In a country where rice and beans rule the gastronomic scene, happening upon the exotic offerings of Ayurvedic, Tandoori and general fusion of international cuisine at the Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa was more than a breath of fresh air – it was a culinary awakening.

My boyfriend and I had the privilege of spending a long weekend at the infamous Tabacon Resort. Already splattered across travel magazines for its iconic hot springs that are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., the hotel always came off as slightly impersonal to me, like a giant water park in the middle of a tourist jungle.

This, I was soon to discover, is an image that Tabacon is content to have left in the past, along with its days of full occupancy and 1,000 daily guests to the hot springs property. Under the management of Uwe Wagner, a German hotelier who came to the resort two and a half years ago with a weighty international resume, Tabacon took a turn toward exclusive luxury and personalized service.

Having worked at reshaping hotels in Europe, Africa and Mexico, Wagner brought an international perspective and a strong dedication to the idea of – oddly – less clients. While this may sound like a recipe for disaster, the refocus on intimate has redefined the resort and crafted the scene of my most memorable and scrumptious weekend in Costa Rica…

We were welcomed at reception with a fruit cocktail and made plans for dinner before speeding off to soak in our en-suite Jacuzzi with jungle views. From there on out our daily activities circulated between the two on-site restaurants, hot springs and our amazing room, never sure which merited the majority of our time.

The morning breakfast buffet is served poolside at the Los Tucanes restaurant. This included five serving stations, mixing Costa Rican, Spanish and American breakfast traditions, with made-to-order omelets, cold cuts, yogurt, fresh bread and pastries, gallo pinto (rice and beans flavored with cilantro and spices), pancakes, bacon, sausage and much more. Waiters continued to circulate with their attentive service offering local coffee, water, orange juice and vino espumante, oh the luxury!

For lunch we would stop by the Ave del Paraiso restaurant located on the hot springs property. On top of an extensive menu of heaping dishes, it was here that we were discovered one of Tabacon’s best kept secrets: sous chef Pravesh Bhatnagar. There in the corner, looking over the main pool and wet bar, was a small glass-walled kitchen designed to put the Indian chef’s Tandoori cooking on display for all to see.

An unexpected find in the heart of the Costa Rican jungle, this Hindu style of cooking involves a clay oven, usually found underground, in which long metal kebobs are laced with heavily seasoned chunks of fish, cheese, beef or chicken and vegetables and cooked in less than 10 minutes. All dishes are served with Butter Naan bread, a yogurt mint sauce and Dal Makhan. After a willing tutorial from one of Bhatnagar’s assistant, we were able to sample the Tandoori cheese plate; a heaping snack for two.

Dinner back at the Los Tucanes restaurant became the highlight of our evenings, set to relaxing live music every night from the piano, guitar or saxophone. Not only is the food amazing, the formal dining experience was executed with style and proficiency that could please any urban sophisticate, let alone our own humble standards.

My first meal began with a green salad with goat cheese, strawberries and caramelized walnuts. We were then presented with a tasty canapé del día ranging from salmon to tomato and truffle flavors. After the appetizers, the waiter brought out a fresh fruit sorbet to clear the palate. Finally, I arrived to my main dish of Yellow fin tuna on taboulé with a vinaigrette dressing. The fish was cooked beautifully, with a toasted grey outside giving way to a moist, brilliant red inside, which tasted equally as brilliant.

It was then that we learned of Tabacon’s policy of using locally grown seasonal, organic ingredients that are never microwaved, frozen or fermented. Not that I would have cared what was done to it to arrive to that state of greatness on my plate! Come desert time, my boyfriend saved just enough room to order a Chocolate Mille Feuille, later to find out that a plate of three tiny desserts is also included in the meal!

With my sweet tooth, savory tooth, and wine tooth thoroughly satisfied, we turned in early with some borrowed movies from the front desk to get an early start the next day. And thus began the cycle of eating, leaving us wondering how the next day could possibly top such an experience.

Well, never doubt the capacity for surprises and attention to detail at this hotel. You have been officially warned! Top this they did, in one of the most beautiful gestures I have ever received from a hotel. On our final night with Tabacon, after a day of canopy touring and hot springs bathing, we ran into Victor, the hotel marketing manager who had accompanied us on the zip lines and sat down with us for a late afternoon snack at the Caña Brava bar. He told us to return to the reception at 8 p.m. sharp and dressed for celebration.

