What would you expect from a small 'luxury' hotel in Costa Rica?
 

Okay, I'm not talking about the Four Seasons.
I'm talking about a small hotel in Nosara. For rates of $125-$175, what would you expect as far as rooms and the amenites? For example, would you expect little bottles of shampoo in the bathroom? How about clock radios (which I never see at the places I stay at in CR!) 180 thread count sheets? Just what would you expect to get for that price range? Thanks!

Hey Ally - interesting question...I wonder why you ask! :)

Maybe I am spoiled, but yes, I like to rely on the amenities in the rooms - shampoo, soaps, hairdryers, nice towels, etc. Who wants to pack those things? El Jardin del Eden had a nice touch of using locally made soaps with a note in the bathroom of where to buy them in Tamarindo. Peace Lodge had an aromatherapy "machine" since scent is one of our strongest scents & could remind us of our time there in the future when smelling vanilla, cinnamon, etc. They also had custom made cds with a cd player that was nice & relaxing. Ceiling fans are also nice. We did have a clock radio at El Jardin del Eden but we never even plugged it in to set the time - what's the point?!? I think it is always nice when local & personal touches can be used - like the soaps.

Thanks for responding sclubb! Yes, I was thinking of some aromatherapy oils or 'machine' or something, as candles are not a good idea in hotels...fire hazard. I'm going to have to look around for the soaps because I have not seen anything like that available in Nosara, but there is at least one 'yoga' place that might have something. Love the CD player idea too, especially since you can get them so cheap now!

One other thing I just thought of....as I think whenever guests feel taken care of, they usually have a good experience. I always appreciate when there is a handwritten welcome note in the room upon arrival with a small gift - fruit, complimentary bottle of water....anything free & people feel special! And, the handwritten note takes hardly any time and no money! (FYI - off the record, I am a travel agent & would love to connect with you so I can be aware of when your property finally opens for myself & for referring clients....my email is [email protected]).

Ally, so you are really serious about this venture!!!

Here is my response on room amenities. I think it would make sense for you to invest some $$ and spend a few nights in various hotels in Costa Rica that people like and that are in the same price range. A couple of examples of places that are really well run in that price range would be Vista del Valle, Xandari or Capitan Suizo.

At this price range I would probably expect the following: shampoo and soap in the bathroom (Florblanca has "solid shampoo" that looks just like soap; their soaps and shampoos were also local, I believe, and had plumeria scent, really lovely), together with good quality bath towels, hand towels and wash cloths, hairdryer, separate pool/beach towels. A clock radio would be a nice touch. I believe Capitan Suizo has them. As to bed sheets, I am really picky so the higher the thread count the better. 180 is fairly low. Again, Capitan Suizo has nice thick bedsheets (an added bonus is that they hold up better to repeated washing). Also, please do not use the typical hotel quilted bedspreads on the beds! A cotton beadspread that can double up as a blanket and that can be washed is probably best. Ceiling fans - definitely yes! Please do NOT put TVs in your rooms!
One thought as to design: floors should be made of non-porous material (glazed tile). Capitan Suizo used to have stone tiles in the bungalows that they recently replaced because I suspect the old floors were impossible to mop. Florblanca for some reason decided to tile their floors with brick type tiles that are highly impractical (any spills just soak in and leave permanent stains and mopping is virtually impossible). I think they will be changing those floors in short order.
If you think I can give you any other tips, let me know! Best of luck and I hope to stay at your place some time!

