Serenity in the Central Valley

Guest: Karen and Dale (Florida)
Date of Stay: 09/01/11 Review Submitted: 01/23/12

My husband and I spent 3 months at the cabina after our daughter’s wedding in Guanacaste. I can’t say enough about how much we enjoyed our visit. Steve and Nancy made us feel so welcome, were more than accommodating to our needs, and we felt like family. The cabina is so lovely, with amazing views. The beds are very comfortable and everything is fresh and clean. The small kitchenette had everything we needed for our 3 month stay and that was with preparing meals there almost nightly. Nancy and Steve were very accommodating if there was something I didn’t have for the kitchen. We enjoyed the Jacuzzi often, especially those rainy nights during our rainy season visit. They have thought of everything. Nancy’s garden is extensive and the birds are abundant. We could hear the parrots almost every day and the Oro Pendula. We enjoyed sitting on the porch in the morning watching the hummingbirds throughout the garden as we drank the wonderful Costa Rican coffee. We attended Steve and Nancy’s church in Orosi and enjoyed getting to know everyone there and the work they are doing in the community. We hiked the mountain roads around the cabina, enjoying the views, made a visit down the road to the local farmer for cheese often, and went to the farmer’s market every Saturday in Paraiso. There are so many attractions in the area and convenient. Is a good base to explore the Central Valley. We definitely recommend this property and we will be return visitors.

Owner response:Thank you for the wonderful review. The entire valley misses you both, you're missing some good parties and get-togethers. Isn't it time for you to return to Costa Rica and visit Lindsey?

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

Elena (Texas)

Guest: Elena (Odessa, TX)
Date of Stay: 12/23/11 Review Submitted: 01/20/12

What an amazing experience. Words cannot adequately express what our eyes saw. The thousands of pictures don't do justice either. However, I'll try to sum up our experience. We absolutely loved the entire trip. The house is beautiful, cozy and it was just more than we expected. The trails are divine and even though we walked them daily and at times several times a day, each time we found something we'd not yet seen, a different plant, flower or bird. At first, you are taken aback with the grandness of it all and it's like looking at the mass without focusing on any of it's details. Aww, but after a few days there, you can zero in on the splendidness of it all and appreciate the minor details. Lola and Maggie were faithful companions on our daily walks. They are such loving and friendly dogs. Regarding Mr. & Mrs. Riley...what gentle, generous and caring hosts! We thank you so much for your time, the rides to/from the rental car, the tours/field-trips, the meals, the lessons and above all, your hospitality and loving personalities! Nos encanto conocerles y damos gracias a Dios por ustedes. You both will forever be treasured in our hearts and we look forward to the day we can once again walk those magical gardens and enjoy a chat with you both!

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

Amazing!

Guest: Melissa (Cheyenne, WY)
Date of Stay: 12/05/11 Review Submitted: 12/16/11

I would definitely recommend this vacation rental to anyone. The pictures of the house don't do it justice. The home is absolutely beautiful, and the views are breathtaking. My family and I rented the home for a few days thinking it would be a great home base while we went and explored the area. It was a great home base, but the property is so amazing we found ourselves wanting to stay at the house and just take in the views. Steve and Nancy were extremely helpful. Steve even spent a day taking us around Orosi and setting up a visit to his friends coffee farm which was wonderful. The price of this vacation rental was also amazing. For the service, views, and home it's a super value.

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

It doesn't get any better.......

Guest: Dori (Yoakum, Texas)
Date of Stay: 07/26/11 Review Submitted: 08/05/11

We enjoyed everything about your place......the gorgeous garden, hospitality, wonderful beds, Maggie and Lola for starters! The view is out of this world and the Nancy's garden is breathtaking. The villa is beautifully decorated, immaculate, provides everything needed for a comfortable stay. Thanks for sharing your piece of paradise! And give Lola and Maggie a big hug for us!

Owner response:Thank you for the wonderful review. We greatly enjoyed your visit to our part of the world. Maggie and Lola send puppy kisses.

Recommended for:

Fabulous Getaway

Guest: Brooke (Houston)
Date of Stay: 06/04/11 Review Submitted: 07/06/11

My husband and I visited Costa Rica over our one year anniversary. We spent a week and Steve and Nancy's tucked-away villa and absolutely loved it. The villa was beautifully decorated, comfortable, clean and equipped with all the items that we needed. The porch had breathtaking views of Nancy's garden, hummingbirds galore, along with Costa Rica's natural beauty. Their two sweet pups added to an atmosphere that made us feel at home. The villa was located near by many attractions, such as, zip lining, Tapanti National Park, Volcano Irazu and more. For this reason, an SUV is recommended, allowing you to visit these amazing sights at your leisure. Steve and Nancy's impeccable hospitality was always appreciated- from friendly conversations, to excellent suggestions to even making a reservation for us . If you are looking for quiet villa (not surrounded by other tourists) with access to day trip adventures, this is the place for you!

