El Perezoso: 1BR Studio in B&B-Style Villa - Huge Pool, Great Views & Location!

spotless, well appointed, very friendly staff. Vanessa was outstanding in helping us to book tours and overall seeing to our comfort. Really, monkeys at the pool, the sound of the surf, and a morning visit from our iguana. Hope to stay here next year. Small (4 unit) place with great views

Nice room, with good amenities. Great view and good to work with

What a great place to stay in Manuel Antonio! We were in the Perkunas Studio which is on the second floor. Entry to this place is at the top and you work your way down as its perched on a steep hill. The Perkunas Studio doesn't have the spectacular views of the other 3 apartments owing to a large tree outside the balcony, but you only have to step out the door to get the view. The studio is nice - cute and comfortable with enough space to spread out... comfortable beds . At the time we visited, there was no cooking facility - just tea/coffee, plates, bowls, flatware... However, we were told that the place was going to be updated soon to add some cooking facilities. It didn't really bother us because the big BBQ down below near the pool also had a gas hot plate, and there was a fridge in the apartment so we were able to mix up having meals locally or make our own. Everyone staying there has access to the pool and BBQ facilities, and there is a giant sound system as well as a big fridge everyone can share. Mosquito's were bad around the BBQ and pool so bring mosquito repellant! But the pool was refreshing. There is parking for 2 vehicles at Castillo de Amber... We didn't have one so it wasn't an issue for us. Hard to say if it will be an issue for you or not when you stay as you don't know how many other people will be staying at the same time as you with a vehicle. TIP: When you confirm your booking, confirm your time of arrival with Vanessa! And have HER phone number just in case - otherrwise no one will be there to let you in. She is very punctual and reliable though if she knows when you are coming. Castillo de Amber is located very close to several very good restaurants as well as a small supermarket. As far as locations goes, it was REALLY good! For anyone who has never been to Manuel Antonio though, there is a 150m marine exclusion zone so all buildings are set back and in Manuel Antonio, that means you are up on a hill - a steep one at that with roads not terribly conducive for walking up (if the heat doesn't bring you down, you have to keep an eye for cars and trucks!). You can get around by either catching a local bus for about US$1.30 (flat fee, one way) which goes between the national park and Quepos, or taxi's which charge US$10 (flat fee, one way). There also seemed to be quite a few opportunistic drivers in cars and on bikes cruising the road looking for passengers if you need a price inbetween the 2 extremes!

I will start with the positives of our stay. The location is great but everything you need is a walk up hill so if you have mobility issues a car or cab is essential. The concierge, Vanessa, was very friendly and efficient, booking us last minute excursions and massages with great results. When she initially came to bring us the key she brought us some fruit and even drove us to a nearby restaurant for lunch. She was terrific with suggestions on where to eat and we enjoyed the local restaurants, Cafe Milagro, in particular. There was a problem with the AC unit dripping water and this was dealt with right away. In retrospect we should have also mentioned the screeching sound produced every time the toilet was flushed. We found the studio apartment disappointing for several reasons. It is a very dated end unit without any charm with a limited view due to foilage just outside the window. I had anticipated more of an ocean view based on the description. While I could have lived with seeing primarily foilage, we felt totally exposed as the very steep steps leading to the pool were outside the front windows do give a full view of the bed and the double sliding glass door entry into the room faced the interior staircase leading to our level. In order to have any privacy the curtains at both windows had to be shut at all times, defeating the purpose of any view whatsoever. The balcony was really small with barely room for the two plastic patio chairs plus there was absolutely no privacy as it sat right next to the stairs going down to the pool. Im sure if I had been in another unit there I would have been much happier but I would never book this particular room again. I had booked this type of room as I had planned on making breakfast, however, with no stove this limits the possibilités of a hot breakfast.