This week Costa Rica Holiday, a unique Travel Agency based in San Jose, Costa Rica released its list of top 10 Costa Rican Hotels. The hotels were graded on customer responses and feedback over the year 2006/2007, but also their efficiency when dealing with Costa Rica Holiday. Every 6 months Costa Rica Holiday will grade its top 10 hotels and publish the results with an award ceremony at the end of the year to thank its partners for their high level of service and continued support. It is always hard to rank fantastic hotels however Costa Rica Luxury Holiday believes that these top 10 hotels, if chosen as part of a holiday package would fulfill all the requirements of a fantastic experience in Costa Rica. Below you will find the list of hotels and the reason for their being in the top 10 hotels:

La Mansion Arenal
This hotel has been around for over 20 years and is a boutique style cottage hotel situated on the shores of Lake Arenal. Our clients always give great feedback about the style of the hotel, the level of friendly service and the great food. Currently they have a special from August 1st - December 15th that if you spend 3 nights at the hotel the 4th night is free.

Punta Islita
(Part of the Small; Luxury Hotels of the world (of which there are 2 in Costa Rica), Punta Islita rises above a lot of hotels in Costa Rica due to its luxurious nature and its quiet and private location. Never having complaints from us this hotel deserves to be here. This year Conde Naste Magazine rated this hotel one of the top 2 in Costa Rica.

Latitude 10
This small eco-boutique jungle beach hotel only has 5 rooms but makes up for this in its service and first class cuisine. With previous guests such as Mel Gibson and Winston Churchill's grandchildren it is easy to see why this gem is up there. Rated the top restaurant in Costa Rica by us.

Peace Lodge
Peace Lodge is a unique property situated near the La Paz Waterfall Gardens and the Poas Volcano. The staff at the hotel are very attentive and the natural décor of the rooms mixed with the level of luxury give people a sense of a natural stay in paradise.

Aguila de Osa
Situated in the Osa Peninsula, which is a biologically diverse area of Costa Rica and the world. You would normally your David Attenborough and Jeff Corwin's running around the rainforest here. Clients are constantly stating that the wildlife diversity here is its great advantage and closeness to the Corcovado National Park.

Lapa Rios
Probably one of the most recognized hotels in Costa Rica for its sustainable and eco-policies, the Lapa Rios offers guests a little slice of luxury in a rustic and natural setting. The food at this hotel is always being rated well as is the beautiful wildlife that you get to see up close and personal (Scarlet Macaws, Sloth's, monkeys, Toucans, etc). This hotel deserves to be here just for being a 'Green hotel' and the help it gives to local community.

Grano de Oro
Part of the 'Small Distinctive Hotels of Costa Rica', Grano de Oro always returns glowing responses from our customers. They love the colonial Costa Rican décor, the high attentive level of service and of course the fabulous restaurant. Even speaking to them on the phone is a pleasure as they understand customer service. This is a must for any San Jose traveler.

Four Seasons
What can you say about the Four Seasons? It is the Four Seasons. The hotel is known for its super high level of service and is probably the only true and real 5 star hotel in Costa Rica. Being sprayed by Evain water while at the pool and smoking hand rolled fresh cigars just does not happen anywhere. You know what you are getting here and it has a loyal following. This is the other top hotel in Costa Rica rated by Conde Naste.

Hotel Gaia
A new hotel to Manuel Antonio opening up in 2006. This hotel has lifted the bar in Manuel Antonio and has made many a hotel rethink their concept. Gaia offers 5 star service in a unique and natural location. There motto is that the client will have the stay of their life. With the high level of personal service and the attention to detail there is no reason why Gaia should not be here. Customers enjoy the service and the room designs.

Hotel Makanda by the Sea
Last but not least is the Makanda by the Sea Boutique Jungle hotel. This hotel offers private villas and studio set within tropical rainforest with panoramic ocean views and our clients favourite: breakfast in bed. To our knowledge this is the only hotel in Costa Rica where breakfast must be ate in bed.

Here is hoping that if anyone reading this has any of these hotels in their holiday itinerary then there will be in for a fantastic time.

This article was written by Richard Bexon of Costa Rica Luxury Holiday and does not reflect the industry or the Agencies view on any hotel not included in the list.