Tree House Lodge

Location/Environment: Immersive natural surroundings , proximity to wildlife , and serene atmosphere.

We booked the Tree House for two nights. It was everything we'd hoped it would be. Relaxing, spacious, and having a room with AC to escape to when needed was a great bonus. The AC can really chill that room down. On the downside, the beds in that room are very small (twin size) which could pose a problem for taller visitors who want to use it. A short walk takes you to the private beach. The owners indicated that the water at that portion of the beach is too shallow for swimming, though it's good for wading (wading out too far is not recommended due to the reef). More standard swimming can be had by walking a few minutes down the beach. We did not make use of the kitchen resources other than the refrigerator, so we can't speak to the functionality of the various appliances in it. Based on a cursory investigation they seemed to be in decent repair. Staff kept the area tidy. We came back in the middle of the day and found them busy at work raking up leaves, cleaning surfaces, emptying trash, etc. They must also work hard keeping spiders at bay because despite numerous species being found all over the area, we didn't find any of them making homes in the living areas. The outdoor bathroom was an interesting experience (there's a standard toilet/shower in the upstairs room as well), but it got the job done. Now, venturing into a more delicate realm: One thing to note is--like other more "rustic" lodging options in the area--the toilet paper is not meant to go in the toilet. Many of the septic systems in the area are more basic/eco-friendly, and as such don't handle toilet paper too well. Because of this, visitors are asked to put the paper in the nearby basket (which is emptied by staff each day). This in itself is not an issue, but many of these places also will use a very thin single-ply tissue that's designed to more easily work in a septic system due to quickly breaking down in water. The unfortunate side effect of this is they also practically disintegrate upon contact with wet (read: sweaty) skin. I'd have preferred a more sturdy tissue since they're not going in the toilet anyway, but I understand that there are many visitors that may not follow instructions, and it's probably safer to have the more delicate tissue for those circumstances vs having a thicker tissue that could gum up the works when users don't follow instructions. Maybe grab some at a local market and use that--just remember to use the trash bin!

The experience of the treehouse is unique. In the place we stayed we were half outside -- so there was an abundant amount of animals all around you and you really feel that -- and half inside (sleeping). There was a nice big fridge, kitchen with everything we needed to cook a meal, and easy access to a FANTASTIC beach. We were never bothered by the staff, they kept their distance and at the same kept it very clean and safe. This place has it figured out. There is a lot of attention to fun little creative details that make it worth the price. Be ready for howler monkeys in the trees waking you up at 5:30 a.m. Wow!