Hotel Belvedere

Owned by a long-time German expat, Hotel Belvedere attracts lots of Germans, though other Europeans, Canadians, and Americans are also frequent guests. Though the owner can be a bit rough around the edges, he keeps the property in pristine condition. The hotel is surrounded by beautifully manicured tropical gardens that make it feel like a secluded jungle oasis. It's this peaceful atmosphere that attracts older couples, although the affordable rates don't hurt either. During our visit, the clientele was almost exclusively above the age of 50. 

Hotel Belvedere is located on a small hill in the middle of downtown Samara. The hotel is a five-minute walk from the beach, local shops, restaurants, and bars. Guests will need a car if they plan to explore the area, as taxis are hard to come by. Samara is a charming beach town with a varied Tico/expat population. Guests will find organic cafes and burger joints alongside traditional Tico “sodas” and street-side coconut vendors. It's a bit more laid-back, and not as touristy as nearby Nosara, but the area is much more built up than neighboring Puerto Carillo. While Samara is more of a pit stop that a full-blown destination, it does have excellent paved roads and can be easily accessed by highway 150. The two closest international airports are in Liberia (a two-hour drive) and San Jose (a four-hour drive).

The Belvedere’s 22 rooms are colorfully decorated in primary shades of yellow, red, and blue. Walls are adorned with eccentric artwork, from indigenous tapestries to modern watercolors to exotic wood carvings, and a handful of tchotchkes like pinecones and sea shells give a flourish to the simple dark-wood furniture. Double Rooms are equipped with one double bed, while Family and Triple Rooms have a double bed and an additional single bed. Rooms aren’t large, so travelers seeking additional space should consider upgrading to these larger categories. In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, mini fridges, coffeemakers, and electronic safes. Bathrooms are tight on space and only have narrow shower stalls (no tubs), but water temperature and pressure are both consistent. Rooms are housed in a two-story building, so those on lower floors feel darker than their upper-floor counterparts. Upper-floor rooms also have access to a shared balcony, while lower-floor ones have semi-private patios. 

Hotel Belvedere has a small pool in the center of its lush property. Like the rest of the hotel, the pool is pristinely kept. The pool's tiles appear spotless, the water is crystal clear, and the plastic lounge chairs on the pool deck are clean and neatly aligned. Guests use the pool throughout the day, but it’s never crowded or loud. The hotel also has a small, secluded whirlpool that surrounded by palm trees and hibiscus. Guests can purchase hot breakfast in the hotel’s second floor breakfast room, but it isn’t always available during the slow season (May-November). (There is a small bakery around the corner from the hotel that makes a good alternative when breakfast isn't offered.) Wi-Fi is free and works well across the property.