the fish was top notch. Our family grilled food many nights in the comfort of the home since we were all exhausted from making the most of our trip. We also took advantage of all the street vendors who were selling fresh fruits and vegetables. The home was fully stocked with the comforts of your kitchen at home. We were able to take advantage of many excursions including Canyoning, Zip Lining, Mangrove Tours, Deep Sea Fishing and White Water rafting. We used Dominical Adventures for the whitewater rafting and the recommended the Zip Line company, who in turn recommended the Mangrove Tour company. All of the companies were friendly and competent. Since the home is surrounded by tropical foliage and the rainforest. Flowers were abundant and beautiful. We were also lucky to see so many wild animals adjacent to our pool.

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

AMAZING (continued)

Guest: Kim (Cumming, Georgia, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/03/11 Review Submitted: 06/22/11

We saw toucans and a variety of birds daily. We could hear the howler monkey’s frequently and even got to see a three toed sleuth with her babies on her belly twice. We also had an unexpected guest – a cane frog who liked to sneak into the house, leave a trail and sneak back out. These frogs can grow to be the size of a dinner plate and he certainly could croak loud! We also saw spider monkeys, iguanas, land crabs daily. On the mangrove tour, we saw, crocodiles (one was over 15 feet long), caimans, macaws, herons, and many other varieties of birds. Boa constrictors, Jesus Christ lizards that run on top of the water, even tree seeds that live in the water for over a year! We saw all four species of monkeys that reside in the forests of Costa Rica on the mangrove tour. One afternoon, we traveled to Manual Antonio Park and had lunch and shopped the open air market. The beaches there were more beautiful and tropical in contrast to the beaches around the house. They were pretty, but in a primitive way, with rough surf, the water cold, and the beaches are rocky. Our kids, 2 – 15 year olds, 2 – 13 year olds and 1 – 8 year old, played in the surf, but did not stay for long. They are spoiled to the warm tranquil waters of the Caribbean. Heather and Derrick were so friendly and helpful and put us in touch with many locals. They also recommended many of the restaurants around locally, local excursion companies and then in San Jose on the evening that we left, they made reservations for us at an Argentine Steakhouse that was phenomenal. This family is very considerate of the locals and strives to give back to the community. We found that the residents of Costa Rica appreciate tourists and want to share their beautiful country with you and most speak English as a second language. Overall, this trip was a trip of a lifetime. We will certainly be back to Costa Rica, it is just a matter of when. We highly recommend the Jade House for your fullest enjoyment in relaxation and adventure. Our family agreed the night before we left, that 7 days was not enough time, we needed 2 weeks. Maybe some day ….

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

AMAZING!

Guest: Kim (Cumming, Georgia, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/03/11 Review Submitted: 06/22/11

Our trip to Costa Rica was fabulous and the Jade House was just icing on the cake. The views from the porch were breathtaking. We were welcomed by a clear night and millions of stars twinkled and you actually feel like you can reach out and touch the stars. Heather told us that it is not common to have such a clear night and told us that you can see the Southern Cross and we found it. It is true what the song says, "when you see the Southern Cross for the first time you understand why you came this way”. The home was beautiful and very comfortable. Our family of 10 had plenty of space to have your own quiet areas and even to spread out around the pool. The three pools and the area around them allowed the teens to sunbathe and the adults were able to relax under the porch and ceiling fans. All of the bedrooms were furnished with soft and comfy beds with linens. The bathrooms were designed magnificently and you felt that you were staying in a first class resort. The cleaning staff came in while we were out of the house, but we were there, they were very efficient and took pains to not disturb us. We were fortunate to have taken advantage of the services of a private chef who prepared dinner for us the first night of our arrival. We highly recommend their services also. The food was fresh and well prepared. We were treated to a variety of side items with fish and chicken along with local desserts. The location of the house was adjacent to a supermarket that was only 15 minutes from the house and offered meats, and staple goods. The fish market was a little less desirable to the eye, but the quality off the fish was top notch. Our family grilled food many nights in the comfort of the home since we were all exhausted from making the most of our trip. We also took advantage of all the street vendors who were selling fresh fruits and vegetables. The home was fully stocked with the comforts of your kitchen at home. We were able to take advantage of many excursions including Canyoning, Zip Lining, Mangrove Tours, Deep Sea Fishing and White Water rafting. We used Dominical Adventures for the whitewater rafting and the recommended the Zip Line company, who in turn recommended the Mangrove Tour company. All of the companies were friendly and competent. Since the home is surrounded by tropical foliage and the rainforest. Flowers were abundant and beautiful. SECOND REVIEW FOLLOWS.