Ally, Definitely supply beach chairs and umbrellas for your guests to use in Nosara.Also, Casa Romantica has free boogie boards for guests to use. Good Costa Rican coffee,good towels,good beach towels.Do you plan to have small fridges in the rooms? I always like the fact that at Xandari when we have an early morning departure they bring a breakfast to the room that we can eat the next morning very early before we go. It is things like fruit,juices, muffins,etc. How about free airport pick up? If I think of it I will try to make some observations when we are there (leave Sunday).The one thing that Bosque del Cabo did not provide, that I think they should have was complimentary cold drinks. They had water that was free but for the prices they charge for very rustic accomodations I think they could have iced tea, lemonade, juices,etc. Yes, I know that they have to haul everything up there but one night for dinner they served us the fish that a couple caught on a fishing trip that day. (That being said it is our favorite place and we are going back there this year.)

hmmm, I never use the shampoo/soap, it's just a personal thing, I like my own stuff. Thick towels are important, as are bathrobes. A nice selection of local fruit would be welcome, as well as bottled water. I wouldn't really use a clock radio myself but one with a CD player would be nice, with a selection of homegrown music available at reception. One thing I appreciate, at any standard of hotel, is a blanket in the closet cause anything below 80 to this Floridian is freezing! ;)

Sclubb, I like the handwritten welcome note and small gift..what a great idea! I will certainly be in touch with you as things progress!

Iza, yes we are most serious and charging ahead! I have been to Capitan Suizo and LOVED it, but it was right before they were even 'officially' opened! Have not been to Vista Del Valle or Xandari but now i have an good excuse to go!!
Thanks for the tile suggestion...we'll look for something non-porous AND not slippery!
Funny you should mention plumarias...the name of our hotel is going to be 'Plumarias al lado Del Mar'. (Plumarias by the Sea) We are going to have plumarias on the grounds and will leave flowers on the pillows.
We will also have real good bedsheets, unlike any you can find in Nosara, and some kind of lightweight blankets, although it rarely gets cool enought to use them in Nosara, I know some people like to crank up the a/c and sleep under a blanket!

Karen, we WILL have umbrellas for the beach. The ONLY thing I don't like about that beach is that there is no shade! Yes, we will have mini fridge in the room with some cold drinks and will provide some kind of breakfast for people that have to depart early, but we are also going to have a restaurant too.

What about coffee makers in the rooms? My husband says no, people can just come to the lobby area and we'll have coffee there by 6:00am, but I'm thinking if we are going to call ourselves a 'luxury' hotel everyone should have coffee makers.
What do you all think?

I rarely use coffee makers in the room, but I don't know about others. Like your husband says - I just wait until I go down until breakfast. Sounds like it will be a great property. Also, I don't know this from personal experience but I have heard lots of comments from folks who have stayed in places where they put fresh flowers on the pillows (Tahiti especially) and I guess they attract more ants/bugs into the rooms. I think the idea is great though. By the way, I always appreciate a nice bathroom! Big jacuzzi tubs are great - but that might be getting into the next price range bracket.... Sounds like it will be cozy & making use of natural things - which is very nice versus your standard hotel room.

I hear you Tully! It's real hot here in Texas too. It's hard to find blankets at hotels at the beaches in CR and I have found myself having to cover up with a beach towel at night because I too get cold! Silly huh?

Sclubb, that's interesting about the flowers attracting bugs. I've had flowers in some rooms in Fiji and bali and didn't notice any bug problems, but will keep an eye on that! We will only use one plumaria on each pillow and I'll make sure that there are no bugs on them, and it they do attack bugs, I guess that little 'amenity' will have to go away!
As for jacuzzi tubs, we are debated that, and we will have a couple suites with the tubs, but maybe not every room. It's still under debate!

I hope more people feels like you about waiting for breakfast, or just going to the lobby early to get their coffee. I think my husbands biggest concern is that if we provide the makers in every room, we'll also have to supply the creamers and the sugar, and the sugar could draw bugs too!
It will be a small property, so it's not like they will have to walk very far for their Java!

