Hotel Heliconia, Monteverde

4.2 (11 reviews) · Mid-range
Quaint Alpine-style hotel in Monteverde's cloud forest with wildlife-rich gardens and newly-renovated rooms

Overview

Set on a hillside with views of the Gulf of Nicoya, Hotel Heliconia is an Alpine-style chalet surrounded by lush cloud forest vegetation and colorful gardens. It's a short 5-minute drive into downtown Santa Elena, and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is reachable in 15 minutes. Built in 1985, the hotel underwent a recent renovation to freshen up and modernize the 30+ spacious, wood-paneled rooms, all of which feature shared balconies or terraces. Other amenities include groomed hiking trails and an on-site restaurant.

Kimkim's Take

Brittany
Brittany McNamara kimkim staff
Based on kimkim staff visit, July 2022 (Learn more)
Pros
  • You get the best of both worlds here, as you'll be surrounded by Costa Rican cloud forest and also enjoy some fantastic sunset views over the coast.
  • Nature lovers will appreciate the beautifully maintained property, which includes a hummingbird garden, orchid garden, and hiking trails.
  • The 30+ rooms have been recently renovated and modernized, most with brand-new bathrooms.
  • Family rooms have three beds with a split-level loft area, and some feature a Jacuzzi tub.
Cons
  • The property is very hilly, so be prepared to put in a little effort when walking around the grounds.
  • WiFi only functions reliably around the lobby and public areas.
  • There's no air-conditioning, but this isn't uncommon in the region as the higher elevation keeps things cooler.

Authenticity

Named for the native Costa Rican flower, Hotel Heliconia is a small, simple property tucked away in the lush forests outside Santa Elena. The main Alpine-style lodge was built in 1985, but a recent update has brought the sometimes dark wood-paneled interiors into the 21st century, and a new on-site restaurant serves Costa Rican-inspired flavors in a rustic dining room that overlooks a huge ficus tree. The real draw here is the surroundings—with manicured on-site hiking trails through gardens and dense greenery, you're likely to spot numerous birds, insects, and other wildlife at every turn.

Location

Hotel Heliconia isn't far from the main road through Santa Elena but set back enough to feel fully immersed in the forest. The downtown area is less than 5 minutes by car, and it's a 15-minute drive to both the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and Sky Adventures Park. Selvatura Adventure Park and its popular canopy tours, sloth habitat, and butterfly garden, is a 20-minute drive north. There's free parking on-site at the hotel, and there's a golf cart service offered for guests to help navigate the steep grounds.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel's 30+ rooms were recently renovated to a fresh new standard. All are simple but relatively spacious, paneled with local hardwoods for a cabin-like feel and complete with amenities like ceiling fans, minifridges, and coffee makers. Each opens out onto a shared terrace with patio seating, and about half of the rooms have views of the Gulf of Nicoya. The split-level Family rooms look out into the gardens—older kids will love having a little space to themselves in the loft area. New bathrooms are sleek and bright, with rain-style showers, and a few of the Family options have corner Jacuzzi-style tubs. 

Amenities

The hotel doesn't have a gym, pool, or spa, but guests can book in-room wellness treatments, relax in the gardens, and walk on the property's looping, well-maintained nature trails. A simple complimentary breakfast is offered each morning at the on-site Rana Roja restaurant, which also serves lunch and dinner. The adjoining bar/lounge hosts a happy hour with fruit-based cocktails, beers, and Costa Rican-style small plates. Due to the steep location, this isn't a good choice for travelers who need accessibility features; there are no elevators, and some bi-level rooms have their own staircases. 

Family-Friendliness

Children are welcome at the hotel, though no specific programs or amenities exist. It's a more popular choice with couples or solo travelers. Several guest rooms are suited to families traveling with children, but bi-level rooms and suites aren't safe for babies or younger children, as they feature a central staircase. The hotel is on a steep hillside, and the grounds are not especially stroller-friendly.

Wildlife

Around the hotel's tropical gardens, you're likely to spot colorful birds and butterflies. Look out for toucans, parrots, giant toads, glass frogs, and more.

