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Kenaki Lodge, elegant eco friendly lodge, front of Playa Grande beach of Cahuita Kenaki Lodge is in front of the Playa Grande beach of Cahuita. Playa Grande is one of the wildest beaches in Costa Rica. Known place for the spawning of the leatherbacks, here you can see them from February to August. It’s a unique place in the Caribbean, with his Balinese style, construct in tropical woods and wildly open to the surrounding nature. Due to the geographical location of the lodge, we are involved in the protection of local fauna and flora. We are part of the protection program for the turtles of Cahuita. Here, we respect the greatest sustainability rules. Small hotel on a human scale, the lodge has only 4 rooms and 2 full equipped bungalows. In addition, you can enjoy an excellent breakfast prepared with love, on place. Isabelle and Roberto, the owners, are at your disposal to accompany you to discover our beautiful Talamanca.
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It is probably the worst place in Costa Rica. Dirty, broken, bad smell, poorly maintained, bad service— the only good thing is nature, and that can be found throughout the Caribbean. If I have to give one piece of advice: Never stay here. The owner is rude, dirty, and disrespectful. Damp smell, rusty, hairs on the bedding... a horror. Far from the town, they say it has a beach in front, and it's dirty. The worst of Costa Rica.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were supposed to stay 4 nights but the place was so terrible that we left after 2 nights. It was a sign that the first thing that the host did was ask for us to pay our bill upon our arrival. Yes this could be a nice place IF the owner actually wanted to make it a nice place. The toilet smelled horrible and in a small room it’s just not a civilised experience for the cost. The owner asks that no toilet paper is flushed down the toilet. Instead the dirty toilet paper is supposed to be put in a bucket that is next to the toilet. As I’m writing this, it is just exceptionally crazy that this toilet experience has been normalised at this hotel. Aside from the smell, think of the health risks. At one point during our stay, there was no water. Apparently someone had flushed toilet paper and the water pump stopped working. And there is a major small ant issue. Ants were everywhere even when we did not eat in the room. We just left the hotel. I’m writing this review from an Airbnb and I’m feeling freedom and joy.…
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Avoid at all costs! Perfect hotel for anyone with constipation and a car.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from KENAKI LODGE Front Beach Lodging, Propriétaire at Kenaki Lodge
Responded 6 Jan 2024
O whaou !. Thanks for your nice review !. We appreciate to know immediately what we have to do in order to make your stay as better as posible. Unfortunately, in playa grande of Cahuita, there is no public service of water, so the hotels have wells or drillings with electric pumps. When there is an electric proiblem on the lines, the pump cannot work. The problem was resolved in one hour a 24th of december. Then, we ask also, as in many parts of the country not to trow anything in the toilets for the same reasons, in playa grande of Cahuita, there is no public main drainage, we have sceptic tanks. And for the ants, as we are in the jungle, is recommended to put everything in the fridge, especially sweets, as I recommended it to you. The room mid 22 square meters, it's written. Warm regards.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We spent one terrifying night at the Kenaki Lodge. Here are the details: - Booked Kenaki for 5 nights and left within 12 hours. Literally fled at 5am (after 3 hours of fearful 'sleep'). - Upon arrival we met Isabelle, the owner (who did not introduce herself, nor did she make conversation). Isabelle seemed super disorganized, she asked how long we were saying and if we want breakfast. I filled out paperwork and I never received a copy of the paperwork I signed. I asked her name and tried to make pleasant conversation. - Isabelle began screaming/streaking around midnight. She was screaming, "Stop!" The screams here guttural and very loud. I didn't know if I should call for help. My husband and I were panicked and nauseous by the disturbing screaming/streaking. She screamed expletives in French. I understood she was yelling at someone. I saw her pacing around inside the main house. I thought Isabelle was alone. Then, I saw the silhouette of a man. I did not hear the man yell or talk at all. The fighting and screaming continued for 20-30 mins; although time moves slowly when gripped by fear. Finally, the fighting/streaking ceased. Complete silence. Then, the unknown man left the main house. I watched his silhouette walk toward our cabin. I moved away from the window. I presume the man turned off the lights in the main house. The chaos was followed by complete silence and total darkness. - The just OK parts (not terrifying, just unpleasant): no amenities, the 2 towels smelled of cigarettes, and there was a pungent garbage odor wafting in from outside the toilet closet. - The beautiful photos used to advertised are deceiving.…
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Date of stay: May 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
During our visit to Cahuita, we spent two nights at this lodging. Its proximity to the black beach was highly appreciated as we enjoyed a refreshing swim every morning at sunrise, just a short 2-minute walk away. The peaceful and pleasant atmosphere of the location was also noteworthy. However, due to the absence of air conditioning, sleeping at night was somewhat challenging. Despite this minor setback, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this tranquil lodge in Cahuita.