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

2011 Feb/March Review

Guest: Chrissy (NJ)
Date of Stay: 02/26/11 Review Submitted: 05/05/11

The home is AMAZING. My group consisted of 6 people, so there was plenty of room in the house. When you enter this house, first thing you think is WOW! I expect the house can keep 10 people easy and you still won't get in each others way. The kitchen, living room, and bedrooms spacious, clean, with large windows and doors. The views from every room are spectacular. We actually stayed in the house most of the entire week. Pool table is a plus. Bring your IPOD since there is a docking station that will play music thoughout the house. Please rent a 4WD vehicle to get to the house, its the only way. We flew into Quepos and had a taxi ready to shuttle us to the house with the help of the Uvita tour Office. The next day, the rental car company actually dropped the cars at the house where we were able to complete the paperwork. I recommend taking the ATV that the house manager Heather provided us with. You cannot walk to the beach from the house, but if you have a car it is ten minute drive to many amazing beaches. Try and see the Whales Tale. There are amazing views of it from the house. We didnt have any experience with mosquitos up on the mountain which was a plus. There are some strange bugs and frogs outside, but you are in Costa Rica. For food, I must recommend hiring the chef Vanessa. She is truly a FABULOUS Chef. We had her come 5 of our days there. Everything she cooks is the best and if you are with a larger group it is well worth having her. Also, head down the hill to the Jolly Roger for some of the best wings i ever had. Its a short walk, but be careful since it could be very steep walk and bring a flashlight at night. You should also try and head to the town of Dominical for the surf beach and some food/shops. Overall, the house was amazing. Better than I imagined. Heather and Kevin helped us with all of our questions. I hope for the opportunity to come back there.

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

The Jade House - An Amazing Experience

Guest: Richard (Evanston, Ill - USA)
Date of Stay: 01/09/11 Review Submitted: 02/01/11

My family of 11 stayed at the Jade House in early January, 2011. We had never been to Costa Rica before and had no expectations as we started our trip. We did however realize that the Jade House was a very special home that would easily exceed our expectations based upon what we had read and seen about the home. The home is spacious, built approximately 900 ft above sea level, exhibits breathtaking views, and no money was spared in filling the home with wonderful amenities.. The three infinity pools were terrific, the property was extremely clean, well maintained, and Heather, Derrick, and Sam, who were the house parents, could not have possibly made the stay any more enjoyable. Heather introduced us to Vanessa, who cooked for us three nights of our stay. Vanessa could not have been more pleasant, cooked more authentic and delicious meals and finally had to deal with some specific unusual needs which she did very well. We were so pleased about the house sitters and cook, we dined with them one evening in town. Everything about our stay was great and we would recommend a stay at the Jade House when it is available.

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

The beautiful Jade House!

Guest: Mary G. (Colorado)
Date of Stay: 01/01/11 Review Submitted: 02/02/11

The Jade house is an absolutely beautiful house. The setting is so exotic and the house so functional that our vacation was a dream come true. The availability of Heather and Derek helped us feel that we had immediate, local friends up the way! We would highly recommend the services of the chef Vanessa. The meals she served us were delicious and we were always quite comfortable with her presence in the house. The website mentioned that the house provided 'true indoor-outdoor living.' This was not a feature to which we gave much thought, but it became the most pleasant of our stay. With the walls open, we wandered in and out of the house. The covered paio area was absolutely an extension of the house. There was wonderful rain on several afternoons of our stay and we were still able to be outside- playing pool, enjoying the bar and patio seating and even the swimming pools! When our toddler became ill, Derek gave us the OTC meds we needed out of their own fridge- these are good people and they really cared that we had a great time at the Jade House.