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +506 40015826
Hotel address icon Monteverde Cerro Plano
Travelers often mention

Summarized by AI based on kimkim traveler reviews

Stunning Views

Guests frequently mentioned stunning views, especially of the sunset, from various parts of the hotel including balconies and rooms. The hotel's location on a steep hill contributes significantly to these beautiful views. (8 mentions)

M
“Stunning views, sunset was amazing seen from balcony”  — marlyn C.
Elizabeth
“We also saw some unbelievable rainbows from the porch of this hotel adding to the overall beauty.”  — Elizabeth R.
Bradley
“What a view! We stayed on the second floor, overlooking the valley and town.”  — Bradley C.
Spacious and Clean Rooms

The rooms were consistently described as spacious and clean. Guests appreciated the clean and comfortable beds, and some rooms had upholstered chairs by the windows for reading. (6 mentions)

S
“Bedrooms were very generous in size.”  — Sonja T.
Yelena
“Very spacious and clean.”  — Yelena S.
Laurie
“The rooms were large, comfortable and clean with a big bathroom and walk in shower.”  — Laurie L.
Friendly and Helpful Staff

Many reviews highlighted the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff. Specific mentions include staff assisting with lost cash and providing great service in the restaurant. (5 mentions)

S
“Staff was very friendly and helpful.”  — Sonja T.
Elizabeth
“The staff at this hotel was very friendly and accommodating.”  — Elizabeth R.
Elizabeth
“They assisted myself and my traveling companion by helping to get us the cash we had misplaced at a different location.”  — Elizabeth R.
Good Breakfast Experience

The breakfast experience received mixed reviews. Some guests found the breakfast good, while others felt it was just okay compared to other hotels. (3 mentions)

Yelena
“Good breakfast, nice staff.”  — Yelena S.
Laurie
“The restaurant was great for breakfast and dinner, not open for lunch.”  — Laurie L.

Traveler Reviews

11 total ratings, 11 with reviews
4.2
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
4.0
Location
4.2
Staff
4.7
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.5
K
Ken H.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Apr 21, 2024
On steep hill out of town, so taxis needed for transfers. Family room was large but had a huge bath in the bedroom itself and nowhere to sit indoors. Wildlife in the gardens a big compensation. Coatis and many birds. Read more

On steep hill out of town, so taxis needed for transfers. Family room was large but had a huge bath in the bedroom itself and nowhere to sit indoors. Wildlife in the gardens a big compensation. Coatis and many birds.

Authenticity & Character
Characterless restaurant
Location
Isolated but great views
Staff
Friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in April 2024
S
Sonja T.
Rosemont, CA | Reviewed on Jan 05, 2024
This was our least favorite hotel - it seemed a bit dated and the breakfast buffet was just OK.
Bathrooms were large, but didn't have spaces to put anything.
Bedrooms were very generous in size. Situated on a very steep hill which made for good views of the sunsets.
Staff was very friendly and helpful.
Read more

This was our least favorite hotel - it seemed a bit dated and the breakfast buffet was just OK.
Bathrooms were large, but didn't have spaces to put anything.
Bedrooms were very generous in size. Situated on a very steep hill which made for good views of the sunsets.
Staff was very friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
I don't think it really had much character.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in December 2023
Yelena
Yelena S.
Castro Valley, CA | Reviewed on Sep 15, 2023
Very beautiful place. Room with a beautiful view. Very spacious and clean. Good breakfast, nice staff. Negative: bathtub plunge didn’t work so it kept draining the water, no space in bathroom for personal hygiene items and poor lighting. But overall we would stay at this location again. Read more

Very beautiful place. Room with a beautiful view. Very spacious and clean. Good breakfast, nice staff. Negative: bathtub plunge didn’t work so it kept draining the water, no space in bathroom for personal hygiene items and poor lighting. But overall we would stay at this location again.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in September 2023
M
marlyn C.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Apr 10, 2023
Stunning views, sunset was amazing seen from balcony;, saw some exotic birds, from the balcony and from the dinning room ; food was excellent Read more

Stunning views, sunset was amazing seen from balcony;, saw some exotic birds, from the balcony and from the dinning room ; food was excellent

Authenticity & Character
Love the architecture,
Location
Quite, away from main business areas
Staff
Friendly and courteous
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cleaning ladies came in everyday, spa was excellent
Stayed in March 2023
P
Protima W.
Mammoth Lakes, CA | Reviewed on Apr 03, 2023
Great views, spacious and clean rooms and comfy beds. The hotel looks like a chalet built in dark wood. Good restaurants close by. Not an ideal hotel for people with reduced mobility as it quite steep to get anywhere around the complex. Read more

Great views, spacious and clean rooms and comfy beds. The hotel looks like a chalet built in dark wood. Good restaurants close by. Not an ideal hotel for people with reduced mobility as it quite steep to get anywhere around the complex.

