I am considering staying at Ylang Ylang because I keep reading all the recommendations for it. It is pricey, but I wouldn't mind a little pampering on my vacation! Although, I am considering accommodations in an OCEAN VIEW LUXURY TENT or EL SANO BANANO VILLAGE CAFE ROOM - (sounds only so-so) located on Main St. in town. (Maybe then, I can afford a massage) Would I need to take "nice" clothes to stay here?

I would really like to stay ON the beach, so the Tent sounds more enticing and really IS a good deal for the price (w/ breakfast & dinner incl.). I am considering Hotel Lucys, but I think it "might" be a little rough. Plus, they don't take reservations, and that might leave me camping anyway.

Has anyone out there stayed in either one of these rooms: OCEAN Tent or VILLAGE Cafe room in town? I'm wondering "just" how important my room will be anyway, because I want to go into town, waterfalls, and Mal Pais and NOT just stay in my room (I mean tent.)

I was in Montezuma this past December and while I did not stay at Ylang Ylang, I can say that it was quite nice from what I saw. They are directly on the beach and the grounds are beautiful. It is a quick walk to town when you need to get a bite to eat, but is far enough away to be insulated from everything else going on. All I can say about the room choice is that I would definitely NOT stay in the Sano Banano rooms in town because of the constant noise and activity, and this would also take you away from the beach. As for the other accommodations in Montezuma, some can be really bare bones hostel type places. They are fine for the budget traveler, but if you are looking for pampering, Ylang Ylang will be your best bet. On a side note, I noticed the prices of all things in Montezuma to be somewhat inflated compared with what I expected from reading about the place. I was there in December though, which is high season.

Hi Grtchlk, I agree with hubcap-I would not stay in town in one of the rooms for all the reasons mentioned. Montezuma is a great little town(and I mean little) but tends to be somewhat noisy and dusty and hot.
The beauty of Ylang Ylang is that (as hubcap says) you can walk into town across the beach (10 mins) if you want, but Ylang Ylang itself is a lush sheltered oasis away from the heat and dust.
I got married on the beach at YY last February and cannot recommend this place enough. We stayed in one of the beachfront domes, directly on the ocean and it was fabulous. I did see the tents, and they were not bad, but a bit more removed from the ocean. The food is the best we have had in Costa Rica, and you get breakfast and dinner included in your daily room rate. Of all the places I saw in Montezuma, Ylang Ylang was by far the best (for me, anyways).
If price is an issue you can also try Hotel El Jardin, it gets pretty good reviews on TripAdvisor, and is not a bad place to stay. It's a bit cheaper than YY, and closer to town. But you get what you pay for, and Ylang Ylang is the diamond in Montezuma. We are returning next February for one week for our anniversary, and also spending a week down South in Dominical at Shelter from the Storm and Villa de las Aves.
If I can be of any more help, please let me know!

Went for the luxury tents

www.ylangylangresort.com they are awesome

Do not go to Lucy's rodent infestation.

Bookmarking.

We stayed in one of the regular rooms--much cheaper than the domes--and had a wonderful experience. And they've since added A/C.

Staying at the resort instead of in town makes a HUGE difference.