Hotel Belmar is the stylish, high-end address in Monteverde, built on a hillside at around 1,400 to 1,600 metres where the cloud forest meets views toward the Gulf of Nicoya. It is a member of Design Hotels and the guest rating on the booking page is an exceptional 9.6 from more than 360 reviews, with top marks for location, cleanliness and staff. The property mixes chalet rooms beside a nature trail, Peninsula rooms with garden views, large Nicoya suites and a collection of private villas, and the style is modern and warm, with wood, glass and local materials. Breakfast is cooked to order and included, parking is free and the spa and the farm-to-table restaurant keep most guests on site for at least one evening.
Location and getting around
The hotel sits a short drive from the middle of Monteverde, with its address given as a few hundred metres north-east of the Monteverde petrol station. You will want a car, a taxi or a shuttle for the reserves, the canopy parks and the village, so ask the hotel to arrange transfers and tours.
A paid airport shuttle is available. The setting is peaceful and green, with a hotel nature trail for early walks and birdwatching, and the cloud forest weather brings mist, cool evenings and sunsets over the gulf on clear days.
The rooms
Peninsula rooms are the entry point and sleep up to four with two queen beds, while Superior and Forest rooms have a king bed. Canopy rooms and Cloud Forest studios add a sofa bed for families, and Nicoya suites, of more than a thousand square feet with panoramic views, are the romantic choice.
The Artista villas, with one or two bedrooms, suit groups or long stays. Dining is a highlight: Celajes serves farm-to-table cooking, there is a brewery bar and a juice and tea room, and breakfast is included. Quiet rooms are easy to find because of the hillside layout, and ground-floor access varies by room, so request what you need.Good to know: rates sit at the top of the Monteverde market, with a high-season night costing several hundred dollars, so this is a splurge for a special trip.
Pets are not allowed and the property is smoke-free. Some reviewers mention limited activities for teenagers, no gym, occasional noise from deck chairs in the main lodge and inconsistent restaurant service, but most guests praise the staff, the views and the food. It suits couples, honeymooners and travellers who want comfort and design after days of muddy trails, and it works well for a two-to-three night stay.
Why stay here
- ✓Breakfast cooked to order, included
- ✓Farm-to-table restaurant (Celajes)
- ✓Spa
- ✓Free self parking
- ✓Free WiFi
- ✓Brewery bar and juice bar
- ✓Nature trail and gardens
- ✓Paid airport shuttle
Good questions
Is Hotel Belmar worth the price?+
It is the top-end choice in Monteverde, with exceptional guest ratings, a spa, farm-to-table dining and breakfast included. It is best for a special trip.
Does the rate include breakfast?+
The booking page shows breakfast cooked to order as included, along with free parking and WiFi. Confirm at booking, as rates can vary.
Is the hotel suitable for families?+
Several rooms sleep three to six, and villas suit groups, but the hotel is quieter and more adult in style. Reviewers mention limited activities for teenagers.
