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Rare, Romantic, Refined....Oceanfront Villa in Las Catalinas on Playa Dant

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Posada San Rafael...romantic oceanfront villa in the town of Las Catalinas
Romantic Santo Domingo fountain is the centerpiece of the open air courtyard
Posada Santo Domingo at night
Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
6 bedrooms6+ bathroomsSleeps 14511 sq m

Popular amenities

  • PoolPoolPool
  • Hot tubHot tubHot tub
  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer

Check out the area

Map
Las Catalinas, Guanacaste Province
  • Popular LocationDanta Beach4 min walk
  • Popular LocationPlaya Potrero10 min drive
  • Popular LocationPenca Beach13 min drive
  • AirportLiberia (LIR-Daniel Oduber Intl.)64 min drive

Rooms & beds

6 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

6 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Bathroom 4

Bathroom 5

Bathroom 6

Bathroom 7

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony

About this property

Rare, Romantic, Refined....Oceanfront Villa in Las Catalinas on Playa Dant

Old monasteries and Latin estancias were the inspiration for the custom fountains, ironwork and lighting found throughout. Artfully integrating luxury with old-world romance, everywhere you look is a feast for the eyes—time-worn columns & pedestals, carved furnishings & artworks, antiques & hand-loomed textiles all give guests a sense of place in this colonial seaside town. Creative architectural elements were meticulously designed to display this curated selection of indigenous Mayan handiwork from the owner’s own collection.

Although it is a challenging to single out "the best thing" about this creative home, top of the list would have to be that there is no "best room". All 5 king suites have their own unique star-studded amenities such as over 100 yr. old columns and pedestals, custom Cuban tile rugs and walls, carved vanities & antique furniture. Fascinatingly detailed antique doors have been refitted to add charm to wardrobes and water closets. Some rooms have café kitchenettes. One has a private fountain plunge pool. Another can be either a king or two twins. All have private outside terraces or balconies to the ocean. And each has a stunning ensuite bath with refined appointments, giving every guest a master suite experience. (The 5th suite is the converted library which can be either a king or two twins, which also has an incredible ensuite bath). Even the 4-bed bunk room is whimsically alluring with reading lights and outlets in niches for each bed. Bedding and linens are the finest hotel quality and will give you the best sleep of your life as you fall asleep to the surf. Picking a best room is like choosing between a palace and a castle!

(If a 6-bedroom home is too much home for your party, consider inquiring about the many configurations this home affords. Considered one of the most original & architecturally inventive homes in town, this house can function as a one-bedroom ultra-luxury oceanfront home or a 2, 3, 4 or 6-bedroom home!)

Whether needing a family vacation home for up to 14 or a place for up to 5 couples to share, each of the suites open to outdoor space true to colonial architecture, with fountain notes & ocean waves lending a sense of serenity & privacy not found in traditional home architecture. When wishing to gather together, shared spaces are destinations unto themselves: a rooftop terrace with a fire table and star-gazing pool (or sunbathing during the day!); a plunge pool with seating around the perimeter; an oceanfront alfresco dining & lounging area; and a quiet, cool library to escape for a nap or a good read. And last but certainly not least, the beach is a 15 second trot down the trail directly in front of the home--this space being designed by mother nature especially for you!

The Cuban-tiled sunny kitchen with poolside chat table makes meal preparation a happy task. Dining is a fun social experience with so many places to eat comfortably. Large screen TV's, books and games give guests options for relaxation after soaking up the tropical sun all day. Speaking of sun, complimentary beach towels, bags & beach chairs are ready for your uninterrupted ocean fun. And because everyone, including Mom, is on vacation, Flor, the ever present but always discreet house manager, is available daily to help with breakfast preparation, maintain the home in pristine condition and keep your family & friends in fresh sheets and towels.

Included with this villa is membership to the private oceanfront Beach Club which is just 4 doors down. With 4 pools, a fitness center, bar and restaurant, it’s a nice alternative to the beach! And when ready for adventure, Pura Vida Ride, a 3-minute walk down the beach, has the latest in water sporting for rent: paddle boards, kayaks, snorkeling well as bikes for the trails. Did you know that Las Catalinas trails have been voted some of the best in the world for off road biking? There are fabulous hiking trails, as well, with break taking vistas! If wandering further afield, let our premier concierge service (an amenity of this home) attend to your every need from reservations to excursions--they know everyone and can arrange dozens of fabulous experiences for your party.

Whether gazing at the ocean waves from every room or taking in the romance of the dancing reflections on the courtyard walls, you will be captivated by the beauty of this hidden gem nestled on the exotic black sand shores of Playa Danta.

