Hotel Alto Palomo — Hotel in Sarchí Norte

This was our first stop on a 2 week trip. It was my husband and my first time to Costa Rica and this was by far our favorite place we stayed. The hotel was a little difficult for us to find, the GPS we originally rented with our rental car was unable to locate it. We ended up having to stop a couple of times along the way for help with directions but the locals were so helpful and friendly. Sarchi is a fantastic area full of wonderful people. ||Once we arrived at the hotel, it was gorgeous. The view from our private deck was breathtaking and we fully enjoyed sitting outside in the evening just listening to the sounds and watching fireflies. It was the most peaceful experience.||The rooms were great; clean, comfortable and we had plenty of space to spread out. There was a mini-fridge that worked great, a nice small table and a small TV. The wifi did not reach our room but we enjoyed walking up to the front desk area to check email or make calls while chatting with the staff.||The restaurant served amazing food when they were open; we visited during the off season so we had to check with the front desk as to when they would be open. A few times the restaurant would be closed but they must live very close because they would run down, cook our order then deliver to our room or to the front desk. They never seemed bothered to help, always more than willing to bring down our food for us which was more than appreciated. The restaurant is up the hill from the hotel, but it was a short 5 minute walk along a narrow road. It is not a sight to be missed as it sits up on a hill with a gorgeous view overlooking the hillside. They have a pool table and very friendly, helpful staff. We highly recommend asking about the local drink they make in house; cannot remember what they called it but it is made with local berries and home made liquor. We were given shots of it each time we went, even with breakfast and ended up purchasing a bottle.||The highlight of our trip to the hotel was one of the staff taking us on a tour of the area. He led us to a nearby waterfall and some lagoons that were far off the beaten path. Our spanish is minimal and so was his english but we had such a great time teaching each other phrases and words. ||We later stayed near Tamarindo and Jaco but Sarchi was by far our favorite area and Hotel Alto Palomo was a major reason we enjoyed our stay. The staff is 1st class, the view and food is to die for. It is not a 5 star hotel by American standards; the shower takes some getting used to in order to get hot water, there isn't cable TV and you probably won't have wifi in your room but why do you want to spend all you time consumed with technology when you are in such a beautiful place filled with wonderful people? You will be hard pressed to find an area with better people and better ambiance.||Thank you for a...

We stayed here for one night following a day trip in Sarchí, before heading out to Bajos del Toro the next day. Our options were either where or El Silencio just up the road. If I could turn back time I would have happily paid for the other option. ||We arrived late in the afternoon and nobody was at the reception building. We drove to the restaurant nearby looking for help, but had just missed the front desk attendant, who had gone back down the hill. ||We went and met Alexis, who told us they had vacancy. “I will give you a room with a big bed and a jacuzzi.” I asked for the rate and he told us what it was. But we had to pay cash. And in colones. No credit cards and no dollars. ||I asked to see the room. It was pretty basic, but he had said there was hot water and WiFi and we were tired so despite being grossed out at the dead moths on the bedspread and jacuzzi, I said “yes” and paid up. ||We went for dinner at the (terrible-separate review) restaurant up the hill and came back with visions of a hot bath in the jacuzzi and a spooky movie to accompany the super windy night. ||Upon going to draw the bath we came upon the death trap that is the water heater. Touch the wires and insta-die. We ran the water to fill the tub, but the only way to do it was through the shower and after about 15 minutes of waiting there was about 2” of water in the tub. Oh. And it wasn’t anywhere near warm. We opted to skip the jacuzzi and went for a movie instead. ||Welllllll....upon pulling back the bedspread we came across long, black hairs on the sheets. They’d evidently not been changed since the previous guests used them. Gross. Again, it was late by then and we were wiped out, so we decided to overlook that, too. ||Pulled out the iPad for a movie and yep. You guessed it: no internet. ||Went to sleep early, took a very quick and cold shower the following morning, checked out and went to the (terrible) restaurant for breakfast. Not a moment too soon. Get me out of here. ||No it’s not a 5-star hotel, but no hot water, no internet, you have to pay cash and the bed has used sheets on it? No thank you. And the restaurant is awful. ||We spent 9 days in Costa Rica, staying in 5 different places. This one, without a doubt, was the one standout in that it was the one awful all-around experience. ||It’s a shame because the view is spectacular and the structure is nicely built. They need to update the decor, upgrade the internet, and quip the people at the front desk with the ability to accept credit cards. ||Go...

I'm shocked at some of the reviews here. First, read before you buy. Second, don't expect high end luxury at $55 per night. Yes, there is no wifi or phones in the rooms. Yes, it's rustic. It was very cold at night with no heat/ac and very windy which with metal roofs is very loud at night. But it's a gorgeous view, the folks treat you like an actual guest in their home and the food at the restaurant is wonderful. Learn how to use the shower or you'll have no hot water. There is a trick. It's poorly insulated so yes the wind brings in a little dirt per day. Let it go. The area is worth it. And Jorge is a wonderful sweet man who took his time to make us a list of great things to do. He made sure we had extra blankets. He even told us what time we could go to church in 2 different towns and that was important to us. While it's not the luxury many Americans expect, we ended up loving it and we stayed 3 nights. We'll go again if we go back to Costa Rica. Where else can you get such views, make friends and do it all at such a LOW price eating excellent food?? And DO NOT expect English. ...