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The resort is constructed in the style of a village, with groups of villas (each with eight suites) meandering along streets from the top of the hill to the sea. Except for the lobby bar and restaurant, most of the dining and other entertainment is centered around the pool area near the beach.

After checking in, the guests are transported to their villa on a trolley. Their luggage is already waiting, having been delivered during the check-in process. The bellman enters the villa with the guest, points out the features of the suite, and makes certain that everything is in order.

This is not a view property; only a handful of the units actually have a water view. Instead, the villas and terraces are surrounded by lush greenery. Upper units might be brighter depending on which way they face, but all offer a sense of privacy and seclusion.

When I entered my villa suite for the first time I was struck by the fusion of contemporary design and indigenous materials. Tile floors covered by simple rugs, wood and marble surfaces, a step-up bedroom area, a dining and wet-bar alcove, many windows and a huge bathroom/vanity added to the air of luxury and elegance.

As soon as I unpacked, I made a pot of wonderful Costa Rican coffee, a large bag of which is provided at the minibar along with the in-room coffee pot. I am not fond of powdered "whiteners," so I walked over to the little shop where I was able to purchase a small container of milk. Had I wanted to, I could also have purchased cookies, ice cream, nuts, liquor, books, magazines, sunglasses, candy, sunscreen and clothing, but milk was all I needed at that point. I put what I hadn't used in the refrigerator provided in the suite.

The bathroom, often the truest indicator of elegance in an accommodation, delighted me. The vanity faced the mirrored closet, ample by any standards; the actual bathroom was enclosed behind a frosted glass door. Surrounded by marble, the bathtub is huge and deep. A toilet and bidet are also located in this separate room, with a wood-slatted louvered window which can be opened but still offers privacy. An array of amenities was provided in a shell-shaped dish on the vanity and included some nice extras such as his and hers razors, combs, and a shoe-shine kit.

The bedroom in the suite is separated by a couple of steps up, a divider created of round columns, and a dark wood-surfaced counter. The television sits on the counter and can swivel to face the living area or the bedroom. Satellite television includes most of the U.S. networks and some stations in German, Spanish and Portuguese. There are drawers in the bedroom side of the counter and in the bedside tables; the mirrored closet opposite the vanity has ample space for hanging clothing as well as a safe and shelves for incidentals.

The living area includes a small sofa and coffee table, chair, hassock and side table, work area behind the sofa and a dining alcove with table and chairs. A sliding glass door opens onto the terrace which is furnished with chairs and a small table.

Room service is available 24 hours a day, the little store has snack items, and the bars and restaurants can make "to go" packs, so choosing to dine "in-suite" is a definite option. The restaurants, however, are so welcoming, engaging and pretty that it's hard to make that choice, especially since the selections are so great at all of the dining establishments at the resort.

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Unless otherwise noted, all photos ©Jána M. Jones 2001