Reviews for Flamingo Beach Vacation Rental - VRBO 161204ha - 3 BR Guanacaste Villa in Costa Rica, Villas Casa Loma: Tropical Villa with Pools and Spectacular Ocean Views

Costa Rica's Best Kept Secret!

Guest Sharon
Date of stay 02/02/13
Review Submitted 02/18/13

Costa Rica's BEST KEPT SECRET is right here! Do not look any further, honestly! Whether you are a couple or a group of 20, Villas Casa Loma is the best decision for a place to stay! Spectacular views, awesome accommodations and great staff. Whatever you are looking for from large condominiums equipped with full kitchens to smaller rooms if you just need a place to sleep, it's available here and it's walking distance to the fabulous Flamingo Beach. Accommodations are absolutely clean, comfortable, incredibly safe and most of all you will feel at home! My husband and I travelled with our four children....our two older ones aged 18 and 19 each brought a friend along. Our younger ones are aged 10 and 11 and we took my mother as well. There was a total of 9 of us and each and every one of us has nothing but great things to say; Villas Casa Loma is perfect for any age! Whether you are vacationing at Villas Casa Loma as a young family, through to a senior such as my mother you will be able to experience life, fun, peace and tranquility at its fullest. We met other vacationers who continue to stay at Villas Casa Loma each time they go to Costa Rica, sometimes staying for six months at a time.....we can understand why as we will definitely be returning! All the repeat and referral business that Villas Casa Loma receives is a testament to Tom and Igor's commitment to providing you with an amazing Costa Rican experience! By the way, when you stay here they will let you know about the most amazing tour you could ever ask for, all-in-all this was the trip of a lifetime for my family! Forever Friends....Pura Vida! Sharon

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

Owner response: Thank you so much for your kind words, Sharon ! We all really enjoyed your visit here and only wish that it could have been for a longer time. All of our staff was delighted to have you here, as were our other guests - and of course Igor and Tom ! We had a lot of fune helping you plan your various tours and you are all to be congradulated for managing to squeeze so much touring and so many great experiences into a brief 10 days... The highlight of this trip was probably the Tempisque River cruise which you managed to fit into your schedule. The wildlife is incredible and worth the visit. Visits to nearby hot springs, canopy tours, horseback riding, white water refting, national parks, surfing, birding and all manner of beach and water activities are but a few of the things to look for the next time you come back to our little corner of Paradise ! Thank you again for your confidence in us and for leaving us with happy memories of some truly wonderful people... We, too, plan to be "friends for life" ... Looking forward to seeing you all again soon! PURA VIDA. Tom and Igor

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Playa Flamingo Rest and Relaxation

Guest michael Hines
Date of stay 01/23/13
Review Submitted 02/23/13

My wife and I recently spent a few days at Casa Loma in Playa Flamingo. Having never been to Costa Rica we conducted a lot of research trying to find a villa where we would find peace and rest with plenty of sunshine after a month of a nasty Winter. We have rented villas for over twenty five years in several countries and have learned to know what we like. First we want a first rate location close by the main reasons for being in the place to begin with. If we are in the South of France we want to be near the museums and the beach. In Costa Rica we wanted a good beach nearby, we got that. Costa Rica beaches can be wild, brown sand beaches with rip tides not what we were looking for at all so our research put a calm white sand beach near the top of the list. Casa Loma has that just a few minutes away. We wanted a pool so we wouldn't be forced to leave the property every time we wanted to take a dip. Casa Loma has to big beautiful pools from which to choose. We were looking for quiet in the villa where we could be together and sun, read, cook, eat and sleep without road noise and bright lights. We got all of that in Casa Loma. Maybe the most important thing we were looking for was a real villa experience not just some 2 bedroom condo built in the big building boom of the past decade. Our perspective was if we wanted Florida we would go to Florida we were looking for the kinds of villas we rent on the French Riviera but with a Central American sensibility. We got that at Casa Loma. The view from the acreage looks very similar to many we have seen from places like Nice or Villefranche looking over to Cap Ferat. The owners of Villa Loma live on the property and are very nice people and will help you out with anything you might need to deal with while there. We will very likely revisit in the future which is our best endorsement.

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

Owner response: Hola Michael and Virginia ! Kind thanks for your glowing endorsement of our property! We always appreciate it when our guests recognize the results of our efforts to create a warm and inviting environment. We are indeed fortunate to be so well situated in Costa Rica's Gold Coast. The views, the weather, the facilities of the area leave little more to be desired. A short drive away are mountains, wet and dry forest preserves, wilderness parks, volcanos, lakes and rivers as well as endless possibilities for adventure excursions or laid back hammock and beach relaxation. There is so much to see and do here in the area. Nature is just a glance away. The beaches each have their own special and distinct "character"... As we say, do it all - or nothing at all ! The choices are seemingly endless. As you discovered, VILLAS CASA LOMA is the product of many months and years of planning, designing and developing. Our philosophy continues to be to offer our guests a quiet, comfortable and spacious place suitable for active families as well as for those who prefer quiet contemplation and reflection. Once again we thank you for your kind words and observations. We sincerely look forward to the opportunity of hosting you both again one day soon. Be well and travel safely ! PURA VIDA. Tom and Igor

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Ottawa Visitors

Guest Ottawa visitor
Date of stay 12/22/12
Review Submitted 01/20/13

When we began to look at places to stay, we wanted a safe , central location so that we didn't have to move every few days and a work colleague had recommended this villa. We have 3 teenagers from 14-19 and Villas Casa Loma was perfect because it was central to all sorts of attractions - you can walk to the beaches, Tamarindo is about a half hour away, there is a great small Don Pinos small grocery store walking distance awa with a larger grocery store (Super Compte? Forgot the exact name but it is about 10mins away in Brasilito), a small bakery...The owners are very helpful, charming and honest about a couple of spots we wanted to see that they felt would not meet our needs given the length of time that we were there. Some of the things that we did : surf lessons at the Tamarindo surf shop, Sunset Catamaran cruise booked through Ecotours in Playa Flamingo, horseback riding and evening BBQ at The Black Stallion Ranch, Jet skiing, Body surfing at Playa Avellanas ( go to Lola's restaurant right on the beach), ziplining at Monkey Jungle near Tamarindo, Waterrafting cruise thru Rios Tropicales just outside of Liberia) just to name a few things. Of course you can just relax on the beaches too if that's your preference - we liked that we had a virtual buffet of great activities nearby. If you prefer not to cook dinner every night, there are several dinner spots nearby as well. Another small plus here is that you could even have a load of laundry done for a nominal fee. The property is great for couples or for small groups - our villa had screens which provided a lovely breeze instead of air conditioning and you could hear some of the animals ( monkeys) at night and the birds in the morning. In the back of your mind you are hopeful that the spot you book on-line meets your expectations in reality. This spot does. So many great memories staying here- we would return again to this natural paradise in a heartbeat!

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

Owner response: Hola Rosmarie and Adam ! Of course, we are delighted that you all found a wide variety of activities, as well as dining locations in our little corner of Paradise... We really enjoyed - vicariously - your "discoveries" of interesting places and things in the area and are thankful that you all had a great time. That is what we are all about here at VILLAS CASA LOMA. Now that you are back to reality - and snow - we hope that you are still being warmed by happy memories of your stay with us here in our little corner of Paradise. Come back soon! There is so much more to see and do here. PURA VIDA ! Tom and Igor

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Amazing Experience

Guest Helena
Date of stay 06/30/12
Review Submitted 09/15/12

We love staying at Tom and Igor's fabulous villas. This was our 10th year coming down and enjoying their apartments and pool. We have traveled extensively throughout Central America, as well Costa Rica and Tom and Igor's Villas are by the far, the best places to rent. The amenities are fabulous, the staff are friendly and honest. The views and sunsets are spectacular! It is the perfect place to come alone or with the family to just relax and enjoy what Costa Rica has to offer. The Iguanas come by every afternoon for a visit and the Howler Monkey's hang in the tree's greeting everyone with their loud voices. We love it!!

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

Owner response: Helena: It was great to have you and your family visiting us again! Next time, we hope you will find more time to relax and unwind... (As you know, this is a perfect spot for that!) Every time you come down there are new and wonderful restaurants to tempt you, as well as great shops to capture your imagination. We look forward to your next visit and hope that you will have time for some serious painting, reading in a quiet spot on your private terrace or relaxing by the pools and visiting with your many friends here. Too much to do. Too little time to do it in! Come on back soon... You are missed and always welcome here in our little corner of Paradise. PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor

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Happy repeat visitor!

Guest Milan
Date of stay 03/16/12
Review Submitted 04/19/12

What a great place to visit in Guanacaste! This time we have stayed for 10 days in a Villa No 2 with breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding greenery. There are flowers everywhere and birds and butterflies.This was not our first visit. We loved it before and came back more than once.Photographs on the web site represent this property accurately. The rooms are large with complete kitchen facilities, and everything is well maintained and clean. Owners are very helpful and go beyond the call of duty. Pools are large and very well maintained. We have recommended this property to many friends and many have come for a visit here as well. There are great beaches nearby, great restaurants, nearby volcanos, incredible spas and sanctuaries,zip line attractions,horse back riding....just a perfect vacation...a place to get away from it all. We always enjoy our visit and will come back again.

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

Owner response: Another great visit. Just too short! The next time you will have to try the 700 steps up the mountain that we have installed for good exercise and great views of the surrouondings! We had no idea when we did these that so many of our guests would use them for morning workouts or for evening sunset vistas. We really enjoyed your visit once again and are still talking about how much you managed to pack into such a brief 10 day stay! We have yet to try the mud baths at Rincon de Vieja, but it is on our "to do" list. Thanks for the tip. Weather here continues to be fantastic. Quite a few more birds here this year, somehow. (That is great!) Thank you for the comments about the spacious accommodations and the website accuracy. Greatly appreciated! Come back again soon...You are both appreciated and special! PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor

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WONDERFUL HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE !

