El Silencio Lodge & Spa

El Silencio Lodge & Spa is a superb hotel situated in Bajos del Toro, literally in the middle of nowhere. Surely not the most turistic place of Costa Rica, but if you want the silence of nature, you definitely want to go there. The hotel, composed by small houses is a big property with is own hiking trails and waterfalls. The acommodation is superb, clean, spacious, with private jacuzzi. The staff is very friendly, polite, helpfull, competent. A five star staff. I cant say anything bad about it, just good things. Breakfast is included, the food is good, a la carte, choosing from the menu, and you can complement with a small buffet. The hotel provide some activities, a trail guide, lessons of archery shooting, fishing. It has also a small farm you can visit. If you plan a visit to Costa Rica, i surely recommend staying in this hotel for 2/3 nights, you won’t regret it. A five star hotel in every detail.

Amazing! My wife and I traveled to Costa Rica for the very first time on our honeymoon and were delighted by the beautiful nature, delicious food and very friendly and accommodating staff at El Silencio Lodge and Spa. Incredible!

We receive some recommendations form different people about this place form trusted friends. I could not imagina how incredible it is! We are a family of six, and was the perfect place to start our vacation! Great place, fantastic villa, amazing property, jungle views, great food... What else?

Unfortunately, our experience with the spa and the follow-up from the front desk was very disappointing. We chose this hotel to celebrate our anniversary and were genuinely looking forward to having a special and relaxing experience together. Unfortunately, the situation with the spa and the way it was handled afterward significantly affected our overall experience. During our stay, we received two massages that were honestly far below the standard we expected from a hotel of this level. After expressing our concerns, we spoke directly with the hotel manager and Roger, who addressed the situation and confirmed that, as an adjustment, the final cost would be USD 110 for both massages. However, when we received our final bill, we were charged USD 240. The only adjustment reflected was USD 40 related to the gratuity, while the agreed rate of USD 110 was never applied. I later contacted the front desk in writing to ask them to review the charge and clarify the situation, but unfortunately, I never received a response. At this point, it is not simply about the amount charged. What is most disappointing is the lack of follow-up and accountability. When a guest raises a concern, an agreement is made directly with hotel management, and that agreement is then not honored on the final bill, the very least one would expect is a response and a proper resolution. I would also strongly recommend that guests carefully review their final bill before leaving. In our case, we found charges and amounts that did not correspond to what had been agreed upon or authorized, and getting clarification afterward has been extremely difficult. What was meant to be a special anniversary getaway unfortunately became a frustrating experience because of the spa service, the billing issue, and the lack of response afterward. We expected a much higher standard of service, communication, and transparency from a hotel of this category. Unfortunately, this situation changed our entire perception of the stay and left us with a very negative impression.

This is so deservedly a two-key hotel from Michelin and a member of Relais & Chateaux. The service is tremendous -- attentive, personal, and warm. Every member of the team we met was a delight, and they made you feel like you were somewhere special. And you are. The suites and villas are fantastic. We were in a two-bedroom suite. Comfortable. Thoughtfully designed. Extremely comfortable beds. Incredible views -- with lots of glass/windows. Large balcony. Superb hot tub. Absolutely no fault in these accommodations, which are luxurious, comfortable, and superb. Rooms extremely clean, with excellent housekeeping and turndown service. The location is remote -- up in the mountains about 90 minutes from SJO airport. Excellent shuttle service from the hotel gets you to and from. No issues there. I wouldn't have felt comfortable driving it myself, but 4WD would be essential if you rent a car. The restaurant and coffee shop on site are excellent -- a wide variety of food and incredible range among the kitchen. They can pull off anything. You won't get bored with the menu at all. Room service was also outstanding and reasonably priced. Breakfast was a highlight each day, particularly the Costa Rican specialities, but they aced the American breakfasts, too. Dinner had a wide selection -- from a tapas menu to a variety of apps and mains that were carefully crafted, artfully plated, and always well-cooked. Each dish balanced flavors, texture, and acidity. We found no weak spots. The coffee shop has great drinks and an excellent small selection of breakfast and lunch dishes and pastries. Complimentary hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies served daily from 3-5. The flat white, in particular, was excellent, and Luis is an outstanding barista. The grounds are spectacular. Great hiking on-site, and the waterfall hike is absolutely worth it. The gardens and grounds are glorious and immaculately kept. You could happily not leave the property. Will go back without hesitation. This is a true paradise in the clouds. An incredible, unique place to unplug. Lots of interesting birds and insects on property, but it's at an altitude a bit high if you're wanting to see a lot of monkeys or sloths, so take note. A glorious resort.