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Reviews of Nepenthe B&B

2.5 out of 5
Nepenthe B&B
El Castillo, La Fortuna, Alajuela

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 62 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 25 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 8 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 96 reviews" "

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

8.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Sarath

Travelled with family
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Important thing is the access road to the property. You need a high clearance vehicle (SUV) to drive on the 2km none-paved hilly road. Property is generally okay with a nice view. Breakfast is good from their own restaurant but not the expensive pizza for dinner they made on pre cooked crust.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Frank

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was an excellent experience, and I recommend this establishment.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
No air conditioning - super hot Beds not the best - pot sleeper night Great view massages and food
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Jacqueline

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
The road to the property is very rough need 4x4 No air conditioning very hot at night
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

William Edward Klaehn

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Absolutely beautiful place to stay!!! Very friendly staff. Delicious breakfast!!! Onsite restaurant. Outdoor pool which was well kept. The ONLY downside was the road getting to and leaving the B&B. You have to drive carefully, a lot of potholes. With that being said, I would ABSOLUTELY stay at this lovely B&B again!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

6/10 Okay

Penelope

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Beautiful views

10/10 Excellent

Ryan

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Would love to return
Wonderful experience! A perfect romantic getaway! The spacious room allowed us to spread out and feel at home. The pool and observation deck were just steps from our room. The on-site restaurant provided wonderful breakfasts, great pizza and meals to order. Be sure to get a 4x4 or drive slow up the mountain.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

JAIWOO

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Scenic is incredible and awesome!!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Salem

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This was a Gem. Best view in La Fortuna. The owners are the nicest people you will ever meet. The restaurent and the people working there were the highlight opf our stay in La Fortuna. a B&B with a storyline and history behind it. Phoneix restaurent on the property is a must do for dinners and Lunch. The Breakfast was increddible. Did I mention the views, the infinity pool, ...
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Response from Staff Nepenthe on 19 May 2023
Dear Salem,Thank you very much for your comment, we are very grateful for your visit.Greetings

10/10 Excellent

Kristina

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Response from Staff Nepenthe on 19 May 2023
Dear Kristina, Thanks for your commentary, Regards

10/10 Excellent

Landy

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Response from Staff Nepenthe on 19 May 2023
Dear Landy, Thanks for your commentar,Regards

10/10 Excellent

Manoj

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Its was amazing. We had the best time here during our Costa Rica trip.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
Response from Staff Nepenthe on 18 Jan 2023
Dear Manoj, Thanks for your commentary

10/10 Excellent

Vittal

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
the location
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022
Response from Staff Nepenthe on 31 Dec 2022
Dear Vittal,Thanks for your commentary

10/10 Excellent

Nicolas, Singapore

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic stay and staff made us feel like welcome family.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022
Response from Staff Nepenthe on 31 Dec 2022
Dear Nicolas, Thanks for your commentary

8/10 Good

Diana

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The view of the Arenal lake was amazing. Breakfast was excellent, a variety of options & yummy juices/coffee. Ample space in rooms with kitchenette. The hotel itself was far from town about 30mins.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mirwais

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
THE BEST VIEW you could ask for. Its really high in the hill so it has the BEST view. The picture in the hotel website or expedia does not even do justice to what you will see. Its beautiful. However, its pretty isolated because its high in the hill and there is only one restaurant which functions from 7pm to 9pm and takes only reservations for lunch. Its a small family restaurant so the owner cooks only if you reserve and order in advance (makes sense). Staff is very friendly and provide any information you need. The rooms are pretty basic, the shower has no pressure, our room was full of hens small red ants, at the end all our cloths were full of ants, and we could not leave any food on the table because literally after one minute it would have been full of ants. Since the view was super beautiful, the pool was nice and we took really good pictures, those other things did not affect our stay and we enjoyed our time allot.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022
Response from Staff Nepenthe on 19 Mar 2022
Dear Mirwais, Thank you for choosing us, we appreciate your stay at our hotel and we are sorry for the inconvenience, we appreciate your rating and we hope to have you again at our hotel. Greetings, Team Nepenthe