Guest aivan
Date of stay 03/15/12
Review Submitted 05/01/12

WONDERFUL HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE ! Our passion is travel…After extensive tours throughout Europe, Asia, North and South America we decided to visit Costa Rica in Central America. My wife and I were both very curious about this country, as we had heard that it is a country without an army, with the highest standard of living in Central America and known as ‘The Switzerland of Central America’. Our long trip from Slovakia to Hungary, Holland, Florida and finally to Liberia, Costa Rica was well worth the effort! We spent a very satisfying week at Villas Casa Loma in Flamingo Beach. We experienced hot springs, a spa in the jungle, volcano, beautiful beaches, great restaurants, friendly gentle people and incredible flora and fauna! Truly a tropical Paradise! Our hosts, Igor and Tom were always eager to help with bookings and suggestions for places to go. Our accommodations were spacious and the property was everything we could have wanted. The views of the surrounding area from our Suite were gorgeous, the pool and gardens inviting and the staff delightful. We were able to relax completely in the secure environment that is Villas Casa Loma. In summary, this was a truly amazing trip. The time passed too quickly. We certainly recommend this lovely topical Paradise! Thank you for the wonderful experiences - we will be back! Alexander and Yveta – Kosice, Slovakia March 22, 2012

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

Owner response: Well, you have just scratched the surface a tiny bit...Next time, there will be opportunities to visit more national parks, beautiful beaches and rain forests. Don't overlook a side trip to nearby Nicaragua, too! For some really unforgettable experiences, visit Isla Ometepe on Lago de Nicaragua. This is the largest volcanic island in fresh water in the world and has 2 volcanos - Concepcion (active) and Maderas (inactive). This lake is the largest in Central America and Concepcion is the most perfectly formed active volcano cone in the world. And don't overlook a visit to Granada - the first European city in mainland America. All this just a short distance from Flamingo and well worth the visit. Again, there is so much to see and do here! Do come back for the cultural experiences offered by our area and for the historical and touristic value as well... We look forward to seeing you both again soon! PURA VIDA ! Tom and Igor

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Villa Casa Loma Pura Vida!!! Trip was too short!

Guest Eyeguy
Date of stay 03/07/12
Review Submitted 04/17/12

My wife and I had a fantastic stay at Villa Casa Loma. Igor and Tom are wonderful hosts ! Igor gave us the " Royal " tour of the property when we arrived .He was passionately helpful with our questions and interests during our stay.He even drove us into to town to pick up our car rental and waited patiently to ensure the process went smoothly! The Villas & grounds are gorgeous and meticulously kept .Enjoyed meeting Ernesto ( grounds keeper ) who greeted us every morning and our goodbyes on our final day.We drove around the Guanacaste region extensively and Villa Casa Loma was a great "base camp". The beaches are all within a short drive or a decent walk. Very convenient location in proximity to the local grocery store and restaurants. The people were so pleasant and very friendly in Playa Flamingo , we can hardly wait to book our next vacation there! Far too short of a trip! We met alot of Canadians there as well and made some new friends! Thanks Tom & Igor!

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

Owner response: Thank you so much for your kind words, Simon and Karen! We really enjoyed your visit here... You are right: Your trip was too short! However, you both got the most out of a brief week's stay. More to come... There are always plenty of things to see and enjoy in the area, as you discovered! Fortunately, we are well placed for conveniences, such as beaches, surfing, outdoor activities and a wide variety of terrific restaurants with a broad range of tasty food and wonderful events. Turrialba, Arenal & Rincon de Vieja volcanoes are all well worth the visit too, and all accessible to our compound. (You may have read that both Turrialba and Rincon de Vieja recently displayed some seismic activities, which were quite spectacular!) The river cruise on Tempisque River is another “must” for wildlife watching, and recently we had a family visiting here who experienced t Leatherback turtles laying eggs on the beach at Playa Grande! Wow! sincerely thank you both for choosing VILLAS CASA LOMA as your vacation destination this year. We and the staff are all sending you our best wishes and look forward to your return to our little corner of Paradise. PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor

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Villas Casa Loma

Guest Alan
Date of stay 03/05/12
Review Submitted 05/04/12

You definitely know you are on vacation when you stay at Villas Casa Loma. The atmosphere is very relaxing, quiet, and has great views of the Pacific Ocean. The grounds are well maintained, actually manicured, and the large swimming pool is the cleanest I've ever seen. There is actually another pool that I never used. The architecture is impressive with a lot of attention to detail. The owners live on site and are available anytime and they are very helpful including suggestions and directions for local restaurants, banks, shops, etc. This just might be the best place to stay in Playa Flamingo.

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

Owner response: Your comfort and happiness is our reward, Alan! It was a pleasure to have you visiting us again this year! We are sure that you will be able to see plenty of whales around Cape Cod, so perhaps they are not as exciting for you to see cavorting just offshore here. However, as you have discovered, we have a wide variety of birds and beasts including caymans, crocodiles, parrots, spoonbills, turtles, iguanas, jungle cats, monkeys and a wide variety of other wildlife to see... And don't forget the volcanos, hot springs and freshwater lakes, rivers and waterfalls! Explore and tour or just relax and read a good book in a quiet nook around our property. The choices are unlimited -and always available. We're looking forward to seeing you -hopefully next year again. (We'll be sure to tell Willy that you appreciate his efforts in keeping the pools in A-1 condition!) PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor

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A ROOM WITH A VIEW

Guest Michael and John
Date of stay 02/23/12
Review Submitted 04/19/12

We have visited Costa Rica regularly for the past 20+ years and whenever possible try to stay at Villas Casa Loma. Perched on the side of a mountain with stunning sunset views, it never ceases to amaze. There are two pools to relax in and around - one more social; the other, a short walk through the beautiful gardens, a little more quiet. Tom and Igor are always present to answer questions or recommend an outing and the staff accommodating and friendly. If you like a good morning walk or run, ask Tom and Igor about my route - approximately 7kms from the front door of my unit, down the mountain, along Flamingo Beach, around another mountain and back again...no better way to get going! A little pool time with a good book, an excursion into Flamingo or Tamarindo for lunch and home in time for a glass of wine and sunset - that pretty well sums up our days! Thanks Tom and Igor - we shall return!!

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

Owner response: Hi Michael & John - You didn't mention the 700 stair workout that we just installed! The view from the top offers fabulous views from the top of our mountain! The perfect exercise for a healthy body and spirit... As always, your visit was a treat for us. We enjoyed hearing firsthand reports on the goings on in the area. (It is a great way to be informed - and we are always happy to pass on the latest information to other guests here.) We think that this property is about as good as it gets! ... The perfect spot for relaxing by the pool or on your private patio, reading a book or visiting with other guests. Also a safe place for walking/jogging on the beaches and roads in the area. Birding, horseback trail riding, surfing, sea kayaking, stand up paddle, touring... So much to do to keep fit! There is always something for everyone here in our little corner of Paradise! Always something happening: Mar y Sol just opened another great restaurant right on Flamingo Beach. The perfect venue for lunch on the beach or an early sunset drink. We are looking forward to seeing you both again here soon! PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor

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A beautiful villa

Guest Drew
Date of stay 02/16/12
Review Submitted 03/11/12

My wife and I spent a little over a week at Villas Casa Loma and thoroughly enjoyed the grounds, the pools and the flamingo beach area. Igor and Tom were excellent hosts who pointed us in the direction of excellent food, sights and activities. We loved our trip to Costa Rica and would definitely stay at the Villas Casa Loma again. I will certainly be recommending it to friends and family.

Owner response: Thank you for your kind words! Happy memories are what we strive for... Perhaps the next time that you come down, you will be able to bring a few of your musically talented friends and do a few "gigs" in one of the restaurants in the area. It is becoming a popular thing to do here. We just harvested our first crop of cashews and discovered that you can make a delicious juice from the fruit, as well as baking and husking the nut itself. Great fun! Weather continues to be fantastic here and the pools are a great place to cool down after a strenuous day of sightseeing, birding, etc. Looking forward to seeing you both soon. PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor

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Escape to Paradise

Guest Elizabeth
Date of stay 02/14/12
Review Submitted 03/01/12

We have recently returned from a memorable 10 days and 9 nights at the Villas Casa Loma. We stayed in Villa 3 which is situated dramatically on the side of a mountain with spectacular views from every window. In the back there are mountains with tropical vegetation and through all the other windows you can see the ocean.. There is a veranda with breath taking views of the ocean, mountains and a picturesque bay with sailboats. Every night we could watch the sunset in a blaze of color. Igor and Tom built the villa using native materials with soaring wood ceilings and gorgeous stone and woodwork. Every villa is uniquely decorated. Our villa had a long counter with chairs all on one side, cleverly facing the ocean. It was the dry season so the flowering trees and bushes were in full bloom and it was very hot. Igor and Tom had thought of everything for our comfort. We had multiple ceiling fans in every room and even on the veranda. There was air conditioning which we did need during the afternoons. We are swimmers so really appreciated the large pools and found time everyday where the pool was completely empty! Tom and Igor were perfect hosts and offered assistance in so many ways. The sent us to great local restaurants: Angelina's, Marie's, Carlos y Carlos, and Mar y Sol to name a few. The seafood is some of the best we have ever had. Tom, Igor and some of their other friendly guests advised us about beaches and towns to visit nearby. We vacationed with our daughter and her husband who had their own private room and bathroom with it's own entrance down a few steps from our villa. This was the perfect arrangement so they could have privacy, yet share our kitchen and veranda and spend time with us. One thing I must mention is that we had some trouble with our car rental in Liberia and were very worried about returning it at the end of the vacation. Igor offered to go with us to the local office to talk to the manager about the problem we had in Liberia and try to smooth our return. He must have worked magic because we had no problem when returning the car. I would avoid economy rentacar in Liberia. We had a wonderful and memorable trip to Costa Rica and highly recommend the Villas Casa Loma. In fact we have told all our friends are are worried they will all go and there won't be room for us!

