Known for their incomparable luxury villas, exceptional levels of service and complete dependability, Mead Brown Luxury Vacation Rentals is regularly garlanded the best high-end property rental and vacation company in Costa Rica. No less than you’d expect from owners Mark Mead and Michael Brown. Both are experienced and well-connected former Washington-based public affairs and communications consultants: Mark, a human rights champion and the principal partner at his firm Mead Partners LLC while Michael has served three U.S. presidents — twice on the White House staff — as a political appointee. And both have always been passionate about Costa Rica and luxury travel. Here’s how they started.

 

“After years of business travel and the not-frequent-enough vacation, we acquired a healthy appreciation for luxurious accommodations, personal service, and dependability – that last a particularly important trait when traveling in a foreign, developing country – and saw a real need in Costa Rica for a brand that could deliver all three.

“Over the course of several trips to the country where we conducted exhaustive research – if you know Michael you’ll know he is all about the details – we developed the brand and our vision and in 2007 Mead Brown Luxury Vacation Rentals was born.

“And it’s been a resounding success. Even with the near-collapse of the economy, the business has grown in leaps and bounds – the proof is in the accolades. Conde Nast Traveler magazine named Mark Mead their one (and only) “villa rental specialist” for Costa Rica in 2011, 2012, and 2013 (no list was published in 2014). In 2012, Travel + Leisure magazine named Mead Brown Costa Rica’s “Best Villa Rental Agency” and has continued to do so every year since including as recently as January 2015.

Mark Mead - Mead Brown Costa RicaOne man and his dog: Mark Mead on location in Costa Rica

“What’s our secret? Old-fashioned hard work, Mark’s gift with people, Michael’s impeccable business acumen and doing what we say we’re going to do. Offering and delivering the best professionally managed private villas and homes plus premium condominiums for rent in Costa Rica – with specific focus on Peninsula Papagayo (inside the gates of the famed Four Seasons Resort), Los Sueños Golf Resort and Marina, Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Punta Leona, Nosara, Esparza, Santa Teresa and Mal Pais, Playa Junquillal, Playa Montezuma, Playa Flamingo, Guiones,Tamarindo and Playa Langosta, San Juanillo, Playa Marbella, and Herradura.

IMG_2655-1024x683The pool and view from Mead Brown villa Sky Ranch overlooking Playa Hermosa from high up in the mountains

“All our rentals include daily housekeeping, Wi-Fi, and full concierge services and the genuine care and comfort of our guests results in a service and in experiences as memorable as Costa Rica itself. What Mead Brown excels at, and what has been the foundation of our success, is our full-service offering. We will arrange everything from round-trip airport transfers in a Mercedes Sprinter van with an English-speaking driver to stocking your pantry and refrigerator and booking your tours and adventures (world-class sport fishing for marlin and sailfish, a zipline canopy tour, ATV adventure, private yacht charter, private aircraft charter, helicopter tours and transfers, sea-kayaking, horseback riding, day trip with an expert guide to one or more of the national parks, including Manuel Antonio National Park, birding tour with an expert guide, crocodile tour, surfing lessons, etc.) We can plan massage and spa treatments, golf tee times on championship golf courses, arrange private chefs, tennis and even send an expert private cigar roller to your villa, where he will hand-roll cigars to your specifications – virtually anything you require. When we say full-service we mean it!

Casa-Mono-Loco-2-1024x848View from one of the stunning bedrooms at Casa Mono Loco in the Los Suenos Resort

“Some of our distinctive Costa Rica vacation estates and mansions include Villa Manzu on Peninsula Papagayo, which we believe is the finest home in Central America; Villa Paraiso in Montezuma; Zephyr Palace; Casa Mono Loco in Los Suenos Resort; Water Villa and Water Cottage (also known as Villa de Agua and Villa del Lago at Los Elementos) in Dominical; a hacienda with a private tennis court on Playa Grande between Tamarindo and Playa Flamingo; and the 24-acre, beachfront Sky Ranch — Rancho Cielo — on Playa Hermosa in Santa Teresa. And many of our estates are ideal for destination weddings dress, multigenerational travel, corporate retreats, milestone birthdays, television and movie productions, and other special events.

“In fact whatever your desire we will be happy to accommodate you. So what are you waiting for?”

DSC8157-1024x683Arriving by chopper at Villa Paraiso on Playa Montezuma

Find out more about Mead Brown and check out some of their truly magnificent properties here.

As told to Ramsay Short 

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