Hotel El Encanto

Rooms are in little bungalows, that all have different colours. All rooms have AC and mosquito net as well as sufficient towels for beach and pool. The garden is very beautiful and offers a wildlife experience with Iguanas and minimum 2 sloths living here. Breakfast is also good and the restaurant is definitely also worth a consideration as especially the setting is nice by Costa Rican standards.

Mixed feelings about this property. Upon arrival, we were met with a reserved and aloof receptionist who would not give me a key to the room unless I provided my passport number which was in the car. Ok, it’s really hot, we’ve been driving all day, the gates locked so it’s not like we would run away- she decided she could bend this rule. The cottages were perfect, great bathrooms, air conditioning, fans, comfortable beds but with awful pillows. The grounds were also perfect and beautiful with two small swimming pools. What needs improvement is their customer service. They made a mistake with the number of beds in our room. Instead of comping us or apologizing, they had us wait not explaining what they are going to do and ask for an extra fee for the additional bed in the room. Not sure why that requires an extra fee. We were never given complimentary drinks as per their cards in the room, nor were we given two for one drinks during happy hour. I asked on two occasions before booking if the restaurant provides vegan breakfast and if they have vegan choices for dinner. The breakfast was by far the worst breakfast we had in Costa Rica. I was offered dry stale bread with thin slices of avocado and two slices of tomato. When asked if I could have rice and beans, I was given a strict NO without explanation. No rice and beans like all the other hotels. The fruit was delicious. We had dinner once there on our first night and the bean burger was soft and not tasty along with the other dishes so we decided not to eat there again. If visiting this area again, I would not stay here and probably stay in the Punta Uva area with better beaches, restaurants, more hotels to choose from and just more to do overall. This hotel has a lot going for it but the customer service and subpar food has made us think twice. Coffee only available after 7am even though tours start early in Costa Rica and you’re up at 4:30 or 5, and there is no coffee, and the breakfast we were given to go for our 5mile hike in the rainforest jungle was cheese and tomato sandwich even though I asked for a vegan breakfast. Again, I was give a strict NO to a vegan breakfast.

I spent my 50th birthday here. It was my favourite hotel of the 5 we stayed at during 2 weeks in Costa Rica. The staff are truly lovely and made the entire stay a joy. Special shout out to the lady who checked us in and out, and also to the young gardener who always stopped to say hello and even pointed out fruits that were edible in the garden. Everyone speaks English but if you can offer up a bit of Spanish then the interactions are fantastic. The place is spotlessly clean, the 2 pools are lovely and if you’re quiet enough then you’ll often be joined by a few lizards and frogs (on the side, not in the water!) which is really special. Breakfast is great - fruit, followed by toast and then eggs. You are no more than 10min walk from the nearest restaurants. There’s a cocktail happy hour each day - the caipirinhas are great. We had the suite which is essentially the whole top floor of the main building - HUGE veranda, 2 bedrooms, great aircon, mozzie nets, very comfortable bed, good shower. The nearest beach is around 10mins left of the hotel entrance, or you can access the beaches in the national park (where we saw more wildlife than anywhere else on our entire trip) - the park is around a 15min walk, right of the entrance and walk through the village. Finally, yes they have a resident 2 toed sloth! Excellent hotel and I really hope I can stay there again one day

We came for my 60th birthday. They gave me a lovely tropical bouquet! This place is nestled in beautiful gardens, wildlife, nice little pool, relaxing seating vignettes here and there. We looked forward to breakfast each morning - fresh fruit, homemade bread and jam and varied main choices like eggs, pancakes, veggie choice. Each room has a nice little outdoor seating area. Housekeeping service was daily, providing towels for pool and beach. Air conditioning was essential for us in August and they had it as well as a fan. It cooled the room down nicely. To top it all off, the service was impeccable here. Great attention to detail at this boutique hotel. Also, walking distance to town, Cahuita national Park, beach, restaurants and the grocery store.

Hotel El Encanto is amazing! Perfect location close to multiple beaches and walking distance to Cahuita National Park. Staff is super friendly, the garden is gorgeous and the breakfast is delicious!!!

2nd time being here. First time we went was New Year's and it had a fixed menu with 3 choices of starters and mains. My main course was a beef Wellington. It turned up raw with pastry that was slimey and cold. My wife enjoyed hers as it was cooked. We gave the place the benefit of the doubt and went back because the setting was nice and the staff are great. I got served my rump steak and fries. They literally gave me half a rump steak ( the fatty part) artfully entwined with raw fries and some salad. Everyone else seemed content but the highlight of our meal were our kids chicken nuggets. They were delicious and I would come back again for the kiddies meal👍🏼