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

Owner response: Thank you for your kind comments! It was a pleasure to meet you all here in our little corner of Paradise...Visiting by the pool, exchanging ideas and information is always rewarding. We are so happy that you enjoyed your accommodations and also the property and surrounding areas. Costa Rica is full of wonderful sights, sounds and experiences. Since your recent departure, we have spotted a couple of pods of whales breeching just off the coast in the bay below your Villa. Of course, the howler monkeys, butterflies and colorful birds are constant companions in our gardens, too. The next time you come here, we hope that you will be able to sample Lola's Norte for some wonderful fish and chips - (M-m-m good!) Of course, the choices of good restaurants in the area are almost unlimited. The Coconut Beach Club is another fun spot too. Well worth the visit. We are always happy to supply information on excursions and things to see and do here. Again, the choices are almost without limit. Perhaps next time you will have a chance to go on the Tempisque River cruise and try you hand on one of the zip line canopy tours. Bring your senses of humor and adventure! You'll always have memorable experiences here at VILLAS CASA LOMA. PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor

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Extraordinarily relaxing !!!

Guest comment entered by owner

Extraordinarily relaxing !!!

Guest Sal, David, Jim & Rita from Oregon
Date of stay 01/18/12
Review Submitted 04/18/12

Villas Casa Loma #5993 was a perfect fit for our six week stay.Gorgeous ocean and mountain views including a vast array of tropical trees, flowers, and shrubs. The location is central to the many and varied attractions in northern pacific Guanacaste. Our villa was very spacious and easily accommodated the four of us.Tom and Igor are the perfect hosts always happy to give directions, help make reservations, share CR history, and make sure that all of our needs were met.Extraordinary experience!

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Thank you for a wonderful time!!

Guest Gisela and Rick
Date of stay 01/07/12
Review Submitted 04/04/12

This was our 4th year at beautiful Villas Casa Loma with owners Igor and Tom. It has become our home away from home and the beauty of Villas Casa Loma and our accomodations where absolutely wonderful. Our Villa had all the indoor furniture redone and beautiful new outdoor furniture it was truly special and we can't thank our friends Tom and Igor enough for how kind they were toward us.Both Tom and Igor are very helpful to all there guest with information of the area. We have rented a car every year we have been there and would recommend others but you can definitly get around with out by using taxis etc. We loved the pool and we are greatful for meeting new people and long lasting friendships by all.We love birding all over Costa Rica but also find beautiful birds right from our balconies at Villas Casa Loma. We will absolutely recommend Villas Casa Loma and our children and grandchildren are hoping to come to this special place next year us included of course. Flamingo Beach and the surounding villages have wonderful restaurants beautiful beaches and a warm and inviting ocean. It is Paradise. See you next year, Rick and Gisela

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

Owner response: We are looking forward to your return visit next winter! Thank you so much for your kind comments! Since you departed, another dove has taken up residence by your "outdoor living room" and is in the process of hatching her eggs. We are spending as much time as we can just enjoying the super views from the terrace and trying to spot new species of birds. We have managed to get through our birthdays unscathed and are now in the midst of Easter Week, with lots and lots of interesting musical happenings in the community. Life continues to be full and rewarding here in our little corner of Paradise. We look forward with pleasure to your return. Thanks again! We miss you. PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor

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Our 2 1/2 months at Villas Casa Loma Costa Rica

Guest Gisela and Rick
Date of stay 01/07/12
Review Submitted 04/04/12

Villas Casa Loma is like our home away from home and owners Tom and Igor are very special friends. We have visited Villas Casa Loma the last 4 years and we could not imagine to not return in 2013. Our accomadations are very spacious with beautiful large decks overlooking Flamingo beach the Bay the Pacific Ocean and gorgious sunsets. All of our furnitures were redone from last year and we also had new outdoor furniture. We loved it. We would absolutely recommend Villas Casa Loma and our children are all wanting to visit " our place of paradise". We both very much enjoy birding which is all over Costa Rica and of course also right at Villas Casa Loma. We always rent a car as we feel very confident in travelling around the country.Flamingo Beach as well as surrounding communities have wonderful restaurants with lots of fresh seafood but also good meat dishes. Thank you again for a great time Tom and Igor!!!

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

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Great Costa Rican accommodation !!!

Guest comment entered by owner

Great Costa Rican accommodation !!!

Guest Mary - Vancouver, B.C.
Date of stay 01/06/12
Review Submitted 04/18/12

Our family of seven enjoyed a great time together at this villa. Spacious, great views, wonderful pool to enjoy. Quiet,family oriented accommodation with Igor and Tom willing to help with any needs that arose. Would recommend to others interested in staying at Playa Flamingo. A very rewarding, 5 star experience!!!

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Villa 5

Guest Monica & Jim
Date of stay 01/03/12
Review Submitted 04/04/12

My husband & I spent 3 months at Villas Casa Loma & were very pleased with our accommodation in Villa 5. It was very private & I had the pool to myself for much of the time. We met some very interesting people during our stay & found Ernesto & the maids very helpful, willingly solving any little problems. We really enjoyed the trip arranged by our hosts to Las Catalinas on Playa Danta & appreciated Lola's fish & chips. We stayed at Villas Casa Loma 3 years ago in the top floor of villa 2 which we also enjoyed. It's hard to say which accommodation we liked best. Villa 2 has wonderful views. We went to the restaurant Mar Y Sol this time & recommend it for the view & the food. The staff are very welcoming as at the other restaurants we went to. We appreciated Tom & Igor's knowledge of Guanacaste province & they do their very best to ensure the enjoyment of their guests.

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

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Unique and special!

Guest Magda&Johan
Date of stay 01/03/12
Review Submitted 03/06/12

Once again we have had the pleasurable experience of spending 2 memorable month at Villas Casa Loma.The weather wasabsolutely perfect for the entire time that we were there.We loved watching the birds of our private balcony in the early mornings.Sunny mornings spenton the unique beaches of the area and afternoon whiled away in and around one of the tropical swimming pools,surrounded by gently waving palm trees.Evenings were generally cool with light breezes.Great for sleep! Our hosts Igor and Tom were generous with their time,taking us on shopping excusion when they could find the time and to varios beaches whigh were too far for comfortable walk,but well worth the visit.One of our faourites was Playa Danta and Lola's Restaurant,were we in a group of friends for a mid- day meal on the beach,pure magic! To visit to Casa Loma is to experience a whole new way of relaxing. Thanks to the delightful staff,we were spoiled without ever feeling over-pampered. A safe,clean,truly friendly place to while away the winter month!We recommend Villas Casa Loma highly-and we already booked winter 2013,and we will be back!!!!!!! Magda&Johan

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

Owner response: We are glad that you had a memorable vacation here at Villas Casa Loma. We also enjoyed your company. The time just seemed to fly by! There is so much to see and do here... Lola's Norte has become a favourite restaurant and beach location for many of our guests who want to while away a lazy afternoon under the trees. A few days ago we saw a couple of pods of whales breaching and cavorting in the bay just in front of our property... Really exciting! We thought of you sitting on your terrace watching the boats and scanning the surface for signs of the whales. Just this morning we harvested some of our own guava, oranges, papaya and guayabana fruit for a tasty breakfast with Costa Rican coffee... Delicious! (This is something that we cannot do up North - that's for sure!) The season is now in full swing, with many of the local restaurants offering musical evenings. As you know, there is a real party mood here for those who want it, yet it is so easy to find peaceful places to dine and relax if that is your preference...Something for eveyone. The staff here - Willy, Ernesto, Lorena and Maria - join us in sending best regards. We are all waiting for your next visit here in our little corner of Paradise! PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor

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Good value for your money

Guest None
Date of stay 01/03/12
Review Submitted 02/03/12

For the first time in our lives we have taken a 30 day holiday - and now regret that we did not do this sooner! Our stay at Villas Casa Loma was much more than we expected and was made even more memorable by our thoughtful hosts, Tom & Igor, who went out of their way to include us in local activities, shopping trips, beach excursions, etc. Mornings were spent mostly walking the lovely beaches of the area. Afternoons were spent swimming and sunning by one of the 2 beautiful tropical pools. The time just flew by! Many new friends. Many wonderful experiences! Our accommodations were clean, comfortable and the premises were well maintained. Our beds were very comfortable, we received fresh towels every 2nd day and new fresh sheets once a week. Accommodations were just right. The staff was very friendly and helpful, too. Low key and wonderful! One of many highlights was a Sunday excursion to Playa Dante and Lola's Restaurant, where we dined on great fish and chips plus local beer under the trees by the beautiful beach - enchanting! On our last evening Igor and Tom organized a going away dinner which was another happy memory for us. We are very glad that we decided to join with two of our friends for a much-needed winter holiday at this special oasis. We highly recommend this property to anyone who is seeking a peaceful, soul-refreshing break from the routines of everyday life! We'll be back... E&K, Ontario, Canada

Recommended for: Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Owner response: Hey Erika & Kajo! It was a great pleasure to have you both visiting and sharing our tropical paradise. We are delighted that you had a good time here! So glad that you were able to relax and enjoy the facilities of Villas Casa Loma and the surrounding area, too... We all sure had fun! As you discovered, there are a wide variety of beaches, restaurants, shops, farmers' market, land and beach activities - all within minutes of our property. There is never a time when one can ask oneself: "What am I going to do now?" ... Now that the new airport terminal is open in Liberia, it will be much quicker to clear your plane and find your way back to our little corner of Paradise the next time you come... We will be very pleased to see you both here again ... Come on back! The birds and animals are waiting - and so are we! PURA VIDA,! Tom and Igor

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Extraordinarily relaxing!

