Tom

Will be traveling to Costa Rica for the first time with my wife and two children (ages 7 and 9). We are looking for lodging in the Manuel Antonio area for 6 nights. We don't usually end up spending much time in our room besides when we sleep so the criteria are clean, not too far from everything, and around the $100 per night range. Also would be good if there were separate sleeping/sitting areas. Am looking at La Colina, Villas Mymosa, Costa Verde, and Villas Nicolas. Does anyone have any comments on these or others they could recommend? Thanks.

Ally

I loved Villa Nicolas and think you'd be happy there! The unit we rented was only a 1br with a double bed, but there was a slight seraration between the sleeping area and living/kitchen area. The areas were separated by having the sleeping area elevated so you take about 3 steps up. The couches in this unit were big (Long) enough for your two kids to sleep on, as long as they don't roll around too much as to fall off!<BR>Beautiful quiet pool area too.<BR>I also liked Costa Verde, but the room we had, although very large, did not have separation at all. Don't know about the other properties. Maybe someone else can help!

Wendy

You may want to look at Hotel California. It looked really nice and I think it's in your price range.

Terri

I second Ally's recommendation for Villas Nicolas. The property is really nice and the units are very comfortable and convenient (smack next door to Si Como No and a short walk from other restaurants). Our unit had a wonderful ocean/jungle-view balcony and a full kitchen (which was a welcome addition after eating out for 2 weeks).

Brad

Dear Tom,<BR><BR>I second Wendy's recommendation for Hotel California. Comfortable, tastefully decorated rooms, fabulous views (it's on top of a mountain), and a great restaurant (with awesome vegetarian and seafood dishes) all combined to make this a great stay for me. Also, there's a place across the street called El Mono Azul that rehabilitates abandoned baby sloths, birds, etc. that your kids would enjoy. The restaurant there is also pretty good. Your price range sounds about right. I paid $93 a night, which included taxes and breakfast, but it will most likely be more expensive if you are going near Christmas. Hope this helps.

Tom

Thanks for the feedback. We decided to go with La Colina because a close friend recommended it. I will let you know how it is. Cheers.

Karen

Check out the Mono Azul (Blue Monkey). I stayed there last year and it was nice and pretty reasonable. What is neat about the place is that they collect and rehabilitate sloths and some monkies. Kids would get such a kick out of it. They had 2 pools and a good restaurant. It was right between Quepos and Manuel Antonio. The bus went right buy the hotel every 10 minutes and you can be at the be in five minutes.