Peace Lodge

The rainforest decor in every room and common area is all-encompassing at this resort. Fortunately, the aesthetic is so cohesive and professionally executed that it feels more quaint than kitsch. “Natural” stone walls, rough-carved “unfinished” wood countertops, and a man-made, outdoor pool grotto all contribute to a theme-park-feel. And if that weren't enough, there's always the lush jungle views at nearly every turn. The entire hotel is built into the side of a steeply sloped hill. Looking out to the adjacent rainforest from any vantage point, the hotel's  buildings seem to disappear, providing the illusion that guests are alone in a vast green cloud forest. The property is so expansive, with so much room to explore, that the hotel never feels crowded. Children are allowed on the property, and the attached rainforest adventure park -- with a lovely waterfall, aviary, and educational exhibits -- is a great way to entertain them. With its secluded setting and eco-lodge style, though, plenty of couples and groups of friends make there way here as well. 

The lodge is located on a quiet, rural road less than a half-hour from Poas Volcano National Park -- one of the country’s most famous active volcanoes. Small homes pepper the adjacent road, but there are no points of interest within walking distance. At the nearby La Paz Waterfall Gardens, however, several rainforest and waterfall hikes are easily accessible.Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaria International Airport is approximately one hour away. While the hotel does not provide airport transportation, private shuttle bus or van service is affordable and easy to arrange at the airport. Taxi service is likely the second best alternative. Lastly, car rental service is available at the airport from several brand-name providers in the terminal.

The themed decor found in every common area is carried through to each of the hotel's rooms. We found the eco-lodge look to be almost over-the-top, but ultimately pleasant and attractive. The large, rustic proportions of many details in the rooms also feels tailor-made to the many families that pass through. Gas fireplaces with natural stone surrounds, rough-carved wood seating, and stucco walls all provide a distinct sense of “roughing it” in the rainforest. With rustic wood appearing almost everywhere -- including in ceiling beams -- the vibe is cheerful, but relaxing.Rooms in each of the four categories are spacious. Entry-level Standard Rooms boast 650-square-foot (60 square meters), one-room floor plans with either a single king or two full-size beds. Deluxe Rooms offer identical furnishings and appointments in a larger, 800-square-foot (74-square-meter) floor plan. The upgraded Monarch Villa features a much larger, 1,200-square-foot (111-square-meter) layout. The room includes three fireplaces, a master bedroom (with a single king bed), a loft bedroom (with one queen and one twin), two whirlpool hot tubs, and a separate, full-size dining area. The hotel’s Villa Lago is configured and appointed like a high-end condo. It’s ideal for families or couples traveling together as it includes two bedrooms, a full kitchen, washer/dryer combo, and separate living and dining areas. The room is also situated less than 100 feet from the property’s Big Trout Lake with excellent waterfall views.An extensive list of modern amenities is standard in every room, including minibars, flat-screen TVs with satellite service, and large gas fireplaces. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and we found the service to be fast and reliable. Beds in all categories are well-reviewed as comfortable. Every room also features a large, furnished balcony with a hammock, whirlpool hot tub, and stunning views of Poas Volcano and the La Paz River Valley.Rainforest-themed bathrooms in every category are exceptionally large, with natural stone and wood adorning every surface. All bathrooms feature separate stand-up shower stalls, dual sinks and vanities, and two-person soaking tubs with seven-foot waterfalls. Deluxe bathrooms are especially large and offer two total shower stalls. Raw Botanicals premium bath amenities are standard in every category.

The hotel offers an excellent list of rainforest-centric features including two open-air terrace restaurants, a grotto-style outdoor pool, and an activity park. While there is no on-site spa, in-room massage treatments are available. Wi-Fi and parking are both free at the hotel as well.The outdoor pool is adequately sized given the small number of rooms on the property. The man-made, grotto design reflects the surrounding rainforest landscape and feels almost natural. A small adjacent hot tub accommodates six guests comfortably. There are a limited number of chairs around the pool, and a wide terrace directly below offers an additional handful of dining and lounge chairs with panoramic rainforest and volcano views.The hotel is serviced by three restaurants. Colibries, the main restaurant, serves a buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu consists of basic, cafeteria-style fare, including pizza, hot dogs, and rotisserie chicken. Dining is available in a large, open-air space or alfresco on a wide, outdoor terrace that offers excellent rainforest views. In a small, intimate room upstairs, Vista Poas offers dinner service daily. The atmosphere is refined, with a Mediterranean-meets-rainforest-lodge atmosphere. A tiny adjacent lounge provides pre-dinner drinks in front of a stone fireplace. At the base of the property, down a long, winding series of steps, Big Trout Bar is situated next to Big Trout Lake. Afternoon drinks and light tapas are available.The adjacent La Paz Waterfall Gardens park offers a number of rainforest-centric activities. More than two miles (3.5 km) of hiking trails wind through the cloud forest landscape, past five waterfalls. The park’s 10 animal exhibits -- including a butterfly garden, aviary, trout lake, and insectarium -- collectively house more than 100 species of exotic species native to Costa Rica.