Mead Brown Costa Rica Photo Contest

Mead Brown Costa Rica says, “Hey, let’s put on a photo contest!”  The winner will win 3 nights in a 3 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom luxurious beachfront condo!

We love seeing pics of our guests relaxing in their Mead Brown vacation rental; experiencing Costa Rica’s beaches and rain forests, zipline canopy tours, sea kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, surfing, reading a book; we love photos of the scenery they saw; and the memories they
made.

If you have stayed with us before, submit your photos!  Go to our Mead Brown Facebook page, click “Like” at the very top of the page and then submit your photos (enter as many photos as you’d like).  See other entries there, too!

The contest closes at midnight on December 31, 2011.  The winner will be announced on January 6, 2012.

Every dollar of the family budget counts, and those planning a vacation are keen to realize excellent value for the money spent. As one of the most economical options for families, groups and couples traveling together, vacation rentals afford travelers the opportunity to enjoy the spaciousness and amenities of a multi-bedroom accommodation, allowing everyone to stay under one roof for a fraction of the cost of multiple hotel rooms, without jeopardizing privacy or quality.

Additionally, while staying in a condominium, house or villa rental, guests will not only save on their overall cost of accommodations, but they can choose to cook meals in the fully-equipped kitchen, bring home leftovers from restaurants or store snacks, leaving more money in their pocket to spend on excursions, outings, adventures and shopping!

With airline fees for checked baggage, another advantage of a Mead Brown vacation rental is the washer and dryer. All of our rentals include a washer and dryer. They even include laundry detergent! Even for a week-long (or longer!) stay, you can pack just a carryon. With your own private laundry, you can toss a load in the washer whenever you’d like, at your convenience and at no additional cost to you!

All Mead Brown rentals also include daily housekeeping (except Sundays) and full concierge services. Again, these hotel-like amenities are at no additional cost to our guests. Click here to start your planning for the perfect Costa Rica vacation.  Don’t settle for a room when you can enjoy a luxurious condo or even a private villa for less!

Read the Mark Mead interview in Luxury Travel Magazine about luxury travel to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is sometimes called “the Hawaii of Latin American surfing” with its thousands of beach breaks and many miles of oceanfront.  The scores of rivers offer many river mouth breaks, particularly on the Pacific side.  On the Caribbean side you will find great reef breaks.

You won’t see many monster waves.   You are likely to find good-sized kilometer breaks that are consistent year-round.

Because Costa Rica is so small, you can switch to another break rather easily if one isn’t working for you, or if the break gets crowded (which is not a common problem).

Another big reason to surf Costa Rica is for the culture.  The Costa Rican culture supports surfers, with surf shops, board rentals, bars, restaurants, hotels.  You will definitely find a strong vibe down here for surfing.

If you are looking for a luxurious surfing experience, including fine accommodations, visit Costa Rica surfing.

Traveling to Costa Rica and trying to decide on the best accommodations for you?  What are the differences between a Costa Rica vacation rental and a hotel room, and which is better?

Length of stay:  If you are just passing through and need a place for a night, get a hotel room – (one night with us is not even an option; we have a three night minimum). However, if you are planning to stay for a few days or more, wouldn’t it be nice to settle in to a “home away from home”?  Vacation rentals are fully equipped with all the conveniences of home, including a full kitchen equipped with a coffeemaker, blender, toaster and everything required to prepare a great meal (or we can arrange for a chef to cook it for you; he can even serve it and then do the dishes), washer and dryer (we even supply your laundry detergent), beach towels plus all bed and bath linens.  In short, a house or condo vacation rental will give you anything and everything you would ever need to “live” while not at home. The purpose of a vacation home is just that, it is to act as your very own private vacation home, a getaway that you could eventually return to year after year.

Save Money:  Stay in a vacation rental to save a lot of money. Because you are paying for a home, and not on a per room or per person basis, the accommodations are very likely a lot less than an equivalent four or five star hotel. A basic hotel room at the Marriott Los Suenos is about $350 per night in high season.  For the same amount, you can rent a 3-bedroom condominium in Los Suenos Ocean & Golf Resort from Mead Brown.

Also, think of the money you save on the cost of eating out; when staying in a hotel you are forced to eat out for every meal. Stay in a vacation home, and you have a fully equipped kitchen at your fingertips.  Even if you eat dinners out, the amount saved on breakfast, snacks, lunch, drinks, etc. can add up to a lot of money.  Wouldn’t you rather spend your money on a Costa Rica tour or adventure, such as a zipline canopy tour, an ATV adventure, surfing lessons, fishing for marlin, day trip to Manuel Antonio National Park, rounds of championship golf, spa treatments and massages, or handmade souvenirs?

Number of People in group:  This is what vacation rentals are best for:  families and groups! Are you going on vacation with your immediate or extended family, or another family, or a group of friends? Rather than pay for several hotel rooms all separate from each other, rent a home, where everyone can still have their individual bedrooms and bathrooms.  At the same time, everyone is in the same location and can be together in the common areas.  If you need even more space, rent two or more homes or condos next to each other.

