Hotel Belmar, Monteverde

Pros

• Take in the sweeping views of the cloud forest treeline from your private terrace's hammock or jetted tub (available in higher tiers).
• It's a quick drive into Santa Elena and Monteverde village and to other popular attractions, such as the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens and Curi-Cancha Reserve.
• The on-site farm-to-table restaurant and microbrewery are favored bonuses, and feature live music on the weekends—a popular spot for locals, too!
• The hotel has been carbon neutral since 2016 and focuses on significant sustainability efforts, prioritizing local community connections and support.
• Guests can take complimentary sustainability tours and yoga classes (one per stay).
• Other notable activities include tours of the hotel's private preserve, early-morning bird-watching excursions, and visits to the off-site farm to learn about sustainable agriculture.

Cons

• The hotel's Austrian-inspired architecture (not Costa Rican) could be a downside for some.
• There's no pool on-site, and you might have to wait in line to use the Jacuzzi.
• The WiFi connection is spotty or lost altogether the farther away from the main building you are.

Additional Notes From Brittany

You'll not often find locals hanging out at a hotel bar, but that's what you can expect on weekends at Hotel Belmar's microbrewery and beer garden. Guests and locals pack the place, standing under umbrellas, beer in hand, listening to local musicians—a great way to end the day! The Belmar also offers a treasure trove of other unique experiences, including a visit to a private farm 20 minutes away, a garden-to-glass cocktail class where participants pick herbs and create cocktails, and more.

Authenticity

The family-owned ecolodge was the second-ever hotel in Monteverde, opening in 1985. It was founded by a couple who'd just returned from a decade of living in Austria, and the hotel's chalet-style architecture clearly shows that inspiration. It underwent extensive renovations in 2012, and the same family still runs it—Vera Zeledon, the original proprietress, and her children Pedro and Soledad are frequently on-site managing day-to-day operations and chatting with travelers. Infused with Costa Rican flair, you'll also find hand-carved, locally crafted furnishings and eco-friendly amenities throughout. The culinary experience is deeply rooted in local traditions, with ingredients sourced from the hotel's organic farm and gardens, while the brewery uses pure cloud forest spring water to craft unique ales.

Location

You'll be a bit off the beaten path (adding to the hotel's charm) on the fringes of Monteverde, meaning a car or transfer is mostly necessary to visit downtown Santa Elena, Monteverde village, and other area sites. Plan for about 5 minutes to the town center and roughly 15 minutes to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and Sky Adventures Park. That said, you can walk into Monteverde, about 20 minutes, along a steep road (uphill to the hotel) where you'll find a number of dining options. The location is ideal for those looking to explore the cloud forest, with numerous trails and excursions easily accessible by car or arranged pickup.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Twenty-six-room Hotel Belmar is set in a few different chalet-type buildings decked with locally crafted wood furnishings (including floors, walls, and ceilings), responsibly sourced mid-century modern elements and furniture, organic fabrics in muted colors, and natural stone elements (vessel sinks and soaking tubs). Units let in a lot of natural light via their large windows that open onto a private balcony, some outfitted with a jetted tub. Upgrade to a suite for more space and perks like an added living area and two-seater "porch" swing. Maintaining the hotel's sense of tranquility, you won't find any TVs in the rooms or air-conditioning, but the ceiling fans and cool highland climate make this a non-issue for most guests. Travelers who require wheelchair access should book ground-level rooms in the Peninsula category. 

Amenities

The hotel has a glass-walled gazebo with a large 10-seater Jacuzzi and a tiled deck with cushioned seating and views of the surrounding forest. Outside, accessible by a short trail, the hotel grounds feature a spring-fed pond with a sun deck and plenty of space for relaxing by the water and viewing wildlife (yoga classes are also held here). The Tap Room & Beer Garden (the craft brewery) are located on the edge of this small lake, so it's an excellent place to have a cold drink after returning from a tour or hike. A small wood-paneled spa offers facials and body treatments. 

Family-Friendliness

While Hotel Belmar welcomes children and offers free stays for those under 12, it lacks specific family-oriented amenities like a swimming pool or kids' menu. Families might find the Peninsula, Sunset, Canopy, and Forest rooms more accommodating (they either have a day bed or come with two double beds) accommodating 3-5 guests, depending. Parents with strollers will want to stick to the lower-level Peninsula rooms, as there are no elevators on-site. 

Wildlife

Located in a cloud forest that's part of Costa Rica's National Network of Private Preserves, Hotel Belmar is surrounded by wildlife. Colorful hummingbirds and tropical butterflies delight travelers as they linger over breakfast or walk around the gardens. There's a much longer list of local flora and fauna provided by the hotel, but animals that make an appearance while walking on the property's private nature trail include the two-toed sloth, kinkajou, armadillo, coati, howler monkey, toucan, parrot, resplendent Quetzal, salamander, giant toad, glass frog, and pygmy rain frog.

Sustainability

Hotel Belmar has a strong focus on sustainability and one full-time staff member who works exclusively on sustainability efforts. You'll find an entire composting system on the property, which has been entirely carbon-neutral since 2016. Other notable practices include using solar panels to heat water, air-drying facilities, rainwater harvesting, earth-friendly cleaning products and toiletries, and using a biodigester to treat wastewater (and harness its byproduct as energy).

Other Highlights

All-day Restaurante Celajes & Lounge Bar serves an a la carte menu of farm-to-table Costa Rican and international dishes, made from organic produce sourced from the hotel's gardens. The Celajes Lounge Bar also incorporates herbs and seasonal ingredients from the garden into craft cocktails and house-infused liquor. A limited range of beer, wine, and spirits are also available. The Juice Bar & Tea Room serves coffee, tea, and fresh juices and smoothies on the main floor of the original chalet. Down by the pond, the Tap Room & Beer Garden offers craft beers brewed on-site, wine, cocktails, fresh-squeezed juices, and light fare.