Sueno del Mar Beachfront Bed & Breakfast

With a low white stucco wall and small sign topped with terra-cotta tiles, the entrance to Sueno del Mar is fairly modest. The bed-and-breakfast’s name means “dream of the sea,” and stepping through the arched wooden doorway onto the property does feel akin to entering an enchanting little world. Terra-cotta floor tiles and roofs, along with prominent local artwork and decorations, give this bed-and-breakfast a strong sense of place.Rooms are set in a hacienda-style building on a lush, beachfront property. Most guest rooms are found on either side of a whitewashed corridor that leads from the entrance back to the patio, pool, and beach. The breakfast patio is a pleasant place to enjoy views of the garden, or relax with one of the used books neatly stacked on various shelves around the property. Hammocks and lounge chairs are dotted throughout the garden and stretch down to the beach, creating many shady, private seating areas. The garden draws local wildlife, including iguanas, blue jays, geckos, and howler monkeys.Children under 12 are not permitted, and guests are mainly English-speaking couples. The bed-and-breakfast's tranquil ambiance and quiet setting are a good fit for guests looking to relax rather than party, although Tamarindo’s vibrant shops, restaurants, and bars are within walking distance.

Sueno del Mar is set in Langosta, a low-key town neighboring lively Tamarindo. Langosta has a few restaurants and shops, but it’s mainly populated with private homes as well as a few other small hotels. The buzzing bars, restaurants, and shops of Tamarindo can be reached in about 20 minutes on foot -- however, the route is partially unpaved and some guests complain the walk can be challenging and dusty.The hotel sits directly on Langosta Beach. Although the beach is fairly rocky in front of the hotel, it’s about a 10-minute walk south to a swimming area. Busy Tamarindo Beach is about a 15-minute walk away. Other nearby beaches include Playa Avellana and Playa Grande, which are around a 30-minute drive away. Liberia’s airport can be reached in just over an hour by car.

Guest rooms at Sueno del Mar are exquisitely decorated with colorful Guatemalan textiles, vaulted ceilings, and handicrafts that the owners have collected from across Central America. No two rooms are the same, with decorations ranging from vivid wall hangings and mosaic-tiled surfaces to tribal-style masks and eclectic statues. All rooms include free Wi-Fi and personal safes, but they do not have TVs. Bathrooms vary from room to room, with some featuring indoor showers, while others have outdoor Bali-style showers. Many have sinks set outside the shower and toilet area, and some include painted stone walls. All are stocked with pump bottles of shampoo and conditioner, as well as bars of all natural soap.Queen rooms have four-poster hardwood beds, terra-cotta tiled floors, and arched windows. Two Casitas include private terraces, separate living areas, as well as kitchenettes with mini-fridges, hot plates, microwaves, and a small selection of cutlery. Casitas can accommodate up to four guests, offering sofas that can be converted into twin beds. The second-floor Honeymoon suite has a mini-fridge, hammock, iPod dock, and wonderful ocean views, among other extras.

For an intimate bed-and-breakfast, Sueno del Mar has a variety of features that add to its charm and value. Foliage drapes around the hotel’s small, lagoon-shaped pool. A few padded lounge chairs and a picnic table are set alongside the pool on a wooden deck. From the pool, the grounds meander gently down to a scenic stretch of Langosta Beach. Hammocks, Adirondack chairs, and loungers spill from the gardens onto the sands. There’s also an elegant daybed set under a wooden shelter. The beach has golden sands, which become quite rocky close to the water. Snorkeling pools form at low-tide and the sunset views are spectacular.An extensive free breakfast with omelets, fruit, granola, and breads is served on a breezy patio overlooking the pool and garden. The patio is furnished with wooden tables and chairs, as well as a sofa that stretches along a single white-washed wall. The sofa is filled with brightly-hued pillows, and there’s a small shelf of used books and magazines available for guests. Free snorkel gear and boogie boards are available for guests. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout, and it’s possible to park on the street in front of the property. Sueno del Mar regularly hosts weddings and other special events.