El Jardin, Playa Coco

In February of 2005 I stayed three nights at El Jardin in Coco, Costa Rica. Upon arrival, I learned that it had changed hands two months before.

The previous owner had leased it to a man and a woman. They have made some changes. She is European and a chain smoker, so they now draw a very European crowd, also one that smokes heavily.

Additionally, they have installed a pool table outside of the guest rooms. They sometimes play until one AM., even if the guests request them to. It's like trying to sleep in a bowling alley. The hotel is very clean. The restaurant is open inconsistently; however, when it is, it is good. The nearby beach and the gardens of the Jardin (which means "garden" in Spanish) are gorgeous.