El Silencio Lodge

[betsyv]

Well we are back! We had a wonderful time.

First, the transfers. The $300 was money well spent. I thought it was steep also but it is a pretty good distance from the hotel and the roads are skinny and very winding. Even though the road is for 2 way traffic, when we would meet someone going in the opposite direction, one of would have to pull to the side for the other to pass. You would look out the window and see that there isn't much of a shoulder and the drop goes straight down. We encountered cattle, clouds, and people. There aren't many signs directing you, you more have to know the way. I don't usually get car sick but was ill after both trips to and from the airport. It was unreal. Also a honeymooning couple that we met at El Silencio had rented a car and GPS and tried to drive there and their GPS had taken them to a different El Silencio near the Arenal Volcano. Instead of a 1 1/2 hr trip from the airport, their trip turned into 5 hours. Lastly, Jimmy, our driver from El Silencio, would show us things along the way, point out points of interest and didn't mind stopping at some stores that we saw. We made an excellent choice.



Second, the activities. I would not reccommend taking young children to El Silencio as there is not a lot of activities geared to them. We did go white water rafting and zip lining at Hacienda Pozo Azul which was part of the package. They also offer horseback riding and rappelling. We did not care as much for the zip lining but loved the white water rafting down the Sarapiqui River. The zip lining was almost too rushed and we felt like cattle being herded through an activity. You don't have opportunity to look around as you are going as you have to concentrate on your speed and the next platform. I am glad that I tried it but I would not do it again. I would double up on the white water rafting as it was a blast. Our guide, Gabriel was so much fun and joking. It was class 2 and 3 rapids and was scary, fun and thrilling all rolled into one. I even got knocked out of the boat and was rescued and still loved it. At El Silencio, you have three waterfalls on the property that you can hike to. La Melodia, El Silencio and La Promesa. They are spectacular and the scenery along the way wonderful. You can also take a short trail that leads to a hummingbird garden and maze. There is a spa on the premise that would rival any spa that I have visited. We had a tandem couples massage which helped our aching muscles. There is a television room with dvds and satellite tv in the main lodge. They also have some games there and many books in case you forget your own or need a new one.Part of our package included a tour of the local town. It was interesting to see how the local people lived and we visited a store, a restaurant and the school. We saw part of Costa Rica that the normal tourist would never see. We also went to one of the El Silencio's employees' home who has a 400 orchid collection. So many flowers that I have never seen before. Breathtaking! During your stay, you will also plant a tree tagged with your name and the date so that a tree is growing in your honor forever.



Thirdly, the Suites. We had requested #16 which we had read was one of the best ones and our request was fulfilled. It is the nearest to the river and the most private. It is also the closest to the lodge. You have a living room with two large couches which can serve as extra beds should you bring children. There is a king size bed, a huge bathroom with separate shower and toilet facilities. Each suite also has a deck with two Sarchi rocking chairs and a separate deck with your spring fed hot tub. If you are going to use the hot tub, you do need to turn it on about 2 hours before use so that it can warm up. The staff light the fireplace in each suite during dinner and we kept ours on throughout the night. There is also a coffee maker with Costa Rican coffee that was wonderful! All the drinks and snacks that are in your suite are included and complimentary. We had stopped and gotten some Imperial (Costa Rican beer) and Costa Rican Rum and loved our cocktail hour. We loved sitting on our deck, rocking and reading or just watching the birds and scenery. It gets dark early there and around 6 pm each night, the fireflies (lightning bugs) would appear and make it quite magical. We loved that time so much. The staff would leave messages on our rug spelled out with flowers and leaves- Happy Anniversary!, a heart or Welcome.



Fourth, the food. This is the only part that I wouldnt rate as excellent but still very good. The menu stays the same each day and there are about 8 entrees for choosing. By the end of the stay, I think we had tried each and every dish. The menu is mostly Vegan with a couple chicken dishes and a trout and tilapia dish. Except for Breakfast, you are offered an appetizer, entree and dessert at every meal. Don't get me wrong, the food is very good and I did end up gaining a pound but it wasn't the caliber of food from South Africa.



