Solitude in the Western Suburbs
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By Ted Wasserman
Special to The Tico Times
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BIRD watchers have told Inez
Chapman, hostess of Villa Escazú, that they have seen more
species from her balcony, verandahs and gardens than they had on
some excursions. In the western San José suburb of Escazú, this
cozy bed and breakfast is surrounded by nature, yet it's only a
few minutes from urban attractions.
Doña Inez takes pride in her breakfasts, which bring her loyal
Clockwise, from top left: Villa Escazu's homey living room; one of five spacious rooms; the garden of solitude (or birds); and bottom left, a happy guest tucking into one of the famous breakfasts.
clientele back for extended stays. Having run a restaurant and
nurtured a family with ever-hungry boys, she has accumulated
many recipes over the years, and is constantly experimenting
with new ones.
The house specialty is a giant pancake topped with fruit and
real whipped cream. Other favorites include an avocado-filled
omelet and French toast. Guest from six continents have lauded
her cooking in comments in her guest book, which is proudly
displayed in the spacious living room where visitors gather to
socialize and compare notes.
INEZ' expertise help newcomers with their travel plans,
and she arranges car rentals, excursions and tours to the
beaches, forests and mountains.
She personally checks out hotels and lodges in all categories
thought the country. A bed and breakfast is different from a
full service hotel, and certain procedures are followed to
insure the tranquility of all. Guests are requested to be in by
10 pm, as others may have to get up before dawn to depart on
excursions. Smoking is permitted only outside and young children
are generally not accepted.
Villa Escazú has five spacious wood paneled bedrooms, spread
between three floors, with a bathroom on each floor. High season
rates are $60 for two, including full breakfast and taxes.
A studio apartment with kitchenette is also available for stays
of a least one week. This apartment has its own bath,
refrigerator, stove and cable TV, and a pullout couch for older
children. Breakfast is not included in the $250 weekly fee; ask
about additional rates for children. Guest here often stock up
at Escazú's weekly produce market and nearby grocery stores.
Some visitors rent cars for their sojourn, while others give
local buses a try or use inexpensive taxis to go back and forth.
Some
guests have been so enamored of Villa Escazú they renounce travel to
outlying areas. Having fled from harsh northern winters, they are content
to take hikes through the hills and read or paint in the gardens of the
villa.
You should like animals if you stay at this B&B; Féliz, the Catalan
shepherd, and her three children are available to be coddled by dog
persons, and if you are a cat lover, Tica and her two offspring may allow
themselves to be petted.
Phone and fax are 2289-7971. Inez can be contacted also at
vescazu@hotels.co.cr The inn is
off Calle Carrizal, going up the hill to Barrio Corazón de Jesús, and is
800 meters west, 100 south of the Banco Nacional in Escazú Center.
