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Summary of reviewsSecret Garden in Cahuita, Costa Rica, provides a standout accommodation experience praised predominantly for its prime location, cleanliness and welcoming atmosphere. Nestled right by Cahuita National Park and close to the beach, the hotel offers an ideal base for nature lovers and those seeking a tranquil seaside escape. Guests appreciate the proximity to local amenities such as the bus terminal, supermarkets and restaurants, facilitating easy exploration and immersion in the vibrant local culture.
Accommodation at Secret Garden spans wooden cottages, cozy cabins and barrel-themed rooms. Each is well-maintained and thoughtfully furnished with modern amenities like private showers, lighting, outlets and fans. Cleanliness is a key highlight with daily cleaning services ensuring that both private and dormitory rooms are kept in pristine condition. Visitors note the spacious bathrooms, comfortable beds and the charming, relaxing ambiance of the garden area, which further enhances their stay.
The hotel’s commitment to cleanliness extends to its communal areas, including the kitchen and bathrooms, which are frequently praised for their immaculate upkeep. The friendly and attentive staff significantly contribute to the positive experience, consistently receiving high marks for their service quality and helpfulness.
For families, Secret Garden proves to be an excellent choice. The spacious and well-equipped family rooms meet the needs of both children and adults with toys and activities available to keep the little ones entertained. The family-friendly environment, combined with the exceptional hospitality from the family-run establishment, ensures a pleasant and relaxing stay.
While the Wi-Fi can be inconsistent with some guests experiencing unstable connections, it works well in certain areas of the property. Parking, though not free and somewhat limited in space, offers secure, gated options that add a layer of safety for guests' vehicles.
Overall, Secret Garden stands out for its exceptional location, high standards of cleanliness, friendly staff and comfortable accommodations, making it a favored choice for travelers seeking to fully experience the natural and cultural beauty of Cahuita. Show more
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Categories
Hotel with Parking
This hotel provides free private parking for guests. It is recognized as a popular choice among users looking for hotels with free parking.
Family Friendly Hotel
Small Hotel
Room Types
Family RoomThe family room includes a private bathroom equipped with a shower. The unit offers 3 beds.
Double RoomThe double room includes a private bathroom fitted with a shower. The unit has 1 bed.
Bed in 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory has a toaster, kitchen and stovetop.
Double Room with Shared BathroomThe double room includes a shared bathroom fitted with a hairdryer. The double room has a terrace. The unit has 1 bed.
Standard Double Room with Shared BathroomThe double room includes a shared bathroom equipped with a hairdryer. The double room features a terrace. The unit offers 1 bed.
Bunk Bed in Female Dormitory Room
Guest Reviews
8.5
Very Good
Location
Nestled in the heart of Cahuita, the Secret Garden is a prime location for travelers keen to explore the natural beauty of Costa Rica. Situated mere steps from the entrance of the renowned Cahuita National Park, the hotel offers unparalleled proximity to lush landscapes and diverse wildlife. Visitors can easily access the park within a couple of minutes, making it an ideal base for nature lovers.
The hotel's location is not just convenient for national park adventures; it's also close to the beach, providing the perfect spot for a tranquil seaside escape. Guests appreciate the easy access to the town's amenities with the bus terminal, supermarkets and restaurants all within walking distance. The central location allows for a seamless blend of convenience, accessibility and immersion in the town's vibrant atmosphere.
The surrounding garden at the Secret Garden is a highlight for many visitors, frequently graced by local wildlife such as sloths, monkeys and raccoons, creating a unique and relaxing backdrop to their stay. This tranquil environment, coupled with the proximity to the national park, invites guests to enjoy both exploration and relaxation.
Overall, the Secret Garden stands out for its fantastic location—right by the Cahuita National Park, near the beaches and in close vicinity to the city's shops and restaurants. The convenience and charm of its setting make it a favored choice for those wishing to fully experience the natural and cultural wonders of Cahuita.
Dinner
Guest reviews of 'Secret Garden' highlight a very nice and welcoming environment with friendly and helpful staff. The hotel's cleanliness is praised with staff maintaining hygiene daily. Guests appreciate the great advice from the receptionist and very good service overall. The hotel owner is noted as being particularly nice.
Visitors find the place to be very quiet at night, contributing to a peaceful stay. The kitchenette is equipped with all the necessary tools for meal preparation, along with free coffee, which adds to the convenience. However, it appears to get crowded during dinner time.
While there are strict rules in place, guests appreciate the prompt responses to their queries and needs. Some negative feedback includes reports of bites from insects or mosquitoes during the night. Overall, the positive aspects such as friendly service, good amenities and a quiet atmosphere stand out in the reviews.
Rooms
Secret Garden offers a unique and charming accommodation experience with its eclectic mix of wooden cottages, cozy cabins and barrel-themed rooms. Notably, the rooms are well-maintained, tastefully furnished and equipped with modern amenities like private showers, lighting, outlets and fans. Cleanliness is a highlight, as both private and dormitory rooms are kept in pristine condition with daily cleaning services. The standout features include spacious bathrooms with massage showers, comfortable beds and thoughtful details that enhance the sense of luxury.
The accommodation provides a relaxing ambiance with a pretty garden area, making it a great place to unwind. Family rooms are especially spacious and come equipped with toys for children, catering well to family needs. Despite the rooms being well-decorated and charming, ventilation can be an issue in some areas, leading to uncomfortably warm conditions.
Guests appreciate the quality of the showers and bathrooms, often describing them as top-notch and modern. The location is also highly praised, being just a short walk away from Cahuita National Park and the bus station, making it convenient for exploring the area.