You are assigned an eco concierge that takes care of anything you need during your stay. He also can guide you on your hikes or you can go at your own pace. El Silencio provides you with a walking stick to use while there. Weather was generally good but almost every day started out clear and clouded up as the day went on. You are in a cloud forest and I would expect some rainwhile there. It was very cool in the mornings and night but warmed up nicely during the day. I was thankful for the fireplace and the blanket in the suite that I could throw over my lap when we sat outside. I did not have enough warm clothes but El Silencio did do laundry as part of the deal. The hummingbirds, the fireflies, the flowers and the waterfalls all just helped the magic of the place. If you are looking for a place to recharge and relax, this is a perfect place. A lot of wellness living, a lot of beautiful surroundings and alot of peacefulness made us forget about the outside world. By the way, there is internet - but only in a small part of the main lodge. Cell phones did not work. I loved no television, no phones, no emails and just concentrating on my hubby and I and our enjoyment. I would easily go back again-with some warmer clothes and more books.



Relax, Recharge and Renew!
Message Edited by betsyv on 04-08-2010 11:15 AM

[kyshel]

What a great review, Betsy! Thanks so much for the details. Sorry I can't give you more than one "kudo"

[Mountie]

betsyv, nice and verydetailed review. Sounds like a great place to escape.



If you decide to return, be sure to take your Dramamine before getting in the van. Hey, I still pop one frequently when I go out on my boat from Key Largo.

[bonniejoy03]

Betsy. Thank you very much! We are going in December. The staff have been wonderful in answering our questions. THanks for updating us on some questions we had. We had priced out tranfers to and from the lodge and most were exactly the same price as the lodge! One company was 20 less. We will use El Silencio's transfers. Glad to know we can stop along the way. We would love to "stock" up on some things also. Thanks for the trip suggestions. So, with the package, you did the rafting. Did you do any other included trips? Did you go anywher else on this trip to CR? We will be adding Gaia for three nights. How many other people were staying at the lodge while you were there? Is laundry service gratis?



PS- We are also getting suite 16!!! (Strange how it is private yet close to the lodge?)

[kyshel]

Bonnie--did you see that Gaia is listed as a new property on LL--"packages may be available soon"
AND Punta Islita has several offers

[bonniejoy03]

Yes...I almost seem to buy something and then some amazing deals come up!! It is fine. You know the package I got at Gaia and I am extremely happy!!!! The one owner, Thomas, is absolutely amazing. His correspondence with me is perfect. I like the Punta Islita package but again, we have been there 6 times so it is time to try something different. I see they have a 300 credit....nice touch!

[betsyv]

Bonnie, We didn't do any other properties with this one. I now wish we had as it seemed like a long trip for essentially 3 days (2 days were almost completely travel) but just didn't plan that part well. There will always be a next time though, right?



I thought I had mentioned but the package included 2 of 4 activities at Hacienda Pozo Azul and we did the White Water Rafting and Zip Lining. Other choices were Rappelling and Horse Back Riding. The package also included a guided hike -which is basically a hike to the three waterfalls on the El Silencio property. We were going to go with our guide but he was also taking a honeymooncouple and they wanted to leave later than we did so we decided to go off on our own. We came up with some questions re flowers and things, so we took photos and made notes. We met up with them at the 3rd waterfall (they were seeing things in the reverse order and had the other two to see plus the longer hike back) and showed our eco concierge, Ronald, the photos and asked the questions while we all took a break. Basically caught up on all the info and then parted again to hike back. My husband and I were glad that we did it that way as we liked hiking at our own pace and stopping when we wanted to. The last thing thepackageincluded was basically a tour of the adjoining town (I can't remember the phrasing that they used). And we did the 45 min hike in, and saw the 400 orchid collection, stopped at local stores, learned about the town and etc. So we took part of everything included. I had wanted to visit the Arenal Volcano, but they charge $190/per person extra and everything I heard is that if the clouds come in, you have trouble seeing anything and wasn't ready to chance that money. We could of chosen the Poas volcano but it was extra charge also and they say not as spectacular as the Arenal. I was surprised about all the EXTRA CHARGE Activities and to be honest, had forgotten about that disappointment until you asked. We would of liked to do more but didn't like paying all the extra and also really didn'thave a lot of extra time. We decided to just take the opportunity to relax and rest.



