Senda Monteverde Hotel, Monteverde

Kimkim team favorite · 4.8 (16 reviews) · Comfort
Relaxed bungalows with a restaurant, family-friendly activities, and an adjacent wildlife preserve. 

Overview

Senda Monteverde Hotel sits near the Aguti Reserve and offers bungalows with one or two units. All rooms feature comfy lodgings with complimentary minibars, private terraces, and twice-daily housekeeping. Besides access to the neighboring nature reserve, you'll find a list of weekly activities to enjoy, such as bird-watching, night hikes, yoga classes, and bonfires. When hungry, enjoy meals at the on-site restaurant, which grows some of its products in the property's greenhouse.

Kimkim's Take

Brittany
Brittany McNamara kimkim staff
Based on kimkim staff visit, July 2022 (Learn more)
Pros
  • You can partake in unique and complimentary on-site activities the whole family will enjoy, including a bonfire (complete with marshmallows), yoga classes, movie nights, and a sustainability tour. The activity schedule changes daily, so guests have many opportunities to take advantage of this perk.
  • The first round of mini bar and in-room snacks are complimentary, so you're only charged if you want a restock.
  • The property features two short hiking trails and complimentary access to the nearby Aguti Reserve.
  • If you need some laundry done on your trip, the Premium and Senda Suites include laundry service in the room rate.
  • An on-site greenhouse supplies the hotel's restaurant, so you know you're eating fresh and as local as it gets.
Cons
  • The restaurant, lobby, and yoga studio are close to a neighboring community and busy road, so it may not be as quiet as some would hope.
  • Though the property certainly caters to families, keep in mind that there's no swimming pool. 
  • No additional amenities like a spa or gym on-site. 
  • There's no air-conditioning in any of the rooms, though the mountain climate is relatively cool. 

Authenticity

Upon arrival, Senda Monteverde greets guests with a welcome cocktail (chocolate for kids), a friendly way to start your time at the hotel. The property also embraces its surroundings by providing two hiking trails that stretch about one mile in total, with one path connecting to the nearby Aguti Reserve (to which guests have complimentary access).

Location

You'll need to drive down a gravel road to get to the hotel, giving the illusion of a super private location. But in reality, you'll be pretty close to a busy road and local neighborhood, so it's not as quiet as some other hotels in Monteverde. Luckily, the rooms are further back than the common areas. You'll probably want a car or transfer to explore the area, but nothing is too far away. Downtown Santa Elena is just four minutes by car, and Sky Adventures Park and Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve are both just a 15-minute drive. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

Senda Monteverde offers 28 relaxed and cozy units with ceiling fans, seating areas, complimentary minibars, twice-daily housekeeping, and private terraces. All the little details are covered, too, such as flashlights, umbrellas, extra blankets, heaters, etc., in the rooms. For the best views and a little more privacy, opt for a multi-bedroom Senda suite in its own cabin; it's a good choice for families.  

Wildlife

Directly adjacent to the Aguti Reserve, the hotel grounds see plenty of wildlife spilling over from the wildlife reserve, including coatimundis, agoutis, armadillos, and many different birds. As a hotel guest, you'll also have free access to the Aguti Reserve if you're looking for additional opportunities to spot wildlife. However, simply lounging on your bungalow's terrace will provide plenty of wildlife action. 

Amenities

Senda Monteverde Hotel has limited amenities as it's more oriented toward active experiences. There's no gym, pool, or spa available on-site, but travelers do have access to massages and mini-facials offered in their own rooms. Guests with limited mobility can easily get around as paved pathways connect the individual bungalows and common areas, and all bungalows are on the ground level. 

Family-Friendliness

If your kids love time in the pool, you may want to look elsewhere (as the hotel doesn't have one), but outside of that, Senda Monteverde has just about anything a family could need. Cribs, extra beds, and a children's menu at the restaurant are all available. A huge array of activities are available on a rotating schedule, with most being very family-friendly. Bonfires with roasted marshmallows and fishing for kids in the pond (with the restaurant cooking your catch of the day) have been favorites of previous travelers. 

Other Highlights

The on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, using products grown right in the property's greenhouse. For some entertainment, guests can check the weekly calendar of activities, some of which are complimentary. Bird-watching, night hikes, yoga classes, and movie nights are all potential activities to enjoy.