Could you offer the option of room service - whether that be just a carafe of coffee or a plate of food? That way, it is not sitting in the room every day, but just for those who prefer that. Or maybe just coffee service? Just may be a way to find a compromise....but really, walking to get coffee is not a big deal. They are in CR anyway - and should get out of bed!! :)

Since I will definitely want to stay at your hotel and I must have my coffee first thing in the morning, I vote for coffee makers in the room. At some places, coffee wasn't available until 8am! Another option could be carafes of coffee available for guests to take back to their room although for those that need that sugar, you'd still have THAT problem. I for one, am not a breakfast person. I just need a few cups of black coffee to 'kick start' my day.
I'm looking forward to visiting your place in one of my favorite towns!

As to coffee makers, I am torn on that issue. I generally do not mind getting up and going to the restaurant to get coffee early in the morning but that means I have to get dressed. If I have a coffee maker in the room, I can make a cup and lounge in my pjs for a while before getting ready for the day. The only thing I don't like are those powdered creamers. If you decide to go that route you should look into providing those tiny single serving UHT milk or cream containers (UHT is long life dairy that does not need refrigeration). I think an option of offering limited room service in the morning is the best (Lapa Rios has it: upon request, they will deliver fresh coffee, milk and sugar to your room at 6am).

How about a place that is clean, smell clean and looks elegant, could be casual elegance. First a nice lobby with natural flowers. nice smell, nice classy furniture. Nice, classy employees, discreet but very observative. Check employees hands and nails... and hair..
ROOM and BATHROOM: clean, clean, clean. bed must be made perfet made, nice mattres, extremely nice sheets, preferably whites, pillow must be the best... room must smell clean but not too much perfume, like sandalwood, green tea, lemon grass, vanilla in my opinion is too sweet. Bath, i do prefer to be all white or beige. no signs of hair from employees, area rugs must be perfet and clean. some little bottles with extra quality, mouth wash, shampoo and, aromatic shower gels, no soaps..
DINING AREA: again, clean , clean ,clean..nice aromatic smell, like citrus, tables must be positioned in a way that there is some privacy during conversation. linen MUST be white and extremely well ironed. i wil stick to silver utensils, white china and nice flowers, prefer bright colors and tropicals.
SERVERS: hair must be perfect, hands and nails perfect. clothes they wear..must look clean and pressed.. prefer white shirts. check underams for stains... it looks disgusting to see stains on white shirts.Train all employees how to serve, on how to be so attentive to customers, like fill glass with water without a request, how to serve from the right side. little touches of classy manners go a long way.....

As for the coffee issue, my husband also suggestion the room service coffee if requested, which should not be a problem so that might be the best compromise. I'm glad you all could help by being amiable to that! Of course we will still have coffee ready at 6:00 in the restaurant area.

Iza, have you seen those single serving UHT milk in Costa Rica? I don't like the powered stuff either. Usually, places provide some milk or cream in little pitchers. But if those single servings are available in CR I'd like to know, as I have not seen them but would to find them there!

Miguel, yes, clean, clean, clean! It's discusting to find others hair anywhere in my room! As for white china, I don't think that will be practical at a beach in Nosara, but we will have nice plates and utinsels, and we have already decided that our employees will probably be the only place in Nosara where our staff will be required to wear uniforms. Maybe not the exact same uniform, but at the very least they will be required to wear white shirts and either black or tan pants or skirts, no shorts or really short skirts either, although my husband is sad about that! HA!

Ally, now that you mention it, I am not sure I have seen those single serving milk containers in CR. I remember using them in Canada and in Poland recently. You may want to contact what seems like their biggest dairy company. I belive Dos Pinos is the name - you can see their buildings near the highway right outside of San Jose.

First I want to thank all of you for your suggestions.

Second, I want to apologize for all the words I spelled wrong and words I used wrong!

Last, I want to say that yes, we will have airport pickup.

Now, when reading all these again, I noticed that Iza said 'please no TV'. Really? I thought that was something we would have to do because not many places in Nosara have TV's so I thought it would be a plus, but I would really rather NOT have them. What do others think?
I should mention that we will have an age restriction...no one under 16. SORRY, but no one in this venture (myself, husband, my brother and sister) have kids and our idea of 'luxury' is not having screaming kids around the pool, running in common areas, etc. I hope that does not offend anyone with kids, it's just not what we want for our property.
So anyway, since we won't have young kids, maybe we don't need TV in the rooms?