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

Absolutely wonderful!

Guest: Mary G. (Colorado)
Date of Stay: 01/01/11 Review Submitted: 02/02/11

The Jade house is an absolutely beautiful house. The setting is so exotic and the house so functional that our vacation was a dream come true. The availability of Heather and Derek helped us feel that we had immediate, local friends up the way! We would highly recommend the services of the chef Vanessa. The meals she served us were delicious and we were always quite comfortable with her presence in the house. The website mentioned that the house provided 'true indoor-outdoor living.' This was not a feature to which we gave much thought, but it became the most pleasant of our stay. With the walls open, we wandered in and out of the house. The covered paio area was absolutely an extension of the house. There was wonderful rain on several afternoons of our stay and we were still able to be outside- playing pool, enjoying the bar and patio seating and even the swimming pools! When our toddler became ill, Derek gave us the OTC meds we needed out of their own fridge- these are good people and they really cared that we had a great time at the Jade House.

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

Loved it!

Guest: Philip (Minnesota)
Date of Stay: 12/22/10 Review Submitted: 01/31/11

The jade house was awesome! We loved it. What a spectacular setting! It was a real relief not to have to cook or clean for 17 people! The house was in imaculate condition. The pool table felt was a little torn and the bumpers a little hard, but that is really a quible and was not a problem at all. Loved the Ipod docking stations, we listened to our music the whole time! I would reccomend you consider getting staff to cook for you, we got some good Costa Rican fare, and the price was reasonable. We did lunch on our own and the pots and pans and kichen utensils were all top notch.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Loved It

Guest: Philip (Minnesota)
Date of Stay: 12/22/10 Review Submitted: 01/31/11

The jade house was awesome! We loved it. What a spectacular setting! It was a real relief not to have to cook or clean for 17 people! The house was in imaculate condition. The pool table felt was a little torn and the bumpers a little hard, but that is really a quible and was not a problem at all. Loved the Ipod docking stations, we listened to our music the whole time! I would reccomend you consider getting staff to cook for you, we got some good Costa Rican fare, and the price was reasonable. We did lunch on our own and the pots and pans and kichen utensils were all top notch.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

Jade House is Spectacular!

Guest: James (Alexandria, VA)
Date of Stay: 11/27/10 Review Submitted: 12/10/10

A few months ago our small company decided to take our few employees and their family to Costa Rica. We found the Jade House online and quickly moved to reserve a week for the first part of December. We just returned from our fabulous stay that was even beyond our wildest imagination. We took Heather and her friend Kelly up on their offer to stock the house and also hired Vanessa, their in house chef. As we arrived we were taken aback at the detail and beauty of this home. Pictures truly do not do this property justice. It is state of the art. After admiring our accomadations for the week we sat down to a meal that was without a doubt the best meal we had while in Costa Rica. Vanessa was awesome. We turned the tunes on and relaxed the rest of the night by the 3 pools! The morning brought views of the Pacific that were to die for. Whether it was from our bedrooms, the deck, or the pool, the views were just fabulous. It took days to really appreciate the details in this house and quite frankly I am not sure we ever saw all of them. Our week stay was first rate with ATV, Zip line, and Manuel Antonio tours. Then a relaxing evening by the pool just topped each day off. But whether you want to be active or just veg out this home will not disappoint. I have nothing bad to say about this home, the hospitality, or our stay. A plus all around!

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

The Jade House is amazing. Thank you for making our wedding / vacation so magical.

