Excellent location, gorgeous ocean view, friendly staff, beautiful infinity pool

Stayed in February 2024

Lovely atmosphere, friendly and helpful staff, beautiful views and very comfortable room.

Stayed in March 2024

The only thing of concern was that getting a drink or especially food took a long time. But the food was excellent!

Beautiful location. Very spacious and comfortable room. The food was very good.

Stayed in February 2024

There is nothing we would have changed about El Castillo. Getting used to the pace of life in Costa Rica means that you have relaxed enough to enjoy your holiday!! I would have ordered more Ceviche which I only had once and was DELICIOUS.

El Castillo is set high above the most beautiful southern Pacific coastline and feels like an aerial birds-eye-view perched on the mountain, low enough to be outside the jungle, but high enough to see as far as the Osa Peninsula and towards the faraway Isla Caño where we travelled to snorkel by tour. The El Castillo incredible staff, were each so special, exceeding our expectations, without any pressure and total professionalism, kindness, and total regard to attention of the guests. Special gratitude and mention to Carlos, G, Francisco, and beautiful Roxy. We cannot say enough about these lovely people. The infinity pool was our favourite spot, spending hours perched on the edge overseeing the coastline watching the tides come in and go out. Wildlife abounds on the property with monkeys, toucans, scarlet macaws, iguanas, hummingbirds and even cool insects like scorpions, each made us all feel captivated by Costa Rican beauty. The square-based village of Ojochal was a wonderful go-to scene for a fabulous french bakery with gourmet goodies, a great pub named Stan's, and an awesome restaurant named Citrus. We had dinner MOST nights at El Castillo as the food was delicious, chef-prepared and interesting with variety and presented with such flair. Breakfast was always 2 courses, of fresh fruit plate, followed by choice of many hot and cold mains. Fresh edible flowers on every plate. Hats off to the Chef!! During our stay, we experienced an earthquake, in the evening which was totally nuts to "feel" for about 5 seconds of shaking followed by a lighter aftershock in the AM. The power outage whether related or not, was handled so well by Rebecca and her team. Candles were distributed. Meals were not missed, and all the same service kept flowing without any missteps. The experience bonded the guests and the staff, and we all felt very "together" in that excitement which was a slight blip in the flow of the holiday.

Stayed in February 2024

It’s absolutely spectacular!! The views, the pool, the rooms, the staff and management, and the service is exceptional!!

Stayed in February 2024

Location if you stay here you need a car, if you organise transport through the hotel you will pay double the price. I would book trips separately and not through the hotel as you will pay too much for them. For the price we paid, I expected more. There is a fixed cocktail list but you can’t deviate from the list if not your charged extra. And several cocktails we couldn’t have because they didn’t have the ingredients or didn’t have champagne open?!?

Real pretty hotel with a lovely pool. And only a small number of rooms Very friendly and welcoming staff

Stayed in February 2024

water was not available all the time; espresso at breakfast with extra costs

very friendly staff; relaxed atmosphere; stunning view and sunset; great cocktails

Stayed in February 2024

FOOD

THE VIEW

Stayed in December 2023

The small boutique hotel offers clean and comfortable amenities, privacy, relaxation, a spectacular elevated view of the ocean and surrounding mountains and jungle landscape, friendly and attentive, staff, eager to please, pleasant guests, and a phenomenal infinity, pool and pool deck. The breakfast meals are delicious and there are many options all day on the menu. All the staff are pleasant and professional, and Carlos, especially is courteous and seeks to go above and beyond.

Stayed in January 2024

Spacious rooms Big bathroom Attentive and polite staff Beautiful interior Spotless areas Tasty drinks Delicious food

Stayed in December 2023

N'a. We hoped we could have stayed one more night.

Small isolated boutique hotel in a nice Hacienda. Great pool with amazing view. Perfect spot for sunset lovers. Very friendly staff.

Stayed in November 2023

I didn't like the food in the restaurant.

I think that's my favorite hotel in the world. It looks like an old hacienda but it's all modern and nice. We loved it. The pool is awesome. The hotel should update the photos because they don't give it justice. Could not recommend more

Stayed in November 2023

Parking is not ideal. The hotel is located on a hill: to get there there is a dirt road with holes, very steep, and the access to the hotel is even steeper. The food is good but not memorable. For breakfast, they only give the possibility to choose one option from a menu (but maybe it's common practive in Costa Rica?). There is no buffet or else: if you order pancackes, you get 2 pancakes with maple syrup. The hotel is sorrounded by vegetation, like everywhere in Costa Rica, and with this comes the presences of small animals. However, on the last days I saw two medium-sized spiders on the mattress. I wonder if they could do something to fight this?