8/10 Good

Luis

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
The location is beautiful. The road conditions is not easy to get to the hotel and there was too much ants. The service was friendly and helpful.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2021
Response from Staff Nepenthe on 21 Feb 2022
Dear Luis, Thanks for your commentary, Regards,

10/10 Excellent

Zlatka

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This place was amazing and I would Stay here all over again. The location and view was beautiful and very peaceful and quiet. The service was great and always available from some of the most friendly and helpful people. Highly recommend this place!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021
Response from Staff Nepenthe on 16 Sept 2021
Dear Zlatka Thanks for your review, we feel so thankfull, Best Regards, Fabián

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2021
Response from Fabián on 26 Jul 2021
Gracias Por su comentario y agradecemos su estancia, saludos,

10/10 Excellent

Mohammed

Stayed 2 nights in May 2021
Response from Fabián on 4 Jun 2021
Thanks for your commentary, you let us grown like a team, Best regards, Staff Nepenthe

10/10 Excellent

Meghan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Fantástico!
Nepenthe was great.....spectacular views, unbelievable foliage and flowers, excellent breakfasts and overall the place was great. The food at the Phoenix restaurant (associated with Nepenthe) was amazing....ceviche was soooo good! We would definitely return. Gracias por tu hospitalidad!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020
Response from Nepenthe Family on 4 Mar 2020
Dear Megan Thanks for your commentary, you let us grown.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The views are amazing!! things to know before you book: this place is waaaaayyy out of the way, so be sure to reserve a rental car at same time you reserve a stay here. We travelled in february, and there were no rental cars to be found when we landed in San Jose or arrived in La fortuna. Uber was not available and Taxi drivers wanted an arm and a leg for the transport. We paid $80USD to get from this hotel to La Fortuna, maybe a 30min drive. There is 1 resturaunt on cite, really nice people. They said they are open until 10, but what that really means is they are open until they are not anymore. We told them we would be back for dinner after the hot springs prior to closing, and well, we came back to a closed restaurant haha another 80$ to get back to town to eat.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020
Response from Nepenthe Family on 1 Mar 2020
Thanks for your commentary, You let us grown

8/10 Good

Wenjie

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
A great place in the nature.
It's a climb to get there, but the view is awesome. Love to be waken up with bird chirping, fell asleep with howler monkey howling. It's amazing to be part of the nature. The unit that we stayed is spacious and with good view. Delicious breakfast, friendly staff. The only thing we concern is lack of lighting outside the building, we have to use flash light to go out to our car and visit our friends in a different building/unit. The outdoor tiles are very slippery when wet.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019
Response from Nepenthe Family on 11 Jan 2020
Thanks for your commentary, you let us grown.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The B$B located in a beautiful area, viewing the Arenal lake. The property is beautiful. I was staying in room#3 which was next to the kitchen which mean some noice and cooking small in early morning. The WiFi was not good, and hot water was a problem . I think it was just room#3. But the property is beautiful.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019
Response from Nepenthe Familie on 31 Dec 2019
Thanks for your commentary, You let us Grown.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great views, lovely setting, super private, a bit difficult to get to but once you are there it’s great!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019
Response from Nepenthe Familie on 4 Dec 2019
Thanks for your score, you make us ground. We hope to see you soon.

10/10 Excellent

mike

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019
Response from Nephenthe Familie on 4 Dec 2019
Thanks for your score, you makes us ground

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This place is a gem off the beaten path and well wieth the journey up the mountain road. The breakfast was great, the room very comfortable, place a great pool. We add lso enjpyed a pizza in their restaurant
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019
Response from Nephenthe's Family on 9 Dec 2019
We appreciated your commentary, you makes us grown. We hope see you again. Thanks

10/10 Excellent

Vivian

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I love this place. If I will be in the area, I will stay there again for sure!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018
Response from Nepenthe´s Familie on 9 Dec 2019
We appreciated your commentary, you makes us grown. We hope see you again. Thanks