Property manager

Nancy Neuman

Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 12
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Over 12 years of age

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please honor the town's quiet hours after 9 pm

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Las Catalinas

Located in Las Catalinas, this villa is on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Playa Potrero and Flamingo Beach. Travelling with kids? Consider Haras del Mar Equestrian Center and Diamante Eco Adventure Park.
Map
Las Catalinas, Guanacaste Province

What's nearby

  • Danta Beach - 4 min walk
  • Playa Potrero - 10 min drive
  • Playa Prieta - 11 min drive
  • Penca Beach - 13 min drive
  • Flamingo Beach - 23 min drive

Getting around

  • Tamarindo (TNO) - 50 min drive

Restaurants

  • Riu Guanacaste sports bar - 34 min drive
  • Restaurante Papagayo - 35 min drive
  • Monkey's Bar y Restaurante - 35 min drive
  • Coco Loco Bar & Restaurant - 18 min drive
  • Pacha Discoteque - 34 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Rare, Romantic, Refined....Oceanfront Villa in Las Catalinas on Playa Dant have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Rare, Romantic, Refined....Oceanfront Villa in Las Catalinas on Playa Dant pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Rare, Romantic, Refined....Oceanfront Villa in Las Catalinas on Playa Dant?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Rare, Romantic, Refined....Oceanfront Villa in Las Catalinas on Playa Dant?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Rare, Romantic, Refined....Oceanfront Villa in Las Catalinas on Playa Dant located?

Nestled on the beach, this Las Catalinas villa is within 1 mi (2 km) of Danta Beach and Dantita Beach. Playa Prieta and Penca Beach are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 9 out of 9 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 9 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 9 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 9 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 9 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

uriel s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great!
Great place!
Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chuck S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Top Las Catalinas Home
Beautiful home. Great location. Amazing staff.
Stayed 11 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lavelle C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family yearly vacation
This was a phenomenal vacation. The house manager, Flor, was the best in preparing food and helping us. The home was lovely and close to restaurants and activities. We loved the historical old-world decor. This is a place we would spend another week for our family vacation.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Maggie U.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Incredible stay that exceeded all our expectations
I can't quite put it into words just how much I loved staying at Posada San Rafael. Everything about this residence is so tastefully done, I felt instantly like I was at home AND like I was on the trip of a lifetime. The beach access is so lovely, the town itself is idyllic, but what I loved most about my time on this trip was just sitting in the common spaces of Posada San Rafael and listening to the birds or watching the sunset. I would come back again in an instant!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Leigh F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely wonderful!
My family and I had a fantastic stay at Nancy’s beautiful property. The villa is lovely, with a terrific layout, lots of gorgeous indoor and outdoor spaces, and filled with beautiful art and textiles. Nancy was super helpful and responsive in planning our trip and we can’t say enough good things about the house manager Flor. We loved Las Catalinas and would certainly return to Nancy’s lovely villa. Thank you for a fantastic stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

About the host

Hosted by Nancy Neuman

Host profile image
My teen years were spent in Costa Rica. The beaches close to my home were uninhabited at the time....I slept in a hammock on many of them with sea turtles laying their eggs underneath and howler monkeys making off with my soap! Life was ideal and those formative years set me on a course of love for and appreciation of the Latin American culture and their people. Costa Rica was exceptionally poor back then and I vowed in my heart to do something someday to help the impoverished. I have spent almost two decades leading medical teams with Refuge International to care for the impoverished Mayan people in Guatemala. In return, I have reaped the benefit of exposure to their fascinating culture and an intense appreciation for the artistry of their architecture and furnishings which has been honed over generations, and which fill this home.

The Posada San Rafael is the culmination of a lifetime of exposure to colonial Latin American culture and a labor of love for the people of Guatemala, Costa Rica and Nicaragua who painstakingly produced the lovely artifacts, fountains, columns and other details which have made this villa one of the most outstanding homes in picturesque Las Catalinas.

Why they chose this property

Costa Rica gave me the best three years of my life when I was a teenager living here. I brought my husband on a short visit to show off my Costa Rica, and when we walked into the then brand new town of Las Catalinas, he said "Whatever they're selling, we're buying!" We bought the last beachfront lot available the very next day! Once you see this town you'll know why it turned our is nothing like it anywhere in Costa Rica. And the property we purchased was beachfront. Beach. Front. Sold.

What makes this property unique

It has always been a dream of my husband to own a home on the beach. And I have always wanted to create a colonial style home. Wha-la!! Las Catalinas was designed just for us! We crafted a villa which has views and surf sounds from every room, and an outdoor circulation. We chose oversized wooden beams and columns which give the home heft and age. As it was being built, it resembled more of a remodel of an antiquity than a new home---just what I wanted! Designed to live like a boutique hotel, there is tremendous privacy between all rooms, while the communal spaces are generous in size. The outdoor living area is open on four sides yet still connected to the house--now that was a feat! Ocean breezes are important so the interior courtyard works like a chimney to draw warm air out and the cool ocean breezes in. The attention to detail and thoughtfulness of all elements of this home make it a treasure you should experience at least once in your lifetime!

(This villa rents out as private suites on another site).
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