Costa Rica Travel Reviews, Vacation & Hotels Guide, Costa Rica Eco-Lodges, Travel Industry News

Guide to Hotels, EcoLodges, Resorts, and Inns of Character

Home
Top 10 Costa Rica Nature Retreats & Lodges
Top 5 Full-Service Hotels in Costa Rica
Guide to Hotels, EcoLodges, Resorts, and Inns of Character
Costa Rica Travel & Tourism News
Driving in Costa Rica including Rental Cars
Costa Rica Real Estate
Costa Rica Spanish Language Schools
San Ramon: The Heart of Costa Rica
Advertise Costa Rica Travel: Add URL or Listing
Costa Rica Food & Dining
Costa Rica Vacation Rentals & Luxury Villa Rentals
Costa Rica Travel & Vacations Guide: Internet Resources
Costa Rica Travel Listings
The Discerning Traveler's Independent Travel Guide for Costa Rica
Bird Watching in Costa Rica, Resources for Birding Costa Rica, Birding Hotels
Costa Rica Destination Information
Protected Areas
Costa Rica Vacations and Packages
Rent A Car Agencies
Gallery of Photos
Costa Rica Maps
Costa Rica Luxury Hotels
TripAdvisor's problems with the truth
Eco Tourism Organizations
Costa Rica Concierge Travel Services

silverpalm.gif
Home of the Silver Palm Accommodation Awards

The Best Hotels in Costa Rica: Ecolodges, Hotels, Inns, & Resorts in Costa Rica for 2009

Making for Perfect Costa Rica Vacations: Costa Rica Travel Review Presents the Silver Palm Awards with a recommended experiential vacation itinerary

For our ranking of the top 10 Ecolodges in Costa Rica click here

Inn at Coyote Mountain
costa_rica_inn185.jpg

Peace Lodge
peacelodgeimage7.jpg

Silver Palm Costa Rica Accommodation Ratings

Name
Silver Palm Rating
3 Silver Palms
3 Silver Palms
3 Silver Palms
2 Silver Palms
2 Silver Palms
2 Silver Palms
1 Silver Palm
1 Silver Palm
1 Silver Palm

1 Silver Palm

Print

Four Seasons, Papagayo
springboard_image.jpg

Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge
nicuesa.jpg

Hotel Grano de Oro
Vista-Suite.jpg

silverpalm.gif

Costa Rica Hotels, Resorts, Boutique Hotels, and Inns 
 
This year CRTR has decided to limit its accommodation recommendations to what it determines as the top ten properties in Costa Rica, regardless of size. At the same time, CRTR awards these hotels, resorts, lodges, and inns a rating from zero to three Silver Palms.
 
Any property receiving 1 Silver Palm or more must offer above-average accommodation and service, and must also have fine dining available either on site or nearby. A rating of 3 Silver Plams indicate the height of luxury and service in Costa Rica.
 
It is little surprise that all three winners of 3 Silver Palms opened within the past five years. Costa Rica is growing in renown as a luxury and a gourmet destination, and the character of the tourism and hotel industry is changing as well.
 
There are a few new entrants on this year's listing, including Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge and Marriot Los Suenos, while other properties have disappeared, including Tabacon Resort,  Paradisus Playa Conchal, and Hacienda Los Inocentes. Ten is a small number out of the growing number of Costa Rica hotels, but the editors believe that limiting the number of winners maintains the importance of the Silver Palm rating.
 
The editors have taken into consideration the general character of the property, the rooms and public areas, decoration and ambiance, dining, and the capacity to offer a restful and relaxing experience. Business-oriented considerations are not taken into account. The editors have made some effort to reflect the geographical diversity of Costa Rica in naming the Silver Palm award winners.
 
We congratulate all of the Silver Palm Award winners!

fourseasonslogo.gif

sjolsl01.gif

Paid Listing: Golfo Dulce Lodge, Playa San Josecito

Hoteles con encanto - Guide of hotels with enchantment

The Top Ten Costa Rica Accommodations

Silver Palm Awards

Each property has received an independent assessment consisting of at least one anonymous visit combined with a review of press, guide book, and guest comments in the public domain. Silver Palm ratings cannot be purchased. There are four rankings, from zero to three silver palms, each taking into consideration the type of accommodation and its size. All inns, resorts, and hotels receiving a Silver Plam are required to have above average dining either on site or within walking distance. This year there are no properites with a zero rating.

Zero Silver Plams: Not recommended

One Silver Palm: Comfortable, Pleasant Ambiance, Above-average Dining,  Responsive Service

Two Silver Palms: Very Comfortable, Restful, Fine Dining, Attention to Ambiance and Furnishings, Large Rooms, Friendly Service

 Three Silver Palms: Very Comfortable to Luxurious, Relaxing & Peaceful, Gourmet Dining, Unique Atmosphere and Furnishings, Spacious Rooms, Excellent Service, World-class Setting

Hotel Capitan Suizo
capitan.jpg

Villa Caletas
Villa_Caletas.jpg

Recommended Itinerary, 10 day Vacation

Day One: Fly to San Jose, Hotel Grano de Oro

Days Two, Three, & Four: Mountain seclusion, Arenal day trip, & canopy tour, Inn at Coyote Mountain

Days Five & Six: Luxury at the Beach, Flor Blanca

Days Seven & Eight: Coastal exploration, Villa Caletas

Day Nine: Waterfalls, volcanoes, & butterfly gardens: Peace Lodge

Day Ten: Finca Rosa Blanca, depart San jose next day

Itinerary designed for easy transfers or driving between each destination. Please contact us for concierge travel services within Costa Rica.

Inn at Coyote Mountain
picture316a.jpg

Peace Lodge
peacelodgeimage3.jpg

Finca Rosa Blanca
finca_rosa.jpg

silverpalm.gif

flor_logo.jpg

Flor Blanca
room.jpg

Small luxury and boutique hotels worldwide can be found at Canticum Hotels: Eco Luxury, www.small-luxury-hotels.ca, Nova Scotia Travel Guide, and the Boutique Lodges web site.  Those need internet marketing for small or boutique hotels should contact us. For cooking vacations, visit www.foodvacation.com, the number one culinary travel web site since 1999.

Custom Search

Costa Rica Travel Review, Pacific Avenue, S.A. info@costaricatravelreview.com

For superb accommodations worldwide, visit www.boutique-lodges.com

Canticum Hotels Group
canticum_logo_small.jpg
Sustainable Luxury Hotels of the World