La Mansion Inn vs. Mango Moon
 

Anyone have any feedback - this is really it for my hotel questions - we have to book this weekend.
Thanks!!

Hi, Jen - have you checked tripadvisor.com? I usually check the reviews there before I book a place. It gives you feedback about each hotel and offers photos that other people have taken. It usually helps me make up my mind. If you have any more specific questions about Mango Moon, I can try to help.

LaMansion looked beautiful from the outside but it's down an unfinished road. You would have to have transportation to go anywhere. Mango Moon is similar. I recommend the many hotels that are right on the main drag where you can grab a bus for about .50 and go to Manuel Antonio beach area where there are restaurants, shopping, etc. We stayed at Villa Mymosa and enjoyed it very much. Small and the cook is awesome. Pool right there and convenient to what you are there for.

I don't know Mango Moon well so I can't comment, but I have visited La Mansion a few times (never actually stayed there), and I was not impressed. The grounds are beautiful, but the walls in the entryway were covered with the owner with various famous people he's met over the years. The entire hotel had a very stuffy, formal feeling to it...not very tropical. That being said, the owner runs a very tight ship and the service is beyond excellent. I hope that helps!

We have stayed at Mango Moon twice, and will book again should we stay near MA again.

We enjoy the open breezy, casual atmosphere and though it is a most romantic inn, there have been families staying there both times. The pool is small but deep, more of a plunge pool really, so perhaps not the best place to take young kids. There is a resident iguana who hangs out near the pool under the deck chairs.

There are many, many large tropical bouquets throughout the tv area and breakfast room, interesting fresh centrepieces on every table, which we really appreciated, and the staff are friendly and most helpful - will arrange tours, dinners or car reservations.

There's a great long wooden breakfast table from where you can watch the monkeys while you sip your coffee or choice of teas. Good choice of breakfast foods, juice and fruits and the view is amazing. This same wooden bar is the perfect spot to watch the sunset and enjoy a cold Imperial. Mmmm.

We have stayed once with a car , once without. Not having a car does make it more challenging to get around the area, for even if one uses the bus up and down the BIG hill to MA, there is still the walk back to the inn, which seems about half a mile. It makes for hot walking, anytime in the day as that pavement really holds the heat. That being said, both my daughter and I preferred the trip where we chance to walk everywhere we went, to the trip where we had the car at our disposal. Just thinking about our walks back to Mango Moon along the dark, unlit road brings back great memories and we never afraid. There are taxis available to drive us about but never took any - personal preferrance I guess.

Mango Moon has a choice of rooms, sizes of bed, view etc and the decor is tropical, fresh flowers on your towels and the air conditioning works well. The balconies, or rather outdoor sitting areas are shared space and have the wonderful wooden rockers that one sees throughout CR. So relaxing!

We stayed at Mango Moon and didn't find it too difficult to get around. We could walk to Cafe Milagro, Salsipuedes, and Barba Roja pretty easily. When we went to the park, the guide picked us up at the MM and drove us. Only once did we have to get a taxi, and the hotel called them for us, and they were there very quickly - total fare was $5. Flamesfan is right - it is very hot there. We did get pretty sweaty, but we always felt like we were having a little adventure. The first night I wore heels - did not make that mistake again! Let us know how your trip goes - best of luck.

Thanks so much! We actually decided on La Mansion Inn after we found out the private balcony situation at Mango Moon (its just more expensive to have your own balcony). And La Mansion Inn has the infinity pool nad swim up bar, and the restaurant. So...we'll see. I am sure we will check out Mango Moon to see what we are missing!!

I totally understand about the balcony - we like to have our own too - it's just more romantic that way. Enjoy your trip!

Mango Moon is AWESOME! The staff is very helpful with all questions and with booking trips. The food is great, they have thier own restuarant and serve breakfast (free), lunch and dinner. They also have happy hour from 4-6, Miguel is the bartender and he makes great frozen drinks! The owner is Donna and always takes time to talk to everyone. The staff is like family. The pool is always clean and refreshing after the walk to the private beach (go at low tide) We stayed in the Tiki Titi room, very quiet and peaceful. We did not have a car but that really didn't matter, not a far walk to the main road to catch the bus. I highly recomend this place!