We enjoyed our stay so much this is the first place we KNOW we will return. Tara was absolutely wonderful handling all our destination, travel needs, activities, and restaurant reservations for us. All her recommendations were spot on and we could not have had such a wonderful experience without her guidance, suggestions, and help. Our villa was spacious and cleaned daily. The walk to the beach was short, with beautiful raked sand leading our way. We found ourselves rising early to sit and watch the sunrise and making sure we were somewhere close to the water at sunset. Just gorgeous! Villas Hermosas has a perfect view of the sun setting. We didn't miss breakfast if we could help it with various items that included a rice and bean dish, fruit, and choice of omelette type daily. Some days waffles and yummy banana pancakes were available as well. One of our favorite parts of our stay was their dog Reef. He was the first to show us the way to the beach and almost every morning without fail would greet us on our way to sit and watch the day start, then every time we went to the beach he would come along wading out into the water with us, and sitting beside us when laying out to dry. He kept us company when we played cards at the rancho and walked us to our door some nights, He was an added bonus! He's also an equal opportunity dog. He would take off to accompany other guests or play/nap on his own. The beach itself was not overly busy and we could easily relax and watch the surfers or wade out and enjoy the waves ourselves. The hotel is beautiful and every day we saw workers keeping the sidewalks swept, the pool clean, the sand raked. Just a beautiful place to stay and very friendly. We highly recommend Villas Hermosas especially if you don't speak much Spanish. Brad and Tara will take care of you to where it doesn't even matter. We visited another hotel for our massages (Tara set it up and AMAZING) but so glad we were at Villas Hermosas. This other place was very nice but didn't have the laid back, comfortable fell, and home away from home that Villas Hermosas did. Best vacation ever!

Destinations and activities with the help of Tara:
Couples massage
In-shore fishing (where my husband caught a gorgeous sailfish - like a marlin -that isn't supposed to be in-shore! Wonderful guides and experience. The sailfish was released and unharmed.)
Zip-lining and trip to Montezuma - Tara recommended a jewelry shop that I loved! Very affordable and beautiful handcrafted jewelry in silver and various stones, pearls, etc.
Wildlife refuge tour in Curu and snorkeling around Isle of Tortuga
Rented ATVs the whole trip and so worth it and fun! Tara lent us bandannas for the dust since the gringos were not prepared. ;)
Tara made all our dinner reservations and the places were amazing. We never went hungry or had a bad thing to say about any of the restaurants. Tara also arranged for one of the restaurants to prepare the tuna we had caught on our fishing trip!

We spent 6 nights at Villas Hermosas for the 2nd year in a row, and I can't imagine staying anywhere else. We visited a few other resorts while on vacation (had meals at their restaurants and poked around a bit to see what they had to offer) and NOTHING compares to Villas Hermosas.
We enjoy staying in the Villas for more space (although the Honeymoon Suite is spectacular, too!) - the cleanliness is amazing, and their support staff show huge smiles and enjoy talking to us while they take care of the property during the day. The traditional Costa Rican breakfast, coffee, and juice is delicious every morning, and the guests that visit VH are awesome. Both years we've visited we've come home with new friends. This is the only place (I've been to) in Costa Rica where the guests enjoy socializing with one another, and also with the fantastic owners, Brad and Tara. Everyone is so friendly, and since VH is smaller, we really had a chance to get to know the Shaw's, their sweet family, and the guests they attract. Added bonus: Reef was a fantastic walking companion on the beach at sunrise (their dog) and a sweet "porch/guard dog" on our Villa at night!
The staff at VH make a really huge effort to make sure their guests feel safe and at home. They are readily available all day to answer questions, book day trips, make dinner reservations, rent quads for their guests, share a pizza with, and enjoy the sunset - a favorite at VH!
Upon leaving and paying our bill, and just like last year, we have our next trip booked already for 2014. Villas Hermosas is an extraordinary spot on the beautiful Santa Teresa Beach, and we can't wait until next year to return, and with our family!

I have to say that the Villas look much better in person than in pictures. The swimming pool is beautiful and one of the most beautiful beaches of Costa Rica is right in front of the hotel. They have breakfast, but don't have restaurant, the good part of this is that you get to go to the delicious restaurants in town or you can order from some local restaurant and dine in the rancho or at the villa. It is a very quite place, so if you are looking for party, it would be a good idea to come with a group.
We came with our teenage daughters and they did not complaint at all. We will come back for sure.

I would recommend the Villas Hermosas to anyone, and can't wait to stay with Brad and Tara again! Our first trip to Costa Rica was amazing due in no small part to the hospitality of the proprietors of this amazing vacation spot. Endless, uncrowded beaches (literally steps from the front door of your own villa), adventure excursions (don't miss Brad's ATV tour), surfing and - bonus - Villas Hermosas is across the "street" from the greatest little sushi spot in Santa Teresa (trust me). We spent four nights at the Villas, and easily could have stayed so, so much longer. If you are headed anywhere on the Nicoya peninsula, stay here. Period. (And give Reef a scratch behind the ear for us.) My only regret about writing this review is that I am back home. Until next time...