Kunken Boutique Hotel

We loved, loved, loved the location. It was paradise. We loved the calm bay and the set up of the villas. It was very peaceful and we enjoyed the feeling of having the place to ourselves. We loved the staff. They were all very professional,polite, friendly and attentive. We enjoyed the kayaks and the beach dinner. It was truly different and amazing all the effort they went to make it a one-of-a-kind stay.

We didn’t like the fact that the villas weren’t air conditioned. It was very warm at night and took awhile for them to cool off.

Idyllic location

The area is beautiful, very remote.

- The staff seemed very unhappy to be there and to be serving patrons. Something we didn’t experience in any other hotel in Costa Rica. They were unable to communicate. Only one manager was nice enough, but he couldn’t communicate much either. The other one just seemed perpetually angry. - Rooms don’t lock and no AC either. It being in the middle of the jungle, the humidity was unbearable. The only AC is in the manager’s room, which also doubles as a reception. There are ceiling fans in the outdoor dining area and bar, but most of them don’t work. - Place is very remote. If you don’t have a car, taxis will cost a fortune. Hotel will charge you a premium for booking through them.

The lodge is surrounded by nature in a clearing directly on the Golfo Dulce. There are only 6 bungalows, so the number of guests remains small and this provides a very relaxed atmosphere. The bungalows each have 2 bedrooms, both with their own bathrooms, one of which has an outdoor shower. In one of the rooms there is an (empty) fridge, a coffee machine and a tea maker. There is no television (why would there be in this environment). There is no air conditioning, only a ceiling fan, which is quiet and efficient. All terraces offer beautiful views over the gulf. The two bedrooms are only separated by a thin wall, so you can hear everything that happens in the other room. They are therefore more suitable for families or if you know each other (very) well and can put up with that. We were travelling as two couples and didn't realise this. We felt it was a great courtesy that we were offered accommodation in separate bungalows for at least 3 of the 4 nights we had booked, as the booking situation allowed for this. We also felt that we were well looked after in every other respect. Everyone was very friendly and our every wish was fulfilled. There were lots of animals to watch and the best thing was the macaws that had their lunch in a tree on the beach every evening. We had a partner massage in an enchanted spa in the forest by a stream, which was unique. You get used to the lack of air conditioning surprisingly well, especially as it cools down to 20°C at night and the bungalows are open all round (protected by fly screens). Contrary to expectations, there were hardly any mosquitoes. The food was very good and varied enough for a 4-day stay. There was only a small salad as an alternative to soup as a starter, in this respect there could be a little more choice. Everything is very attractively designed. Thanks to the Kunken team for a great stay at this special place! We will definitely be back.

What was there to criticise? That was actually only the communication in advance. This is apparently handled by an office in San Jose and the staff there don't seem particularly motivated. Answers are only received with a delay or after repeated requests and enquiries do not reach the lodge. We had booked a tour to Corcovato NP early on, which the lodge didn't know about when we arrived and which therefore didn't materialise. Strange payment links are also sent out, although the booking is made with the information that payment by credit card is possible. This was particularly tricky in our case, as the lodge's booking account was hacked and we only recognised that it was a fake message when our firewall warned us. Kudos to Booking who helped us in this situation and were able to stop this with the lodge office. You should therefore always insist on payment by credit card and be careful with links in emails - even via the Booking email system.

Insgesamt ein wirklich schönes Hotel in traumhafter Lage. Unser Zimmer hatte einen wunderschönen Blick aufs Meer. Der Empfang war sehr freundlich. Ansonsten wirkte der Service eher unmotiviert. Obwohl es sehr ruhig im Hotel war, waren die Bedienung bei den Mahlzeiten manchmal längere Zeit nicht anwesend. Leider waren die Mahlzeiten eher unterdurchschnittlich. Das Abendessen war leider das schlechteste, das wir bisher in Costa Rica hatten. Fisch mit einen halbrohen Backkartoffel und drei Scheiben(!) Gemüse waren wirklich enttäuschend für den aufgerufenen Preis. Viel Potenzial, das leider im Moment nicht genutzt wird.

Just 8 villas at a stunning location right by the ocean with a beautiful and vast gardens surrounded by pristine jungle and wildlife. Excellent food and drinks. Dolphins, kayaking and more....Doesn't get better than that.