I agree - no tvs. And, I love the no kids idea. Even those with kids need a place to escape once in a while! The places we had tvs we didn't even turn them on. We appreciated the quietness & true getaway from everything. By the way, Peace Lodge gave the rooms walkie talkies since no phones in the rooms - but if you needed to reach the front desk & didn't want to walk, you could call them on that. Just an idea - I didn't care one way or the other & don't know what would be a better "buy" for you.

Ally, I vote no for the t.v.'s. I love,love,love the idea of no kids under 16. I had three, but when I am on vacation I don't want to deal with someone elses. I do think coffee makers might be nice, but having the coffee available on request delivered to the room is also an option. There is something nice about having that early cup of coffee while sitting on the patio or balcony real early in the morning. (Will the room have an ocean view?) I think graciousness and friendliness of staff is the most important thing. Also I think a cold welcome drink (something beautiful to look at and exotic looking) is nice (non alcoholic.)

Ally, you are breaking my heart ;-) We always travel with our daughter so we wouldn't be able to stay at your place! How about no kids under 12 instead of 16?

In any event, yes, I was serious when I said no TVs in the room. To me that is the best part of travelling to Costa Rica - no TV, no newspapers, no phones, just true relaxation. You could have a TV in the common area so that true addicts could catch up on news but TVs in the room are just a distraction. I would much rather have a CD player.

Yes, we'll have ocean views! We paid a lot of money for that particular piece of property! It's on a hill and will be the closet hotel to the beach with an ocean view....at least for the restaurant and some of the rooms, but we're going to try and make all the rooms have an ocean view. It will depend on whether the architect can make it work, but we think it can.

Oh Iza, that breaks my heart too! But it takes SO long to get anything done...we meet with our first architect this weekend (he lives in Nosara but his daughter lives here in Austin and he's here to visit her) but we still want to talk to others and won't be going to CR until Aug. 19th to do that...and our lawyer says it's going to take 3 months or so to get 'permits' for our living condos, much less the hotel, so as my husband just said...your daughter could be 16 by the time we open. HA! Let's hope not! But seriously, it will probably be at least a year and a half...and at 14, maybe she'll look and act 16 and I won't tell if you don't!

In case you're all wondering why I'm asking these questions so early, lets just say I believe in planning, planning and more planning. I think it's necessary to do this hotel right and I want to make sure we budget to have everything to MAKE it right!

Thanks again!

I guess I could live without a tv, I like to have one mainly as I travel alone and use it for company :) Ilove coffee first thing when I wake up...that said, in every hotel I've stayed in that does have coffee makers I never end up using them. I'm on vacay & want to be lazy on stuff like that! Someone mentioned something along this line....I'd love 'not the norm' tolietries, some bath salts, foot lotion for tired feetsies, etc., just small sample sizes, that would make an impression (on me at least!) I love the no kids rule; maybe take it a little further...post a sign saying anyone raising a ruckus mistakenly thinking they're in Cancun will be duct-taped immediately, covered in honey & will get an "up close & personal" tour of the all the nature in CR.

Ha - that's a funny thought/idea from tully! Maybe you could have a print out of the NYTimes (I know they do this at some Caribbean resorts & cruises of the main highlights - maybe you can download it online & print it out?) so people can catch up on their news that way instead of even a common area tv. It sounds like a peaceful place & a tv always brings people back to the reality of going home....you could deliver them to the rooms or have them in the lobby for people to pick up on their way to breakfast. This is fun helping you get ideas!

I've got to investigate the 'newspaper' idea as that would certainly be something else that no one in the area offers as yet....maybe the guy were meeting with this weekend will have some ideas as to why no one has done this yet.
Thanks all!

