Regarding my wedding week at the Villa's....  Wow.  You know all the planning in the world can't create the magic  that happens when all the ingredients just fall into place.  I have to say that Villa Cascada and Villa Ocotal provide the perfect mixing bowl for this to happen.  Between the views, the location, the staff, and Pura Vida it turned into a once in a lifetime event.  My guests were gushing.  When a bride, like myself, is asking her guests to spend their time and money and trust that they will have a good vacation  she can only hope that it works out as well as it did for me.  But I know that 1/2 of it is the magic of the location and the other 1/2  is the work that everyone associated with the Villas puts into making this a special event.  I would never hesitate for a minute to recommend your places to anyone.  I don't think there is a single place in Costa Rica (or elsewhere) that could of done a better job.

It would not of been as good of a week with out your staff.  You are so very very very lucky to have found such an amazing group of people.   They were the MAIN ingredient in making this trip perfect.  I don't think they slept!  They were there at every turn filling up our drinks, taking care of our desires, and thinking of things before we did.  I can't say enough about Gabby.  I think he grew 10 new gray hairs after we left but he never showed his stress.  He was so on top of running a smooth ship and helping with airport runs I don't think he saw his family for the entire week.  Not enough can be said about Gabby. 

Also, and emerging star in your group is Felix.  He was so cute and helpful and became a real friend during the event.  He was always professional but was teasing us and made us feel comfortable.  He always knew people's "favorites".  He remembered that I like margaritas around five O'clock because I had ordered it two days in a row.  He had one waiting for me at that time with a twinkle in his eye.  He remembered that my sister has a "chocolate attack" at around 2ish and likes Oreos so he sent her off on a an excursion with a pack of Oreos.  Little touches like that put the service in the exceptional category!  Also I can tell he has been working on his English since we met him 6 months ago.  His English is really getting very good. 

One thing that I noticed is how thoughtful the staff was.  They often thought of things before we did.  And they exceeded my expectations at each turn.  One example, when we returned from the rehearsal dinner they had set up a "bar" on the deck, near the pool area with blenders ready to make us fruity drinks.  It made so much sense and led to this feeling that they were just waiting for us to return.  Or late at night, after dinner and after hours of drinks and swimming, they brought out bowls of popcorn.  That is so smart!  Everyone felt so festive and it was a nice little touch to set up something special.  The waterfall was turned on before a new batch of guests arrived and papaya drinks were waiting just to make a special first impression.   Just one more special touch...  My grandfather of 85 years was made to feel like a king!  They instinctively fell in love with him and made him feel so special and young.  The first morning he woke up and asked for coffee, now he knows he should only have decaf but thought he was "getting away with it".  My mom quietly intercepted German and said "decaf" under her breath.  By the next morning the entire staff was on board and had a "special cup" ready for my grandfather in the morning and with nods and winks they worked like a well oiled machine getting him his proper drink. 

I can think of millions of such examples.  And there are millions I don't even know about. For the actual reception, It was all gorgeous.  The cake, the flowers, the tables, the linens, the chairs... everything.   The food was really really good the entire week.  Everyone loved the fried Yucca!"

Sincerely, Delia