Authenticity & Character
Location
5-7 mins away from town center by car.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in March 2023
Amy
Amy M.
Burlington, NC | Reviewed on Apr 02, 2023
New restaurant has great food and lovely decor. Our room was clean and comfortable but if you like to read at night, there is no table lamp. Coffee maker with coffee in room was nice and the coffee was good. Bathroom had good water pressure and hot water. Strange sewer smell in bathroom but maybe that was just in our room. Read more

New restaurant has great food and lovely decor. Our room was clean and comfortable but if you like to read at night, there is no table lamp. Coffee maker with coffee in room was nice and the coffee was good. Bathroom had good water pressure and hot water. Strange sewer smell in bathroom but maybe that was just in our room.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Being so close to town was great. Steep walk to get back to hotel, however.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in March 2023
Elizabeth
Elizabeth R.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Feb 24, 2023
This hotel had very pretty and comfortable rooms and was located near enough to town to walk to town and walk to some great dinner places like Don Luis. The hill on which this hotel was located was a bit of a climb so I would not recommend walking up this hill during the heat of the day but it was quite comfortable in the evening.
The staff at this hotel was very friendly and accommodating. They assisted myself and my traveling companion by helping to get us the cash we had misplaced at a...
Read more

This hotel had very pretty and comfortable rooms and was located near enough to town to walk to town and walk to some great dinner places like Don Luis. The hill on which this hotel was located was a bit of a climb so I would not recommend walking up this hill during the heat of the day but it was quite comfortable in the evening.
The staff at this hotel was very friendly and accommodating. They assisted myself and my traveling companion by helping to get us the cash we had misplaced at a different location. They really went out of their way to assist us in this regard and we will be forever grateful. We also saw some unbelievable rainbows from the porch of this hotel adding to the overall beauty. The hotel was located near enough that even when we went to the cloud forest, it was not a far ride.
There is a spa at this hotel but we did not utilize it. The breakfast that was provided was not as spectacular as the other hotels in which we stayed.

Authenticity & Character
nice spacious rooms and you can get a bite to eat right at this hotel.
Location
easy walk to town and some dinner places, hotel is on a hill so you cannot walk back on a hot day.
Staff
The manager of the hotel assisted us with getting the cash that we misplaced back in our hands, truly amazing in that respect.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very nice room with very comfortable beds.
Stayed in February 2023
Cheri
Cheri A.
Simi Valley, CA | Reviewed on Feb 08, 2023
This hotel had the best bed and room setup. The bed was so comfy and fluffy comforter made it so cozy. It was better than other more expensive property beds. There were upholstered chairs by the windows for reading or whatever which other properties didn't have either. We found a trail in back, and saw lots of birds and animals. Read more

This hotel had the best bed and room setup. The bed was so comfy and fluffy comforter made it so cozy. It was better than other more expensive property beds. There were upholstered chairs by the windows for reading or whatever which other properties didn't have either. We found a trail in back, and saw lots of birds and animals.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It was just a bit far to walk to town or other eateries. We did eat at the restaurant and they had a good home made tomato pasta sauce with fresh vegetables from their garden
Staff
very friendly and helpful, and they were there day and night it seemed.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in January 2023
Bradley
Bradley C.
Savage, MN | Reviewed on Feb 05, 2023
What a view! We stayed on the second floor, overlooking the valley and town. Spectacular sunsets. Mileydi was especially kind and helpful to us. Tasty lunch and dinners at the restaurant. Read more

What a view! We stayed on the second floor, overlooking the valley and town. Spectacular sunsets. Mileydi was especially kind and helpful to us. Tasty lunch and dinners at the restaurant.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in January 2023
Laurie
Laurie L.
Onaway, MI | Reviewed on Jan 04, 2023
Great location at the top of a hill outside Santa Elena. Nice views of the valley. We stayed in 3 family garden rooms in the main lodge close to the restaurant. The rooms were large, comfortable and clean with a big bathroom and walk in shower. The restaurant was great for breakfast and dinner, not open for lunch. Read more

Great location at the top of a hill outside Santa Elena. Nice views of the valley. We stayed in 3 family garden rooms in the main lodge close to the restaurant. The rooms were large, comfortable and clean with a big bathroom and walk in shower. The restaurant was great for breakfast and dinner, not open for lunch.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy 20 minute walk down hill into town but you'll definitely want to get a taxi for the trip back.
Staff
The staff at the front desk and in the restaurant were very friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in December 2022

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +506 40015826
Hotel address icon Monteverde Cerro Plano