While some rooms may be smaller and overcrowded, they remain functional and comfortable with the added bonus of large lockers and individual lighting for each bed in dormitories. The thoughtful design and beautiful surroundings make Secret Garden a delightful choice for travelers seeking a mix of comfort, charm and convenience.
Beds
Secret Garden receives ample praise for its comfortable beds, which are described as extremely cozy and conducive to a good night's sleep. Guests appreciate the modern facilities in each bed, such as individual fans, electrical outlets, shelves and reading lights, which add personal convenience. The dormitory beds are also noted to be clean and spacious with reports of large, comfortable mattresses and soft pillows.
Despite some remarks about beds being sensitive to movement and placed close together, the overall satisfaction with the sleeping arrangements remains high. Bunk beds are said to be stable in most cases and bottom bunks can be easily requested. A notable feature is the addition of mosquito nets, which enhances the comfort further, making it easier for guests to sleep uninterrupted.
The room environment is largely kept cool by multiple fans, although there are occasional comments about temperature issues. Additionally, the hostel's organization and cleanliness levels are impressive, ensuring that beds are made fresh daily and the room remains well-maintained throughout the stay.
Overall, Secret Garden’s beds offer a blend of comfort and modern amenities, making it a well-regarded choice for travelers seeking restful and convenient lodging.
Cleanliness
Guests have frequently praised the cleanliness of Secret Garden, highlighting it as a standout feature of the hotel. Reviews consistently mention that the establishment is very clean, including the rooms, shared bathrooms, common areas and kitchen. The showers and toilets are noted for being particularly spotless and well-maintained with daily cleaning ensuring high standards are upheld. The shared spaces, such as the kitchen, are not only clean but also well-equipped and organized.
The overall atmosphere of the hostel is described as clean and comfortable with many guests remarking on the meticulous upkeep of the property. The garden, rooms and communal areas are well looked after and guests appreciate the beautiful and tidy environment. Staff members also contribute to the positive experience by providing friendly and immediate assistance, enhancing the sense of order and cleanliness throughout the property.
However, some reviews mention occasional lapses in the cleanliness of shared spaces like the kitchen, indicating room for improvement in maintaining its immaculate state. Despite these minor issues, the hotel’s cleanliness generally receives high marks, often described with terms like impeccable, super clean and extraordinarily clean.
Secret Garden's commitment to cleanliness creates a welcoming and pleasant stay for guests, particularly for those who value a pristine environment.
Staff
The staff at Secret Garden consistently receive high praise from guests for their friendliness, attentiveness and helpfulness. Both the owners and staff are frequently described as accommodating, welcoming and friendly, making guests feel at ease from the moment they arrive. The team goes above and beyond to assist with various needs, including booking tours and providing tips about the local area. Cleanliness is another strong point with everything from the communal bathrooms to the bed amenities being well-maintained and spotless. Many guests highlight the warm and relaxed atmosphere, supported by a super friendly team that is always ready to help. However, there are occasional mentions of some staff members being difficult to locate and a few instances of stricter policies that were not well-received. Overall, the majority of reviews reflect a highly positive experience, thanks to the attentive and friendly staff who significantly contribute to making Secret Garden a great choice for travelers.
Wi-Fi
Many guests have praised certain aspects of the Wi-Fi at the Secret Garden, noting that there is Wi-Fi available throughout the property with reliable and strong connections in some areas, such as the cabins. Some found the Wi-Fi to be fast and adequate for their needs.
However, the experience with the Wi-Fi seems to be inconsistent with numerous guests reporting issues such as unstable connections, regular disconnections and generally poor performance. Some users indicated that the Wi-Fi often cuts out or works poorly and advised getting a local SIM card for better internet access.
Overall, while the Wi-Fi at Secret Garden can be good in certain spots, many guests experienced problems, highlighting the need for improvements in the internet service to ensure a more consistent and reliable connection throughout the property.
Parking
At 'Secret Garden,' reviews suggest that parking availability is a mixed experience for guests. The hotel provides parking options, including secure, gated and private parking areas and many guests noted that parking was generally available and adequate. However, the parking lot is described as small and some visitors found it uncomfortable and limited in space. It is also worth mentioning that parking is not free, as a fee is required for overnight parking.
Guests appreciated the secure nature of the parking with access controlled by a key, which adds a layer of safety for their vehicles. Despite the limited and sometimes tight spaces, guests were able to find parking on the property. When the hotel’s parking lot is full, some guests mentioned needing to resort to street parking.
Additionally, the hotel's location is favorable as it is close to public transportation with the bus terminal only a short distance away, making it easy for guests to explore the city without relying solely on their cars. The hotel management sometimes allows guests to extend their parking until 1 pm, which is a nice touch for those wanting to explore the nearby park.
Overall, while there are some challenges due to the limited and compact parking spaces, the availability of secure, private and gated parking adds value to the stay at 'Secret Garden.'
Family
Secret Garden offers an ideal setting for families seeking a comfortable and enjoyable stay. The family-owned accommodation is described as spacious, clean and quiet with family rooms being particularly noted for their comfort and well-equipped nature. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, making it a perfect choice for families of all sizes. Kids will find plenty to keep them entertained with toys and activities tailored just for them.
The family that runs the place originally from Costa Rica, receives high praise for their exceptional hospitality. Described as amazing, friendly and incredibly helpful, they ensure guests feel at home and are ready to assist with any questions. This adds to the family-friendly and safe environment, making it a great place for a family vacation.
While enjoying their stay, families can look forward to a pleasant and relaxing experience, enhanced by the welcoming family atmosphere of the hostel. However, it is advisable to bring mosquito repellent due to the vegetation around the area. Overall, Secret Garden stands out as an excellent choice for families looking for a memorable and enjoyable stay.
No, Secret Garden doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Secret Garden.
No, Secret Garden doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Secret Garden.