I loved Hotel Tilawa! I basically grew up there! I always lived in san diego but went there probably around 9 times when i was 6, 7 and 8 maybe when i was 5 too. some of the staff was my family. it was always lots of fun though. playing pool, wake boarding, ridding on the jet skis (wich are curently not working), watching TV, ridding my horse (witch is not avalible for visitors, sorry), swimming in the pool, having fun in the hot tub, working in the garden, taking hikes through the forest, playing tennis on the tennis courts, swimming in the lake. It's pobably my most favorite place in the world! I miss it and want to go back soon! I understand that it has not been as well mantained as it used to be with the bad economy (less tourists), But it still thrives with fun! If your kind of snooty and cant stand nature then go off to one of thoes 5 star hotels. But i promise this place is a blast if you just keep a good adittude and find all the fun things to do! I loved it soooooo much! I havent been there in 4 years, since i was eight, but I miss it so much! I want to go back becaus eof how much fun i had! The rooms are pretty good. I never found alot of bugs. I got quite a lot of mosqito bites but thats probly because i had at least 2 chocolate milks a day and a lot of other sugar wich made my blood sweet, and its costa rica so there's gonna be mosqitos, i would sugjest you bring mosqito spray... with deet. I alwaysed LOVED the food! in the moring i would get french toast and chocolate milk, i don't know what i had for lunch, and every night before my mom could stop me, or before i asked her i would go to the cheff and ask her to make me mac'n cheese! I loved there mac & cheese! And i loved the cheff too! unfortununtly that cheff was fiered because of bad customer service. But she would make the BEST food! The cheff they have now isvery good too though! The view is absolutely stunning! The staff are all friend or family and it is a very welcoming Hotel, just don't be shy. There is also a skate park if you enjoy skating!
I traveled there from around 2005-2008

My boyfriend and I had an amazing experience at the Hotel Tilawa. We drank beers at the bar with the owner JP, who might I add is the most down to earth person, extremely kind and went above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone who comes to Costa Rica!!

we arrive at night to check the place, I didn't have the courage to said no, the place was dark, a little creppy and scary,
the people was nice, but the room was dirty, with a lot of spider webs, the dinner was simple and ok, not options
payment only cash, no cheap for what they offer.
the view the next day was great, the gardens beutifull, but the hotel looks abandoned not employees, almost do it yourself.
the owner nice and interesting
as other people said before , it looks that its where the owner and family or friend lives, and if you want to stay its ok, does not look a hotel .
I wouldn't stay for what we paid we could find a real hotel.

The hotel was built in about 1990 by the current owner on 20 acres overlooking Lake Arenal. It design is very creative and energy efficient. The hotel had its very busy times when windsurfing was popular a few year back. Currently the hotel is involved in "Green Energy" education programs, organic farming, and micro brewing. During our visit we met some very interesting and creative people. i would describe the management and staff as "laid back and casual". We were asked if we wanted dinner and were provided with the a very nice dinner for $10. It is true that not all the lights are on wasting electricity BUT if you want a light on there ARE switches - when staying here it is important to make yourself at home and enjoy a micro brew.
--->Liked Best:
-Our room was very quiet, comfortable, and clean.
-The wireless internet was available throughout the hotel.
-The location is not "in town"
-Dinner and breakfast was good
-The design and architecture is interesting
-Enjoying a micro-brew
-View from room on the Lake Side of the hotel
-The art is everywhere
-Not your average hotel. Very unique
-Safe parking

-->I am hopeful:
The hotel is in a transition from it "Windsurfing Hay Days" to the current tourism economic slow down in the whole region.

Stay here if you want a unique experience and are not afraid to make yourself at home.
Don't stay here if you want a full service resort.

I included a lot of pictures so you can see many views of the hotel.