“Possibly the best place we’ve ever stayed!”
We spent the first couple of nights of our honeymoon here and it we were so pleased we chose to treat ourselves to it! Randy and Carlos have created the best example of a responsible eco retreat that we’ve encountered in the world so far, from training and looking after their staff, to recycling, to naturally filtering grey water to avoid polluting the river that runs through the property.
The art course we chose to do there was monotyping and we loved the afternoon that we spent with Alvaro, one of their artists in residence. The casitas themselves were gorgeously decorated with excellent original art for sale in each one. The coffee grown on their own plantation was the best we tasted in Costa Rica and the cocktails and food served in the restaurant were just delicious!
Overall, it left a lasting impression of a unique place that we’d recommend again and again. Thank you to the staff of Monte Azul for creating such a wonderful place to stay!
“I don’t like to give all 5-star ratings because nothing is really that good, is it? Well, Monte Azul is.”
Imagine an elegant boutique hotel nestled in a pristine mountain valley, bordering an icy-cold river that comes tumbling over car-sized boulders from an untouched nature reserve. You’re met with a welcome platter of hand-crafted chevre and fresh, locally-grown fruit. You’re escorted, like as not, by one of the owners to your private room, which is really a private cottage surrounded by rich jungle. You’ll note that all of your furniture and the soaps are handmade, and you’ll marvel at the original art on the walls — produced by artists attending the Monte Azul artist-in-residence program — all of the buildings double as art galleries, and all of the art is for sale. But wait! There’s more!..