I'm going to try this for a third time...my last message disappeared!

Does anyone have any new stories about this place since Lovingcostarica went and hated it?

It seems nice, reasonably priced and their sister property in Arenal gets rave reviews.

I'd like to stay at Makanda but they do have a studio available for the time I'll be there and their villas are just a bit out of our price range.

So, if anyone can shed some light on the La Mansion Manuel Antonio, I would be delighted!

I don't know what the other post said about La Mansion, but if it was unfavorable I'd have to agree. They make it out to be a nice luxery place and that just isn't the case. It is WAY overpriced for the quality of the rooms.
What exactly are you looking for in a hotel room? Pure luxery, or a nice place? I'm not sure what they quoted you for a price but for the same money you can find a much nicer place, with much better service.
I guess you could say that I wasn't at all impressed with my stay at La Mansion.
I've never stayed at the one in Arenal or heard anything about it...

Dear MonaManuel,
Gee, that's a couple of bad reviews! The website looks very nice, but the prices would certainly be steep if the property is not quite what it is portrayed to be. Check out Villas Nicolas. Everyone seems to think it is a great place to stay, and the prices are more than reasonable.

Do you think it means anything that both people that posted negative reviews about this place are involved in the sale of condos in Manuel Antonio? The original poster even posted a message on this board a while back exhorting people to buy rahter than rent in MA.

What's the consensus?

Mona, I would hesitate to stay at a hotel that has 2 bad reviews and no good ones anywhere.

We stayed at Si Como No and liked it but it may not be a good place for a honeymoon. Villas Nicholas that is next door to Si Como No always has good reviews and should be quieter than Si Como No. Also check out Tulemar Bungalows.

Mona. If you are looking for privacy with great views and not a luxurious but very large place you might want to check out the penthouse pat. at Costa Verde. It is somewhat plain in furnishings, etc, but had gorgeous views. No ac, and it is in what they call an adult building. We also looked at a lovely apt. type room at Villa Nicolas, do not remember the number but it is on the right of the entrance and in a separate building. We didn't take it because it was available for only one night, but it was very nice. Have also stayed at Hotel California, sparse rooms but very clean, nice views, wonderful staff and reasonably priced for the green season. There are so many hotels in Manuel Antonio area.

I just returned and stayed at Makanda - I can't say enough good things! We had a villa which was great - but the studios also seemed quite nice. Just make sure whatever room you get has air conditioning.

La Mansion is just down the street. We didn't go in - although from the outside it was a nice place.

If this is for a honeymoon - definitely go to Makanda!

Helpful points on the above posts:

Makanda is a LUXURY resort and costs at least $300 per night.

La Mansion is only $100 per night possibly less.

I have not stayed at either of these but have been shopping around and am choosing La Mansion. I will post my opinion when I get back from a 3 night stay (got the honeymoon package for $300 during High Season).

I have no association with any hotel but I found this in my research: http://www.1costaricalink.com/eng/ho...reg-pacent.htm >>> very interesting that they list La Mansion as 5 stars and Makanda only 4 stars. Probably has something to do with limited amenities (no gym, tv, etc).

Helpful hints:
Keep in mind that near Low Season you can negotiate rates by giving them your budget (which is always less than their prices . Also going to their direct website instead of a Travel Website or Person will save you money as well.

La Mansion is much more expensive than I thought. We ended up staying at Mango Moon which is a just a few feet down the road from La Mansion and Makanda. Mango Moon is a newer place, very nice with lots of Monkeys playing in the Mango Trees right nearby. The owners, Jeff and Joni are very nice and helpful and if you don't want to spend a lot of money but would like to stay at a nice place, this is it. I suggest the second floor corner room near the mango tree if you want to see monkeys (squirrel and whitefaced). Check out http://www.mangomoon.net