Cool House and pool

"Our stay at the Hilltop House was amazing. Everything about the house was perfect! Jeremy and his crew were extremely helpful and they gave us all so much privacy. We were three couples and each had a wonderful time. The view of the house is extremely special and the house makes for a perfect holiday. We can’t wait to go back again!”

Hilltop House is an outstanding choice for vacationers who really want to get away from it all. The open-air home, pool, and expansive veranda are situated in a remote tropical setting that boasts a panorama of breathtaking views. After each day’s main activity, my family and I enjoyed returning to the house to clean up and grab an afternoon swim (or snooze in the hammock). We’d then head back down the semi-private road for dinner at one of several nearby restaurants that offered wonderful food.
The home has a pleasing open floor plan with curvy stucco walls painted in a mix of bold and muted colors. From the outdoor shower off the master bedroom one can choose to watch either the ocean or the jungle. Our family of four—including two teenagers—found that the bedrooms afforded each of us plenty of privacy.
The kitchen is quite basic, but we did not eat at the house much. (The Soda Piedres del Mar is a great choice for breakfast or brunch.) Had we wanted to cook or dine in, I’m confident the nearby groundskeeper and housekeeper would have happily assisted. They were warm and responsive to all our requests. They even interrupted their own errands on the main road one night to help us when we had trouble with a rented ATV. And of course, we greatly appreciated the every-other-day laundry and linen service.
As another guest previously noted, it’s not possible to secure the house completely. But in our view this was part of the place’s unique appeal. Because most of the ocean-facing walls are enclosed in stylish wrought iron gates instead of traditional glass-paned windows, we enjoyed a continuous cooling breeze. Besides, being so far removed from the main road, the house is an unlikely target for crime. Anyone approaching the property has to pass by the home of the attentive groundskeepers. And there’s a gate to the private portion of the road.
The owners could improve the home’s nighttime lighting situation. Considering that it’s in a region that’s had electricity for less than 30 years, however, we decided to read less and listen more—to monkeys, and waves, and wild, wild, storms. That experience alone made this an amazing vacation home.
The only real downside of Hilltop House is that the drive up and down can be hair-raising. It turned out to be more navigable than we had initially feared. Still, like a lot of the roads in Costa Rica, it’s not for the faint of heart.

Hello There!

The vacation was great! We will never forget the view! A million dollar view, that's for sure! The home was stylishly decorated. The layout of the home was perfect for guests with children. The notebook with all the contacts in the area was very helpful. The staff was friendly. The area was centrally located. We will definitely hit you up in the rainy season, whenever we are out that way (end of April is too hot for us).

We had a great time! We will certainly recommend the house to anyone heading that way!

"For a place to be relaxing, inspiring, and invigorating all in the same trip it has to be pretty special. For a start there is no venue I have ever stayed that has a view like this. The sunsets are the most amazing I have seen anywhere, and during the day you are literally at eye level with the birds. The house layout is perfect for the setting .. while away the midday heat in the pool, or drift off in siesta on one of the hammocks, or on the deck while the sounds of the breaking surf waft up the hill. An outdoor dining area makes a perfect setting for enjoying the bounty from a fishing trip .. (or arrange a chef to do it for you!)... and to rise in the morning with the birds/monkeys and look out over the Pacific is awe-inspiring. And Mal Pais itself - a perfect destination that by virtue of its isolation retains the pura vida that we all go to Costa Rica for. Amazing surf, food, beaches and people .. relaxed and uncrowded. This house and this town will make you want to come back .. I have, 6 times!

CW - New York"

After driving 10 hours to get to this home we felt like we had stepped off the battlefield and into paradise. Pictures can never do it justice was the first thing to strike my mind. The house is meticulously kept and tailored to meet the needs of any weary traveler or stress ridden soul. You will instantly feel at home here and be attended to by a first class concierge that will give you all the in's and out's of the area and it's community. The openness of the house brings a full time breeze and a view that Ceasar himself would relish! the owner installed a stereo system that has speakers inside and outside so bring your I-pod and get ready to rock! Our two kids never once turned on the TV and didn't want to leave when the time came. I reccomend bringing binoculars to watch the surfers in the morning and sip your coffe. We are from Florida and found the weather to be quite compatible with what we are accustomed to. Be sure to visit the local fisherman in Malpais at the end of day for the fresh catch, and Montezuma falls for a great day trip. I will say it's a lot of work to get to this house, but once your there you absolutely will not want to leave! Thanks Jeremy for the best vacation our family has had yet!

After much anticipation.... our arrival and experience at this 'Hill Top Luxury House' was anything but luxurious or pleasant. We have rented private homes for over 20 years and can say without a doubt that this was the absolute worst home we have ever rented.

What was probably once a stunning property is now very run down. The photographs advertising this house must have been taken years ago. They are very misleading.

The furniture is weather and water damaged. The very few towels provided were stained. The television did not work. The gas stove 'sparker' was broken (no matches provided). Windows are missing.

A small safe is provided - you can protect your small valuables - but the 'open air' description is misleading - the entire home is open to the outside and the jungle. There is no way to secure this property. Most of the homes in this country are behind barb wire, protected by steel bars or have security alarms, etc. This home has a lock only on the front door but the rest of the house is open. The large doors opening to the deck were near impossible to close as the hinges are broken. Missing windows provide easy access. Both showers are wide open to the outside - and to the bedrooms, which open to the living room, etc.

The few lights have the lowest wattage light bulbs (don't bring any books to read in the evening) - perhaps this was designed to aid in not attracting every insect in the jungle into the house. The mosquitos in the evening were brutal. (one empty can of bug repellant spray was provided) The scorpion in the shower was dead.

Animal dropping were on the floors in the mornings and on the shelves holding the dishes.

The view from the deck would have been beautiful but the property has not been maintained and it was near impossible to see over the bushes.

The basic food items promised to be in the fridge upon our arrival were absent.

And finally.... most home owners provide a book for visitors to leave their comments in.
Yes, this home did have a book - but every single page in the first half of the book had been torn out....

We planned to stay for 15 nights - we endured 2 nights and left - at our expense.....

We hope this review proves to be helpful.