Comfort and Amenities – You will not find vacation rentals ‘sterile’ like many hotel rooms; each one is professionally decorated to give you that feeling of comfort and luxury.  Also, the amenities that come standard provided a higher level of luxury than a comparable hotel room. As mentioned, every kitchen is fully equipped to prepare anything from a snack to a Thanksgiving feast.  Every rental has its own laundry; this saves on packing and saves on work to be done when you return from vacation!  Since you can do laundry daily if you wish, you won’t need to bring that second suitcase and pay the airline for excess baggage!

All of our house rentals have their own private swimming pool.  Many have a private Jacuzzi.  Our condominium vacation rentals have swimming pools and Jacuzzis, too.  Wifi and VOIP (such as Vonage) are included as well.  Unless you are going to Las Vegas or some world class resort, a hotel is typically not the “destination,” rather it is just an accommodation.

Vacation rentals are a “destination” in themselves. You really never have to leave if you prefer not to—the ocean is your living room, you have a fully equipped kitchen, and if you want to eat out, there are plenty of restaurants you can walk to. You can even opt for grocery delivery or a private chef.  Hire a massage therapist to come in, or perhaps a photographer to take family photos. If you do decide you want to see more of Costa Rica than its beaches (which you should), access to attractions is convenient and easy.

Service – Find the same customer service you would at a hotel.  All Mead Brown vacation rentals include daily housekeeping (except Sundays).  All include paper towels, toilet paper, facial tissue, bath soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, shower gel, dish soap, dishwasher detergent and even laundry detergent.  Full concierge services are included, too. Would you like to arrange for a surprise flower delivery?  How about a bartender?  Personalized birthday cake?  We are always willing to help you make your vacation the vacation of your dreams!

Space – Vacation rentals offer considerably more space than you will find in most hotel rooms. Now the whole family can breathe and have space to themselves.  People can nap or read in one room, or gather together in another to play a game or watch a movie.

Flexibility – If you want to stay in and cook, great; if you feel like going out, great. If you want to be lazy and just soak in the rain forest or ocean views, perfect; if you want to get out and see attractions or experience one of the many nearby adventures, go ahead. When staying at an ceanfront vacation villa or condo rental, there is no pressure to get out of the hotel room and “do something.”

Vacation rentals offer a “relaxing” vacation, an idea that doesn’t seem to exist anymore.  What happened to going on vacation to re-energize and relax? An oceanfront rental offers a more relaxing vacation experience.  Relax.  Leave the rest to us.

Escape to luxury and live like the rich and famous (at least for a few days).  Come stay in one of our gorgeous beachfront vacation homes! You may never go back to a hotel again.  Play hard.  Sleep well.

Not all vacation rentals are created equal — Some are professionally managed.  Some are not.  Of course, all Mead Brown homes, condos and villas are professionally managed and our properties are maintained to North American standards.  This is not a minor detail!  For example, who do you call if a pipe bursts in the middle of the night?  If you lock yourself out?  If your child becomes ill?  These and other matters can be particularly challenging in a foreign country.  At Mead Brown, we answer the phones 24/7/365.  We’ll help our guests with anything and everything.  You may save a few dollars renting direct from an owner, but who will help you when life happens?

The bottom line: Vacation rentals offer more space, more amenities, and more flexibility than a hotel room.  And vacation rentals are cheaper than hotel rooms, and are therefore a better value.

(Playa Herradura, Costa Rica)  They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but Mead Brown will provide guests with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for stays of 5 or more nights at one of their professionally managed luxury villas or condominiums in Costa Rica.

With the stress of family life, work, the economy and the upcoming holidays, one can take time to relax with a getaway in the rain forests and beaches of Costa Rica, and reflect on the many things for which one can be grateful. 

Mark Mead, CEO of Mead Brown Costa Rica and the 2011 Conde Nast Traveler magazine’s villa rental specialist, said, “Preparing the Thanksgiving feast is time consuming and tedious.  So, too, is clean up.  Leave all that to the professionals.  Come to Costa Rica for a holiday vacation; just give thanks and enjoy a memorable experience with family and friends.”

Roasted Butterball turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables and rolls are included in the feast.  It’s not Thanksgiving dinner without pie for dessert.  The selection is pumpkin, peach-blackberry, or apple; all baked personally by Chef Richard Lemon.

The offer is good for any stay of five or more nights, when one of those nights is Thursday, 24 November 2011.  The meal can be taken at Lemon Zest Restaurant on Jaco Beach, or delivered to your villa or condo.  Click here to book your Costa Rica vacation rental accommodations.

Costa Rica is a wonderland of exotic flora, fauna, and adventure.  One can fish for sail fish, marlin, tuna and snapper; and experience other activities, such as:   Zipline canopy tour, sea kayaking, river rafting, ATV adventure, surfing, sailing, hiking, snorkeling, championship golf, massage, spa, Yoga or just laying on one of the many beautiful beaches.  For an overview, check out Costa Rica Tours and Adventures. 

About Lemon Zest

Lemon Zest serves fusion cuisine with an international menu.  Richard Lemon, the master chef, grew up in the Bahamas where his grandmother let him cook with her, beginning his culinary infusion process. He was graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in New York; served a three year apprenticeship at the renowned La Vielle Maison restaurant in Boca Raton, Florida; and in 1994, along with wife Nellie, opened his own successful restaurant in Del Ray Beach, Florida, Splendid Blendeds Café.  They opened Lemon Zest on Jaco Beach in 2008.