If you are looking for a quiet, cozy, stay in Atenas, consider The Orchid Tree. It is indeed a world apart. Atenas is the kind of place where you can begin to understand something about real village life in this wonderful little country. Only at the local level will you begin to experience how Ticos enjoy key aspects of their lives, how they enjoy their day to day interactions. And this is key to beginning to love life here. Ticos not only know that they live small time lives in a small time country, they Prize it! If you join them, you will see how it feels. Ok, tour a volcano, surf the beach, but also find time to eat a slice of pudin from the bakery while doing a plaza sit and watching folks in the Atenas plaza. View the church, cruise the market, slow down and smell the flowers, sip the coffee. Go out to an open-air cafe and have the best beef of your life. You can do it all, while staying at The Orchid Tree, where you will enjoy the personal services of likable innkeepers, Pat and Brad.

Brad and Patricia, the new owners, were wonderful. Brad picked us up from the airport when our flight was delayed more than 3 hours. They served fantastic breakfasts. We were visiting our son and daughter-in-law who were working in Atenas. Brad helped us get to their place and picked us up before we had a rental car to go to Monte Verde for 2 nights. They welcomed us to all play board games and swim in the pool. I had a bad cough, Patricia kept making me hot tea. Very hospitable and easy to talk to. I second the idea of ear plugs as it seems typical for birds, roosters, dogs, etc. To be greeting the new day early in the morning. Bedroom and bathroom fine. Interesting open air design. Thanks for helping make our trip very special Patricia and Brad. We highly recommend The Orchid Tree.

Single guy traveling with family.

A nice spot and reflective of most of the reviews here. The breakfast was steller and was incredibly filling.

The location was a little outside of Atenas. Although I was traveling with family, I cannot recommend this place for single travelers. It is very quiet and only has a small number rooms. It's for the quiet traveler. Bring a book not a party.

WiFi worked great in the main sitting room. The pool was great and well maintained but the best part of the stay were the owners. Fantastic couple. It should be noted that as of May 1st 2012, the place will have new owners.

Greats: Pool, breakfast, owners.
Average: Only one sitting room where everyone must sit together including the owners when they eat, hang out. Location great for the quiet traveler. Although Atenas only a $3 cab. One room has A/C if you want it request it.
Poor: VERY loud. Bring earplugs. Roosters, horses, dogs, etc. I found it above above average for CR.
Final thoughts: Good stay, great owners. I wish them luck in the future and hope the next ones carry the same charm.

Everything about the Orchid Tree was great, I can confirm all the positive comments made by other reviewers--TripAdvisor doesn't lie! Loved the pool and the open-concept living space. Found the location to be ideal--just far enough from San Jose to feel the 'real' Costa Rica, yet close enough to the airport to be a convienent alternative to the city. Honestly, San Jose is a drag and not very pretty compared to the country side. Stay at the Orchid Tree and you'll have no regrets!