Hotel Tramonto

Hotel Tramonto takes its name from the Italian word for sunset, a reference to the beautiful setting suns that can be viewed on Playa Hermosa across the road. The beach is known for its fantastic surfing conditions, and the hotel attracts a fair share of travelers looking to ride the waves. The pool is the main gathering spot, and the ambience can get intensely buzzy when the hotel is at full capacity. The rooftop deck provides a slightly more tranquil spot to linger. The hotel’s out-of-the-way location should suit travelers seeking to avoid Jaco’s raucous nightlife scene, but guests without a car are likely to feel isolated. The only building standing on a long stretch of country road, Hotel Tramonto stands out like a lone bastion of civilization, although there's nothing distinguished about its exterior. The lobby is small and dark, offering a single sofa and tons of brochures for local tours. The hotel draws mainly couples, especially surfers, from around the world.

Hotel Tramonto is off one of the region’s main coastal highways, bordered by undeveloped plots of land punctuated by trees. Playa Hermosa beach is across the road. This black-sand beach is popular with surfers, and it hosts several surfing competitions throughout the year, but the current is generally too strong for swimming. With virtually no other hotels in the area, guests often have the beach to themselves. Aside from the beach, there’s nothing within walking distance of the hotel. It’s a 10-minute drive to Jaco, which has lively bars, restaurants, shops, and another great beach. Carara National Park is about a 35-minute drive away, and Juan Santamaria Airport can be reached in about a 90-minute drive.

The 76 rooms at Hotel Tramonto have a rather generic look, with tile floors and a beige color palette. Beds have crisp white linens accented by beige skirts, throw pillows, and runners, and a few banal "scene" paintings behind the beds. All rooms have wood work desks and 32-inch flat-screen TVs, but no mini-fridges and coffeemakers. Wi-Fi is officially available only in the common areas, but many guests said they could connect in their rooms. Closets hold safes and a few wire shelving units. Bathrooms have cantilevered sink, and showers with sliding glass doors. Hairdryers are provided, along with basic toiletries. Superior Rooms and Suites have narrow, unfurnished balconies, which have pool or partial views of the ocean and surrounding landscape. Suites also include whirlpool tubs in the bedrooms. Ground-floor rooms open directly onto the pool deck, giving guests little privacy when they open the curtains. Plus, they can be noisy.

As a mid-range property without a lot of frills, Hotel Tramonto manages to cover the basics. A long, rectangular pool is set in an attractive deck with brown loungers set amid the hotel’s two buildings. An arched bridge stretches across the pool. More loungers, along with comfy sofas and patio tables are set up on the hotel’s pretty rooftop terrace, which offers nice views of the ocean. The beach is across the street, and the hotel doesn't provide loungers or umbrellas. (The current here is usually too strong for swimming as well.)The on-site restaurant, which specializes in Italian cuisine, is pleasant, with arched pillars and a subtle gray-and-brown color palette. Windows along one side look out on the ocean, while the pool is visible on the opposite side. Breakfast is included in the room rate, and it offers a traditional Costa Rican breakfast along with more American fare.The fitness center is tiny -- and hot -- with a treadmill, stationary bike, and two elliptical machines, which are not state-of-the art and don't always work. There’s also a small meeting room that can accommodate up to 12 people. Free Wi-Fi is available in the common areas. A PC is set up in the lobby for guests' use. Free parking is offered in the front and back of the property.