Casa Chameleon Mal Pais

There are elements of the hotel that could be very special, it is rustic, pretty and colourful and the area around the pool is well looked after. It simply isn't luxurious and isn't reflective of the price which is very high. The view from our room (standard villa) is shown below - this is of an electricity pylon and electricity boxes . The room is also next to the dirt road and throughout the evening we were woken by cars driving up. The concierge team are unapologetic in presenting prices with significant mark ups , for example the hotel will book a taxi from Cobano airport which is less than 25 minutes away for $106. This is only $50 when booked directly. An ATV in Santa Teresa village is c$70 a day, if you rent one for more than a couple of days the price is also lower. The hotel will arrange this for you however the price they charge for this is $110 a day , this represents a hotel commission of over 50% a day. In the standard room, the sheets don't even cover the end of the mattress which is a foam mattress. The bathroom is also tired and outdated. The rooms appear much more luxurious in the pictures - there may be some rooms that look like this, not all. 
The hotel doesn’t have group yoga classes or a small gym or anything that guests could enjoy without additional costs, a private yoga class would be over $100. Breakfast is one item off a set menu, if you would like anything in addition to this i.e. some fruit. There are additional costs and these are not insignificant. Overall it feels like the hotel are more focused on maximising the amount they can charge guests over considering their experience. The area has also become very expensive and we don't believe is good value - especially when compared to other places across central and south America.

Casa Chameleon describes itself as rustic luxury. Rustic is right, luxury not so much. The decor is old and very dated. Patio doors don't open easily or close properly (ie bugs). Our bathroom was dubiously cleaned, toilet didn't flush properly, and we had a stain on our sheets. We decided to leave after one terrible night. Casa Chameleon does not stand behind its product so they wouldn't reimburse unused nights. We still left. If rustic is what you are after, you will not be disappointed. If you'd prefer luxury, then book a room elsewhere. We ended up at Nantipa and it was wonderful.

Our stay at Casa Chameleon Mal País was nothing short of extraordinary! From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the breathtaking views, lush surroundings, and warm hospitality. The property feels like a hidden gem nestled in the jungle with stunning ocean vistas. Equally as outstanding were the staff who went above and beyond to make our stay unforgettable. They were friendly, attentive, and eager to assist with anything we needed—from arranging activities to offering local insights. The personalized service made us feel like a valued guest from start to finish. We will definitely be back to enjoy this intimate and luxurious escape in Costa Rica!

My wife and I stayed here for a week in early February. I had booked a superior room and was not disappointed. There are only 10 rooms at Casa Chameleon and privacy was assured. The rooms are beautifully appointed with a four poster bed, coffee and tea making station, fridge. Our room had a plunge pool with a magnificent view over the Pacific Ocean. It was delightful having an aperitif each night looking at the sunset. The staff were very friendly and efficient. Thanks to Nicole, Mariono, Andy, Tyner and Brandon who made our stay a real treat. The restaurant food was very good Cooked breakfast is included in the rate The only negative point I would make is that the lunch menu was expensive for what was on offer ( the same menu as dinner) and a couple of the wines rather expensive in relation to quality It’s useful to be aware that there is not much wildlife in and around the property which does not have grounds so to speak ( it’s quite contained on a steep hillside). It is also definitely worth going out to dinner in Santa Teresa a few nights where there is a great youthful vibe and some excellent eating spots. Note that it is too far to walk to Santa Teresa and you will either need to rent a car, an ATV or as we did cut a deal with a local taxi driver of you plan to stay for long. The regular rate each way is $20. The beach at Santa Teresa is great for surfing and swimming. The sand here is yellow not dark as in some parts of Costa Rica. Our favourite lunch time spot was Carmen’s Restaurant at the near end of Santa Teresa from the hotel. The food is excellent, the atmosphere laid back and you can just hang around taking in the beach vibes We would definitely return to Santa Teresa combining a stay here with a wildlife excursion in the Osa Peninsula

I stayed with my wife and two teenagers at Casa Chameleon in Mal País, and it exceeded my expectations on all counts. It's one of the best boutique hotels I have stayed at. The service was impeccable. The staff memorized the guest's names, which is a small detail that goes a long way. The waiters were super friendly and seemed genuinely interested in us. Honestly, I can't say enough about how good they were. I would give them 5 stars. The food was extremely good. The meals were made with top-quality ingredients and the chef made everything with expertise and care. We were there for New Year's Eve, and they had prepared an amazing special menu for the evening. They had a very tasteful BBQ with a dessert plate that included 6 or 7 different pastries for each person! Wow. The desserts were as good as I have had at a fine restaurant in Paris. I was not expecting that! We had 2 separate rooms for our family, and the accommodations were incredible. Just look at the pictures people have posted. That says it all. I feel like my review is gushing, but it was really that good. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Casa Chameleon Mal País to anyone who is looking for a top-drawer boutique experience. I hope to be back!