Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel & Retreat

I spent two nights here as an end to my 23 day Costa Rica trip, and it truly was like saving the best for last. A beautiful location and wonderful accomodations . Took the extended guided nature walk and saw a wonderful assortment of birds in their natural environment. In retrospect I would have allowed a couple of extra days as there is so much to see and do here. And in addition the restaurant was first class! Highly recomnended!

I genuinely cannot say enough wonderful things about Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel + Retreat. My company chose this space to host a retreat for 19 people from around the world. Prior to even setting foot at Villa Blanca I worked with Karol, who has been a joy to work with! Her and her team are not only professional, but also incredibly genuine and are happy to help with whatever you need. Their attention to the smallest detail and their customer service is top notch - they treat every guest like royalty, and their positivity and happiness is unparalleled. The grounds and space are also flawlessly maintained, and the rooms and spaces are clean and beautiful. They take time to cater to the guests needs and have walking trails, a dairy farm, a beautiful chapel, and other tours you can do if you book ahead. I have no doubt that my company will be back to host further retreats in this lovely space. A special thanks to Karol, Ana, Nicholas, Ericka, Yos, Kevin, Alejandro, and Dona Xinia for their wonderful support and positivity and joy - thank you for making our retreat such a special memory!

Just recently came here for a staycation with my boyfriend. We live on the southern pacific coast of costa rica and wanted time away from the beach and this was the perfect spot. so beautiful, peaceful and romantic. the food was great, we saw lots of wildlife and our room was amazing. we stayed in the el silencio suite and it was perfect. The fireplace in the room was my favorite part. We can't wait to come back to Villa Blanca.

A beautiful place, an amazing forest…. but unfortunately the hotel needs significant refurbishing. Also, the hospitality part could be improved, with minimal service (no room service at all, room cleaned every 2 days….ect….) One super important point: the restaurant staff is really great. Marco, our waiter was very elegant, professional, kind and thoughtful. That contributes highly to make of the restaurant a very positive experience, despite a rather limited menu (and wine - only one or two bottles of red left on a list of 5 or 6) Jose, our guide, was amazing. He talks to the birds!!! The spa is a DISASTER and should be avoided. The masseuse who dispensed our massage was not trained and not happy to do her job. That’s pretty bad for a hotel & spa branding. So all in all, a mixed feeling - some very strong points, some very weak. Just making the hospitality and spa parts more professional would go a very long way.

Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Retreat offers a unique escape nestled deep in the serene cloud forest. The location is incredibly remote, which is perfect for those looking to disconnect and enjoy the quiet beauty of nature. However, the seclusion comes with its own set of challenges. The journey to the retreat is quite an adventure, requiring a drive through winding roads that may not be for the faint of heart. Once there, the isolation means that dining options and activities are somewhat limited. The menu at the on-site restaurant is not very extensive, which could be a concern for guests with longer stays or specific dietary needs. The activities available, while enjoyable, are not as varied as one might hope for in such a rich natural setting. Guided walks and bird watching are the main attractions, but additional recreational offerings would be welcome. The accommodations themselves are comfortable and blend well with the surrounding environment, offering a rustic charm that aligns with the overall aesthetic of a forest retreat. The staff is friendly and does their best to make guests feel at home, though service can sometimes be slow, likely due to the limited staff required to maintain such a secluded spot. In conclusion, Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Retreat is ideal for those seeking solitude and a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. However, be prepared for the limitations that come with its remote location, including a restricted menu and fewer activities. This retreat is best suited for those who find peace in stillness and natural beauty.

There is a lot to like about the Villa Blanca; a relief from the 30+ temperatures of the 'lowlands', the local wildlife, the Froghouse (a night time visit is a must!), the nature trails through the cloud forest and the stunning views from the 'lookout point' The 'chalets' are well laid out, spacious and with a certain rustic charm. There is even an open fireplace with seasoned hard wood should you get that cold. We didn't! I cannot comment on the Superior rooms, which apparently include a hot tub, Why! The room however does need a Dehumidifier, most rooms have them, ours did not, but a quick call to reception and one was provided. The staff were professional, and always keen to assist the guests. However there were several occasions when, 'the left hand seemed not to know what the right hand was doing' and this impacted on the 'Front of House' services, particularly during the very busy evening meal times. There just did not seem the enough staff, for Reception, the Bar & in particular the Restaurant. On both nights you wanted to put your coffee down and give them a hand!! Unless things have changed since our recent visit, book an early evening meal time. Having said that the food was good, but again there often seemed to be a lack of communication between 'service' and the kitchen. Moan over! The spa is good and both myself and Mrs Rouleur enjoyed excellent massage's. The only other small issue, is that there is very little to do during the day, once you have done the early morning tours. So take a good book, or take advantage of the farm visit, the old greenhouse nature area or the spa. We did an optional Quetzal spotting tour (saw a male and a female in full breeding plumage, Wow!) Organised by our by our tour operator, so the above did not bother us that much. I cannot finish without mentioning the final 10km 'Farm track' which leads to & from the hotel, be prepared!! It takes about 45 minutes. I enjoyed my stay at the Villa Blanca, and I can see why it is a sought after venue for Production companies specialising in the Natural World. It was just spoilt by the issues mentioned above. Recommended.