Guest: We love the Jade House (Florida )
Date of Stay: 11/06/10 Review Submitted: 01/11/11

The Jade House is truly the most beautiful home in Costa Rica. The pictures don't do this place justice. My fiancé and I decide that we wanted to get married in Costa Rica this past fall. Our journey began with hours spent searching for the perfect location for not only accommodations for a group of 12-15, but a home where we could have the ceremony and reception. We looked at probably every large home within the country that we could find, and decided on the Jade House. After my first email with the home owner I knew we had made the right decision. She was able to assist us with most of the wedding details along with giving us tons of advice on car rental companies, hotels, tours and other needed info. One of the main reasons why we chose this home was because of the open floor plan and private bedrooms along with the stunning views of the Pacific. We wanted everyone to be able to enjoy themselves downstairs but have their privacy upstairs. The guys had a great time playing pool and the Wii while all of the ladies gathered around the pool to relax. We had our 1 1/2year old daughter with us and felt very comfortable with her exploring the house. The owners and staff of the house made sure our wedding day was magical. I cannot thank them enough for making all our wedding dreams came true. We were married on the patio outside and had a lovely dinner on the raised deck. The clouds surround us while we ate dinner and danced to our first dance as husband and wife. We brought our photographers with us who captured our perfect day. www.mark-brian.com The town of Dominical is very quaint. Everyone we met was more than pleasant and the food is out of this world yummy. We had a local chef come in and prepare our rehearsal and wedding meal. It was outstanding. I highly recommend having her cook for you at least a few nights during your stay. You must try the wings at Bar Jolly Roger along with the burgers from The Refuge. The sushi at the sushi place in the town of Dominical is the best we have ever had and the calamari at Tortilla Flats is awesome. Someone in our group ate at Tortilla Flats at least once a day.The guys surfed everyday sometimes two or three times and they all said the same thing. It was awesome. There are some really pretty waterfalls close to the house along with beautiful beaches. However the house is so outstanding it is hard to leave. If you are looking for the vacation of your dreams book the Jade House. You will not be disappointed.

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

Fantastic Home!

Guest: Donna - Traveler (Orange County, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/15/10 Review Submitted: 06/09/11

I’ve been a fan of rental vacation homes since having kids and I’m generally a pretty picky house guest. Let's just say I've had my share of duds. So I tell you this in my most enthusiastic voice, this home is GORGEOUS! Complete with monkeys and sloths in the “back yard”. We had the opportunity to stay in the Jade house for a vacation with a group of college friends in August 2010. It has taken months to write this review but the memories of the home still linger. It’s perfect for a large group with 4 spacious master bedrooms. The home is extremely clean and I felt as if I were staying in a model home. The drive to the home is thrilling; 4-wheel drive is a must. There are grocery stores and delicious restaurants within 10 minutes of the house. I highly recommend this home for your vacation to Costa Rica.

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

Spectacular Home - Even better in real life!

Guest: Donna - Traveler (Orange County, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/15/10 Review Submitted: 06/09/11

I’ve been a fan of rental vacation homes since having kids and I’m generally a pretty picky house guest. Let's just say I've had my share of duds. So I tell you this in my most enthusiastic voice, this home is GORGEOUS! Complete with monkeys and sloths in the “back yard”. We had the opportunity to stay in the Jade house for a vacation with a group of college friends in August 2010. It has taken months to write this review but the memories of the home still linger. It’s perfect for a large group with 4 spacious master bedrooms. The home is extremely clean and I felt as if I were staying in a model home. The drive to the home is thrilling; 4-wheel drive is a must. There are grocery stores and delicious restaurants within 10 minutes of the house. I highly recommend this home for your vacation to Costa Rica.

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

House with million dollar views

Guest: Arizona (US)
Date of Stay: 08/15/10 Review Submitted: 12/09/10

Wonderful place to travel with friends and families with older kids. I have small children and I would not want to bring my kids here. Too many stairs and sharp edges but amazing for adults. We stayed here for a week with 3 couples and 2 singles and it accommodated all of us perfectly. The house is clean and well stocked for cooking, cleaning, and simple activities. The outdoor bar and 3 pools kept us all very happy.

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

Great party house

Guest: Arizona (US)
Date of Stay: 08/15/10 Review Submitted: 12/09/10

We traveled to the Jade house in a group of 3 couples and two singles and the house accommodated all very well. We loved the home it is beautiful and is well equipped with everything we needed. Amazing views out each window and the pools all 3 pools...fabulous! We were more than happy to sit by the pools, utilize the outdoor bar, read, and visit, it is absolute paradise.