Guest Sal
Date of stay 11/23/11
Review Submitted 01/12/12

Villas Casa Loma is an exceptional vacation property....for those guests wanting views, spacious accommodations, atmosphere, and convenience to Guanacaste's northern pacific region. The property was much more than expected and our hosts Igor and Tom were always available to share CR history, give directions, make restaurant reservations, and make sure our needs were met. We recommend Congo Trails for zip lining, river tours, and the Lazy Lizard boat tours in Flamingo Bay.Our favorite restaurants were Marie's, Lola's North and South, Mar Y Sol, Marco Polo, and Carlos and Carlos. We are most certainly recommending this property!

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

Owner response: It was a delight to have you all visiting for 40 nights! You all clearly have a great senses of humor and adventure -(and dare we say Good Taste?) You made it all so easy for us and we thank you most sincerely for your kind comments. Of course, we are already planning new and exciting activities for you when you choose to return again to our little corner of Paradise! In the meantime, be well and happy. Enjoy life. It is too short to squander, as you know... Until soon, PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor

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Amazing vacation for a group of friends!!!

Guest Alina
Date of stay 10/31/11
Review Submitted 11/15/11

After this experience You will never want to go back to any other country and especially all inclusive resorts with boundaries on you and your family!!! A week ago me, my bf and 5 of our friends came back from Costa Rica. We stayed in villa 5. We had an idea of what it looked like based on the website pictures BUT its nothing compared to the first time we walked in and saw it in person. It was absolutely beautiful, spacious, stunning and extremely clean! Tom and Igor have amazing taste and idea of how convey home cosines in paradise for families or group of friends. Sparkly clean pool that was bigger than I expected and was perfect for those morning laps facing the rainforest with papaya trees all around. Shower outside of the pool and clean bathroom were extremely comfortable for evening hang outs around the pool, saving walks up the stairs. This was my second time in Costa Rica at flamingo beach and i remembered that white sand and fun waves, but unfortunately we couldn’t find the beach until the last day. The beach is literally 15 min walk from the villa right in front of “Flamingo Resort and Spa” resort and its one of the top 10 best beaches in the world. Grocery store was 10min drive from the villa that had everything we needed. We went to volcano Arenal for 2 days and did a lot of fun stuff but all of us couldn’t wait to get back to our villa, it felt like our home so fast. And of course how can we not mention Ernesto who was such a helpful and attentive man at all times with 0 expectations. Overall best vacation ever, I can’t wait to be able to go again and stay at that same villa. All of us suggest this place and promise you will have no regrets or concerns!!! Its affordable and in a very good location with beautiful views! Thank You Igor and Tom for building such beautiful villas! Pura Vida ;) Alina

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

Owner response: Alina and Aras, Thank you so much for your kind words! We are thrilled that you and your friends had such a good time in our little corner of Paradise: VILLAS CASA LOMA. Of course, we have put a lot of love, care and attention into this property and we appreciate it immensely when people like yourselves respond in such a positive way to it! In addition to Papayas, plantains and bananas around the pool, we also have Mangos,coconuts, limes, lemons, oranges, pineapples, cashews and a variety of other fruits. Of course, our guests are encouraged to harvest and enjoy them. We look forward to having the opportunity to host you again in the near future. Pura Vida! Igor and Tom

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Costa Rica Above the Beach

Guest Mark
Date of stay 08/11/11
Review Submitted 08/22/11

The property owner Tom was fantastic.... very accommodating. He let us play in the swimming pool until well past midnight. He brought in separate beds into Villa 1 for our little kids. Fans and AC worked great. The views from Villa 1 were excellent! Directions were good..... it's about 45 minutes from Liberia airport. The only minuses were the ants in the kitchen (but they seem to frequent every kitchen in Costa Rica), even at huge gold star resorts. It would have been nice if Visa was accepted too. Overall, I highly recommend it!

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

Owner response: Thanks so much for your comments, Mark! It was a joy to have you all here in our little corner of Paradise! We were happy to be able to have so many of your wedding party as guests, too! We really pride ourselves on being able to offer flexible accommodations ... Your visit went by too fast! You obviously had a good time and made the most of your stay. There is so much to see and do in this area that it could take a lifetime and you would not be able to do it all ... We really enjoyed the chance to visit with "the wives" at the pool on Saturday. Sorry you all had to leave so early on Sunday a.m.!... Controlling ants in the kitchen is an ongoing battle due to our tropical climate! I will be mindful of your comment, however, and will take extra control measures.(Every once in a while they pay us a visit.) ... We are working on being able to accept VISA payments, but as Canadians it is quite complicated for us to get onto their system in Costa Rica. (We try to compensate for it by keeping our prices as low as possible.)... We will be delighted to see you all again at any point in the future! Come on down! The climate here is absolutely wonderful, as you have experienced! ... PURA VIDA! Tom

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A Beautiful, Serene Property!

Guest Chris
Date of stay 07/08/11
Review Submitted 07/22/11

I highly recommend Villas Casa Loma! We were six adults (including two 20-something couples) and the set-up was perfect: 2 bedrooms have separate entrances on the first level, and one is off of the large living space where we could all "hang out together" on the main level. It is even more beautiful than the photos. The Living/dining room are very spacious and the veranda is huge (yet laid-out in a way that creates cozy spaces). The views are spectacular! I felt as if we were on the coast of Spain or Italy, but without the buildup and population. Tom, the owner, is warm, friendly and extremely helpful. He made our experience even better because it was our first time to Costa Rica and there are always so many things one doesn't know in a new country. Tom was always help and gave us great recommendations. The pool area is spectacular: a large, beautiful pool surrounded by gorgeous tropical plants. We loved this villa and will come back again. The grace and charm of the villa and the property were heavenly! I highly recommend it.

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

Owner response: Thank you so much for your kind review, Christine! The staff and I certainly enjoyed your company on the rare occasion when you were not out exploring and sampling the myriad of experiences that our area offers. Your week was certainly filled to overflowing with activities of all kinds, from zip lining to quad tours, etc. etc.! You all certainly "discovered" some of the best secrets of the Gold Coast in Costa Rica: Great restaurants, multiple land and water activities, beautiful beaches, touring or just doing nothing at all but lying in the shade by the pool or on your private terrace, reading or experiencing nature at its finest You will find that there are many more fascinating things to see and do here ,,, A lifetime is not long enough! That's why we say: "COSTA RICA - NO ARTIFICIAL INGREDIENTS" It is always such a treat to have interesting - and interested - guests sharing our little corner of Paradise. Happy Trails to you all! We look forward to seeing you again ... PURA VIDA! Tom

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Flamingo Beach Vacation July 2011

Guest Terry & Steve
Date of stay 07/03/11
Review Submitted 08/03/11

Our trip to Villas Casa Loma and Flamingo Beach was wonderful. It was our first time to Costa Rica. We were hesitant to go in the "rainy" season, but after talking with our host Tom, we were optimistic about the weather. Tom was right that Costa Rica is very much like Florida in the summer, where we would have a rain shower in the afternoons, but the rest of the day would be sunny and beautiful. We were very glad that we picked July to come, the country is lush and beautiful, a very tropical setting. We were so glad that we picked Villas Casa Loma, Tom was available to us for everything from perfect driving directions, to excellent recommendations for dining, and activities, such as zip lining, beautiful beaches, etc. He even got us invited to an exclusive dinner at Mar y Sol where we sat with the owner and his wife celebrating the 4th of July!! Our villa was gorgeous, overlooking the Pacific ocean. Spotlessly clean, with every amenity. We really enjoyed our 7 days in Villas Casa Loma, and look forward to visiting again. Highly recommended!!

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

Owner response: We are so pleased that you had a wonderful time here at Villas Casa Loma! We are always delighted to share with our guests the wide variety of activities, social networking and our little oasis here in Flamingo Beach.Our gretest reward is always being able to share our experiences in this lovely, gentle country with intrested- and interesting - guests. Thank you for your kind words... A week is almost too short, but I am delighted that you both were able to make the most of your stay here! It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to share the 4th of July celebrations with you and friends atthe wonderful "Mar y Sol Restaurant". As always, it was a pleasure to be able to suggest a number of other activities and places for you to to explore, too. I hope that the next time we will be able to spend a lazy Sunday at" Lola's Norte" or the "Coconut Beach Club"... Both are truly romantic and tropical places, with the added bonus of superb food served right on the beach! ...There is so much to see and do here. One should never worry about being bored! ... Thank you again for your visit - and thanks to Becky and Burt for their recommending us to you based on their own visit... Looking forward to seeing you both here again before too long. Until soon...PURA VIDA! Igor & Tom

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Casa Loma Vacation

Guest Sybil E.
Date of stay 05/02/11
Review Submitted 05/28/11

Spacious floorplan and fabulous sunset ocean views. Casa Loma proved itself to be a wonderful hideaway. My husband and I settled in for a one month relaxing and tranquil vacation stay. Igor and Tom were most kind and informative. There is a super market, pharmacy and bank nearby and several restaurants within a short walk or taxi ride away. What impressed us mostly were the grounds. The exotic plants, flowers, coconut and banana trees were all a part of this beautiful landscape. At the end of our trip we even got to see a group of howler monkeys. And Oh, what colorful birds!!! Costa Rica and Casa Loma were a delightful treat!

Recommended for: Romantic getaway

Owner response: Thank you SO much for your pleasant review, Jay and Sybil! Glad all was good for you and that your Costa Rican experience was memorable! We are waiting for your return - and your promised charity fund-raising concert - perhaps in December/11! The area here would really appreciate your assistance, as we are sure that you are aware... Come December, hopefully we will have MORE howler monkeys to entertain you, plus our usual compliment of colorful birds and colorful tropical flora and fauna! We wish you both well and trust that you will continue to be healthy, happy and loving of each other and the broader community in which we all live...Keep on singing!! PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor

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Perfect for Us!

