We had 3 couples with 5 kids and there was more than enough room. As soon as we arrived, the kids were in the pool, and throughout the entire week it was hard to get them out! After Ronald put up the volleyball net, it was hard to get the adults out of the pool as well! It is just a short walk across the lawn to the beach. It is a black sand beach, so it is not the most picturesque, but the water felt so good and we had a terrific time. We went on 3 days of excursions, and we highly recommend Chico, the guy that Ronald will suggest you use. Every driver/guide who we toured with was professional and highly knowledgeable. We learned so much--especially on the Monteverde tour with Christian.

We only went to one restaurant in town because we had the best cook around in Bernie! Whatever you do, don't miss her cooking! She makes wonderful food, and I would take a meal at the house cooked by Bernie and eaten at our leisure before a restaurant any day. And maybe I shouldn't tell you this, but she cleans it all up too! Bernie is an absolute sweetheart and we all fell in love with her. She made french toast and omelettes, guacamole and pico de gallo, Costa Rican pork chops and lasagna (oh, that lasagna was soooo good!). Be sure to have her make a tres leches cake. Oh my. Heaven.

As far as day trips, I would definitely recommend the Monteverde zip line (through Selvatura, I believe). 2 hours of zip-lining for just $50 ($35 for the kids, age 4-12) was a steal. And our guides knew the perfect restaurant to take us to afterwards. Of course, the monkeys just a few minutes away are a MUST. What an experience! We also thought the crocodile/birds tour was great as well. I didn't think the Tortuga Island day was that fantastic, but the rest of the family seemed to enjoy it quite a bit, and we did get to see dolphins and turtles along the way. We also enjoyed walking down the beach and out onto the pier at the Doubletree Hilton. Bring your deet, though. Lots and lots of mosquitoes in this part of Costa Rica.

As other reviews have already stated, the showers were plenty warm (mine was almost too hot upstairs), the air conditioners in each room worked great, and the caretakers, Ronald and Bernie, were great people. Whenever I emailed questions (which I did a lot, sorry Karin), the owners responded quickly and with detail. They were terrific to work with. I would highly recommend this house to any and all interested in an authentic Costa Rican experience!