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All 16 Montezuma hotels

Ylang Ylang Beach Resort: Traveler Reviews

3.5 of 5
Montezuma Beach | 10-12 minute walk North along the beach, Montezuma 00000, Costa Rica (Formerly El Sano Banano Beach Hotel)
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Ylang Ylang Beach Resort
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Ranked #1 of 16 hotels in Montezuma
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368 reviews from our community

Traveler rating
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Families
73
 
Couples
196
 
Solo
8
 
Business
5
 
Rating summary
  • Sleep Quality
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Location
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Service
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Value
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    4.5 of 5 stars
Date Rating
Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
12 hotel reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Surrounded by nature.”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 10, 2013

Ylang Ylang was recommended by some good friends and it has lived up to expectations. Set between the ocean and the jungle the location is perfect - in fact from the beach you don't even know the resort is there until you're on top of it.

The tent cabins are rustic with great character. The noise of the waves combined with the noise of the monkeys is a unique and unforgettable experience. Just don't leave any fresh food unsecured otherwise you might have some little visitors!

The pool is beautifully set and the food in the restaurant is excellent with a wide menu of fresh fish, sushi and local Tico dishes. There are a wide range of activities available too - the mountain biking was the highlight.

Ylang Ylang is a super resort, surrounded by nature and stunning views - it certainly offers something a little different. Recommended.

  • Stayed March 2013
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask RippedNipper about Ylang Ylang Beach Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Maidstone
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
9 hotel reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“All you could wish for...”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 5, 2013

My wife and I and extended family and friends stayed here at the end of our Costa Rican holiday in February this year. It is well worth the journey to get there - ferry and taxi / bus to Montezuma town. We were met upon our arrival by the hotel's Land Rover and transferred to the hotel a short 5 minute drive. The guy that met us was a graduate on a break to improve his English and was charming and very pleasant.

The hotel is situated at the far end of Montezuma beach and has an excellent outlook. The ocean is a stones throw away. It has a bar / restaurant and swimming pool at the entrance end and then the rooms are located up a single walkway running parallel to the beach.
The best rooms are the domes, which are very close to the beach and have there own outside shower to remove all the sand before going inside. Their balcony area is on the beach side and makes a lovely early morning / sunset spot with a drink.

The other rooms are either located up amongst the jungle hillside - which are individual or family accommodation - or if there are more in your family group you can have one of the beach block rooms. These are a made up of 4 ground floor rooms and 4 above. The only downside to these are you are subject to other peoples noise and you balcony area is directly adjoined by next doors.

The food was very good - with the exception of one cold meal - but on the whole very good, the blackened tuna steak was sublime! The staff were on the whole very good, with the exception of Christian who was exceptional - polite, professional and courteous.
One curious quirk is that at breakfast you can have as many cups of coffee as you like, but after dinner as a hotel guest you have to pay $3 a cup - why?

The beach in front of the rooms is not private, but used by locals and other tourists as a walking route / way to other bays up the coast. Having said that it's not busy, but it is possible that you will get other non residents sitting in the shade on the beach in front of your rooms.

Montezuma town is quirky, laid back and pleasant enough. It has numerous street sellers who are quite happy for you to browse without any pressure selling - long may it continue.

The weather when we were there was very hot and sunny. Temperatures were often in the high 90's so take plenty of high factor cream with you! The sea can be quite rough close to the hotel, but manageable if you are aware of it. It is calmer closure to town on the wide expanse of beach.

All in all a very pleasant place to unwind after a tour of the country.

Room Tip: Have the beach igloos!
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  • Stayed February 2013, traveled with family
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Wiggy82 about Ylang Ylang Beach Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Estes Park, Colorado
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
7 hotel reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
“A place worth visiting!!!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 4, 2013

This was a wonderful surprise for us as we were staying at El Sano Banano (same owners) and visited the resort, we were blown away and booked our last night as a special treat at Ylang Ylang.

This is what vacationing is all about for us! Being next to the beach in the really cool dome building with monkey's overhead, we watched sea turtles being released down the beach at the turtle rescue center one night, the whole stay was amazing.

I wish that there were more nature trails but we found plenty to do with beach walks and surfing.

I would go back here in a heartbeat.

Room Tip: The domes are great, very private and they all seemed like they were in good locations.
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  • Stayed December 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask MrWilly2013 about Ylang Ylang Beach Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Des Moines, Iowa
1 review
“Rave Review for Ylang Ylang!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 3, 2013

I took a group of twenty adventure seekers to Ylang Ylang! The accommodations were beautiful and well maintained. Our first walk through the lush resort left the group breathless! The staff were all great to work with and made our group feel right at home during the entire stay! The food was beyond delicious and the views spectacular! If you travel to Costa Rica, you have to stay at Ylang Ylang!

  • Stayed February 2013, traveled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Jody H about Ylang Ylang Beach Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Malibu, California, United States
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Finding paradise at Ylang Ylang”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 28, 2013

Eco tourism at its best with a spring water pool, spring water coming out of all the faucets (no need for plastic water bottles!), raw and vegan food options, as well as other types...mostly all organic...delicious food! We loved staying in the tents, as well as the domes. It is a magical property with lots of wildlife. The in the 1970s the owners planted a paradise, having restored the land from cattle grazing. The property to the east is a reserve, and a turtle hatchery and funky hippie town to the west. (No Walmarts or Targets!). Enjoy!

Room Tip: they are all good, but ask for something on the beach. Things book up fast here.
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  • Stayed February 2013, traveled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask June L about Ylang Ylang Beach Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
 
 
Ylang Ylang Beach Resort
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Additional Information about Ylang Ylang Beach Resort

Also Known As:
Ylang Ylang Beach Hotel
Ylang Ylang Beach Hotel Montezuma
Ylang Beach Hotel
Ylang Beach Resort
Address: Montezuma Beach | 10-12 minute walk North along the beach, Montezuma 00000, Costa Rica (Formerly El Sano Banano Beach Hotel)
Phone Number:
Region: Costa Rica > Province of Puntarenas > Montezuma
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Beach Free Breakfast Free High-Speed Internet Free Parking Pets Allowed Restaurant Room Service Suites Swimming Pool
Hotel Style:
#1 Family Hotels in Montezuma
#1 On the Beach Hotels in Montezuma
#1 Romantic Hotels in Montezuma
Price Range: $$
Hotel Class:3.5 star (3.5*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
This family-owned resort is known for its natural tropical beauty, variety of wildlife roaming the grounds and outstanding customer service. Located a 10-15 minute walk on the beach from Montezuma, one will find romantic Beach Front Bungalows with A/C, a Spa nestled in the jungle, and a tropical pool edged by waterfalls. If you're looking to get away...this is the getaway place... ... more   less 
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