Galena

Reviews

32 total reviews

81% Excellent

32 reviews

4.72

2018–2024

Cleanliness 4.7

Accuracy 4.8

Communication 4.9

Location 4.9

Check-in 4.9

Value 4.8

32 reviews

3BR Villa in Villareal

Amanda

Repeat guest

Excellent, 1 year ago

I could not be happier with my stay at Galenas, she was attentive, and very accommodating taking care of all my needs and giving great tips of places to shop and eat. The home is so beautiful, breezy and clean, the pool is super nice and the beds are very comfortable! I love the open kitchen concept where my family and I can all be together while also still having a lot of space and privacy of our own if needed. The location is perfect for our needs as we prefer to not be right in the thick of a party scene but still minutes away from Tamarindo, shops restaurants and beaches and. This was our second time staying here, the first having been rescued from a nightmare AirBnb of which Galena saved us from at short notice and was an incredible host. We will definitely be coming back to stay here again in the future! Highly recommend!

Galena’s place is perfect for those who wanna stay close to Taramindo without being in the heart of the city. The pool is a great addition to the listing, and all basic needs were available. Our first night, however, we had an issue with the lock on the gate. We lost about 1 hour trying to fix it and ended up not having a lock for the rest of our stay (main gate). Regardless of that outcome, Galena was super responsive to try to find a solution. Another issue we had was that the wifi stopped working for our last two nights. Overall 4/5

Host Response

Thank you Marc. Thank you for your stay and I’m happy you enjoyed the pool and house! ☀️ So sorry about the lock to the gate but happy we were able to open it for your stay. That had never happened to us before. Our deepest apologies it has now been replaced. Perhaps due to the climate and weather here. Also as per WiFi our cleaners and myself went and we had full 100 fiber optics Wi-Fi. As in house manual always make sure to double check the code I sent as the end is 3 x aaa. Also has never been a problem before we have great WiFi there. Pura Vida

The place is very nice, really according to the photos that are posted, we only had problems with the cleanliness of the pool as it was dirty and didn't come to clean it despite having reported it. Everything else was spectacular.

Host Response

I’m very sorry Carlos as I explained to you check in is always after 3pm. But we kindly allowed you to come very early in the morning, the pool maintenance comes later in the day which is what I notified you around 2 or 3. I was only being kind to allow you to come at 9 or 10am as the house was ready. There was a lot of wind and our pool worker knows check ins are at 3pm. There for doesn’t come that early. I’m happy you enjoyed everything else. We have a bran new freshly painted pool and it’s always cleaned 2 times a week. With the high winds and allowing you to arrive early that is why there was some leaves in. Thank you for staying with us. We are glad you loved the house and apologies for the pool on your earlier then normally allowed check in.

A perfect little private paradise close to all the spots we love to go surf and only a few minutes to grab lunch or a coffee. This location was perfect for us. The pool was amazing and very peaceful. There were yellow butterflies all around the hibiscus trees and sounds of birds. The house had everything from a beautiful French press, to coffee maker and beautiful coffee mugs. I love my coffee! All 4 rooms had AC which is a must. Gated and covered garage for parking and is in a really safe area. Galena was a wonderful host and recommended amazing restaurants, tours, the best surfing and was there for anything we needed. We will definitely be back! 🤍

Host Response

Muchas Gracias! It was lovely to host you and I’m so happy you loved the house and got some good waves! Hope to see you again soon! Safe travels 🌸

The location is very good, close to many beaches and places to eat, the size of the house and the accommodations are nice, the only downside is that it needs maintenance and the pictures do not match the current condition (I feel that were taken when the house was brand new). It needs maintenance. The pool is a great plus but it was not well kept (cloudy water and debris in the bottom). Overall it was a good experience but not a 5 star. Great house, great location and great host. Needs improvement in the maintenance and current condition of the property.

I had family in town last minute and Galena was able to help us out in a pinch. She made us feel incredibly welcomed and right at home straight away. The house is light and airy and fully equipped with everything we could have needed. The location is so peaceful and beautiful, and my family was blown away by the variety of wildlife they saw in just a short time. Colorful birds, howler monkeys, and an armadillo they spotted while driving near the house were their favorites! Their stay was comfortable and they raved as to how well they all slept. Good sized pool and a comfortable outdoor eating area were also high on their list of things that made them very happy. My family are already planning another stay in this house for a longer visit next time they come to CR!