Guest margot
Date of stay 03/17/11
Review Submitted 04/07/11

One of our requirements for vacations is to be surrounded by beauty, to be able to leave everything behind for a brief period, to learn a little more than when we arrived, and to be in a caring environment. Villa Casa Loma answered them all. My husband and I truly vacated and recreated, two words from which vacation and recreation are derived. Our hosts Igor and Tom were most gracious and inclusive in informing us of things that were important to know and with suggestions for activities we might be interested in. The grounds are beautifully maintained by a happy staff. It was very helpful to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle.

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: What a delight to have you staying with us Margot! You were both so very interesting and interested that it was a joy for us all to be around you. It is always a delight to share the views and interests of others and to know that open and receptive minds are at work! Thank you for your kind comments and most especially for sharing your ideas and experiences with us here in our little corner of Paradise! We are glad to have been able to offer you and George some new experiences to add to your vast store. Wherever you travel in the future, we wish you continued joy and good health. We'll be delighted to see you again here at any time... There is so much more to explore and experience here in this lovely, gentle country. Until the next time - PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor (PS: Your beach chairs are awaiting your return!)

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AWESOME!!!

Guest ANDRIA
Date of stay 01/28/11
Review Submitted 02/23/11

Villas Casa Loma is truly a tropical paradise! The lush foliage and thriving wildlife are a magical sight to behold and I am more saddened than I can possibly convey to be back in the states where “Old Man Winter” is alive and well; DRAT! Our time at VCL could be characterized as supremely self indulgent relaxation; floating in the pool, laying in the sun, walking the grounds, bird watching, monkey spotting, chatting with other guests and making numerous friends. The other GREAT thing about being at this property is that within minutes you can choose dining, beaches, wild life parks, horseback riding, atv tours and zip lining. The star gazing this close to the equator is spectacular and not to be missed, so brush up on your constellations and then laze by the pool at night and watch for falling and shooting stars, pick out faraway galaxies, and dream of Orion. Lastly, the whole VCL experience is enhanced by the owners Tom and Igor and their devotion to Costa Rica, their guests well being and happiness, and a desire to make VCL an oasis of peace in a crazy big world. I really CANNOT imagine being anything but satisfied beyond definition while staying there. The true testament is in the number of returning guests I encounter each time I myself return to the marvelous paradise that is Villas Casa Loma. Till next time, Andria Bramlett. Milton, Georgia

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

Owner response: Andria, thanks so much once again for your kind comments! Sorry about the cold weather back in Georgia! We have finally finished clearing the long road through our preserve area and it has been a blessing...So far, we have sited jaguarundi - (1 black, 1 red), 2 ocelots, 3 deer, pacas, armadillos, motmots, parrots and magpie jays - among other exotic wildlife. The walk through the dry forest and up our mountain is truly enchanting. Now that it is clear, you'll have to go there the next visit. It is a naturalist's paradise. Each time we go there we see something new. Thank you for sharing your birthday once again with us! We really enjoyed that occassion which included entertainment, by Donnie Walsh and Chuck Jackson of "The Blues Brothers" backed by "The Leatherbacks". It was a great night! We all enjoyed your friend Valerie, too! She certainly added gusto to the proceedings! More to come...(Special occassions are always fun and one of our specialties!) Thursday night we will be attending the Costa Rican premier of the movie "Flip, Flop & Fly " which is narrated by Dan Ayckroyd and is the story of "The Downchild Blues Band". Most of us here at VCL will be in attendance! Friday. Downchild is giving the final performance of the year at The Happy Snapper. Saturday evening is "Talent & Improv Night" at Marie's... The fun goes on! Next week we are all planning on going to Beau Daniels' magic new boutique hotel and restaurant "Lights from Heaven" for sunset drinks and a gourmet dinner. Summer is in full swing here, too. The days are warm and sunny and the nights blessed by soft, cool breezes and starry skies. All kinds of wonderful things are continuing to happen here in our little corner of Paradise, too: **Flamingo Beach has once again been awarded the Blue Flag - and this year with 2 stars! **Approval has been granted to construct a Coast Guard Station here as well. This will be a welcome addition!) We are looking forward to your next visit and trust that it will be soon. You know that you can always be assured of fine weather, warm friendships and lots of fun and laughter here at VILLAS CASA LOMA. PURA VIDA!! Tom & Igor

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VILLA 5 - A WONDERFUL COSTA RICAN VACATION

Guest Ava
Date of stay 01/21/11
Review Submitted 02/28/11

We were guests of Tom & Igor for a full week in January 2011, renting a villa for a family vacation. We were SO impressed! It was everything we had hoped for and more. The villa was beautiful; the stone-work and wood-work were inspiring and impressive. I can't imagine the man-hours expended in the construction. The Villa had its own private swimming pool and our family really enjoyed being able to take a late-night swim without bothering anybody else. Speaking of late-night swim, the extensive lighting around the pool is amazingly beautiful and romantic at night. The villa was well-appointed and the beds very comfortable. The central part of the Villa was used as the main gathering place for the family. It is quite large and the kitchen was wonderful. We had no problem cooking for our entire brood in this great kitchen. I couldn't believe how big the bedrooms were in this Villa, not to mention the very large closets. The tile-work in the bathrooms was beautiful and elegant. Tom & Igor are fabulous hosts. The staff is friendly and helpful, especially Ernesto, who took it upon himself to make sure we had a great time. Ernesto cleaned the pool each morning and asked us frequently if there was anything we needed. Tom, Igor & Ernesto hooked us up with wonderful & unforgetable sailing & fishing excursions. We really enjoyed drinking the fabulous Costa Rican coffee each morning on the porch, looking at the wildlife coming alive in the forest. The colorful birds would fly right by us and perch in the trees, a stone's throw from the porch. The howler monkeys would howl at each other in the mornings, and it was really fun to hear. One group of monkeys would play in the trees right next to the villa. This Villa is secluded on the lower part of the hill of the property, with forest all around. It made it feel as if we had our own private estate. WOW! If we ever make it back to Costa Rica (and I plan on it), we will definitely be staying here. Just a note, the pictures on the web site, though impressive, really do not do justice to the beauty of this place. Another note, the Flamingo area is a great home-base location to explore other areas of Guanacaste, with many activities within a just a short drive away.

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

Owner response: We are absolutely delighted that you had such a wonderful time here, Ava. Your wedding/family reunion really worked out well! We know that VILLAS CASA LOMA is a wonderful venue for such occasions... Weddings are always very special occassions - as are family reunions and we have had quite a few of both here! As you could see, we are well designed for both accommodating guests and providing the space and facilities for fully catered wedding ceremonies and private groups conducted around one of the large swimming pools. Thank you for your kindnesses to Ernesto (our right arm) who - along with Willy and Lorena - happily always extend themselves to make our guests feel truly welcome and "at home" with their wide smiles and cheery dispositions! Thank you, too, for your kind comments about the Villa, its quality and materials - as well as its magic setting. This property has been a true labor of love for us both... We are always thrilled when others appreciate it as we do! We hope that you will return one day soon. You still have to explore all of our preserve area, which we have discovered is full of exotic and beautiful wildlife! All within a short stroll from your private" home away from home" here in our little corner of Paradise! Please accept our warmest regards and kindest thanks! PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/6

Dreaming of Paradise in an Ottawa Snow Storm

Guest Sylvia G. and family
Date of stay 01/20/11
Review Submitted 02/02/11

We arrived home from our idyllic week of family vacation with our grown children just 5 days ago and have had our first real blizzard of the year. How I wish I were sitting on the terrace of our lovely villa looking out at the birds, flowers and ocean. It was my very favourite thing to do - sit out with the singing birds around 6 a.m. and watch the sun light up the peninsula - divine. Thanks to Tom and Igor for providing us with the most relaxing holiday one could imagine. With the fans and spacious rooms we didn't use the A/C, nor did we bother with the radio or T.V. We just shut off the world and explored the beaches - varied and loads of fun; the restaurants - all good, and we ate and drank anything available (Marie's was a favourite); enjoyed the pool; read and had fun. The market provided everything needed for breakfasts and good fresh lunches. One of the most delightful parts of our holiday was the warm and hospitable Costa Ricans. The staff at Villas Casa Loma are terrific and everyone we met in the stores, restaurants and markets made us feel welcome. We really hated to leave. Next time we come, and I certainly hope it will be in just a couple of years, we will take an extra week to explore more of the area. We enjoyed ourselves so much at the Villas Casa Loma that we really didn't roam more than a few miles, and there is such a variety of things to see and so.