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

Well Worth the Price!

Guest: Guin (Fort Washington)
Date of Stay: 06/06/10 Review Submitted: 12/10/10

We had such a wonderful time, we didn't want to leave. The property was well-appointed with a decor that was as inviting as it was stylish. Even with a full house, there was plenty of space for everyone. Our one regret not getting down to the local watering hole but we enjoyed our cocktails and many meals by the incredible infinity pools while watching the sun set. We would definitely recommend this property to friends and family.

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

The Most Incredible Vacation House Ever

Guest: Debra (New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 05/19/10 Review Submitted: 08/14/10

My boyfriend took me to the Jade House for the week of my 30th birthday . It was the most amazing vacation I have ever had in my life. The house and infinity pools are so luxurious and stunning. Nothing in Uvita is as spectacular as staying in this dream vacation home! What makes the Jade House so special are all the details, like the night swimming lights. I woke up to the beautiful sounds of birds and watched parrots and tucans while swimming and looking out at the ocean. It was paradise.

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

Unforgettable Family Vacation

Guest: Jack, Zoe, Elvi and Greg (Cardiff)
Date of Stay: 04/03/10 Review Submitted: 04/18/10

Our extended family of 16 people just returned from our 9 day vacation to Costa Rica. We had 9 adults and 7 children on the trip. We researched extensively on homes that would accommodate our large family – our search ended with the Jade House in Escaleras. The home is in a beautiful location – up on a hill that gave us an incredible ocean view out to Marina Bellena (Whales Tail Beach). We did not have any issues with mosquitoes or other flying biting bugs – which we attributed to the location of the house. We rented 4 cars and travelled from San Jose to Dominical. We were given excellent directions and found the home in ~3 hours. We were able to park all our vehicles in the carport. The children in our family ranged in age from 2 to 17 yrs old. The kids were the first to enter the house – they went straight from the foyer through the great room, out through the folding doors, on the patio and jumped into the pool! What an incredible first impression! We spent 80% of our time either on the patio or the pool. Even if we were in the kitchen or the great room, we could see all our kids in the pool area– our two youngest (ages 2 and 3) spent a lot of time in the baby pool. Often all 16 of us would be in the pool area at one time. Every morning when we gathered in the kitchen, we would admire the layout of the house. The flow was perfect for our family. We have 2 toddlers and needed additional privacy, so we stayed in the master suite which felt like a separate home. The other adults occupied the 3 bedrooms on the upper level, 4 kids bunked in the media room – a huge room that became their private ‘clubhouse’ and the oldest child had her own bedroom on the main floor. There was plenty of room for our family to gather or to have privacy within the house. The owners were very accessible and we spent time with them throughout the week– we met them on our first full day at the house and saw them 4 or 5 times after that. They were kind enough to have the pantry stocked prior to our arrival – this was very convenient and gave us more time to enjoy the house and the area. We also took advantage of a wonderful cook recommended by the owners – she is incredible! This gave us a great option of eating in, especially when travelling with young children. This home felt like our own private resort. Our family had a wonderful, active, educational and relaxing time in southern Costa Rica – staying in the Jade House made our vacation unforgettable.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, sightseeing.

Tropical Paradise

Guest: Bubba26 (Columbus, OH)
Date of Stay: 03/26/10 Review Submitted: 06/01/10

The best vacation I have ever been on. You could stay in this house for a week and never get bored. Unfortunately, the local scenery and wildlife force you to leave this gorgeous house. Wake up in a nicely air conditioned room to the sound of the Pacific Ocean and head on down to the kitchen overlooking the most beautiful inlet with the "whale's tale" poking out of the sea. Get your morning coffee while sitting on the ledge of the Infiniti pool or at the swim up bar as you watch toucans fly by. Get in your 4x4 (absolutely necessary, no automatic transmissions either) and take the trek down to the main road where you can jet down to the local market or to one of the nearby beaches for some surfing or fishing. Make sure to stop at one of the roadside ceviche stands for the best hangover cure after a night of too many Pilsens (ie. Every night). On the way back up your semi-private road, you can stop the Jolly Rodger to enjoy the best wings--American or otherwise. Yes, I said "Awesome chIcken wings served on the side of a mountain in the Costa Rican jungle". Just 300 meters from the house. I highly recommend butting in on the Saturday night poker tournaments. Just make sure you can keep up with their tequila version and don't try driving up that hill afterwards unless you are a native. ;) This vacation will be an adventure unlike any other guaranteed. Pura Vida!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Most Amazing Vacation Home!

