Hotel Las Orquideas

Every common area is awash in locally sourced Costa Rican wood -- on the walls, the ceilings, the furniture, and the picture frames. The decor is distinctly rain forest-inspired, and there's a mishmash of homey artwork and tchotchkes. In any other context it might look cheap, but there’s a distinct sense of history and place that’s quite inviting. It’s a look the resident tico (local) family has clearly spent decades cultivating. Aside from the breakfast area and miscellaneous lounge chairs in the lobby, there’s no room for any real social scene. After the morning meal service, things quiet down considerably. However, with many of Costa Rica’s most amazing adventure opportunities within 30 minutes of the property, it’s hard to imagine most guests will want too much time indoors anyway.

The hotel is situated along Route 606/Pan-American Highway -- a moderately trafficked thoroughfare that runs through the center of downtown Santa Elena. The small tourist town’s most popular restaurants, shops, markets, and services (including banks and pharmacies) are within a 15-minute walk. The surrounding neighborhood is mostly quiet day and night, although the nearby bar is popular with locals and can get rowdy on nights and weekends. By car, the two nearest airports, Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), are only reachable via a three-hour drive. Car rental is often the most convenient option, however, it can prove expensive (due to Costa Rica’s mandatory auto rental insurance) and dangerous. Shuttle bus transportation is easy to arrange, but can also prove expensive over such long distances.

Rooms are divided among two distinct wings -- the older, original half of the property that includes the lobby and breakfast area and the newly expanded half. Rooms in the former feature a wood-heavy, cabin-like decor with older furniture and a yard sale chic aesthetic. These entry-level rooms are similar except for the number of beds. The cramped floor plans allow just enough room for guests to navigate around the furniture. Two large Family Rooms are the only exception, both provide multiple bedrooms that sleep up to seven. Aside from private bathrooms and air-conditioning, these older rooms offer little in the way of amenities.

The expanded wing is considerably newer. The Deluxe Rooms here are bright with a bold teal color scheme, laminate flooring, and cathedral ceilings. Larger floor plans also allow for a writing desk, plus a separate seating area with leather rocking chairs. The list of amenities is also upgraded considerably to include a mini-fridge, a flat-screen TV, and a modern bathroom that’s a clear step above most budget hotel bathrooms in the area. Walk-in shower stalls and generic bath amenities are standard in every room category.

As a tiny, budget property, there is little in the way of common amenities. A free hot breakfast is served daily. Guests can choose from a list of standard items (eggs, meat, toast, and coffee/tea) or opt for a typical Costa Rican breakfast with rice, beans, and plantains. Free Wi-Fi can be found in the lobby and most common areas, and we found the service reasonably fast and reliable. A large lot at the front of the hotel provides ample space for free off-street parking.