Costa Rica Area Info: Central Pacific Coast: Playa Jaco: Places to Stay: Costa Rica Hotels

Manuel Antonio/Quepos Hotel Accommodations: Hotel Casitas Eclipse

Location: Quepos, Manuel Antonio area, Central Pacific Coast, Costa Rica
Phone: (506) 777-0408
Fax: (506) 777-1738
Room Information: 30 units
Rates: Dec 16-Apr 15 $112-$155 double, $275 2-bedroom casita; Apr 16-Dec 15 $86-$103 double, $172 2-bedroom casita. Rates include continental breakfast
Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V
Amenities: A/C, TV, fridge, safe

Located close to the top of the hill between Quepos and Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, these beautiful casitas are some of the most boldly styled structures in the area. Although the villas have a distinctly Mediterranean flavor, the owner swears they're inspired by Mesoamerican and Pueblo Indian villages. All are painted a blinding white and are topped with red-tile roofs. Simply furnished, the rooms are comfortable and attractive inside.

You can either rent the entire casita or split it up. The larger downstairs suites have tile floors, built-in banquettes, high ceilings, large patios, and full kitchens. If you don't need all that space, you can opt for the upstairs room, which has a separate entrance, a private bathroom, and a balcony of its own.

Three attractive tiled pools are spread out among the lush grounds. Only the restaurant and a couple of villas have Costa Rica ocean views here, and even these are rather blocked by trees. I personally prefer the units farther from the road, where you're more likely to hear and see squirrel monkeys passing than trucks and buses.

Facilities: Restaurant; bar; 3 pools; small spa and exercise room; concierge; tour desk; laundry service