This lodge has a relaxed atmosphere, smiling staff, and gardens full of exotic flowers, birds and monkeys, with a network of trails for you to explore. It's just 15 minutes from the entrance to Monteverde Cloudforest, which offers walking trails and canopy tours.

Most of the guest rooms have views of the forest, with others overlooking the gardens. All provide comfort and privacy, have en-suite bathrooms, safe, coffee maker, ceiling fan and free WiFi. Forest view rooms have easy chairs and a coffee table, and those on the first floor have balconies. The 3 garden rooms are slightly smaller and have doors leading directly to the gardens.

The restaurant specialises in meals based on traditional Costa Rican recipes, served indoors and out on the covered terrace. There's a bar with inviting armchairs and sofas, and a wide range of drinks, a good place to socialise with other guests. Outdoors there's a small swimming pool surrounded by lush foliage.

The gardens are a delight - a mini cloud-forest lovingly tended by the head gardener and his team. There are many ferns and flowers including orchids. Birds such as wrens, hummingbirds and toucans, and mammals including Capuchin monkeys and two-toed sloth are often seen. The lodge has terraces where you can sit and admire the views. The enclosed, glass-walled butterfly garden is a lovely place to relax and is often the setting for private meals.