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thank you, Sylvia and family! Thank you all for your visit and special thanks for your review. We so enjoyed having you join our coterie of happy "guests" - most of whom are more like old friends! Yes, the terrace of your romantic Villa is a much favoured site for resting and reflecting while taking in the ever changing views. Sunrise and sunset here are truly amazing, as you have discovered! Within the past several days many of our guest were watching from their terraces as whales were frollicking in the Pacific Ocean in front of our property .Recently one of our guests came upoin a jaguar and her 2 cubs while trekking in the valley of our adjacent preserve. ( So you can see that it is not just birds, monkeys and Leatherback sea turtles that vie for our attention here! ) Although we have radios and TVs available, like you, many of our guests prefer the relaxing sights and sounds of nature, resting or paddling in one of the pools, or touring about this endlessly fascinating land. We are delighted that you were able to get around a little, too, and found the sweet and gentle "Ticos" so welcoming...(NO surprise, there!) Our entire complex continues to be a labour of love... We are proud of our facilities and very much appreciate it when others comment on them. Perhaps you will have a chance to stay in another of our unique accommodations on your next visit. Thank you all again! We will certainly look back on the memories of your recent visit with pleasure - and look forward with joy to your next visit to our little corner of Paradise!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/5

Dreaming of Paradise in an Ottawa Snow Storm

Guest Sylvia G. and family
Date of stay 01/20/11
Review Submitted 02/02/11

We arrived home from our idyllic week of family vacation with our grown children just 5 days ago and have had our first real blizzard of the year. How I wish I were sitting on the terrace of our lovely villa looking out at the birds, flowers and ocean. It was my very favourite thing to do - sit out with the singing birds around 6 a.m. and watch the sun light up the peninsula - divine. Thanks to Tom and Igor for providing us with the most relaxing holiday one could imagine. With the fans and spacious rooms we didn't use the A/C, nor did we bother with the radio or T.V. We just shut off the world and explored the beaches - varied and loads of fun; the restaurants - all good, and we ate and drank anything available (Marie's was a favourite); enjoyed the pool; read and had fun. The market provided everything needed for breakfasts and good fresh lunches. One of the most delightful parts of our holiday was the warm and hospitable Costa Ricans. The staff at Villas Casa Loma are terrific and everyone we met in the stores, restaurants and markets made us feel welcome. We really hated to leave. Next time we come, and I certainly hope it will be in just a couple of years, we will take an extra week to explore more of the area. We enjoyed ourselves so much at the Villas Casa Loma that we really didn't roam more than a few miles, and there is such a variety of things to see and so.

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

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/5

Catherine and family, Canada

Guest Catherine and family
Date of stay 11/28/10
Review Submitted 01/20/11

I stayed at VCL for over a month recently for the purpose of Spanish study and also a family Christmas holiday. The hired staff are extremely friendly and helpful at all times, they work very hard maintaining the lovely property. The suites I saw seemed to be well furnished etc. One really does need a car if staying here due to the location. Rent this property with caution however. To my knowledge none of the suites have phones. Neither is internet readily available or reliable in most of the suites, instead requiring one to hike up or down the hill to the pool areas with laptop. This difficulty is at best inconvenient, however in my case, extremely problematic as I needed my computer for both communication purposes and school work. Compounding this, the owners made a decision to do a 2 week overhaul of one pool during my ( high season rate) stay while most suites were vacant. Briefly, the resulting noise, mess and many labourers often made it impossible for me to use my computer except at night perching on the grass in the company of work dust and mosquitos. At times the loud music played by the workers, yelling of instructions etc. was just too much, even allowing for it being Central America. My enquires about a potential end date was met with a statement that the owners reserved the right to do regular property maintenance as they saw fit. I would suggest it might have been more appropriate in low season. As it became busier toward the holiday season, the owners wanted to remove 2 beds from my suite to redistribute due to overbooking, many of the guests being family rather than paying clients. The expectation was that my grown and very tall sons sleep together on a small futon in the living room. I had booked and prepaid for this villa based on pictures and emails assuring adequate sleeping arrangments for my family, and in the end the beds remained. My biggest concern, however, is the owners apparent lack of discrimination to whom they rent. The biggest and newest villa was occupied by 8 or 10 unsupervised.males in their late teens after Christmas. Techno music blasted all hours of the day and night, drunken screaming seemingly out of control. The lower pool became murky possibly due to the drinking games we observed, and totally unusable by other guests. One family felt they had to forbid their daughters to go near. Adding insult to injury, I was told off by Tom for cutting a few flowers to take indoors for Christmas Day.

Owner response: Thank you for your thought-provoking comments , Catherine! 1) There are separate, private telephone lines available for each Villa. They are available to anyone who wishes to use them, provided that a deposit is made to cover useage. You did not reqest this. 2) It is clearly stated in all our promotional material that Internet service is available, but only in certain areas and in some Villas themselves - not everywhere. We had email communications with you about this prior to your arrival. It was not a problem for you at the time! 3.) The upper swimming pool was closed to replace the interior finish. This is normal maintenance work, and did not in any way restrict you from enjoying our second pool, which in fact was closer to your Suitel This pool was being restored for only about 11 days.(There was no chance of putting off this work because of problems with leakage and possible contamination.) We told you initially that it would be out of commission for 2 weeks and we managed to have it back in service in considerably less time - unlike what you have implied. 4) "...resulting noise, mess and many labourers often made it impossible for me to use my computer except at night perching on the grass in the company of work dust and mosquitos" is an inaccurate and sad commentary. The lower pool was available at any time for you - as was internet connection around that pool area. (Mosquitos are not a problem here!) Most of your concerns seem to be based on your need for privacy - which we made every reasonable effort to suppy. 5) The bed issue was another of your last-minute issues.It should never have come up! We had told you - and you understood - there was ample accommodation available for your 2 sons on a queen-size futon in the living room. At the time you agreed. 2 days before Christmas it was no longer to your liking! We were able to make other arrangements in order to accommodate other - paying - guests to whom we had made prior committments. 6) The "noise factor" at New Year's Eve is something that is very difficult to control anywhere! This is Latin America. We did not know you or any of our guests before you/they arrived here. We have done our best to accommodate everyone's demands. Of course, we regret that you continue to be dissatisfied! We certainly turned ourselves inside out for you and regret that you felt the need to vent in the way you have. Perhaps Latin America - esp. over New Year's week - is not a place for you to be. PURA VIDA!

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Guest John Heightley
Date of stay 03/14/10
Review Submitted 03/14/10

My wife and I spent all of February and our 2 daughters and their families spent one week at Villas Casa Loma. We could not be more pleased with the beauty and quality of Villas Casa Loma! The views are spectacular and the Villas are very well maintained and unique in design. Tom and Igor are superb hosts and very anxious to make sure all of the guests are taken care of. The rest of the staff are equally attentive and respond to any request. We plan on returning in 2011 and staying even longer.

Owner response: We cannot wait to see you again in 2011 ... So much has changed. New places to eat, new shops, new facilities, new tours... Endless good times again! By the time you get here Lola's Restaurant will have a new location just up the beach from us. The place looks like it will be another true "winner" for those who love the laid back, easy lifestyle with great food, beaching and superb views, too! A great place to while away a lazy afternoon. You will be right at home againhere at VILLAS CASA LOMA with other returning guests whom you know from your last visit! PURA VIDA!! Tom and Igor

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 10/11

Guest Mike and Cindy Keever
Date of stay 01/21/10
Review Submitted 01/21/10

We stayed in Villa #2 over the Christmas holiday 2009. We had a wonderful time! The accomodations were clean, spacious and comfortable. The staff was friendly. The views from our villa were absolutely breathtaking! The wrap-around deck and walls of windows allowed us to see Flamingo Beach, the wildlife preserve, the pool and everything in between. We enjoyed the resort setting without actually being in a busy resort. We enjoyed relaxing at the pool (one of two) after a long day of beaching it or adventuring about. A rental car is recommended if you want to do some exploring. Four wheel drive is a must for some of the more primitive streets, or if there is a rainy day. (which we only had one) We brought our two teenagers and there was plenty of room for all of us and plenty of activities to satisfy all. As far as excursions, there was more to see than we had time to do in the 2 weeks we were there. Tom and Igor are very gracious hosts and were extremely helpful with tips on where to go and what to do. (Also, what NOT to do). The weather was around 90 degrees F. most of the time and the ocean was warm and inviting. A truck would come up to the villas a couple times a week and offer freshly caught seafood and also freshly baked items. The banana bread was to die for! Not to mention HUGE prawns that we barbequed by the pool. We want to go back and thoroughly enjoyed all Costa Rica has to offer, even more than Mexico or Hawaii. We would highly recommend Villa Casa Loma to anyone considering a trip to Costa Rica. You won't be disappointed! Cindy Keever

Owner response: Wow! Great to hear from you Cindy and Mike! So glad you had a wonderful time here inour little corner of Paradise...We enjoyed you all immensely and were only sad that you could not stay longer. Hopefully, you will find the time in your busy lives to return again soon...You'll find that much has changed - for the better, if you can believe it! The restaurants continue to offer brilliantly imaginitive fair and we are told by many of our guests that the tours being offered by our local agency are every bit as good as anywhere in the world! This is a great place for the adventurous, but by no means limited to those who must be on the go all the time! As we say here: "Do it all or nothing at all! The choice is yours!" Thanks again for your comments and hoping to see you all again soon here at VILLAS CASA LOMA. PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 10/11

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 01/05/10
Review Submitted 01/05/10

If you're looking for the perfect vacation spot for both adventure and relaxation . . . . look no further. Villas Casa Loma is IT. Tom and Igor are the perfect hosts. The grounds are beautiful. Restaurants very convenient. Our college-age kids had a blast and their old-fart parents loved the pool and beaches. Watch out for the local police though - it costs fifty bucks U.S. dollars to make a speeding ticket go away - oh well - it makes a good vacation story. Book your trip and you won't be sorry!!