The exquisite personnel, the ''infinite'' swimming pool facing the most amazing sunsets, the spacious room and bathroom, the bed linen and towels, the toiletries.

Stayed in November 2023

Food was average and perhaps more choice

Everything

Stayed in October 2023

The property is great with not a single issue. Stay away from Tortuga Beach - drive a bit further to better and safer beaches.

Everything a boutique hotel should be! We adored El Castillo and it’s staff. From first arrival, Rebecca and staff made sure we were all taken care of. Our corner suite was exceptionally welcoming and beautiful with a live iguana temporarily lounging on the balcony. Beautiful ocean views and a fabulous infinity pool. A real find!

Stayed in July 2023

It’s even more beautiful in person. Rebecca and Jorge treat guests like they’re staying in the their home. The staff is wonderful and super friendly. Can’t recommend enough.

Stayed in June 2023

For TV lovers: there was none in our room (we did not mind). For outside foodies: please make yourself conscious that the hotel is on a hill and, like in many places in Costa Rica we have been to, the shortest walk can be quite strenuous. For car drivers: the 300m up to the hotel on an unpaved road - you can make it, too.

Top notch hotel with super friendly and attentive staff. We had a room with ocean view - on the first floor of the main building - we loved it. High ceilings, nice decoration, air con, safe, small fridge, closet with some shelves, balcony spacious (enough). The walk through the lobby into the infinity pool is breathtaking. Great breakfast. Also had dinner twice in El Castillo kitchen (as some other restaurants are not really in walkable distance (also due to the steep and dusty 300 meters) way up to the hotel)), we liked it much (Tuna, Mahi Mahi, veggie Quesadillas).

Stayed in June 2023

Beautiful location and the staff was top notch

Stayed in May 2023

the road up to the property was interesting

lovely welcoming staff. Great room and fantastic views

Stayed in March 2023

- we didn’t have luck with dinner as food was undercooked

- amazing view (ocean view from the infitinity pool during sunset is breathtaking) - very good drinks

Stayed in April 2023

Some insects managed their way into the room on our last night there only- the fourth and last night.

The staff is outstanding and super friendly! The brekkie was great and the infinity pool is the star of the show!

Stayed in April 2023

Have stayed there a couple times. Love the place, however, they still don't have well trained staff that know how to make drinks correctly and quickly. It can take up to a half hour to get an ordered drink, cappuccino, etc. even if there are only a few guests there. They cant seem to multi task nor lend a hand to each other to get orders out quickly. For instance, I waited 30 min for a glass of wine even though the waiter was just standing at the bar watching the bartender although the same waiter had 5 min prior just poured a glass for another guest. They most often have to google how to make a mixed drink which then takes longer. Each bartender makes drinks and cappuccino differently. There is often a language barrier which can jeopardize what you order or not even get the meal you ordered so it's prudent to either order in Spanish or have them repeat the order back and not trust they heard you correctly. Both my husband and I ordered a dinner and they brought out one. The waiter said he didnt know my husband ordered one (?) so we had to wait another 20 minutes before he got it and the steak was very under cooked due to having to rush that meal prep. Its hard to enjoy a meal when that happens. Meals seem to be made to order so its one table at a time and when we wanted to order desert we were asked if we could wait a while because they had another table come in and they had to wait till those meals were brought out. There were only 4 other tables there. Just have to be patient I guess... or eat and drink elsewhere

The accommodations were great. Neat and clean. The food was always good. All staff were kind and friendly

Stayed in March 2023

Excellent! Gorgeous property, outstanding service and stunning views! Rebeca and her team have been very welcoming and helpful! Recommend it to everyone who wants to relax, enjoy beautiful views and have a great dining experience! Thanks Rebeca & team for everything!

Stayed in March 2023

We stayed at El Castillo Boutique Lodge February 21, 2023 through February 25, 2023. From the moment we walked through the entrance of this beautiful hotel we were greeted with the most friendliest staff and the most amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. I could not have been any more pleased. The breakfast each morning was delicious as was the dinners and drinks each night. We will definitely return to this picturesque place. Thank you to Rebecca and staff!!!

Stayed in February 2023