Sustainability

A significant portion of Senda Monteverde's property provides habitat for local wildlife. The hotel has planted over 5,500 native species on site, which neighbors the Aguti Reserve. Guests have complimentary access to the trails within the preserve, and the hotel covers the entrance fees to ensure its continued support.

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 4-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +506 40400421
Hotel address icon 250 Metros Norte del BCR , Cerro Plano
Travelers often mention

Summarized by AI based on kimkim traveler reviews

Attentive Staff

Multiple reviews commended the attentive and friendly staff, with special mentions for Gabriel and the efforts made to assist guests, such as helping find a lost cell phone and providing hot water bottles during turndown service. (6 mentions)

M
“The staff was attentive and went above and beyond to help when I lost my cell phone during our stay.”  — Matt D.
Steve
“the staff was awesome, and they even provided a heater and hot water bottles in the bed!”  — Steve B.
Steven
“The staff were very friendly and helpful.”  — Steven B.
Great Restaurant

The hotel's restaurant received high praise for its food quality, including breakfast and dinner. It was also noted for accommodating dietary restrictions such as Celiac disease and vegetarian options. (5 mentions)

Marlynn
“The food was good, well prepared, and excellently served by the wait staff.”  — Marlynn M.
Jaya
“Food was fantastic and very accommodating to kids and vegetarians.”  — Jaya C.
Tyler
“The restaurant at the hotel served a great breakfast and the dinner was one of the best meals we had the whole trip.”  — Tyler S.
Bird Watching and Nature

The hotel is situated near nature reserves and guests appreciated the bird-watching opportunities on the property. The Aguiti Reserve was mentioned frequently as a great place for hikes and seeing wildlife. (5 mentions)

Tyler
“The bird watching at the hotel was better than any of the nature reserves.”  — Tyler S.
Steve
“There's a nice national park near the hotel with beautiful old strangler fig trees.”  — Steve B.
Steven
“We also liked the ability to access the Aguiti Reserve for a hike, right from the property.”  — Steven B.
Proximity to Town

The hotel's location was both praised and critiqued. While it is a short walk to town, some guests found the return trip uphill challenging. The proximity to Monteverde was generally seen as a positive feature. (4 mentions)

Marlynn
“Our experience was fewer opportunities to explore the mountains without going a ways out of town, though Monteverde itself was an interesting place to explore.”  — Marlynn M.
Tyler
“We could walk to restaurants close by.”  — Tyler S.
Maxeen
“Senda is a short 10 minute walk into town”  — Maxeen C.

Traveler Reviews

16 total ratings, 13 with reviews
4.8
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
4.9
Location
4.6
Staff
4.8
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.7
Jeremy
Jeremy R.
Harrison, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2024
So peaceful and attentive. Loved it. Read more

So peaceful and attentive. Loved it.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in March 2024
Marlynn
Marlynn M.
Florence-Graham, CA | Reviewed on Feb 05, 2024
This hotel was a different, but enjoyable, experience. The casita was hidden away nicely with a path to breakfast readily available. The views from the restaurant were good, but not spectacular. The food was good, well prepared, and excellently served by the wait staff. Our experience was fewer opportunities to explore the mountains without going a ways out of town, though Monteverde itself was an interesting place to explore. Read more

This hotel was a different, but enjoyable, experience. The casita was hidden away nicely with a path to breakfast readily available. The views from the restaurant were good, but not spectacular. The food was good, well prepared, and excellently served by the wait staff. Our experience was fewer opportunities to explore the mountains without going a ways out of town, though Monteverde itself was an interesting place to explore.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in January 2024
Tyler
Tyler S.
Mexico | Reviewed on Jan 25, 2024
This was our favorite hotel during our stay in Costa Rica. The bird watching at the hotel was better than any of the nature reserves. Love the bungalow style rooms with the veranda. The views of the Pacific Ocean were incredible. The hotel also did a great job with accommodating my Celiac food allergy. The free laundry service was a major perk. We could walk to restaurants close by. We used the yoga room and weights a few times to work out. The restaurant at the hotel served a great breakfast... Read more

This was our favorite hotel during our stay in Costa Rica. The bird watching at the hotel was better than any of the nature reserves. Love the bungalow style rooms with the veranda. The views of the Pacific Ocean were incredible. The hotel also did a great job with accommodating my Celiac food allergy. The free laundry service was a major perk. We could walk to restaurants close by. We used the yoga room and weights a few times to work out. The restaurant at the hotel served a great breakfast and the dinner was one of the best meals we had the whole trip.

