Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel & Retreat

We were so disappointed with this accommodation on what was otherwise a fabulous trip to Costa Rica. This was by far the worst place we stayed. It’s 8km down a very potholed and bumpy track and the place was shrouded by cloud for our entire stay (thankfully only two nights!). I know we were in a cloud forest but the accommodation felt very dank and dreary and the rooms are very run down and in need of some major work. We had no outside furniture. There was a space where there obviously used to be a fridge but no more, and an incredibly noisy dehumidifier that we had to empty three times during our two night stay! Everything felt damp including the bedding, despite the dehumidifier but the bed was comfortable. Both sets of blinds were dirty and broken. The main building feels like an old hunting lodge and although there were two open fires they kept the doors open all of the time so it never felt warm. The staff were not particularly welcoming and we were very disappointed in the food offerings in the restaurant (one of us is gluten free and both our tour operator and ourselves had pre warned this hotel before our stay.) There was very little on an incredibly expensive menu that my husband was able to eat. The restaurant was inflexible with regards to accommodating a special diet. There was a complimentary tea/coffee station available in the lounge but when I asked if it was possible to have a decaffeinated coffee I was told I would have to pay €5! This place is literally in the middle of nowhere so there are no other food options available. Breakfast was ok but a bit basic compared to other hotels we stayed in and the waiting staff just seemed unfriendly. All in all we felt unwelcome and have reported our concerns to our tour company. The positives: we saw some incredible wildlife on a night/day tour with very knowledgeable local guides.

To start with the positive: the staff is incredibly friendly, helpful and well-trained but the hotel itself needs serious work. It rained and misted without interruption (it’s after all a CLOUD hotel) making everything damp. We stayed in the Presidential Suite which has been newly and well-renovated. Spacious, anttractiv and well-equipped- which it should be for $400-600 a night. The fireplace is- great if only the wood were dry. We had no hot water for 2 days because, even after asking someone to come fix it, no one told us that you have to adjust the shower “just so”. That was the management’s fault, probably not the staff. The facilities are pretty run down. The dining room is dark and anything but inviting. The food is simple and starchy and pretty heavy. All in all more a backpacker try hotel than a Villa.

Villa Blanca was just as wonderful as it was in 2013, a very relaxing retreat in the cloud forest. Was fortunate enough to experience the spa this time, it was wonderful! Service was excellent, food was great, our meeting room had the best view in the resort!