I would add some ant traps, electronic bug repellents or some other such device to keep insects at bay.

Mosquito nets around the bed are good in theory, but we found them to be either claustraphobic (at Vista del Valle they just drape down without the support of a canopy frame making for a very small sleep space), smelly (at Bosque, the netting reeked of must and mould) or useless (at Bosque, there was no netting around the back of the bed, so bugs climbed up the wall behind our heads and jumped on the bed or simply flew in from behind). At Makanda, we finally found a mosquito net that did its job with little odor and a very large canopy frame.

I also expect a well constructed place that has no holes in the walls or floors through which columns of ants or termites could enter.

If there was a restaurant, I would expect them to be able to cater to a guest's special wants and needs (ie, 'grilled, not fried', 'salad dressing on the side', 'veggies instead of french fries', etc.) For an excellent example of this, visit Bosque del Cabo. I had a stomach flu while I was there, so for three days, three meals a day, I was served dry toast with peanut butter and banana on the side. At Tango Mar, on the other hand, no one had ever heard of peanut butter, it was impossible to communicate dietary preferences to the wait staff and we were stuck with the same menu with zero variation for five days.

I would also keep a library of books and a bunch of games for guests to borrow.

And, lastly, and to be a little different from the pack here, I vote for TVs in the room. Not everyone is so lucky to have the ability to disconnect from the world, sad as it may be. And don't discount that many unhabituated travellers come down with 'cabin fever' when they're far from the action with little else with which to occupy themselves.

We felt better being able to watch the news to keep in touch with world events. We also finished our books earlier than expected. When the afternoon rainstorms came in and we were in a remote location, we were glad that we could keep busy for a bit with a little TV.

What if you had a few tv's available if guests decided to "borrow" one for the room - maybe those portable kinds with a vcr/dvd player - they're not so expenisive anymore. That way, they're not in the room for those who don't need them & you don't have to get one for every room. And, that way, too you could have a selection of movies as well. I like the idea of the books & board games especially if you opt for no tvs.

My husband and I discussed the TV or no TV debate last night. We have decided to have all the rooms 'wired' for TV, even if all rooms don't start out with TV's. So, yes, we will have some TV available in some rooms with the option of having them in all rooms with 'portable' TV's. As someone said, the TV in a 'common room' could very well disturb the 'ambience' we want to have.

As for the library, we will certainly have the largest! We have been joking about having to ship a 20' container just for books, games and dvd's. We have over a hundred dvd's alone, and too many books to count!

I don't think we'll be using mosquito nets as our construction will be sound, so as long as guest don't leave their doors open, bugs should not be a problem! Good idea about the bug traps around the restaurant, as it will be open air ...with a sea view of course! Will have to find a place to put them so it's not obtrusive to diners though.

Our menu will be VERY flexible, will have several options for every meal, as well as nightly specials.

Sound good so far?

Although I don't have anything intelligent to add (I may have some suggestions upon returning from CR next month) I have to tell you how much I'm enjoying this thread.

Ally, I can't wait for my kids to be grown, so we can check out your place! :)

Thanks Ivk, gald you're enjoying it! Let me know your thoughts when you get back, and I hope you have a great time!

I second Ivk, have really been enjoying reading this thread as well...
I vote no on the TVs too. We only get two American channels up here (three when the weather cooperates), plus one out of Canada (one more if you count the french station), and that sometimes feels like too much...Plus I find that if there is a TV, especially with a dish or cable, no matter what the weather i get sucked in, and vaporize huge amounts of time, even on nice sunny days...if i had to choose between having a tv in the room or a cd player (like one of those little bose wave radios), i would opt for the music long before i opted for the tv.
as for the coffee, don't feel the need to have coffeemakers in the room. i think the coffee service to the room is a nice idea, or having the coffee available in the reception area for early risers. i never use the coffee makers in hotels, mainly because coffee making seems like work when i am on vacation (i know, kind of pathetic...)
kids, well, we don't have any yet, but i would agree that it is nice to go to a place that is quiet and provides a haven for people both with and without kids. i would imagine that some day i will be looking for such a place too...
sounds like your place will be beautiful, and even though i am only headed to CR for the first time, i am already making mental notes of where to stop on our next trip.