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Very friendly and cozy hotel with four rooms and two bungalows, 100 meters from the almost deserted beach, and 2-3 kilometers from Cahuita. You will need a car to stay here, but free parking. Nice and spacious rooms, but the bed was rather noisy… No fridge or other facilities in the room, but a communal kitchen area next to the reception area did the trick. Breakfast is extra, 11 USD, continental with bread, jam, fruit, coffee and juice. We loved sitting on the terrace and watch the birds and sometimes monkeys in the tree right in front of us. Liked the place a lot, but you need to walk at least 20 minutes along a dark gravel road to get to a restaurant where you can have dinner, or drive into Cahuita. Be aware that the howler monkeys WILL wake you up at sunrise!
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The positives: The couple operating the B and B were extremely nice, the room was kept impeccably clean, the beach was incredibly beautiful and so secluded, I went one day in the afternoon and there was literally no one as far as the eye could see. How much would you be willing to pay for that??? You do need a car or a ride to go anywhere. The negatives- written in the hopes that they get corrected, because really as annoying as they were, they were totally fixable. 1. Invest in wifi... its your number one complaint. Just do it. 2. put a pair of wall lights over the bed. The ceiling fan creates a horrible strobe effect in the room when the only light (ceiling) is on. For a B and B, it was clean and comfortable, except the lighting issue and wifi.
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Date of stay: November 2019
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:all rooms are nice. Why would you spend time in the room, anyway, except to sleep?
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kenaki Lodge has the potential to be simply amazing, unfortunately it falls well short of where it could, and should be. We arrived after a long drive from Manuel Antonio and checked in no problems. The view from the room was nice as we had one of the rooms looking over the sea and gardens. There is a lot of glass in the room which brings in a lot of natural light. The breakfast was nice but nothing special. The staff were very friendly. A quick note that on arrival the lady did mention they were under new management. The location is ideal, 4.5km out of town but you have the entire beach to yourself and a short drive to Cahuita National Park. Unfortunately this is where the good bits end. With the room being a lot of windows you would hope for good curtains but they do nothing to keep the light out so assume you will be awake as soon as the sun comes up, if your lucky that the sun doesn't wake you then the heat will. While a fan is OK for the night time as soon as the sun comes up it is almost unbearable in the room. A decent set of curtains would help both issues. When looking for places to stay we specifically look for WiFi so we can use trip advisor to find restaurants, but more importantly so I can back up my photos to a cloud in case calamity strikes. Kenaki Lodge should not advertise having WiFi, this signal did not reach our room and when I sat outside the main building to try and find somewhere for dinner it was almost impossible, the Internet was slow and dropped out continously for the entire time. Maybe not a big deal for some, but a significant pain for my photo storage. They should not advertise having WiFi, everywhere else in CR we have been had excellent WiFi. Another bone of contention was that the window in the shower room is only half frosted and you can clearly see all of the owners balcony, I never got the feeling that they would look but it is still off putting none the less. The room was clean upon arrival but there was no servicing of the rooms during our 3 nights. There is a sign on the bathroom door saying leave dirty towels on floor if you want new ones but I wouldn't bother. It also meant that the sheets were dirty (especially as you wake in the lorning covered in sweat) the bathroom isn't very pleasant after the first day or so as nothing can be flushed down the toilet, including toilet paper (this is normal in CR) but without the bin being emptied it begins to feel a bit dirty. Overall the feeling was it was being run by someone who is use to running a hostel, you a get a room and little else. Unfortunately the associated hostel cost is not there. Either a significant drop in price or increase in service/quality is needed. This is a real shame as the potential for this to be the best place to stay in Cahuita is obvious to see. Would not stay again.…
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Date of stay: October 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed for 5 nights in one of the bungalows it was very peaceful and well equiped. The bathroom and shower had just been redone so it was very spacious and clean. We were very close to the beach although it was not safe to swim because of the rip tide but it was nice to walk along the beach.
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Date of stay: March 2019
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Isabelle R, Propriétaire at Kenaki Lodge
Responded 18 Mar 2019
Dear clients, Thanks for your nice review, we are glad to know you've spent a great stay with us. Hoping to have the pleasure to receive you again in the future, Bests regards, Isabelle
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lovely place, only stayed one night as we had several other places to go but wish we stayed longer. Quiet, tropical, beach just across street which was a quiet dirt road. Isobel is a wonderful hostess. Hope to return again!
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Date of stay: June 2018Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Isabelle R, Propietario at Kenaki Lodge
Responded 20 Mar 2019
We thank you for your kind comment and are delighted to hear that you had a pleasant stay with us. It was a pleasure to welcome you to our property and you are of course welcome to Kenaki Lodge whenever you want.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We are truly happy with our stay at Kenaki lodge. We stayed for a week in one of the bungalows. Loved the connection with nature, the sound of the ocean waves and the morning bird's songs. All of the staff were very helpful, polite and left us to our peace when we choose. Breakfast was great, the cleaning staff did an awesome job. The bungalow was modern with updated appliances. We couldn't ask for anything more!
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Date of stay: May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Isabelle R, Propietario at Kenaki Lodge
Responded 20 Mar 2019
Thank you for this great comment, we are really happy to know that your stay with us was pleasant !
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
€63 - €85 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of LimonCahuita
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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