Owner response:Brooke and Gavin, Thank you for the 5 * review. We hope the rest of your Costa Rica trip was a much fun as you had while in Orosi. It was nice having a doctor to consult while one of our sons was in the hospital. Los Rileys

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

A gem

Guest: Brian (Nova Scotia, Canada)
Date of Stay: 04/26/11 Review Submitted: 07/03/11

We spent 5 days with Steve and Nancy and, like all the others, loved it. So much to like: the extensive heliconia gardens are a delight whether for enjoying the dizzying variety of heliconia flowers, viewing the birds sheltered there, or just exercising with the happy hounds (2 delightful Rotweilers); the perfectly appointed two story casita with outdoor jacuzzi; the stunning view over the valley that reaches down to Orosi; the quiet that pervades this oasis just minutes from the noise of Cartago; the location that allows rapid access to Tapanti National Park, Irazu National Park, Turrialba National Park and the Lankester Gardens to name but the most obvious. Most impressive, however, was the hospitality of Steve and Nancy. The conversation sparkled, the travel suggestions were abundant, but our privacy in the nearby casita was always respected. We spent 10 wonderful weeks in Costa Rica, but our stay with Steve and Nancy ranked at the top.

Owner response:Brian, Thank you for the very nice review and we hope you return next year when the weather turns cold in Nova Scotia.

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

Our visit to Orosi Valley Area

Guest: charlie (Texas)
Date of Stay: 06/11/11 Review Submitted: 06/28/11

We travel to Costa Rica annually in search of the area we would like to relocate, eventually. We are not hotel type travelers as we enjoy to experience the culture of Costa Rica during our visits. We used this place as our base as we visited Cartago, Orosi, Cachi, Irazu Volcano and Trapanti National Forest and found ourselves wanting to return back each evening to see the beautiful view before sunset. The Villa offers a great getaway, its amazing how quite it is there as you enjoy the wonderful landscaping by the owner. When we return to the area there is no doubt where we will be staying. Thanks for a great time and your hospitality.

Owner response:It is always a pleasure to have a fellow Texan staying with us, hurry back soon.

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

La meilleure habitation au Costa Rica!

Guest: Laurent & Émilie (Montréal, Québec)
Date of Stay: 05/04/11 Review Submitted: 06/06/11

En quelques mots, les nuits que nous avons passées dans cette merveilleuse habitation à Orosi ont été les plus belles et les plus confortables de tout notre voyage (28 jours) au Costa Rica. Nous avons dû faire au moins 9 hôtels, cabinas et autres et c'est définitivement le meilleur endroit où nous sommes restés. D'abord, les Riley, les propriétaires, sont des hôtes incomparables qui sont honnêtes, serviables et toujours de bonne humeur! Ils sont aussi très respectueux de l'intimité des locataires; ils ne sont jamais venus frapper à la porte de notre habitation de peur de nous déranger, mais ils étaient toujours disponibles si l'on allait frapper chez eux. L'un des meileurs points de la villa est leur immense jardin, dans lequel les locataires peuvent se promener sans problème. Nous en avons profité en marchant une journée entière sur leur terrain qui était magnifique! C'est un endroit idéal pour apprécier les plantes du pays (particulièrement les différents types d'héliconias et d'orchidées) et plusieurs oiseaux (nous avons vu beaucoup de colibris). Bref, leur jardin nous a permis une journée peu coûteuse et vraiment agréable. Finalement, l'habitation est très complète, avec une cuisine comprenant de la vaisselle, une machine à café, un four micro-ondes, un grille pain et un réfrigérateur (attention, il n'y a pas de poêle). Tout est d'une propreté remarquable, on peut y boire de l'eau filtrée et les lits sont très confortables. La décoration est aussi superbe, étant composée d'oeuvres d'art diverses que les Riley ont rapporté de leurs nombreux voyages. Pour conclure, c'est un 10 sur 10 assuré, notre séjour a dépassé toutes les attentes que nous nous avions fait de l'endroit et nous y retournerions n'importe quand. À ne pas manquer!

Owner response:Merci pour la revue merveilleuse. Nous espérons que vous pouvez retourner nous visiter à costa Rica bientôt.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, tourists without a car, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Relaxing and Beautiful!

Guest: Jena & Braden (Middletown, Iowa, USA)
Date of Stay: 08/04/10 Review Submitted: 05/12/11

My son and I spent three nights here in August 2010, and it was such a relaxing and beautiful place to be. We wished we could have stayed longer (there and in Costa Rica, in general). My son likes to tell people back home about this place and asks when we're going back. I would recommend this villa to anyone who loves nature, peace, fabulous views, and tranquility. One can stay there (after a trip to the local grocery store, that is) and never leave or they may use this as a home base for traveling the region. We especially liked the white water river rafting (using the outfitter Steve recommended). A rental 4x4 is highly advised to travel to the property and beyond. The property was clean and well-maintained. Steve and Nancy were wonderful hosts, and they really impressed my 14 year-old son. If finances allowed it, I'd be returning here every few months; it's that relaxing!

Owner response:Jena and Braden, Thank you so much for the wonderful review. Come back and see us. Regards, Steve, Nancy, Lola Mae and Maggie Mae

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

everything was wonderful!

Guest: mk (santa ana, costa rica)
Date of Stay: 04/21/11 Review Submitted: 04/28/11

Highest recommendation - great place, owners, access to parks and churches ... excellent!

Owner response:Many thanks for the review. Come see us!

Recommended for:Pet owners, adventure seekers, sightseeing, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway.