My wife and I stayed at this hotel for two nights as part of a Cox and Kings holiday to Costa Rica. The hotel is up in the mountains, and close to cloud forests, and the rooms are in a number of buildings spread around the extensive grounds. We occupied Room 4, along with three other rooms in the same building, and this was a large, standard room decorated with wood paneling and having twin queen size beds. There was a separate seating area as well as a balcony (with a two seater sofa). Room facilities included a free security safe, flat screen TV, fridge, a cupboard for hanging clothes with 4 clothes hangers, two clothes drawers, four pillows per bed, bedside phone and coffee making facilities. There was no mini-bar, no air-conditioning but a dehumidifier instead (we had to empty this on a number of occasions), the WiFi was very poor in the room but there were plenty of plugs for charging a mobile phone, iPad, etc. The room had large windows so the view could be enjoyed. The bathroom had a huge walk in shower, toilet, and a small basin (with no plug so remember to take a travelling plug!). The hotel facilities were situated around the large restaurant (which was a 10 minutes walk on a dusty track from the room), there being a Harmony Spa, covered swimming pool, and a bar. The breakfast selection was very good, with eggs cooked to order. The grounds were extensive, with a walking trail and plenty of flora and fauna, including the Blue-crowned Motmot! We were also able to enjoy some fantastic sunsets during our stay. During bad weather, the trek to the restaurant could be interesting, but there is a golf type buggie that can be ordered from reception to get you around the site. We enjoyed our stay at this 'exclusive mountain hideaway'!

This was our second pleasant stay at Hotel Fonda Vela. The room was spacious, grounds were beautiful and staff were helpful. I would also call attention to the excellent breakfast included with the room. A number of hot items rotated each day and it also included made to order omlettes, and great fruit and pastries. The only issue we encountered with the hotel was the quality of the dinner we ate in at the onsite restaurant. I ordered the veggie burger and the fries were quite under-cooked and the quality did not match the higher price. The location comes with more space and a quick ride to a number of reserves, but those arriving without their own car like us should be prepared for few restaurants or attractions within a quick walk and getting nearly everywhere by cabs which are easy to call but the cost can add up quickly.

Mixed feelings about this hotel, staff were friendly on arrival. Our room very spacious with a lovely seating area overlooking the huge gardens. Room was spotlessly clean, maids were friendly but there was alot of building work going with electricians in our rooms on returning one day at lunch time to find them actually doing electrical work in our room with no previous warning. The hotel should have informed us of this. All afternoon was noisey with men up ladders hammering and gardeners cutting grass. We found it diffiucult to find anywhere to sit outside in the sun as there were no tables and chairs around the gardens to sit at. The pool area was okay but with only approx 10 sunbeds and 2 of them broken we could never get one as other visitors were ignorant by putting towels and belongings on them and then disappearing! Pool snack bar was poor and slow service. We were given the wrong menus. The hotel is very remote which is great but if you want to go for a walk into the nearest village it us a long way there and back and very steep roads.