Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel + Retreat

“Forest Bathing and Tea class with Joss”

Joss has a wealth of knowledge about plants and the forest and a lovely calm demeanor. She was a wonderful guide on a mindfulness experience in the forest and also showed us how to make fresh tea. Thank you Joss!

“A tribute to the wonders of nature”

I visited the villa while on a trip with my cousin. A travel agency added 3 days here to our Costa Rican vacation. The Villa is surrounded by exquisite nature. The individual cabins are lovely, clean, & quiet. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. We were first greeted by Erica at the fron... more

I visited the villa while on a trip with my cousin. A travel agency added 3 days here to our Costa Rican vacation. The Villa is surrounded by exquisite nature. The individual cabins are lovely, clean, & quiet. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. We were first greeted by Erica at the front desk & Louis took our belonging to our rooms. Everyone gets to know the guests & try to make them happy & comfortable. The restaurant is great & the staff is exceptional. They are so friendly & make every effort to accommodate each guest individually. We had an educational hike in the forest & Villa grounds led by our guide, Warner, who is an amazing environmentalist. It was an awesome, peaceful experience.

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“Peaceful Retreat with Limitations at Villa Blanca Cloud Forest”

Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Retreat offers a unique escape nestled deep in the serene cloud forest. The location is incredibly remote, which is perfect for those looking to disconnect and enjoy the quiet beauty of nature. However, the seclusion comes with its own set of challenges. The journey to ... more

Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Retreat offers a unique escape nestled deep in the serene cloud forest. The location is incredibly remote, which is perfect for those looking to disconnect and enjoy the quiet beauty of nature. However, the seclusion comes with its own set of challenges. The journey to the retreat is quite an adventure, requiring a drive through winding roads that may not be for the faint of heart. Once there, the isolation means that dining options and activities are somewhat limited. The menu at the on-site restaurant is not very extensive, which could be a concern for guests with longer stays or specific dietary needs. The activities available, while enjoyable, are not as varied as one might hope for in such a rich natural setting. Guided walks and bird watching are the main attractions, but additional recreational offerings would be welcome. The accommodations themselves are comfortable and blend well with the surrounding environment, offering a rustic charm that aligns with the overall aesthetic of a forest retreat. The staff is friendly and does their best to make guests feel at home, though service can sometimes be slow, likely due to the limited staff required to maintain such a secluded spot. In conclusion, Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Retreat is ideal for those seeking solitude and a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. However, be prepared for the limitations that come with its remote location, including a restricted menu and fewer activities. This retreat is best suited for those who find peace in stillness and natural beauty.

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“"A glass half empty........"”

There is a lot to like about the Villa Blanca; a relief from the 30+ temperatures of the 'lowlands', the local wildlife, the Froghouse (a night time visit is a must!), the nature trails through the cloud forest and the stunning views from the 'lookout point' The 'chalets' are well laid out, spa... more

There is a lot to like about the Villa Blanca; a relief from the 30+ temperatures of the 'lowlands', the local wildlife, the Froghouse (a night time visit is a must!), the nature trails through the cloud forest and the stunning views from the 'lookout point' The 'chalets' are well laid out, spacious and with a certain rustic charm. There is even an open fireplace with seasoned hard wood should you get that cold. We didn't! I cannot comment on the Superior rooms, which apparently include a hot tub, Why! The room however does need a Dehumidifier, most rooms have them, ours did not, but a quick call to reception and one was provided. The staff were professional, and always keen to assist the guests. However there were several occasions when, 'the left hand seemed not to know what the right hand was doing' and this impacted on the 'Front of House' services, particularly during the very busy evening meal times. There just did not seem the enough staff, for Reception, the Bar & in particular the Restaurant. On both nights you wanted to put your coffee down and give them a hand!! Unless things have changed since our recent visit, book an early evening meal time. Having said that the food was good, but again there often seemed to be a lack of communication between 'service' and the kitchen. Moan over! The spa is good and both myself and Mrs Rouleur enjoyed excellent massage's. The only other small issue, is that there is very little to do during the day, once you have done the early morning tours. So take a good book, or take advantage of the farm visit, the old greenhouse nature area or the spa. We did an optional Quetzal spotting tour (saw a male and a female in full breeding plumage, Wow!) Organised by our by our tour operator, so the above did not bother us that much. I cannot finish without mentioning the final 10km 'Farm track' which leads to & from the hotel, be prepared!! It takes about 45 minutes. I enjoyed my stay at the Villa Blanca, and I can see why it is a sought after venue for Production companies specialising in the Natural World. It was just spoilt by the issues mentioned above. Recommended.

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