Fodor's Expert Review Casa Romántica

Calm, tranquil, and close to the beach, this hotel's name (Romantic House) says it all: the Spanish colonial–style house has an upstairs veranda and a graceful arcade with views of a crystal-blue kidney-shape pool surrounded by a glorious tropical garden. The young Swiss owners renovated the original rooms and built new ones in separate wings. Everything is bright, with big bathrooms and shared terraces overlooking the gardens. Eight have air-conditioning and four rely on sea breezes to keep them cool. There's also a fully equipped and air-conditioned two-bedroom house for rent. The large pool has a huge shelter with hammocks, covered by a soaring thatch roof. A short path through the surrounding forest leads straight to the beach. The hotel partners with a surf school to offer surfing packages. The small patio restaurant where the excellent complimentary buffet breakfast is served becomes a truly romantic, candlelit restaurant at night, when the menu includes Continental favorites like chicken cordon bleu, beef Stroganoff, a creamy shrimp curry, and daily fish and seafood specials.