Hotel Cuna del Angel

Cuna del Angel (which means angel's cradle in Spanish) looks decidedly different from many of its neighbors. A large circular turret painted in cream and bold blue is covered with a traditional Costa Rican straw roof. Ornate black iron railings and elegant staircases decorated with white angel statues add Mediterranean flavor to the prettily landscaped entrance. There's a blue and white water fountain built into a front-facing wall. From the Palapa restaurant and adjacent front desk, guests can see the Pacific Ocean in the distance -- though the view is partially obscured by vegetation. Next to the marble-framed reception desk is a semi-open-air lounge set with wicker chairs topped with thick cream-colored cushions. A blue sky mural is painted on the ceiling. The Deluxe Rooms are reached in the building that's attached to the restaurant. Signs decorated with trumpets, reminding guests to keep quiet, hang in the interior hallways, as do signs with angel's names written in script. Standard Rooms are built across the parking lot from the main building, and set in the rain forest.

A green lawn accented with blooming flowers and painted urns leads to the outdoor, freeform swimming pool. Palm trees, blue sun loungers, and white umbrellas set a chic scene poolside, though the infinity-edge pool could use a few more feet of water and technically overlooks the parking lot behind a row of high, manicured vegetation. 

Kids are welcome here but the crowd is mostly couples and friends. The vibe is romantic and slightly sophisticated, but not pretentious.  

Hotel Cuna del Angel has an easy-to-access location directly off of Route 34, the highway that cuts through Domincal and goes into Uvita. The front entrance doesn't require driving up or down a hill, which can be a problem in this part of the world -- but some of the rooms do pick up a bit of highway noise. It would take well over an hour to walk along busy Route 34 to reach Playa Dominical, but it's under a 10-minute drive with a car. Expect a 15-minute drive to Playa Uvita. Staff provides guests with a map and list of area beaches when they check in. Manuel Antonio National Park is a little less than an hour's drive and it's about a three hour-drive to the international airport in San Jose. Parking at the hotel is free and plentiful. 

There are 16 Deluxe and six Standard Rooms named after angels at Hotel Cuna del Angel. The Deluxe Rooms are attached to the main building and have furnished terraces or balconies overlooking the swimming pool. Ocean views are available from the second-story rooms. Each Deluxe Room comes standard with a coffeemaker, ceiling fan, air-conditioning, minibar, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and sitting area. Bold blue and yellow walls are freshly painted and dark wood furniture is substantial. Stained glass windows add an elegant touch. Spacious bathrooms have shower/tub combos (a rarity in Costa Rica) and carved single sinks with ample counter space to unpack toiletries. Bright paintings of frogs or parrots hang above the beds. Staff folds towels into animal shapes decorated with tropical flowers. 

Standard Rooms are located across the street from the main building and Deluxe Rooms. These rooms are smaller and more rustic, with a shabby chic design scheme that's contemporary and comfortable. Gray wood walls with white seams look new and laminate hardwood floors are a step-up from the usual tiles found in Deluxe Rooms. Distressed white wardrobes hold a mini-fridge with items for purchase and a flat-screen TV is mounted to the wall. Sliding wood doors lead into the bathroom, which has a shower and single pedestal sink. Large bottles of floral scented toiletries are supplied. Each of the rooms has a wooden furnished balcony that overlooks the rain forest and the front entrance just beyond. Past guests have complained these rooms can be a bit dark, due to the thick rain forest. 

Features at Cuna del Angel cater to relaxation and convenience. Palapa restaurant is one of the highlights. It serves a free and substantial breakfast buffet each morning that includes hot items like bacon and eggs, individual cartons of yogurt, fresh fruit, gluten-free breads, baked goods, cheese, and charcuterie. Lunch and dinner are a la carte and focus on organic and gluten-free entrees like steak and pasta dishes, plus an extensive wine and cocktail list. There isn't any service by the outdoor pool. Guests have 24-hour access to a semi-private whirlpool that overlooks the rain forest. An on-site spa (a rarity in Dominical) has a hydrotherapy tub, steam room, and two treatment rooms for massages and facials. Wi-Fi is free and fast throughout the property.