www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I agree Costa Verde is awesome. Just be sure to get a room with air conditioning. When I was last there, they tried to put me in a room that just had a ceiling fan. It was a huge room with a great view but it just gets way too hot for a northern gringo down there to sleep at night.

Indeed, the Si Como No is very nice. I've stayed there three times, but beware...they don't allow chica guests, unless of course she signs in with you upon arrival. As mentioned above, the grounds, pools, etc are beautiful, and the views (from most of the rooms) are incredible. Overall, it is one of the best hotels in the area, and a little less-expensive than the very high-end hotels, such as the Parador, La Mansion Inn, etc. If you are with a Tica, they may give you a discount on the room rate...at least they used to.

_________________
"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

The Hotel Parador is incredible, one of the top two or three hotels in the area. I've stayed there three times, albeit many years ago. They used to offer a discount if you were with a CR citizen, and apparently they have been offering a 'general' discount recently, as Whitecat mentioned. The grounds, service, food and views are incredible, even better than the hotel Si Como No. If you can get a room for under $200 or so, it would be a fantastic bargain. They have a 'private' beach near the hotel, but it is not very nice...very rocky. They used to have a landing pad for a helicopter, but it may be gone now, after they did a major renovation some years ago.

_________________
"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

Here's about Bro Linkman's mention:
http://www.sicomono.com/

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

My favorite near MA is Arenas del Mar. Buildings 1 and 3 are practically right on a private beach. They also have a much larger public beach on their property. The main drawback is that their property is so big you have to call for a golf cart to get to the parking lot.

Issimo Suites is nice. No K*ds allowed which is a great policy. Good view but long walk to the beach.

Gaia Hotel is also a bit far from the beach but they will drive you there. They make an amazing PinaJalapeño margarita.

Wife and I stayed at Byblos and enjoyed the bungalos in the jungle. Not exactly fancy, but clean and nice enough for a couple nights.

Here's more on Bro Skink's mentions:
http://www.arenasdelmar.com/
http://www.issimosuites.com/
http://gaiahr.com/

And welovelatinas: http://www.bybloshotelcostarica.com/

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Check out Mango Moon. http://www.mangomoonhotel.com

Its owned by Brian Marshall, the bassist from Creed & Alterbridge and his wife/ex-wife Donna. Very cool place.

Marc
http://www.costaricagurus.com

If you're not hip to Creed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBBqjGd3fHQ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkHjFzw1TUg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LzJst0_HbE << Hellacious perfs I would not have heard of if not for for the mention. Another reason I'm here...

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED