Name: Las Nubes Natural Energy Resort
Address: Puntarenas, Costa Rica, Portalon, Portalon, Portalon, 60602, Costa Rica
Rating: 10

Garden

Terrace

Patio

Outdoor furniture

General

Family room

Shower/Bathtub

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Bathrobe

Mosquito net

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Rooms

Safe-deposit box

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Restaurant

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Spanish

English

French

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Tour assistance

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Hiking

Fishing

Sun Deck

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Free parking

Parking

Swimming pool

Outdoor pool

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Pool and beach

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Massage

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Family/Kid Friendly

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Pets allowed

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At the resort

Room amenities

Quepos Airport

Las Nubes Natural Energy Resort

Portalon

Paradise! Fantastic how Filip created this on the top of a 500m high hill with magnificent views over the forest as well as the coast area (beach, Manuel Antonio, ...). The main building made in Gaudi style is a beauty (even with small swimming pool), the open air cabines are perfect for an enjoyable & luxury stay. On top of all this Filip is a 'chef' and he will prepare you a customized, delicious dinner & breakfast.
It is perfect (even, yes, the road up to paradise is not so easy and needs a 4x4 car)!

PARADISE on top of the hill! Absolute must!

Having enjoyed our stay at Las Nubes in 2020 we were looking forward to returning, and very pleased we chose to do so.  To say Las Nubes is isolated is an understatement.  For those who want solitude, an interesting open-air cabina, a great host and excellent food the 7 kms drive up a one-lane ‘road’ east of Matapalo with a welcoming sign reading ‘Bad Roads bring Good People’ is well worth it.

Although some do go out for day adventures (the road is not so bad after one has driven it once) we stayed put for our three days.  We were happy to enjoy the sounds of the jungle / rainforest – the birds and the insects (during our stay the Cicadas were particularly loud).  Although they are apparently around at times, we did not see any animals during our stay.

Filip greeted us as old friends.  His communication through out direct booking was excellent.  

Although it was hot and humid when we arrived it cooled down nicely in the evening such that we enjoyed an extremely comfortable sleep, without fans.  

Filip enjoys cooking and it shows.  His late afternoon tapas are interesting and delicious and dinners are great and creative served with a number of side dishes. 

Wi-Fi is very reliable and fast, and the small pool is all that is needed to cool off in the afternoon.

Las Nubes is not for everyone (isolated, not much to do without heading down to the coast, open air cabinas), but as has been said “Those who like it like it a lot”, which perfectly describes our experience.

So glad we returned

We were overwhelmed by the beauty and unique architecture of Las Nubes. The location makes it up for the bad road. The views are stunning! After a few times driving up and down the road you understand  its a blessing….  there’s no highway to paradise!
  
Waking up by the call of a toucan and enjoying breakfast while watching and listening to the animals around you… what more could one wish for? 
Despite we didn’t wish for anything more, we got so much more.  Filip made us the most delicious food from all over the world. His talent goes beyond cooking. He makes you feel home. 

We can recommend this boutique hotel to every one who wants to experience real nature!!!

Heaven is a place on earth

I'm writing this review with mixed feelings. For the first time in travelling the world over 20 years we decided to leave an accomodation within a few hours after arrival. Even if it set us back about 600 euro. We decided that we would not allow Las Nubes the spoil our 3 last nights of the Pura Vida.

At arrival we were greeted by host Filip who seemed a bit surprised that we showed up at 14h, the time communicated to us as check-in time. In any case the main shared part of the accomodation was unprepared for us. The pool was not cleaned and some curtains needed to be opened. Also the terrace needed some attention since it was covered in old dried leaves.  Something that never happened in our previous 6 locations in Costa Rica.  You always had a staffmember keeping the walking trails and common areas as terraces and gardens nice and clean. 
 
After a refreshing drink we were shown our rather big but dark hut for the next 3 nights. The host first needed to check if the toilet was clean and then immediatly gave us a big industrial broom to fight of all things crawling.  He also advised not to turn on the light since there were wolfspiders (tarantula).

To say the hut was dirty would be false. To say it was as clean as i would expect, would be a bigger lie. Yes it is in nature and yes it was an open construction but we stayed in cleaner basic jungle huts on the Pacuara river and open eco deks in Turrialba.

Once we returned to the main building the pool was partial cleaned but still had a lot of decomposed leaves and dead insects.

When pointing the state of the terrace and pool we were kinda laughed away "this is real nature ". I would call this neglect or maybe shortstaffed.  Or did covid had some negative effects so the money to upkeep the nice building was no longer there? I do not know...

When i entered the main dining area some minutes later i was confronted by several spiders on which i asked the host to remove the most obvious once since my wife is realy not keen on spiders and the broom-announcement was still very fresh.

Again I was first laughed at. Then addressed in a defensive manor I would not address guests. At the harsh remark of Filip that this was maybe not the place for us, i decided he was right. But to say who was the main responsable,  that is a tough cookie. There was indeed maybe a mismatch but now some time later i still feel that if the lodge was as clean and maintained as all other places we stayed at in Costa Rica, this could be a different review.

But it isnt. The place is not up to basic standards. The delta between the beautiful blue pool with clean terrace on social media and the reality is miles and miles apart. Even from a budget place i would not accept this. For a 300 dollar plus a night this is plain neglect.

I guess there is a reason why we were the only guests even if it was high season. Seems that a lot of people already are smart enough not to visit Las Nubes.

A great deception

We had a wonderful 3 days stay with Filip. We have never been to Costa Rica before. We were looking for a remote vacation and that’s what we found at Las Nubes.
The lodge is 500m up in the mountains, which give you the best sun set and sun rise you could ever imagine.
We stayed in the two bedroom Villa, a little big for the two us but Perfect for families! The lodge, the villa is very clean and 100% sunstainable/ eco friendly.
Filip has done an Amazing job with the lodge and he is happy to give you a tour in his amazing garden.
Besides that he makes and serves a delicious breakfast and diner himself, which gives you a feeling as if you are home!

We will definitely come back with our children, it is a beautiful and peaceful place, with lots of activities around the area!!

Thank you again Filip

The best start of our vacation in Costa Rica

After a 4x4 access on a rocky road, we discovered an extraordinary house and setting, a real paradise! Everything is beautiful, the architecture is open to nature, every room, every view on each side of the house, the garden... we are away from everything else. It is a unique experience to sleep in the middle of this nature. We watched every sunrise and sunset. We had a delicious stay. The owner has a sense of hospitality and extra service. We were excellent with the small care; breakfast and dinner are excellent, with products of good quality. Thank you again for this rare moment, which will remain engraved in our memories.

The Paradise

As expected the drive up was fairly challenging but fine in the dry weather and we had hired a small 4x4. The place is stunning with a futuristic feel but slightly akin to barberella! We were met by Filip and given a welcoming beer. The main building has several sunbeds and a small, infinity style plunge pool, and several viewing decks taking in the spectacular views. We were shown to our thatched roundel which was well appointed with 4 poster bed with reassuring mosquito nets, a lovely walk in shower and nice little seating area -ours had views over the ocean. Filip individually prepares all the meals taking into account customer preferences.. all meals were delicious and included a starter, main and dessert. Everyone sits around a large communal table which makes it a very social occasion. Rosie, Filips assistant, did a wonderful garden tour of all herbs and spices and even gave a demo of how the sugarcane is processed. They were always on the look out for something to show the guests such as the sloths, toucans or dart frogs. This was a very unique stay and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Unique experience coupled with great food

Las Nubes is a one of a kind boutique hotel that charmed us from the beginning till the end of our experience! The sign at the entrance of the property already gives you a good feel about what this place is all about « bad roads being good people ». We had the pleasure to meet Filip, a Belgian compatriot, who designed this place with a unique style and a Gaudi-inspired architecture. The whole idea is to feel at home (Filip is cooking in front of you in an open kitchen and you will share meals with the other guests around a communal table) while at the same time enjoying a lush Costa Rican nature. The villas are open, giving you a true feel of the nature around. You can spot many tucans, monkeys, and frogs right on the property. The lodge is fully eco-responsible and the nice garden has been designed with the help of some university students to make it sustainable. Most of the food is locally produced (cheese, bread, yoghurt, fruits and vegetables, spices and herbs etc.) to make you enjoy a great dinner and breakfast.
Finally, don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in a nice and relaxing massage given by Filip’s wife Fabiola!
We really loved this place and the experience as a whole! Filip and Fabiola are fantastic hosts and we can only recommend you to go and see for yourself!

A unique and fantastic concept in Costa Rica

You have to drive 7 km uphill on a rough road, be sure to have a 4x4!. 
Once you arrived you forget the way up, its the most beautiful place we stayed in Costa Rica! The room ( open rondavel) is so nice! We were the only guest, and they gave a room whit a view! The owner (belgium) is a very nice person, we had breakfast and diner there, everything fresh and very tasteful! We can recommend this paradise to every one.

Paradise on the muntain

We (family with two kids 12 + 8) spent 4 days at Las Nubes and simply loved everything about it. The scenerie is second to none. Incredible views, amazing wildlife in the middle of the jungle. We saw monkeys, tucans, sloths, frogs and vulptures. Filip and his team are so welcoming and kind. Filip is an incredible cook and we felt very spoiled. The resort itself is so special and embedded in the nature that you really become part of it.
We will come back for sure.

Las Nubes Natural Energy Resort

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