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The owners were very nice but the power was out the entirety of our stay save for an hour at 5am. We couldn’t charge any of our devices which we needed since we were in a foreign country and it was incredibly hot since the fan couldn’t be plugged in. the property is pretty but the no power really put a damper on our time there.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2019
Response from Nepenthe´s Familie on 9 Dec 2019
We appreciated your commentary, you makes us grown. We hope see you again. Thanks

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 2 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Walter

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We enjoyed our stay at the Nepenthe B&B Resort with the daily complimentary breakfast and the great view, overlooking Laguna de Arenal and to the East Volcan Arenal very much. We had delicious dinners at the Phoenix Restaurant at Nepenthe. Complements to Chef Luisa and Maitre D Juan and their Staff.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Julie, Ontario, Canada

Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We were in awe of this piece of paradise up in the Mountains overlooking the beautiful country of Costa Rica! Our hosts Gordon and Nancy were so welcoming and made us feel at home. All the staff were so friendly and accommodating, thank you! Our stay was short but now we know of your peaceful hideaway and would definitely return and recommend to others!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Alex, San Francisco, CA

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The tranquillity, natural beauty, and the people that manage the property are and is amazing. Will definitely stay here again when visiting La Fortuna. You adventure starts with the drive up to the property. Take your time and be sure to have a 4x4! Simply amazing.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location , Arrangement , Service Not good : Access road
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2019
Response from jose on 13 Mar 2019
We appreciate your review; the Nepenthe family will continue working to be better and offer wonderful moments in our little piece of paradise.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Jose was especially helpful with reservations and recommendations. Best view in the area and warm, helpful staff!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019
Response from José on 6 Mar 2019
It was a pleasure to be helpful, I hope you can back soon and create more good memories from Costa Rica and the PURA VIDA! Best Regards, The Nepenthe Family..

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nepenthe is a wonderful property. Located high on a hill with spectacular views of lake Arenal and the volcano. I cannot day enough about this place. It was perfect. The staff are excellent especially Jose and Andrea. Breakfast varied every day so no boredom there. The Phoenix restaurant was very good also with great, friendly staff. It’s a short five minute drive to the village of el Castillo or a 20 minute walk. The butterfly exhibit is well worth visiting. I highly recommend Nepenthe and will definitely stay again. El Castillo is a much better place to stay than La Fortuna ( less crowded) and La Girtuna is only 30 minutes away if you want to visit
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2019
Response from Thank you on 16 Feb 2019
Thank you very much for your feedback, it's very important for us, was a pleasure to have you in the hotel. We're looking forward for your next visit! Best Regards, Andrea.

10/10 Excellent

Marian, Toronto

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The view was incredible. Worth the challenging drive up here.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2019
Response from Gracias on 7 Feb 2019
We're glad that you enjoy the view and our place! Your opinion is very important for us, Thank you and Pura Vida!

10/10 Excellent

katherine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Beautiful view and excellent food
The hosts were very hospitable and they lived right on the property. Views are amazing. Wind was a bit crazy. Room was nice. Bathroom area could use a little more cleaning. No AC in our room, just fans. Great pool area. Overall one of the best places we stayed in. And the restaurant had some of the best food we had on our whole trip.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019
Response from José Ed on 8 Jan 2019
We are happy to know that your stay with us was the best in Costa Rica, the Nepenthe family appreciates your visit and we hope next time your visit will be perfect. Sincerely, The Nepenthe Family!

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Great location with a four wheel drive
We stayed two nights in January and enjoyed our stay. A four wheel drive is required to get up to the b&b. Room 10 is the poorest room with no view or balcony furniture, looking out to the jungle and had paper thin walls. Our friends has a much better bungalow with lake viewand hot tub. Staff are excellent, as is the onsite restaurant run by Juan and his team. Breakfast is also good with views of the lake and volcano (we were told as couldn't see for the cloud). Glad we stayed here and not fortuna which is a commercial hub. Lots to do in area but bring lots of money as nothing for free other than the hot springs river below a bridge on the fortuna lake road.always pay in local currency and avoid the dollar price as you get a better deal everywhere.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019
Response from José Ed on 8 Jan 2019
Was a pleasure to have you in our little piece of paradise, we will continue getting better, Thank you so much for your comments. Best regards, the Nepenthe Family!

