Our hotel - Costa Rica #5

Posted by Bookfool (Mississippi, United States) on 26 April 2009 in Architecture.

This is the Hotel Belmar in Monteverde, where we stayed. Sorry, I know this is another not-so-hot photo, but I wanted to share it.

Note that everyone has at least one door thrown open. There's no air conditioning, but it was breezy and dry -- and very cool at night. This hotel recycles the water, using the resulting "bio-gas" to partially power the hotel, and has a very high rating for being eco-friendly. It takes some getting used to, having to throw your toilet paper in a trash can, but we were quite impressed with the friendly staff and comfy accomodations. This photo was taken as we walked around the beautiful hotel grounds.

Comments (7)

Linerberry from Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand

Ooo it looks like a very large tree house!!! You are really in with nature there!!!! great shot and thank you for sharing:-)

26 Apr 2009 7:17am

@Linerberry: It does a bit, I suppose. One of the things I loved about this hotel was that everything was wooden. Wooden floors, walls, carvings (the wine rack was extremely cool), light fixtures, tables. I'm pretty sure even the ceiling was made of wood strips, but I'm not positive. It was just beautiful.

Judy from Brooksville, Florida, United States

I agree with Liners ... like a huge treehouse. I'm enjoying your photos and look forward to more.

26 Apr 2009 11:56am

@Judy: I always wanted to live in a treehouse; that may be as close as I get. LOL Thanks, Judy! I'm having fun reliving the vacation.

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

I agree with the above Hot girls, it's magnificent...what a vacation spot and i love what they're doing...Love your response to my comment yesterday, it's all about the getting out...hard to get away from books sometimes lol

26 Apr 2009 11:58am

@Lorraine: It's definitely a beautiful hotel in an incredible environment and they do a remarkable job of upkeep on the hotel gardens. I don't have so much trouble putting down the books -- just getting myself to go outside. I know that's odd, but it's a relatively recent thing. This year I haven't even planted anything or weeded; the gardens are lying fallow. I might need therapy. :)

MontereyJohn from Salinas, California, United States

Photo is fine, and I'm enjoying your trip with you :)

26 Apr 2009 5:08pm

@MontereyJohn: Why, thank you, John. I'm enjoying having you along. :)

jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand

Wow what a great looking hotel would like to stay there. would be weird though putting the toilet paper in the waste and not down the toilet

26 Apr 2009 8:48pm

@jamesy: It's really a lovely hotel and the people are absolutely wonderful -- so gracious. The toilet paper thing was a pain, but you do get used to it, eventually.

peter from new york, United States

it's cool to see where you stayed. looks like a great place to kick it and relax : )

27 Apr 2009 1:34am

@peter: It was absolutely *the* single most relaxing place I have ever stayed in my life, hands down. Courteous staff, beautiful scenery, comfortable rooms (you do have to put up with a little insect life and that recycling thing, but those are minor inconveniences). I just loved it.

Earnest from Oklahoma, United States

Doesn't sound much different from living in the country with a septic system... although our biogas is released into the atmosphere contributing to global warming.... :-) Especially on mornings after eating a pot of beans the night before.

27 Apr 2009 2:29pm

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