Accommodation Options

Hummingbird 1 Apartment

Hummingbird 1 (formerly Osprey) is a newly renovated one bedroom apartment surrounded by lush tropical gardens and offering affordable, secluded accommodation for a couple.  Located below Rainforest it has astonishing  views of the beach and the whole of Castara Bay.  It also looks east across the garden to the village beyond and to the rainforest ridge in the distance, where the sun rises.  In August 2007 we took the opportunity to extend and upgrade Osprey into a one bedroom accommodation with new hardwood windows and doors and much more space to relax, dine, read or absorb the ever changing landscape of ocean, beach, garden and rainforest.  In the process of renovation we completely upgraded the shower room and have added a new and spacious kitchen.

Hummingbird 2 (formerly Pelican) adjoins Hummingbird 1 and has also been renovated to the same high standards.  From April 2008, it will be possible for two couples or a family to rent both apartments.  When the wooden dividing wall between the apartments is retracted, it will have a spacious 32 foot terrace that spans the whole front of this accommodation with comfortable seating and dining options.  It is perfect for those who appreciate privacy within a shared environment and two en suite shower rooms.

Hummingbird 1 is a quiet and secluded apartment with a private entrance via a flight of steps that leads onto the spacious 20 foot long terrace that spans the front of this accommodation.  This terrace is covered and has lovely views to the north west to the beach and ocean and also to the east where it looks onto the tropical gardens that attract a profusion of birds including hummingbirds which are constantly in view.  We have now created a further private terrace on the eastern side that is partly covered and also open to the sun and stars and is an additional ideal place to sit and look at the views, or to lounge in the sun.  There are tables and chairs for inside and outside dining, two comfortable lounge chairs and a hand made coffee table for taking your ease, and a full length hammock if you are seriously intent on relaxing.  The space is perfect for couples wanting privacy and is also sufficiently spacious, well appointed and furnished for inviting friends or family to visit or join you for a meal.
    
The large double bedroom is filled with morning sunlight and has a fitted hardwood wardrobe, a queen size bed with good quality mattress, pillows, white cotton sheets and bed cover. The bed is covered by a very large mosquito net on a rectangular wooden frame that allows lots of space underneath and there is discreet spot lighting controlled by dimmer switches.  The bed looks directly out to the ocean and beach and the atmosphere is enhanced by the carved sun panels that are featured above all the windows and doors and allow the breeze to flow throughout the day and night.

Adjoining this is a good sized shower room and toilet that is beautifully tiled and lit by flush spot lights with dimmer switch.

The all new kitchen area is finished with hardwood windows, doors and cabinets, all made by local craftsmen.  The kitchen has the same spectacular views as the terrace and looks to the ocean and beach as well as to the garden and is located to allow ease of access and socialising with both the indoor and outdoor terraces which makes serving meals and drinks easy and relaxing.  It is well equipped with a new top of the range cooker and full size fridge and has quality utensils, pans, coffee and teapots, glasses and china plates and bowls. 

The whole area, including the terrace, is illuminated by spotlights with dimmer controls, which are perfect for creating soft low lighting for a romantic atmosphere, with the added benefit of avoiding the tropical insects that are attracted by bright light.

As with all the accommodations there is an iron, ironing board,  hair dryer, security safe, and ventilation fan.

Hummingbird 1 is also blessed with the best of the breezes at Castara Retreats and is noticeably cooler on a hot day than all of the other accommodations.  We have as usual designed doors and windows with wooden louvers that allow the breeze through at all times that they are open.

Castara Retreats’ main house (top left) from the beach
Covered deck - shutters open		Spacious bedroom facing the ocean
Ocean view to North from dining area		Views to rainforest and village to East
Covered decks - shutters closed		Views to the Little Beach
Dining area with dropdown shutters for inclement weather		Bay below Castara Retreats
Shower room		Corner of kitchen
Hummingbird 1 outside terrace

Rainforest  |  Hummingbird 1   |  Hummingbird 2  |  Fisherman's Lodge  |  Coasthanger  |  Birdsong