Owner response: We're working hard at making the perfect vacation spot even more perfect! There are a huge number of new restaurants, shops, destinations for day trips and super-interesting places to go and check out the wildlife - and the locals, too! Day and overnight trips are fascinating, with a wide variety of volcanos, tropical dry forests, cloud forest preserves, endless beaches - each with its own "character" ... We are alway happy to assist in pointing out interesting places to go. Sorry that you had "an incident" with the local "traficos" (traffic police)... That could happen anywhere, of course! Costa Rica IS serious about traffic rules and security! ( For this we are grateful. ) Hoping to spend more time with you on your next visit to our little corner of Paradise. We are always happy to see retuning guests... They become like our family! Come on back down and share with us the warm weather and special warmth and charm of this lovely country and its delightful people! PURA VIDA!! Tom and Igor

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 10/11

Guest Todd & Helen
Date of stay 08/15/09
Review Submitted 08/15/09

Words escape me now while trying to describe to you what a pleasure it was to stay at Villa Casa Loma. We were fortunate enough to stay for a month. Everything you read about the smiling staff, the beautiful grounds, the wonderful host Tom and Igor, and that piece of heaven on earth called Playa de Flamingo is TRUE. My wife and three children ages 9,6, and 3 felt at home immediately. Not once did any of the kids ask about home or thier friends. Why should they? They were in heaven. We studied Spanish at the local fantastic school.We surfed,fed monkeys,saw 2 active volcanos, and some days we just stayed at the Villa all day and restored our soul. We had so many opportunities to have "once in a lifetime experiences" as a family. The Coasta Ricans (Ticos) in general are such a gentle and friendly people. Only to be surpassed by everyone at Villa Casa Loma. Without reservation I would reccommend for you to stay at Villa Casa Loma. I challenge you to take the time off for yourself,(for your family) and experience a true vacation, however you like it. Call me anytime and I will answer honestly any question you may have. 678-643-8558 Thank you Tom and Igor and as always... HAPPY TRAILS

Owner response: Thanks, Todd and Helen for your kind comments and especially for your friendship! We are truly blessed to be able to live in this wonderful, fascinating country and to be able to share it with so many interesting and well-travelled guests such as yourselves. Recently we re-opend the long "back road" winding through our finca/reserve and were delighted to "discover" an enormous amount of tropical wildlife, from deer to several species of wildcats. foxes, anteaters, coatimundi, bats and a huge variety of lovely tropical birds! Your children are probably at an age now where they would really enjoy the experience of seeing such a variety of wildlife so close up! We watched whales frollicking in the ocean just almost in front of our property in the last couple of weeks, too! Recently we had a Mardi Gras parade and celebration in Flamingo Beach which was truly a fun occassion! lots of colour and great imagination went into the costumes and floats... It seems like every weekend there is something of major significance happening here! We have had international folk, blues, rock'n'roll stars performing here, as well as a number of art shows, too! Always something to do - or not - as the spirit moves you! Looking forward to your next visit! HAPPY TRAILS AND PURA VIDA!!! Tom and Igor

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 10/11

Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Diane and Rob
Date of stay 03/04/09
Review Submitted 03/26/11

Dear Tom and Igor, My computer will not allow me to access your sites so I have decided to write a personal 'Thank You' to you both. I have great memories of Costa Rica and especially Villa Casa Loma. Where do I start? Using the pool twice a day for my pool exercises-early in the morning and listening to the birds or at night watching the stars pop out , or seeing all the beautiful flowers,; waiting for the bananas to ripen. The kindness of you both-willing to listen to our ideas of changing our Villa for the other one for that time period. How lovely that was. Ernesto appearing like magic ready to give me a hand-everyone so ready to offer help. Ernresto's wife Lorena just the same. The tours you suggested-Palo Verde and Monteverde. Both headed by highly informed guides. Franklin aided by William showing us so many things on the boat trip. The boat owner knowing exactly where to look. Will never forget the Howler monkeys or the tiny ones taking pieces of bananas from our hands. How can one forget the crocodiles, the bats the iguanas and the lovely birds. The tour bus drivers in both cases were excellent-never taking any chances. Monteverde was quite different being part of the tropical rain forest. The butterflies were exquisite and the lecture incredible. Also the gorgeous hummingbirds- Rob regularly feeds them all year long here. (The Annas stay)-the Rufous return to Costa Rica in mid to late July. (lucky birds) I am glad that I did not know that I would be walking across 12 Suspension Bridges-the last two were tiny ones. I would remiss if I did not mention all the fruit we so enjoyed everyday- the pineapples, bananas, papayas, watermelons- could not stay for the mangoes to ripen ,will not forget the enormous shrimp!! Rob and I enjoyed an unforgettable holiday. Truly an unexpected gift to ourselves- Many thanks Diane and Robert

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Guest ANDRIA
Date of stay 01/27/09
Review Submitted 01/27/09

Recently, I was privileged to enjoy a stay at Villas Casa Loma in the Flamingo Beach region of Costa Rica and rarely have I been more pleased by vacation accommodations. The grounds are beautiful, the villas and suites are large and have all of the conveniences western travelers enjoy and the owners are truly wonderful. Tom and Igor are completely dedicated to ensuring that everything meets and exceeds expectations. I particularly loved that there are so many towns, beaches and great dining choices just short distances from VCL, affording a fuller Costa Rican experience. There are more activities available than any family could enjoy in a weeks time frame; I recommend 2 weeks! This property is also perfect for our Family and Friends trip to Costa Rica in April of 09! The luxury of having access to all 4 villas available at once is like having our own private resort and I am GREATLY anticipating returning. Pura Vida! Much Love and Many Thanks, Andria Andria Bramlett Meeting Management Professional 16210 Henderson Rd Milton, GA 30004 770-713-1586

Owner response: Yes. there are many things to see and do here! Of particular interest is "camera hunting" for all sorts of wild animals, sunsets and incredible vistas! Several of our guests recently encountered quetzels at Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, which is unique. Also sitings of the Arenal Volcano erupting at night. We have had several recent visitors who overnighted at Arenal and were lucky enough to see the spectacular fire and light show it puts on when the sky is clear... Turtle watching, crocodile sitings, multiple exotic birds and many species of tropical wildlife are but a few of the reasons to get out and around our area a bit! Whale watching in season is a special bonus, and each of our beaches their own individual character, too. Come for the adventure! Come for the relaxation! We are looking forward to your next visit! We promise to make each visit a unique one. PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/7

Pura Vida

Guest ANDRIA
Date of stay 01/03/09
Review Submitted 02/14/09

Recently, I was privileged to enjoy a stay at Villas Casa Loma in the Flamingo Beach region of Costa Rica and rarely have I been more pleased by vacation accommodations. The grounds are beautiful, the villas and suites are large and have all of the conveniences western travelers enjoy and the owners are truly wonderful. Tom and Igor are completely dedicated to ensuring that everything meets and exceeds expectations. I particularly loved that there are so many towns, beaches and great dining choices just short distances from VCL, affording a fuller Costa Rican experience. There are more activities available than any family could enjoy in a weeks time frame; I recommend 2 weeks! J This property is also perfect for our Family and Friends trip to Costa Rica in April of 09! The luxury of having access to all 4 villas available at once is like having our own private resort and I am GREATLY anticipating returning. Pura Vida!

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

Guest Dale and Sara Folkins
Date of stay 06/19/08
Review Submitted 06/19/08

Wow! It doesn't happen often that expectations are exceeded but they were certainly exceeded this afternoon when we arrived at Villas Casa Loma. From the moment we turned onto the driveway we knew that this was more than a slice of Paradise, it was the epitome of Paradise! We love it! Our next two weeks are going to be awesome even if we never leave the Stone Villa! Thank you so much for sharing your place with us. We are amazed at the attention to detail, the quality of workmanship and how clean everything is! I never could have imagined how magnificent this villa would be, this place seems like a little bit of heaven.

Owner response: Thans so much for your comments, Dale and Sara! We strive to please. Each and every guest here is special and welcome! We are so glad that you enjoyed your Villa and that VIllas Casa Loma lived up to your expectations. It continues to be a labor of love for us both. Happy trails! PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/7

Guest Fred and Sandi Neary
Date of stay 03/14/08
Review Submitted 03/14/08

We had the pleasure of living in the upper half of Villa 2 for the month of February 2008. It was indeed a little corner of paradise. The views from the balcony were spectacular--the pool, the ocean and the dry tropical forest. The howler monkies were a great alarm clock. Our hosts Tom and Igor promptly and graciously answered questions and e-mails prior to our visit and after arriving in Costa Rica, they guided our decisions to tour Costa Rica with the same gracious enthusiasm. The suites were bright and airy as shown in the pictures and equipped with everything we needed. The smiling employees kept the pool, grounds, and our accommodations beautifully neat and tidy. We would rate Villas Casa Loma with five stars! It was wonderful.

Owner response: Thank you for your kind comments! Do see the rest of the world - and then come on back to our little corner of Paradise! Within a short drive you will come upon quetzels, parrots, monkeys, deer, coatimundi, jaguar, beautiful little foxes, anteaters, armadillos, sea and land turtles and a host of other wonderful animals - even crocodiles and pods of frollicking humpback whales!... Many are being spotted right here on - or sited from - our own property! Flamingo has really come alive recently, with lots of wonderful and imaginitive restaurants, etc. Recently Donnie Walsh and Chuck Jackson of The Downchild Blues Band gave several performances and were sold-out ! ... The fun continues. So much to do - or nothing at all - what a choice! Travel well and hope to see you again soon! PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/6

Guest Judy & Dave
Date of stay 03/10/08
Review Submitted 03/10/08

Hi Igor/Tom Just a short note to thank you both for your hospitality and assistance during our stay at Casa Loma Villas. We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday at our accommodations, along with touring and sightseeing in Costa Rica. The time around the pool will be well remembered. Our time was made better getting to know the both of you and the other guests. The other advantage of the location is the number of beaches within walking and driving distance. Thanks again and will have no problem recommending the Villas Casa Loma to anybody interested in visiting Costa Rica. Judy and Dave

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

Guest tamara and andrew mcqueen
Date of stay 02/14/08
Review Submitted 02/14/08

Casa Loma is a piece of heaven that we were lucky enough to have sumbled across in our travel to Flaming Beach. When we initially drove up to it, we thought it was a private home as it is so beautifully tended to and in such a quiet location. We ended up staying out our trip there for about a week and were very sad when it was time to leave. The hosts, Igor and Tom are a delight and you feel so at home in their paradise. The suites are immaculate, private, well equipped and true pleasure to call home. Every day the gardeners tend to the already perfect setting to keep it pristine. Igor and Tom are both very interesting people that add to the stay. They truly created a place that we are hoping one day to return to and highly recommend anyone to do so as well. You will love it as we did!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/6