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Overall: positive experience
Amazing view of the lake and of the volcano! Bathroom needs some improvement... :) Toilets were not working properly. Overall: a positive experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2018
Response from José López on 8 Jan 2019
The Nepenthe family is working to be better every day, thanks for your visit and for choose us to stay on Arenal area, your comments are welcome to improve and give a better experience to the future guests. sincerely, the Nepenthe Family!

10/10 Excellent

Linda, Seattle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
A windy drive to the top but beautiful view and great accommodations. Enjoyed the hot tub.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018
Response from José on 23 Nov 2018
Nepenthe family is very happy for your recent visit, we hope next trip you can stay longer in the area and enjoy all the attractions that Arenal offer. Best regards!

10/10 Excellent

Rachel, St. Louis MO

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This property is simply breathtaking. The view is spectacular and every room has an amazing view. Outside of my room was a nice deck with hanging chairs where I could watch the monkeys swinging in the trees in the morning and the birds flying around in the forest. My favorite part of this b&b is definitely the view; however, the other factor that made this stay amazing was the staff. Everyone working at Nepenthe is helpful and extremely kind. As a solo female traveler, I felt safe and comfortable throughout my stay. Since the location is high up a hill with a very rocky road, transportation can be tricky; however, Jose generously gave me a ride to my excursions closeby to help me. I was very appreciative! There is a small restaurant just a few steps down the hill where you can have dinner between 5 and 9pm. The food is very tasty and, even as a vegan, I was able to find good options! The best part was talking with the staff there, though. I was truly sad to leave!! My room was cute and comfortable. Fresh, organic bath products are provided in the room and towels are replaced daily. There is no air conditioning in the room; however, the temperature was very comfortable as it is rainy season in August and the temperature never reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit. At night, it was honestly a little bit chilly because of the humidity. I wore a sweatshirt to bed once or twice, but I am generally cold-natured. The humidity is out of this world. At 92%, your clothes will be damp! ;)
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We loved having a large suite. We enjoyed birdwatching from our patio. We enjoyed the infinity pool & view of the Lake. The breakfast was good & plentiful. An outside light by the entry door needed a functioning lightbulb. The bathroom to the left of the entry door needed a white, not yellow, lightbulb.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Paradise with a view
Outstanding staff, with beautiful lake and volcano view... Nice and quiet, with enormous suites!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

Scott, Anacortes, WA, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice place in beautiful El Catillo
Stayed at Nepenthe for 4 nights, went to Mistico Hanging Bridges in La Fortuna, bathed in hot Tabacon river, hiked to waterfall at Arenal Observatory Lodge. Staff was great, helped book tours, excellent breakfast, nice cool climate, hammock and hanging chair on deck, unique spring-fed rock bottomed pool. Great place to stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2018

6/10 Okay

marianna, Montreal

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Room comfort
ñice view, horrible bed and breakfast
This hotel style B&B is on top of an insanely steep rough dirt road and offers a spectacular view of Arenal Lake. The grounds are beautiful and the room small but adequate. Shower was a mere trickle. The bef was so squeeky we couldn't sleep at all. Breakfast was pancakes, saussages and plantins. Not adequate for the $90/nt. cost.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2018

8/10 Good

yhb

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Beautiful setting. Difficult Road to access
Loved the breakfast and dining areas . Delicious food.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nepenthe is a slice of heaven!
Nepenthe B and B is just like its owners described, "the place of no sorrows, unless you have to leave". I have seldom been in such a beautiful and peaceful spot and I have done quite a bit of traveling. The grounds were beautiful, the rooms perfect with such incredible views and breakfasts were awesome! We will be back to Costa Rica and Nepenthe. Ed Blanchard Maine, USA