Hotel Tilawa

Description:

• Built to resemble the Palace of Knossos on the island of Crete, the Hotel Tilawa sits high on the slopes above the lake and has a sweeping vista down to the water. It's primarily a windsurfers' and kiteboarders' hangout, and there's often an untended or sloppy feel to the place, particularly in terms of service and upkeep. Unusual colors and antique paint effects give the hotel a weathered look; inside there are wall murals and other artistic paint treatments throughout. Rooms have dyed cement floors, Guatemalan bedspreads, and big windows. Some have kitchenettes. Tilawa can arrange windsurfing, kiteboarding, mountain-biking, horseback-riding, and fishing trips. There's even a small skate park for radical skateboarders and BMX freestyle bikers, which makes this a good place to bring teenagers. The hotel also features a small spa, an outdoor pool, and one of the few microbrew operations in Costa Rica.

• © Frommer's 2013