Hotel Luna Llena, Tamarindo

Pros

• This property is excellent for families or small groups, as it has large rooms with multiple beds.
• Guests can grab beach towels when heading down to the shore, which is about a five-minute walk. 
• You'll find the property on a quiet street, yet less than 10 minutes by foot to downtown shops and restaurants.
• There's a pool in the center of the property, complete with a Jacuzzi and a covered lounge area.
• The staff is also friendly and helpful, and they speak fluent English.

Cons

• This isn't an oceanfront property and doesn't provide direct beach access.
• As there's no on-site restaurant, you'll have to walk or take a taxi to nearby eateries for meals beyond breakfast. 
• The pool bar is often closed.

Authenticity

Feel like you're in the jungle at Hotel Luna Llena, as the property features dense vegetation and stone walking paths that take you from the pool and breakfast area to the rooms and bungalows. Plus, know that your stay helps the local community, as a portion of the nightly rate supports ADIT (Integral Development Association of Tamarindo).

Location

Enjoy a quiet location off the main road yet still less than five minutes on foot from the beach. In the other direction, you can walk to downtown Tamarindo (less than 10 minutes) to enjoy local shops, restaurants, bars, and cafés. Plan to rent a car or hire a transfer if you'd like to explore the area or enjoy other nearby beaches. Playa Grande and Playa Ventanas are both about a 40-minute drive. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

With just 22 rooms, you'll stay at a relatively small and quiet property. The standard rooms are in the main building, featuring large spaces and different configurations with multiple beds (suitable for families). The other rooms are set in bungalows, offering two or three beds and a kitchen. All are simple, with wood ceilings, tile floors, air-conditioning, and pool or garden views.

Wildlife

Guests often wake up to howler monkeys screeching from the trees. Expect to see colorful birds, lizards, monkeys, and more.  

Amenities

The hotel has a central pool that's shaped like a three-leaf clover. It has a swim-up bar with stools rising out of the water and a small Jacuzzi in the pool's shallow end. There's a wooden sun deck with sun loungers and shaded lounging areas. A small spa on the property offers massages, body treatments, and facials, and a small gym offers basic cardio equipment and free weights. There are wheelchair-accessible rooms available.

Family-Friendliness

Children of all ages are welcome, and bungalows are suited for families, as they can accommodate up to five people. But extra beds and baby cribs are unavailable. Children are charged reduced rates based on their age groups. The pool's shallow end is suitable for kids, but other than that, few amenities for children are available, though the hotel does have board games and puzzles that families can borrow. 

Other Highlights

Although the Hotel Luna Llena doesn't have a restaurant on site, a made-to-order breakfast is served by the pool every morning. In addition to continental options, there are also some Costa Rican specials, like rice and beans. Later in the day, it's possible to get snacks from the cafeteria at an extra charge. There's a poolside bar, but many guests reported it was closed during their visit.