La Mansion Inn in Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica offers more than the usual resort activities , and it's in a breathtaking setting.
Want to feed your own personal monkey a banana from your delicious daiquiri at the "endless pool" bar overlooking the Pacific? How about sunning with an iguana who visits daily on your private terrace with some of the most gorgeous views on the planet? You can savor a delicious full breakfast included in your daily rate on the hotel's outdoor dining terrace overlooking the blue ocean, with a stunning view through the canopy of tall trees filled with birds, monkey and flowers . There's a wide choice of international items, and fresh homemade jams made from native exotic fruits. Does this sound like an ad? I can't say enough about this place, it's paradise found.. My husband and I have been all over the world, and were so impressed with La Mansion Inn and the lavish beauty of Costa Rica that we returned for a second time in one year, and wouldn't think of staying anywhere else after trying a few other hotels in the area and on the way to the airport in San Jose and Liberia. This hotel is luxurious without being stuffy. There are crystal chandeliers and oriental rugs and the owner's dogs adopted from the humane society in the hotel's lobby. There's also free wireless internet and a computer for the guests to use for free at a desk area in the lobby as well. You're high enough up the canopy to have great views, but not that high that it's difficult, dizzying and scarey to get to. There is something about the intimacy and desire to make you feel at home that sets La Mansion apart.
The rooms are spacious and well appointed, all with gorgeous ocean and park views, scrupulously clean, and always filled with fresh flowers. Even the towels are folded specially and covered with hibiscus petals. Because the hotel is inside the park, there is wildlife everywhere, and the hotel treats them as wonderfully as they do their human guests! The service is friendly, personal, and accomodating. Unique to small "boutique" hotels.
When there was a problem with our air conditioning they immediately gave us another room. When they found out it was our anniversary, they gave us a bottle of wine with our dinner. What makes La Mansion Inn so special is their commitment to treating their guests like family. There is a resident owner, so it feels more like visiting someone's beautiful home, than staying at a hotel.
The town of Quepos is nearby, and there are many good and inexpensive restaurants very close to the hotel. I wouldn't recommend walking around near the hotel, the street is very poorly paved and not well lit. So, you really have to drive everywhere, but things are minutes away , even a late night supermarket and there's a mini fridge and coffee maker in the room. There is a path leading downhill to the beach, an easy walk, and the hotel also has free shuttles to the beach . We rented an SUV, so we had our own transportation for the entire trip, but many guests used the shuttles and taxis. The roads in this part of Costa Rica are not the best, and are in the process of being upgraded. It's always a unique and sometimes maddening experience driving around. Leave plenty of time to get to and from San Jose from La Mansion until the road is finished, and there's an airport nearby that connects with small planes to San Jose and Iberia. The hotel can help you book these flights. There are many excursions and activities nearby, you can book with the hotel or on your own. I wouldn't recommend the "Aerial Tramway" about an hour's drive North. It's expensive and you see more monkeys at the hotel's pool.
Be careful on the street leading up to the hotel . It's filled with endless deep potholes, so make sure you rent a sturdy vehicle, and be prepared for the bumps and go slow. It's not easy to get to , but it's worth it. We can't wait to make our next trip back.