3BR Villa in Villareal

Amanda

Repeat guest

Excellent, 3 years ago

Galena and Kristy saved us from a nightmare air bnb we had to move out of due to no AC, toilets backing up, and so filthy. Casa Moderna was immaculate, comfy beds and sofa, with cold AC in each room, bright open living area to connect together, and also 3 quiet private bedrooms each with own ensuite baths to have alone time. The hibiscus lined pool was clean and refreshing and the sweet birds frolicking in the palms gave us that tropical feel we were wanting. Anything we needed was tended to immediately by the manager Kristy who was so helpful in giving us advice and fun activities we could check out within an hour of the house. Casa Moderna is just 8 mins to tamarindo which we loved because we can easily and quickly escape the tourist hustle and still visit very easily and quickly. Beaches in each direction within 8-15 minutes. It is very central to restaurants and grocery stores up the road, and yet feels hidden down a quaint and safe laneway off the main road. We’ll be back 100%

Host Response

Thank you Amanda. It was a pleasure to host you and your family, so happy it worked out that we just so happen to have that week still available to get you out of awful situation! But things happen for a reason and I knew you’d love the location and house! We love how close it is to everything but in such a peaceful setting. I wish we could of hosted you for your entire vacation in Costa Rica but unfortunately as you know we are booked the rest. I look forward to hearing about your surfing and look forward to your return in a few months! Take care and have an amazing rest of your vacation! If you need anything we are still only a phone call away to help. 🌺 Merry Christmas.

I don’t want to write this review as Ai know our little perfect place will probably get booked up!! From our first communication to our wonderful stay we can’t say enough about Galena and her awesome place. Excellent location, beautifully appointed and OH that pool … it was to die for. If you’re looking for a lovely place to stay do not hesitate. Thank you again Galena had a beautiful stay. See you next season.

Host Response

Aww thank you! We look forward to your next stay. It was a pleasure to host you and I see you rebooked already! We look forward to your return. Safe trip

Absolutely incredible experience! The home was exquisite, immaculately clean, big bright open living space, in a gorgeous tropical environment. We LOVED the pool! Was perfect for our surf trip - it’s located close to all different surf spots (Avellanas, Little Hawaii, Langosta, Tamarindo, Grande). Obsessed with this house! A must stay, 100% recommend.

Host Response

Thank you so much Kate 🌸 We love location, close to everything but super private and peaceful. So happy you got to get out and surf all the great spots! We hope to have you back anytime. The house looked amazing on your check out thank you. Safe travels. Galena

We stayed at Galena's place for one week and the entire time there was truly amazing. From greeting us as soon as we drove up, to helping us plan our excursions it was a seamless experience. I would recommend Galena's place to anyone who wants a central location in Tamarindo and she is extremely knowledgeable about the area! We would definitely stay here again!

Host Response

Aww thank you ladies so much! It was lovely to meet you all! And I hope to see you Canadian girls all on one of our retreats too! Pura Vida! 🏄‍♀️

Galena was bad honest with us and unfortunately she was not very responsive and cooperative in order to settle the different one between us

Host Response

I have been hosting Airbnb for many years. With all 5 star and super host. I have always had positive and lovely guests. This was the worst experience I have ever hosted. Nothing was good enough for them. The house was beautiful prepared with fruits, wine and coffee even. Brand new sheets, newly painted side tables. I did the check in and the cleaner prepared for 6 hours. It seemed to me these guest from the start had other plans as their brother was in another area of Costa Rica, Uvita and threatened me during my high season if I didn’t refund them they would leave me a bad review. They used every excuse in the book. Like the end table had dust, they found a spider. I offered them again another clean. They picked apart everything, trying to get money and told me they booked flights back home and checked out. They turned the side tables upside down and put them on the beds claiming a little dust on bottom. Again I offered to send a second clean to satisfy them. I went above and beyond and nothing was good enough. They check out and lied about flying home to get money back. Then wrote me from Uvita they wanted to come back and if I didn’t allow them too they would leave me a bad review. When I arrived at the house 2 days after they checked out and left the keys. Every light, AC unit were left on and all the paper clogging toilets. Had the house rules been respected perhaps I would have allowed them back. But they were honestly the hardest people and so ungrateful. All my guests have thoroughly loved our Villa. Some people you just can’t please. I have always had 5 stars and never complaints. It was very hard for me. I truly felt they had other plans as they text me from their brothers and just made any excuse to be refunded during Christmas. They had no respect for the house rules that I had emailed them. I strive for happy guests and this just feels so awful. A 1 Star cause they are angry I did not allow them back or refund them after they lied they left Costa Rica then drove to Uvita texting me days later they would like to return and I declined their stay as he was text swearing and I felt very uncomfortable with this booking. In all the years I have never had one bad experience. It was not worth a good review to feel abused.

This place is to die for. It literally was everything I had expected and more. It was a little hard to find but the host met up with us drove us to the Airbnb. She was also super understanding that our flight was delayed which I appreciated because we ended up getting to Tamarindo at 8am! The pool, bedroom and bathrooms were so clean and nicely decorated. I wish I had spent more time in the home. I was too busy exploring the town which has everything you’ll need from great food, bars, clubs and beautiful beaches.

Host Response

Thank you! So happy you loved it! We hope to see you again. Pura Vida ⭐️

3BR Villa in Villareal

Sofia

Good, 7 years ago

Beautiful house and great location