One night when we were there, the Lodge was completely filled with all 17 suites taken. But it was just that one night and most of the time, you didn't see a lot of other guests although I would say it ran about 60% filled. With the wide range of time for meals, usually there would only be one or two other couples there at a time. We actually enjoyed meeting some of the other couples and made some great friends with people we met.



I also forgot to mention our special dinner. On the night of our anniversary, they set up a special table in the lounge area away from the restaurant area in front of a wood burning fireplace and served us dinner there. They had told us ahead of time they were going to do that and it was quite special. I get the feeling that they do this for honeymooners, people celebrating anniversaries, birthdays or if requested. The problem is that they can only do this for one couple per night so if you are there when others have a special event....



And about the laundry. When we checked in and were being shown around, Ronald had mention that there might be a small charge for laundry ($1 per item). I read some of the material that I had and most of those people had mentioned it being complimentary. So I decided it was better to get the 8 items cleaned at even $1 a piece, but when it came back, they hadn't charged me anything. It wasn't immediately returned but when I asked about it the next morning was promptly brought back. Sort of a Go With The Flow and not In the Know kind of thing.



Hope that helps everyone and please let me know any other questions. Who knows, you might trigger another thing that I forgot. I can't believe I forgot about the activity charges as that was a big disappointment for us.

[bonniejoy03]

Thanks for the info. Was that park, Hacienda Pozo very touristy? I looked at the website. I will be happy to relax at the property, hike around, and enjoy the activities. This will be our 8th trip ? to Costa Rica. We have always heard about Arenal and the clouds and have heard many people were disappointed in not seeing it. So, we can pass on this activity. Interesting about the laundry. We will be incorporating this trip with a trip to the beach so it should be exciting.



Where are you heading next???

[betsyv]

Bonnie, I would say that Hacienda Pozo Azul is very touristy!! I didn't see any place you could hike around but they were bringing tourists in by the car, van and bus!!! They had so many on the morning zip line group, that we had to do white water rafting in the morning and zip line in the afternoon (which I liked that order better). But by them making us do it that way, we didn't have the lunch that was included until 2:30 in the afternoon, which wouldn't of been bad but they were out of several dishes and this was a chance to have something besides chicken, trout and tilapia! I never saw the Butterfly garden, horses and don't know where they were rappelling but this seemed like a strictly tourist activity spot. Still had a blast white watering and we can't wait to do it again.



Next, went to Orlando (personal) last week and tomorrow am back to Hong Kong/China for 2 1/2 weeks on business. Will come home beg of May and will go back 3rd week of May to Hong Kong/Indonesia/Philippines/Vietnam/China for 4 weeks. Both of these Asia trips are strictly business with me going alone (as usual) and husband staying home. Don't have any more Luxury Link trips planned right now but am watching the Mystery Auctions and some other interests. I do a lot of traveling for business and it will start getting very busy so may have to back off LL travel for a bit!

[Mountie]

Thanks for the info. Was that park, Hacienda Pozo very touristy? I looked at the website. I will be happy to relax at the property, hike around, and enjoy the activities. This will be our 8th trip ? to Costa Rica. We have always heard about Arenal and the clouds and have heard many people were disappointed in not seeing it. So, we can pass on this activity. Interesting about the laundry. We will be incorporating this trip with a trip to the beach so it should be exciting.



Where are you heading next???

waiting for a first hand review from bonniejoy03.