Ally, out of curiousity, has anyone in your family been in the hotel business?

Reason I ask is that I've been in the Small Luxury Hotel business and some of your amenities in a third world country will be a challenge.

I would highly suggest you provide the uniforms for your staff. They come to work in their own clothes and change at work and you all responsible for the laundering.

Finding the exact type of clothing may be difficult for them also. Check with an embroidery company here in the states about ordering cotton pique golf shirts with your logo embroidered on the left chest. Order tons of khaki pants from Dickies.

As far as bathroom amenities, they all come in hotel size (Aveda, Kiehls, Hermes, Erno Lazlo, etc). Call the manufacturer and ask them.

As far as televisions, have you all thought about theft? No kidding. Things we take for granted are luxuries to others.

What about island time? Most islanders don't punch a clock. Think about this and let your staff from construction crew down to the dishwashers know when you say 8AM, that doesn't mean 12Noon. Again, I'm not kidding.

Expect and plan on going over budget and way past your finish date with construction. It is just the way things work. If you plan on this, it won't throw you off so badly when it happens.

Good luck and email me at [email protected] if I can be of any help.

Island Magazine or something like that has an article on the trials and problems of building a resort in another country.

Ally, Can't resist jumping in on your interesting thread myself! My husband and I just returned from our first trip to Costa Rica with our 2 children (11 and 13) and in all our travels, we were totally, completely impressed with the bungalow we stayed in at Capitan Suizo (many, many thanks to Iza). I thought you mentioned along the way in a different post that you stayed there when they first opened, but now that you're planning the details of your own hotel, it might really be worth spending a night or two there again to check out their details. For us, it was just perfect.

The bungalows are spacious and incredibly comfortable -- the beds, the pillows, the linens. The bathrooms are luxurious, and the outdoor showers are exotic (with monkeys howling above as you try to rinse the shampoo out of your hair). Beautiful, elegant lounge chairs on the patio, and around the fabulous pool. Small fridge, no tv's (I think - if there was, we didn't even notice). I recall the restaurant staff wearing uniforms, always polite and attentive. The restaurant manager stopped by each table, day after to day, to chat -- and always encouraged the beautiful birds or racoons who were regulars to come on in for a treat. It was a major crowd pleaser.

MonaManuel wrote in a recent post about their disappointing time at Mikanda by the Sea in MA - and I realized that our experience at Capitan Suizo was the complete opposite .... even when we called for a plunger (as they had to at Mikanda) a staff person showed up within a minute or two - and tackled the problem himself. All in all, they have every detail imaginable thought of at Capitan Suizo -- if you have an opportunity, it might be worth spending a night or two during one of your next trips.

What an exciting adventure you have ahead of you! I look forward to leaving our kids at home for your grand opening! (You'll be booked solid just from Fodors!)

I was recently in Australia and ended up buying a coffee press (aka French press) to make coffee in our room. It was really nice to be able to make our own good coffee and a coffee press is a really 'low tech' alternative to a coffee machine. (We've continued to use it at home.) We'll probably take it on all our holidays from now on!

Golondrina, glad you had such a good time at Capitan Suizo. We have been staying there since 2000 and every time, it is a delight. It must be one of the best run hotels in Costa Rica.

Hi everyone, I was 'away' over the weekend but thanks to all that posted. I will be printing out this thread and making a count of what everyone wants!