Guest: Cassandra Lynn Kloss (Aurora)
Date of Stay: 03/19/10 Review Submitted: 12/13/10

This place is spectacular! It is the most perfect vacation home to stay at to get away from the daily hustle and bustle of life. Every morning I'd wake up to the sounds of nature, and make a breakfast in the large kitchen that opened up to the outdoors (pots, pans, plates, utensils, blender...anything you could possibly need for cooking and drinks were there!). We'd sit out on the yoga deck that overlooked the trees around enjoy our meal. The three pools are a major highlight: the lap pool was great for morning workouts, the swim-up bar with in-pool barstools was great for sunset cocktail hour drinks, and the private poor outside of the Master bedroom was perfect for a romantic place to end the night under the moonlight. In addition, there's a pool table, showers for two in main bedrooms, and all of the bedrooms are spaced out throughout the house, for added privacy from every bedroom. Overall, if you are looking to get away and live in paradise while on vacation...this is the place to stay!

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

Most Amazing Vacation Home!

Guest: Cassandra Lynn Kloss (Aurora)
Date of Stay: 03/19/10 Review Submitted: 12/13/10

This place is spectacular! It is the most perfect vacation home to stay at to get away from the daily hustle and bustle of life. Every morning I'd wake up to the sounds of nature, and make a breakfast in the large kitchen that opened up to the outdoors (pots, pans, plates, utensils, blender...anything you could possibly need for cooking and drinks were there!). We'd sit out on the yoga deck that overlooked the trees around enjoy our meal. The three pools are a major highlight: the lap pool was great for morning workouts, the swim-up bar with in-pool barstools was great for sunset cocktail hour drinks, and the private poor outside of the Master bedroom was perfect for a romantic place to end the night under the moonlight. In addition, there's a pool table, showers for two in main bedrooms, and all of the bedrooms are spaced out throughout the house, for added privacy from every bedroom. Overall, if you are looking to get away and live in paradise while on vacation...this is the place to stay!

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

Spectacular Home

Guest: CrimsonRenter06 (Boston, MA United States)
Date of Stay: 03/13/10 Review Submitted: 03/26/10

This is a truly stunning home. I have rented several homes on VRBO and very rarely do the pictures not do the home full justice. The views are spectacular and the accommodations are top tier. The owners are incredibly friendly, are local and are very responsive to your needs while on vacation. The house is very privately situated on the hillside so if that is what you are looking for, this is the place. Dominical is very sleepy town so don't expect Miami style partying, but if you are looking for a relaxing vacation in a beautiful house surrounded by a huge number of beaches, look no further. The area is a very fun area to explore. Note that you do need a car (absolutely 4x4). The house is not on the beach, but it is a short drive. Bottom line: I spent a lot of time researching different locations on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and then spent a lot of time researching different houses within those areas. My group was looking for a good value, but best in class accommodations. The Jade house exceeded our expectations.

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

Beyond your wildest dreams!

Guest: Sanz (Pittsburgh)
Date of Stay: 03/28/09 Review Submitted: 05/26/10

Was I dreaming? This place is a Latin American heaven.... simply the most beautiful place I have ever stayed in my life. Just look at the photos! When I first saw the pics, I thought that this house couldn't be for real...but I assure you- it was completely real. Perfectly secluded, perfectly situated, with breathtaking views of the Pacific... I mean, what more could you want? Fortunately, all of your wants have already been thought out and are included in the property... kitchen, bar, swimming, pool table, sound system... Internet...laundry, and much much more. Very hard to go wrong here ++++ Latin America es el futuro! Enjoy yourself.

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