MichelleY

Dear Tammy:

No, breakfast is not included at Costa Verde.

The cost is for the boat. The more people, the less per person.

MY

tamtot

Michelle,

Thanks so much. That was the answer I was hoping for

Tammy

shillmac

Two years ago Costa Verde included breakfast. I hate it that some of the lodges (Peace Lodge, etc) have stopped including it. "Breakfast not included" may soon become the rule rather than the exception.

shillmac

I've just visited the Costa Verde website. Unless I overlooked something (please inform me, Michelle, if that is the case), the website doesn't TELL us that breakfast is not included.

I'm sure it isn't now, but don't you think that's a bit, shall we say, dishonest? Because usually, most places still, it IS included.

So you make your reservation, show up, and find out once you arrive that, oops, breakfast is no longer included--neither are your taxes!

At least most websites for hotels in CR give that information somewhere.

Although I still think CV is a good value, it is obviously not AS good a value as it was at one time. This is in keeping with my impression of he owner when I met him a couple of years ago. Somewhat of a wheeler dealer (American, I think) who had nothing but negative things to say about other hotel owners in Costa Rica.

That little bit of deception is enough to keep me from staying there again.

tamtot

Oh yikes! That doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling, shillmac! The selling point for us was the room with 3 queen beds, since we may end up with a 5th person for a couple nights. (Son's girlfriend).

I assume they have a restaurant open for breakfast?

Tammy

shillmac

No reason for YOU to not stay there! It's still a good value. Just me--having stayed at lots of hotels in Costa Rica, I know that most of them don't operate that way, and when you book you know what you are getting for the price.

I have recommended this hotel (as have others) a lot because of its value, lovely views, etc. The downside has always been that the front desk staff tend to be unhelpful (my experience) and downright cool and aloof. And the manager "badmouthing" other hotel owners just didn't set well with me. In spite of that, it is still a decent choice, valuewise. But the cost of breakfast has to figured in now at $6 or $7 per person.

MichelleY

Dear Tammy:

There is a restaurant on site at CV. So don't worry. Plus, there is a small ice box in the room, so you can keep fruit or whatever.

shillmac: We found the front desk very helpful. They were the one's who recommended coming back early am to get a fishing boat. Saved us time & $$$.

Good luck Tammy & don't worry.

MY

dfarmer

The title of your post, gave me a chuckle. I knew there would be many that would say a week was too long. However, we spent 4 days/5 nights in MA a few years back and I totally could have spent a few more days. MA has tons of activities offered - ziplining, rafting, kayaking, hiking, snorkeling, sailing, horseback riding, rainmaker, etc etc, plus time to just people watch, sunset watch, beach combing, enjoying the various restaurants, browsing the shops & vendors and simply relaxing. I simply do not get the "week is too long" thing. I think that for many of us we have vacation time of a week to 10 days and therefore try to pack in as many places as possible. Thus, we never get to truly know any one particular spot, just hit the highlights.

Well, of course now I know you truly do not have a week, so all of this is a moot point. But I was curious as to why you are changing hotels in MA?

But the chuckle came, because my daughter will be in MA for an entire month. Yes, she will be in classes all morning, but I certainly hope she does not get bored after a week! (on a side note - I learned yesterday that 2 of the afternoons each week they will be doing volunteer work for the local schools!)

tamtot

Ah, I'm feeling better about it now!
We kind of like to chill on vacation-but we also want to see some of Costa Rica's "uniqueness"-so this sounds perfect for us.

We have to change hotels because for the first 2 nights it will be 3 of us, the 2nd 2 nights my son and his girlfriend will be joining us. Therefore we needed extra beds, and LaPosada couldn't accomodate us. And the guy there has been so helpful, I hate the thoughts of canceling on him and just staying at Costa Verde the whole time. Is that silly?

I can hardly wait, we're all very excited!

tammy

shillmac

michelle, I am glad you had a better experience. Unfortunately, I am not the only poster who has experienced what I referred to as "aloofness".

I had a fender bender in front of the hotel. They were working on the driveway and had orange cones set up. The space was narrow and I brushed up against a low rock wall. Actually, one of the workers was in front of my vehicle directing me. . .

The front desk couldn't have cared less and acted as if I were really bothering them when I asked them to call a policeman for me--something you HAVE to do for insurance purposes. It was so very frustrating, and I was just about in tears. I remember there being ONE person who actually smiled and offered assistance. Thank goodness.

I might have understood if they had been busy. You know, Costa Ricans are always so darned pleasant and friendly. When you get that attitude from a front desk staff, it really makes a negative impression! But then, how often do any of us have to deal with the front desk? Not all that much. . .

That was 2 years ago. I later wrote the owner and told him the staff and his hotel in general could benefit a great deal from a little training in the area of hospitality with customers. Maybe he paid attention and changed things up a bit. . .

plumboy

Just another quick vote for staying an entire week in MA. We just got back on Monday from our first trip to CR. We could only stay for 5 nights, so we decided to stay the entire time in MA (at Buena Vista Villas - great choice for us). I could've stayed another several days! I guess it just depends. We were looking for a relaxing, beachy, rainforesty vacation - and it was absolutely perfect.

I guess we were there toward the end of the dry season, so there weren't a lot of people. I know MA gets a bad rap because it's so overdeveloped, but it was heaven on earth for us. So beautiful.

The beach was an important element for us, so maybe that made the difference. But I really liked getting to know the area and walking around and taking the bus. I could honestly see myself going there for 2 weeks and being content. But, I guess it just depends on what you're looking for. We weren't looking for a go-go-go vacation - we wanted to relax with beautiful surroundings, get to know the area a bit.

Have fun!

bellaboo

We're "beachy" people as well, with kids that don't like to tour around the the combination of beach, jungle and animals makes MA a great choice for us ..... we spend a week.