Guest David Goldfoot
Date of stay 02/13/08
Review Submitted 02/13/08

Dear Tom and Igor, As we dig out of the umpteenth snowfall of the year, this current one measuring 13.1 inches, we just want you both to know how much of a sacrifice it was to leave the snow, the frigid cold (we've had minus 23 degree Fahrenheit wind chills last week) the white-out blizzard conditions with 100+ cars piling up on our interstate to come to your villa over New Years. Why, we had to put up with sunny skies, breathtaking sunsets, 85 degree weather every day, warm surf, spectacular nature and magnificent accomodations. I don't know how we managed. Thank goodness we are back in snowy Wisconsin so that we don't miss any more of this wonderful record-setting winter! Thank you so much for a magnificent stay. If only we could have stretched it out to two weeks ... or longer. Maybe some day... This is our second trip to Costa Rica. Your Villa accomodations were without question the best we've ever experienced. You do need to give a little more explanation about how to find the villas --- we were a bit lost when we first got to Flamingo Beach, but that is the only possible negative I can think of. Once found, we were enormously pleased with your wonderful accomodations and gracious hospitality. Our children loved horseback riding and surf lessons in Tamarindo; we loved Flamingo Beach, Sugar Beach, wonderful restaurants and the genuine friendliness of all the Ticos we met. In short, I can't imagine anybody being disappointed with a vacation choice at Villas Casa Loma. Regards, David, Lorraine, Michelle, Bob, Eileen, Elise and Erica

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/7

Guest Jennifer and Verlin Jackson
Date of stay 02/12/08
Review Submitted 02/12/08

Tom and Igor, We can't begin to tell you how much we enjoyed our stay at the villas. This was our third time in Costa Rica and this was the best! Your villas are great and you both, along with your staff, made our month's stay in Flamingo very memorable. We loved the howling monkeys and all the beautiful birds. We were able to explore all of the beaches in the area and find great places to eat. Having Lorena cook for us was fabulous. Ernesto's daily visit with flowers for the villa and his kidding were a part of the day we looked forward to very much. We hope he learned as much English as we did Spanish! Again, thank you and we will be back to enjoy your beautiful area again.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/5

Guest Cecilia Gonzales Tucker
Date of stay 07/16/07
Review Submitted 07/16/07

Tom and Igor The month we spend at the villas was the most wonderful vacation we have had to this day. The hospitality is great, the views are awesome and the location is beautiful. Thank you Cecilia

Owner response: Thank you for your kind comments! It is always a joy to have interesting and interested guests here at VILLAS CASA LOMA! Recently we have had a number of guests who have used our compound as a home base while taking shorter trips to the Monteverde Cloud Forests Preserve, Arenal Volcano and Lake, Tempisque River, etc. It is exciting to see the photographs of the abundant wildlife taken on their trips... Now we have our own little wildlife tour available here in our own "back yard". We cleared out the road leading into the back and top of our property, so we are almost daily seeing lots of unusual wildlife and birds! Our second pool is now in operation, too. Lots happening here. We had a pod of whales frollicking in the bay out front the other day! ... Lots of things to see and do here! More restaurants, shops, land and sea activities, touring opportunities, too! Happy trails and PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/6

Guest Nancy and Randy Gordon
Date of stay 01/12/06
Review Submitted 01/12/06

Hi Tom and Igor, As promised but a few weeks late: Many thanks for yet another year of fabulous Pura Vida. As usual your facilities were wonderful especially our Tree Top apartment. The full views on all three sides provided us with amazing views of the animals, the birds, the sunrise , the ocean sights and the romantic sunsets. Everyday the birds and butterflies thrilled us and the monkeys entertained us. We walked daily alone the beaches and swam with much relief in your huge pool. When we leave to explore other areas of Costa Rica we are always so excited to be back home at Villas Casa Loma. You make us feel so welcome, comfortable and part of your family. Your staff is very friendly and kind. Costa Rica is an amazing country with so much to see and do. The people are all so friendly. Flamingo area provides many close gorgeous beaches which can be walked and explored easily. The local stores are handy and the area restaurants vary from Sodas on the beach to 5 Star dining. Life at Casa Lomas is perfect ! Look forward to our return for the fourth time and it will always be in early November to early December. This is such a luscious , quiet time. Once again many thanks for sharing your piece of heaven with us. Nancy and Randy from Ottawa Canada

Owner response: Glad you enjoyed the Treetops Suite... It is like living in a treehouse with a touch of luxury thrown in! We have made many improvements to our property since your last visit and will be delighted to show them to you on your next visit. Many new shops and fabulous restaurants have opened in the area, too! So the many things that one could choose from have multiplied exponentially... We are blessed to have an abundant wildlife population on our preserve here, too, and recently have sited many more indigenous animals and birds since opening up the road that winds through our Preserve area. November and December are wonderful months to visit, for sure, but the rest of the year brings special bonuses as well. The northern "summer months" are absolutely gorgeous here! Bright flowers and vegetation kissed by occassional gentle rains. Absolute heaven! Looking forward to your return soon. PURA VIDA! Tom and Igor

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/6

Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Norm, andMary, Lloyd and Janis
Date of stay 04/09/05
Review Submitted 04/08/05

Dear Tom and Igor What can we say but thank you for sharing your little bit of paradise. Our trip back was uneventful, which was good, and a bit long. We woke up this morning not to the sound of howlers but to traffic roaring by on the streets and a wee bit of that dreaded white stuff falling from the skies. Rigo was on time and in fact, as you know, a bit early -- we were ready so away we went. We did look over at your place as we walked by but the lights were out. Thank you for the last bit of consideration in calling Rigo to make sure he was going to be on time. When the phone rang Mary said it would be Tom so I guess we missed you by 5 minutes or less. The reception on the phone wasn't good so not sure if you heard what I said, but I did hear you laughing. This vacation is going to be one that we talk about for a long time. Many times we discussed how perfect the Villas Casa Loma was and how lucky we were to have selected the Villas and stayed with you. Our trips to Playa Coco and Tamarindo only confirmed that we did have the best place on the coast. I could rant and rave but you probably have a hundred things to do, as usual. I think one of the things that we appreciated is that no matter how busy you were, you always had or took the time to talk to us when we had a question. So amigos, take care, enjoy your paradise, hope the construction goes well and you are able to enjoy life and the Villas to their fullest. Pura Vida Norm, Mary, Lloyd and Janis

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/6

Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Kirin and Jim W.
Date of stay 03/30/05
Review Submitted 03/29/05

Tom and Igor, Just wanted you to know what a fabulous time we had and we can't wait to come back. You guys made us feel so welcome and helped us with all our needs. The massage was so great, tell Carlos hello from us. You guys have the perfect idea of paradise down there and are living the type of life I want to in retirement. Thanks again for the beautiful spot you have worked hard to put together and then sharing it with us.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/6

Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Laura and Gord
Date of stay 03/26/05
Review Submitted 03/25/05

Hello Tom and Igor: If we got it right you will now have returned from your "vacation" in Guatemala, which we hope you enjoyed. To welcome you home we just want to say a very big thankyou for sharing a bit of that "CostaRican Dream" with us. Many thanks too to Glenn and all the "Peterborough Crew" who generously included all of us in that never-to-be-forgotten party. With the happy times so fresh in our memories we could hardly believe it when who should be featured on TV Ontario the other night but Donnie Walsh and the Downchild Blues Band. The deep snow that awaited us in Deep River is slowly disappearing, and we are fortunate to have the strength and good health that Costa Rica and Casa Loma had stored in our "body banks" to tide us over until warm sunshine finds its way back to this part of the world. Who knows what 2006 will bring, but Costa Rica sure looks tempting at this moment. Thanks again.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/6

Guest Donna4
Date of stay 04/21/04
Review Submitted 04/21/04

My husband and I had the privelege of renting an apartment at Villas Casa Loma for 11 weeks this winter. We could not have been treated better by Tom and Igor or their very competent staff. Our gracious hosts have created a lush oasis that, being a smaller complex, is very personal and private. They were always available to answer questions, see to our needs or just visit with around the beautiful swimming pool. We would highly recommend this top-notch accomodation.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/6

Guest Henry3
Date of stay 02/14/03
Review Submitted 02/14/03

In all our travels throughout Mexico, Florida and the Caribbean, never have we found such a place as Villas Casa Loma. Our recently built apartment was very spacious, beautifully furnished with a fully equipped kitchen and walked out onto an enormous pool area which held the cleanest pool in Costa Rica. The view of the Pacific from this hill was absolutely breathtaking and the sunsets, awe inspiring. 2 wonderful beaches are within walking distance, but a car makes the return much easier. We were entertained by local dancing and enjoyed the food in a number of nearby restaurants as well as cooking for ourselves. For us it was the perfect spot for a very relaxing and reasonably priced holiday.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/6

Vacation Rentals by Owner

Villas Casa Loma: Tropical Villa with Pools and Spectacular Ocean Views [#5993] | View Property

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Unique and special!

Good value for your money

Good value for your money

Extraordinarily relaxing!

Extraordinarily relaxing!

Amazing vacation for a group of friends!!!

Amazing vacation for a group of friends!!!

Costa Rica Above the Beach

Costa Rica Above the Beach

A Beautiful, Serene Property!

A Beautiful, Serene Property!

Flamingo Beach Vacation July 2011

Flamingo Beach Vacation July 2011

Casa Loma Vacation

Casa Loma Vacation

Perfect for Us!

Perfect for Us!

AWESOME!!!

AWESOME!!!

VILLA 5 - A WONDERFUL COSTA RICAN VACATION

VILLA 5 - A WONDERFUL COSTA RICAN VACATION

Dreaming of Paradise in an Ottawa Snow Storm

Dreaming of Paradise in an Ottawa Snow Storm

Dreaming of Paradise in an Ottawa Snow Storm

Dreaming of Paradise in an Ottawa Snow Storm

Catherine and family, Canada

Catherine and family, Canada

Pura Vida

Pura Vida