Mts Al Oeste del Cruce de Cangrejal 800, Box 24, Playa Samara, Costa Rica | (888) 616-5829
Mountaintop location overlooking the lush jungle and distant
Pacific
Tidy tree-house-like rooms with canopy beds and private
balconies
Abundant wildlife (monkeys and birds) can be viewed from the
rooms
Whimsical frog-themed nuances throughout the property
Private pool surrounded by flowering shrubs
Free hot breakfast included in the room rate
Free Wi-Fi
The hotel is not on the beach
The restaurant does not serve lunch or dinner
Rooms are on the small side with little space between the wall and bed
The Deluxe Triple Rooms are a tight squeeze for three people
You need a car to get to the beach and town
No TVs or phones in the rooms (a pro for some)
The pool is shaded -- not the best for sunbathing
No fitness center or spa
The Lodge las Ranas is a mid-range, mountaintop
boutique hotel close to the town of Samara. Its 10 tidy, tree-house-like
rooms offer canopy beds and lovely balconies equipped with wooden rocking
chairs, perfect perches for up-close viewing of local howler monkeys and
toucans as well as gazing upon the distant Pacific. Hot breakfasts, a shaded pool, and a
tiny lounge keep guests occupied but most spend their days away from the hotel,
exploring the local beaches. Walking to town is possible, but it requires
navigating the steep driveway, followed by a trek down a dirt road.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
A mountaintop retreat that attracts mostly couples with its affordable rates and intimate, natural setting
The centerpiece of the Lodge las Ranas is a bright blue pool, which is beneath the shade of a towering tree and dappled with sunlight. The landscaping incorporates bright pink bougainvillea and red ginger flowers, and the pool is ringed with cushioned
wooden lounge chairs and whimsical alligator and frog stone sculptures ("ranas" means frog in Spanish). The hotel attracts mostly
couples, who come for the budget rates, private setting, and the chance to
unplug and be in touch with surrounding cacophony of nature which includes a multitude
of birds and families of howler monkeys.Days begin beneath the giant palapa roof, which houses the hotel's
small lobby and rancho-style restaurant with a towering ceiling strung with white
paper lanterns. Guests fuel up on ham and cheese omelets or "tipico" (scrambled
eggs with rice and beans and plantains) washed down with Costa Rican coffee
before hopping into their rental cars to explore the nearby beaches, many
which require a car to access. Walking to town and the beach is also possible, but it takes
about 25 minutes. Those interested in booking excursions such as trips to Monte
Verde or Barra Honda Caves can arrange them at the front desk.While the restaurant doesn't serve lunch or dinner, there
are a handful of casual places to dine in the small town of Samara, about a
five-minute drive. Nightlife is possible, as there are a few bars and night spots around Samara, but the area is not heralded for its party scene. Most guests turn in early and rise with
the sun, and the resounding calls of howler monkeys.
Location
Off an out-of-the-way dirt road, at the top of a steep, narrow driveway, a quick ride to the shops and restaurants of Samara and the beach
Having GPS will come in handy when trying to find the Lodge las
Ranas. The hotel is located off a dirt road, requiring a sharp turn up a steep,
narrow driveway. Getting to Samara is also not easy, requiring a two-hour drive
from the airport in Liberia or four-plus hours to get to the airport in San
Jose. - Five-minute drive to Samara
Rooms
Small but tidy rooms with canopy beds, mini-refrigerators, coffeemakers, and gorgeous balconies with rocking chairs that overlook the trees and distant ocean
Set in two-story white buildings that are built into a steep
hillside, the hotel's 10 rooms consist of Standard Rooms with a queen-size bed
and seating in a small alcove or Triple Rooms with a queen-size bed and a twin
bed tucked into the alcove. One room with a kitchenette is available. The rooms feature a soft, neutral color palette that
reflects the hotel's jungle-like surroundings. They are styled with coffee-colored
tile floors, vaulted ceilings with exposed dark wood (in top-floor rooms), and thick wood entry
doors. The bamboo canopy beds are draped with gauzy fabric and finished with
perfectly tucked white linens and coverlets in solid soft taupe or in a sage
green striped fabric with matching pillow shams. Towels shaped into tight
pinwheels are placed neatly on the beds.A few steps from the foot of the beds, large glass doors open
to private balconies bordered by thick tree-branch railings and furnished with two rocking chairs.
Arguably the best feature of the rooms, the private balconies feel as if they
are floating among the tree tops, offering guests up-close views of resident
birds and howler monkeys. In the distance, across the dry landscape of Samara,
guests also have views of Playa Buenavista and the Pacific. Other amenities include closets finished with wooden shutter
doors, air-conditioning, mini-refrigerators, and coffeemakers with packages of
Britt coffee. The bathrooms feature river-rock tile floors, single vanities
with white raised vessel sinks, shelving with small safes, and walk-in showers
with glass-block accent walls. The baths are also stocked with small bars of
soap and shampoo but they lack hairdryers.
Features
Hot breakfast, a shaded pool, and personalized service
The small, intimate lodge lacks the multitude of features
found at typical resort-style properties. Guests enjoy hot breakfasts included
in the room rate, along with a lovely pool with sufficient cushioned lounge
chairs set beneath tiki umbrellas. The greatest feature of Lodge las Ranas,
however, are the views. From the balconies off the rooms, guests are at the
level of the tree canopy, allowing them to be close to birds and howler
monkeys.
