Hotel Cipreses, Monteverde

Pros

• Enjoy staying close to the center of Santa Elena in a small, locally-owned, family-operated hotel with a small tropical garden.
• You'll be less than a 15-minute walk from downtown Santa Elena via a fairly quiet street (though the walk back will be uphill).
• The hotel offers good value for the price.

Cons

• Though you can enjoy breakfast at the hotel, there's no on-site restaurant serving other meals. 
• WiFi is weak and unreliable, especially in the rooms.
• The interior decor is somewhat dated.

Authenticity

The jungle won't surround you, so to make up for it, this family-owned-and-operated hotel does a nice job keeping its grounds maintained and atmospheric. Though small, the property's garden includes lots of native vegetation, brightly colored flowers, and a pond with an artificial waterfall.

Location

If you want to be close to downtown Santa Elena, this hotel has an ideal location just a half-mile from the city center. A quick 15-minute walk along a quiet neighborhood street will get you there, though the return is uphill—if you prefer a taxi, it's just about $2 one way. Plan for a 15-minute drive if you'd like to visit the Cloud Forest Preserve and 10 minutes to the Sky Adventures Park. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

As a small property, there are just 28 rooms at Hotel Cipreses. Though the building exteriors appear either modern or cabin-like, the interiors are a bit dated, and the rooms are smaller than other area hotels. All units are pretty basic with simple furnishings, though all have a balcony (sometimes shared) with patio furniture. Family rooms can sleep up to six guests.

Wildlife

The hotel is relatively urban by local standards; guests won't see much wildlife, save for some native birds and butterflies in the hotel's garden.

Amenities

There's no pool, spa, or gym. The pleasant garden is one of the hotel's few common spaces. This hotel isn't a great choice for people using wheelchairs or those with limited mobility: there are no elevators, and the area around the hotel is quite hilly.

Family-Friendliness

This hotel is an average stay for families—ideal for those looking for basic accommodations to sleep in between activities. Four family rooms can accommodate four to six people in three different bed configurations. As there are no elevators, stroller users will want to avoid rooms on the second floor. The area around the hotel is also hilly and challenging to get around with a stroller. 

Other Highlights

This hotel has no restaurant or bar but offers a complimentary breakfast in the communal dining space near reception. The breakfast is buffet-style and includes standard breakfast fare like toast, pancakes, bacon, eggs, orange juice, and fresh fruit.