Hotel Luna Azul, Ostinal in Costa Rica

There are insufficient words to describe the boutique hotel Luna Azul near Ostinal. Andreas and Rolf the owners gave us such a friendly welcome. The hotel was small, of a wonderful design with so many creative and thoughtful little touches. It was, quite simply, one of  the nicest hotels we have ever stayed in. It had five hundred 5 star reviews on trip advisor and we  saw why. A stunning location and seven simple, classic, well designed bungalows with simple, elegant furnishings, private balconies and outdoor but discreet showers.

With lovely well tended gardens and a stunning small swimming pool it is a dream 'get away from it all' destination. The food each evening was freshly cooked and simply exquisite. Every single furnishing from lamps to towel rails had been well thought out. It was simple, understated elegance by two hoteliers who truly knew their craft.

Their advice on trips, roads, frankly anything, was measured, well considered and accurate. Their hand drawn maps to get us around the gravel roads of Ostinal were detailed, accurate and easy to use. To chill out in the lounge at the end of the day in beautiful wooden chairs and look across the pool and down the wooded hillsides to the pacific was delightful.

Sunsets were simply stunning and accompanied by howler monkeys calling to each other from the tree tops within the grounds. Iguanas would slink across the well kept lawns; the odd vulture would sneak down poolside to get a quick drink from the freshwater swimming pool.

Hummingbirds joined you for breakfast, literally flitting between the flowers that bordered the dining area. Fino, the black lab, would come and greet you Roberto the bar man would appear as if by magic just as the thought of a 'cool something' entered your sub conscious. It will be sometime before we find another hotel as charming and perfect as this.

And the beaches?
Well judge for yourself.