HOTEL BELMAR TURNS 30

Six years ago, a fire broke out at Hotel Belmar. A fire that that could have burned its two wooden buildings down to the ground, bringing with them the hard work and effort of many people. Considering that there wasn’t a fire department, or even fire hidrants in Monteverde at the time, disaster was imminent. But, fortunately, the entire community of Monteverde came together – buckets in hand – to put out the fire. People of all ages and origins; friends, strangers; EVERYONE showed up, reminding us of what Monteverde is made of: community.

Walking through the hotel today, you’d never know. There isn’t a trace of this fire. And if it wasn’t for the community around the hotel, that wouldn’t be the case.

Hotel Belmar is a family-owned hotel, but as the events surrounding the fire proved, that family extends far beyond the owners of the hotel, to our staff and their families, our suppliers, our travel agencies, our clients, and all the people living in the surrounding town. For us, that extended family that is Hotel Belmar started 30 years ago, in 1985, when Pedro Belmar and Vera Zeledon decided to found the Hotel.

They had been living in Monteverde for a few years and wanted to share their town, their world, with others. It was the second hotel in Monteverde at the time, and since then, it has pioneered tourism in the area and taken a special place in the story of Monteverde, by never losing what made it special – a sense of community & an emphasis on quality, sustainable hospitality.This year, in honour of the 30th anniversary of the foundation of Hotel Belmar, we’re going to spend the next few weeks looking back at this time, to give you a look into the history of Hotel Belmar, and to welcome those who do not yet belong, to the Belmar family.

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