Authenticity & Character
The vibe at this hotel is so nice. Hard to describe.
Location
Great views, walking distance to restaurants, market and nature preserve.
Staff
Everyone was super kind and helpful. Love the free laundry service.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The grounds are perfectly maintained. The rooms are quaint and clean.
Stayed in January 2024
L
Laura J.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Dec 30, 2023
There was no hot water in our room. The water temperature was lukewarm and unfortunately the weather outside was not ideal for the experiences we were hoping to have. Apparently the weather we experienced was typical for the time of year we visited which would have been good to know from Kim Kim prior to traveling. We would have not included this in part of our trip or chosen out experiences (hiking/ziplining) had we known the weather was going to be so bad (extremely windy/rain/cold). Read more

There was no hot water in our room. The water temperature was lukewarm and unfortunately the weather outside was not ideal for the experiences we were hoping to have. Apparently the weather we experienced was typical for the time of year we visited which would have been good to know from Kim Kim prior to traveling. We would have not included this in part of our trip or chosen out experiences (hiking/ziplining) had we known the weather was going to be so bad (extremely windy/rain/cold).

Authenticity & Character
The food and staff were excellent - it was the only bright spot during our stay
Location
Staff
The staff was wonderful - good at the restaurant was a highlight
Cleanliness & Comfort
No hot water in our room
Stayed in December 2023
K
Kari B.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Dec 18, 2023
Perched up on hill, room great, views incredible. Deck area great. Restaurant & Bar enjoyed Read more

Perched up on hill, room great, views incredible. Deck area great. Restaurant & Bar enjoyed

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in December 2023
Piper
Piper L.
Sunnyvale, CA | Reviewed on Aug 07, 2023
Beautiful hotel was great restaurant, right at the edge of a nature preserve. Read more

Beautiful hotel was great restaurant, right at the edge of a nature preserve.

Authenticity & Character
A local dance group from the high school came to perform due to a special holiday.
Location
Because of nature preserve nearby, wild animals were walking and flying through the grounds.
Staff
Everyone was great, and special classes were provided like cocktail making and yoga.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Maids would come to your room twice a day
Stayed in July 2023
M
Matt D.
Kernersville, NC | Reviewed on Jun 14, 2023
Senda Monteverde Boutique Hotel was lovely. The staff was attentive and went above and beyond to help when I lost my cell phone during our stay. Read more

Senda Monteverde Boutique Hotel was lovely. The staff was attentive and went above and beyond to help when I lost my cell phone during our stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in May 2023
Steve
Steve B.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on May 23, 2023
Hotel Senda was amazing - the staff was awesome, and they even provided a heater and hot water bottles in the bed! The cloud forest guided hike and the night walk were both great, and our guide for the night walk was especially knowledgeable. There's a nice national park near the hotel with beautiful old strangler fig trees. We didn't go into town because it was quite steep, but we loved our stay at this hotel. Read more

Hotel Senda was amazing - the staff was awesome, and they even provided a heater and hot water bottles in the bed! The cloud forest guided hike and the night walk were both great, and our guide for the night walk was especially knowledgeable. There's a nice national park near the hotel with beautiful old strangler fig trees. We didn't go into town because it was quite steep, but we loved our stay at this hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in April 2023
Robin
Robin W.
Raleigh, NC | Reviewed on Mar 26, 2023
Thank you for an amazing stay! You have a very special place! Thank you Gabriel for making us feel like family! You and all the staff were amazing! Pura Vida! Read more

Thank you for an amazing stay! You have a very special place! Thank you Gabriel for making us feel like family! You and all the staff were amazing! Pura Vida!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in March 2023
E
Eric W.
Garner, NC | Reviewed on Mar 25, 2023
This place is the best! Read more

This place is the best!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in March 2023

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with hotels like this.

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 4-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +506 40400421
Hotel address icon 250 Metros Norte del BCR , Cerro Plano