December 24th marked the first anniversary of the Ocotea Boutique Hotel, and passing that milestone naturally makes us think back on the events of the past year and reflect. We are happy to say, our first year has been spectacular, and we couldn’t be more proud of the wonderful team of people who have made that possible.
Personal service is something that is near and dear to our hearts at Ocotea, and the most powerful benefit (for us) is the chance to meet so many fascinating people from all around the globe. Running a boutique hotel really allows us to be an integral part of the Monteverde community – but it also gives us a window into the rest of the world through the people that we meet.
The end of the year is always a joyful time in Monteverde. The summer has arrived, and with it come celebrations and visitors from all around the world. And as we enter this festive season, it’s a time of reflection, time with family, and excitement for the year to come!
The Festive Season in Monteverde
If you’ve had the chance to join us in our first year, we thank you for the opportunity to welcome you into our home and show you all that Monteverde has to offer. And for all those who haven’t had the chance, our doors are open, and we hope to welcome you in 2023!
In the meantime, we wanted to take a moment to share some of the joyful triumphs of 2022.
Highlights of 2022 in Monteverde
Perhaps the most heartwarming thing about the last year is the amount of recognition that Costa Rica has received from various organizations and media groups around the world. Not only because it helps our community to thrive, but because it shows that the world has begun to prioritize sustainable and eco-conscious travel activities (focused on nature) over jet-setting luxury travel options.
And that is a trend that we are proud to support. In Monteverde, there is a chance to experience true connection, whether that’s to nature or this thriving community, and we’re blessed to be able to support and welcome people from around the world who share our passion.
Here are just a few pieces of the coverage that Costa Rica (and Monteverde in particular) have received since Ocotea opened (with links where possible):
- UK’s Sunday Times Features Costa Rica/Monteverde
- Condé Nast Traveler recognizes Monteverde as One of the Most Beautiful Places on Earth
- Washington Post Recommends Monteverde!
- Costa Rica wins Solidarity Tourism Award 2022 (an award that recognizes efforts to be accessible and inclusive)
- October 2021-Costa Rica wins coveted Earthshot Award in the category of “Protect and Restore Nature”
- President Carlos Alvarado vows to ban all fossil fuels and make Costa Rica carbon-neutral by 2021 (here is an update on what the country has achieved so far!)
- Costa Rica wins the 2022 World Travel Award under the category of leading destination in Mexico & Central America- beating out Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and El Salvador for the honor.
And while global awards like these help to put Costa Rica on the map in terms of sustainable and eco-friendly practices, it is just as heartwarming to see how many small, local businesses are also doing their part to protect, preserve, and share the world we love.
Ocotea’s Most Memorable Moments of 2022
Local Support
Even with the global recognition that our beautiful country has been receiving, the most touching moments for us over the last year have been much closer to home. We pride ourselves on being a family-run business, which includes not only our family at the Ocotea Hotel but also the entire network of guides and support staff of Ocotea Tours as well.
One of the benefits of welcoming you here is that we get to meet so many special individuals from all over the world. We learn about your homes, and we teach you about ours. We have been overwhelmed by the support and interest that travelers have shown us, not only as mother and daughter working side by side in a challenging industry but also as people who are working hard and striving to do our best every day.
We are also blessed by the support we have received from our colleagues and friends, as well as travel agents from abroad who have shared with us that this hotel is just what Monteverde needed.
Welcoming Nectandra!
Another exciting milestone for us is that we are now ready to open the Nectandra Restaurant for lunch with some amazing light meals and brunch items as well as introducing a new dinner menu. During our first year of business, we decided to concentrate on quality over quantity by providing some truly delicious breakfast items, and we used that experience to perfect our menu and our food service.
Now we are ready to take that experience and branch out, expanding the menu to include some truly unique items available to our patrons for both lunch and dinner. Our brunch-style lunch will include artisanal salads and paninis, and dinner will include delicious pastas, fresh cuts of meat, and more! These and more are soon to come, and we just can’t wait to share them with the world.
On the Grounds
We are also excited about the growth of the garden, and we are pleased to watch the flora thrive and spread. What began as a simple garden intended to incorporate nature into our daily lives has taken on a life of its own- as nature often will- and we are constantly discovering new growth. We enjoy sharing those details with clients, and we often learn as much from them as they do from us.
For example, some of our plants are medicinal in nature, and Karen (one of the owners) has used them to make natural medicine for a guest in need. Nature is so fascinating! We also discovered small orchids in the trees are a very special variety and we will do our best to ensure that they flourish in our little garden.
Supporting the Arts
Part of running a small business in a place such as Monteverde where the community works in tandem to protect the environment and support the local community is ensuring that we do our part.
Monteverde is already rich in nature, so while we all work to protect and preserve that bounty, we also dream of improving the cultural scene as well.
We are proud to say that the Ocotea Group, participated in a theater production by taking an important theater group from San Jose and bringing it to the Monteverde area. The production, named Manos a la Obra was directed by Cecilia Bruno and starred "Maromero", Cristina Bruno, and Francisco "El Che" - The play itself is from Teatro La Polea. This was a means of supporting the local cultural work and was done in cooperation with the Professional Technical College of Santa Elena.
A Growing Family
We are also very excited about some much more personal achievements within the family, which will soon be growing once more! Ignacio (Karen's younger brother) married Hailey in November, while Berni (the men's older brother) recently married Yarixa. Our hearts are full and we hope to share that happiness with all who come to stay with us.
Looking Forward
The year 2022 has been both challenging and exciting, for a variety of reasons, but the most important thing that it has shown us is that when you love what you do and you put your heart into it, people respond in kind. And it’s been a joy to share the past year with you and all of our guests!
So what does the future hold for Ocotea? If the past year is any indication, it will involve good food, friends from around the globe- both new and old- the beauty of Monteverde, and the soul of Pura Vida which influences all that we do here.
The future shines as bright as the Costa Rica sun and we look forward to sharing it with you. And as we all pause in our busy lives to spend time with loved ones and reflect on the importance of family and friends, every one of you has made our first year so very special!
If you had a beautiful memory from your time at Ocotea (or your travels to explore this beautiful world elsewhere), we would love to hear from you. Share your favorite Monteverde moments with us, send us some feedback, or ideas for the future, or just keep in touch… you are part of the Ocotea family now, and we are so blessed to know you.
Wishing you all the best this holiday season.