Go Travle- My sister worked at Lake Austin Spa Resort for about 4 years, starting in reservations and working her way up to the personal assistant to the owners and manager. She wore a lot of hats in her time there. She is the only one with 'experience' in the hotel business but knows and has seen a lot. As for the restaurant, my husband owned a couple of 'independent' convenience stores in the Austin Area, and they included full 'deli's. Not just sanwhiches but full breakfast, plate lunches and "specicals" and knows that business inside out, although we know it will be different in Costa Rica as far as getting supplies and such. Not to mention good help. With the 4 family members (myself, a Radio/TV Production Manager, (lots of juggling, stress and deadlines plus managing 5 Producers) my brother who's the computer/technical expert, my sister, who is now office manager for an Animal Hospital and my husband who sold his stores and is now an indepentent contractor who teaches law enforcment personel how to clean up clandestine drug labs (long story how he got into that line of work) we feel we can combine all our strenghts and know-how, not to mention strong determination to get this job done!
Since my husband is an independent 'contactor', he can pick and choose assignments which allows him the freedom of working...or not! He'll be able to move to CR once constuction starts so he'll be there to supervise all constuction, etc. He was the general contractor for the custom home we built here at lake Travis, so again, although we know how different it will be to build a hotel in CR, at least he knows something about construction.

So that's our life in a nutshell. Let me know if anyone has anymore thoughts on this venture of ours. The more input we have the better off we will be.
Thanks again!

Ally, you know I've gotta chime in! We've been in California for a week and out of touch. I can't wait until we can visit your hotel! What a neat idea to ask the Fodorites for opinions about what makes a great hotel!

My two cents: We are all about coffee when in Costa Rica (and at home), but haven't minded the places without coffee makers in the room as long as it is available by 6:00 somewhere on the property. We are usually anxious to get up and out of the room and into the surroundings!

Also, we haven't been to Nosara, but it sounds a little devoid of evening activity. In that case, TV's can be helpful. Especially when night falls so early!

We certainly wouldn't expect bathrobes with the price range you mentioned, but the idea of a small welcome basket is excellent!

I commend you on your new venture and hope everything will go smoothly for you. I am so excited for you! I know you will keep all of informed so that we'll feel as if we are right there with you! Good luck and best of wishes!

Hi Shillmac, good to hear from you! I will keep you all informed as well as I can without being booted off the board for 'advertising'! I think I'm safe for awhile as we won't open until Nov. 2005 at the earliest!

Ally, how is your sister? Hope her leg has mended well! She was very brave to venture to Costa Rica with a lame limb!

Shillmac, you are so sweet to ask about Leslie. She is doing much better. She still has a limp and I'm wondering if she will ALWAYS have a limp! She has a Dr. appt. next week to determine whether she should have more physical therepy, or whether she can 'mend' on her own.
About CR, yes she was very brave to go but she has also stated it was 'the worse vacation of her life' because she just couldn't get around much. For example, we were at a 'beach' hotel for 6 days and she only saw the beach 3 times because it was just too difficult for her to get to it. And as you know, there are not a lot of 'handicap' facilities. Most of the restaurants we went to had lots of stairs and she would have to sit stoop down and 'crawl' up the stairs, or be carried. Same thing going down. She didn't get to walk up the hill and see the view from the land we purchased either! She is now dying to go back so she can really enjoy CR! We will be going back to check out some of the more 'expensive' hotels, for our 'market research' but don't think she can get enough time off from her job go back until next May! Poor thing. I'm trying to find a way to take her to Isla Mujeres for a long weekend in the next couple months, to make up for dragging her butt (and broken leg to CR)!

Pobrecita! Have you been to La Finca Que Ama, Ally? I think Neta and Arbel had some excellent ideas regarding amenities at a small luxury hotel. You might get some good feedback by writing her at [email protected].

I am so jealous of you. . .I long to live in Costa Rica, but we are just so nervous about buying property there. We'd like to purchase something in the central valley, but property has certainly escalated in price all over the place! We are now thinking we would be content to rent for a couple of months twice a year. I love the USA, but it always breaks my heart to come home!