Mikado Natural Lodge

We went to three hotels during our trip with three teenagers. The other hotels were on the beach. And yet, Mikado Natural Lodge, set into the hills near Pinilla, was by far our favourite stop. There are a few great reasons for this: First you are greeted by Lolo as the lodge's wonderful hostess and founder along with family and staff. She has a natural way of making us feel at home and became an immediate friend. Second is the lodge itself. Simple with 6 cabins on a 7 acre lot surrounded my trees and open sky. There is one dining area which starts the day off with a great breakfast. Then the pool area is as stunning as you see in the pictures. Makado is a perfect place for those wanting a simple, uncomplicated setting to unwind and chill out. Don't come if you need all sorts of services and additional amenities like at a Four Seasons. Come here only if you seek NOT to have a complicated stay. Third are the rooms. Details, details, details. Each room is beautifully designed and laid out. Airco is in place and yes, there are TV's that emerge from the bed-end. Mattresses are firm but not too firm. You feel like you are in a well-kept surrounding. Fourth, being set in nature means you do end up leaving to go to the local town of Pinilla which gives you a very authentic experience. Even our teenagers commented how much they loved the 'real' soda's compared to the restaurants at the other hotels. You have to check out Cactus if you go. This left us with a real authentic Costa Rican experience. I can't say enough about this place. But I'll end this review with my truth that what you see online is what you get. Unlike other hotels that try and photoshop out imperfections, this place has very few imperfections and it gives you a great feeling being a guest there.

What an amazing experience! This place is a hidden gem! Lolo was the very best host! My husband and visited the area and split our bookings out to explore a bit... I only wish I had more time to stay here. Everything was super clean. The room was beautiful and what an amazing view. We even had the pleasure of a monkey visit!! Thank you, Lolo! Oh and your homemade yogurt and crepes were de-li-cous!!

You should stay here! My wife and I spent four lovely nights at Mikado. It is a beautiful and unique place to relax, even in the rainy season. Our room was gorgeous and Lolo is an amazing chef! Don’t pass up a chance to eat dinner with her. We highly recommend!

We stayed at Mikado in April of 2024 for four nights. Lolo, the owner and host, greeted us on check-in and immediately made us feel welcome and at ease. Our bungalow overlooked the surrounding hills and forest and we could see the ocean over the hills. The view was spectacular, especially in the morning and at sunset. We heard and saw a family of howler monkeys in the morning and sometimes in the evenings. Lolo is a great chef and the meals were excellent. Breakfast is available every morning and we had dinner at the lodge on two nights and each was incredible. We wanted to check out beaches and attractions in the area and Lolo gave us tips on when to go, where to park, which restaurants to eat which proved invaluable for a couple of first time Costa Rica travelers. The onsite facilities including the pool, lounge, restaurant area, and grounds are very comfortable and we felt as if we had the entire facility to ourselves at times. Sitting by the pool enjoying a Lolo made cocktail looking up at the stars after a long day of exploring was a wonderful way to end each day. I can't recommend Mikado highly enough, an amazing experience!

We planned only one night there - and stayed for three. Nicely located in the hills this lodge is perfect for a relaxed stay. Lolo, the owner and host of Mikado is truly lovely and will welcome you with great hospitality. The rooms are wonderful, always a nice breath, fully equipped and beautifully designed. The breakfast is all handmade, from the bread to the Marmelade, even the Joghurt! Highly recommended - we will come back!

Just returned from trip to Costa Rica and spent 4 nights at Mikado. Beautiful accommodation in bungalows on the edge of a hilltop about 30 min from Tamarindo. Bedroom area was “indoors” with panoramic views and the bathroom area “outdoors” - completely open air. Rooms and bedding were excellent. Great balcony with a breeze even in the heat. Excellent pool large enough to really swim in. Had a wonderful time also with Lolo the owner who is a chef and her family. She goes out of her way to make the stay enjoyable and gave us excellent advice for restaurants etc. Delicious breakfasts with her homemade fresh bread, homemade yoghurt, fresh local fruit, homemade jams from her friend and crepes every day. She also cooked an amazing 3 course dinner for us one night. This place is really a “hidden gem” and excellent value for everything provided compared with similar accommodations in the area.