After studying his expression, we rushed to get ready, arriving with elevated expectations. Through a light drizzle, we were led along a jungle path behind the hotel lit by tiki torches and moonlight until we reached a single wooden rancho with a palm leaf roof with a floor covered in scattered rose petals. Our waiter, David, took my hand and led me to my seat at a table set for two in the middle of the Costa Rican rainforest. Low music, the rushing rain and guarded gasps of awe were all that was to be heard by us and a handful of hidden jungle creatures.

And here it was, over a bottle of red, and an exquisite six course dinner that I discovered the most romantic meal in all of Costa Rica. Set amid rainforest, clouds, volcanoes, hot springs and cold rivers, this privileged location paid tribute to the genius of the food and service traditions, and made us feel like the most important pair in the country.

In a search for restaurants in Arenal, there are none that compare to the offerings of Tabacon Hotsprings. Overlooking their vast array of international awards and affiliations, the personalized visitor experience is enough to qualify this hotel as a contender for best in the region, though it is clear their aspirations are global.

Luxury in Costa Rica at Villa Buena Onda

Last Saturday night saw the inauguration sunset cocktail party of the luxury, private resort Villa Buena Onda as it opened its doors to the first guests. Local residents from the tourism and real estate industry were invited to sample tropical punches as the sun set down at just gone 6 p.m. Situated one and a half miles from Playa de Coco, our setting afforded us stretching views right down to the indigo waves, the shrubbery opening up to give us a near private scrutiny of the nearby islitas (small islands).

For the lucky guests who got to be overnight visitors, we arrived mid afternoon to be greeted with luscious red colour cocktails, luggage snatched away and scurried up the stairs by smiling staff. A much anticipated tour of the property let us in on the hidden secrets of the Villa: individual balconies and gentle, overhead rain showers. Our only work being to change out of stiff office uniforms, we unpacked bikinis and trunks and slipped into colourful swimwear. Testing out the waterworks, the brave flipped out of the infinity pool and into rubber dinghies, the more nervous choosing to pull up underwater bar stools and await a second welcome drink.

Preparing for the evening festivities led to a round of playing fancy dress up. Hours of preparation later, the lovely ladies showed up in glittering cocktail numbers and the boys, for their part, in razzle-dazzle shorts and t-shirts. The party guests poured in and were served up a heady concoction of delicate calamares (squid) and sticky sweet barbecue chicken. Swivelling all deck chairs to face the light’s fade, the sun sunk deep, tracing embossed grey cut-outs of a magic world that had once been.

The after party led us onwards to a scandalous night out on the town, just a few minutes drive along from the Villa’s setting. After the called-for shaking of booties (all three bosses included), we slumbered back to our grandísimos resting places, looking for some kip ahead of another day of – well – not doing very much. Our hangovers dulled by a hearty breakfast the next morning, we dined on sweet cakes and tropical jams, topped up by a rather fancy gallo pinto (rice and beans).

The Beautiful Infinity Pool at Villa Buena Onda

Served up cosy, warm beach towels, Sunday morning was spent lapping refreshing, cool dips across the lower Villa pool. A dash of morning exercise came in the form of artistic water games, the lazy opting instead to sport giant sunglasses on reclining sun loungers. The upstairs was open to kicking back with a film, or lazing on extensive balconies, scribbling down inspired thoughts in private notebooks. Lunch was luxury hamburgers and fantastically salty fries, served even to those rebels too lazy to change out of bathing suits (that would be only me, apologies).

I would do it all again.

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Fancy a taste of the good life yourself? Book out your weekend at www.mycostaricavilla.com!

The Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, is no stranger to international acclaim. The recently renovated complex was awarded the highest possible 7-star rating for the quality of service and installations at its Grand Spa by the international organization Seven Stars and Stripes, the most prestigious recognition in the world for luxury hotels.

In addition to the spa’s rating, the hotel received six stars for its facilities and the Los Tucanes restaurant was given five stars, which also contributed to making Tabacon the first hotel in Latin America to obtain Seven Stars international distinction. Among the 200 other hotels that were chosen this year were top picks such as the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, the Adlon in Berlin, the Ritz Carlton in Philadelphia and The Grand in Amsterdam.

The Tabacon Resort’s manager, Uwe Wagner, explained that Seven Stars is a well-recognized organization that holds great prestige throughout Asia and Europe. He hopes the distinction will attract tourists from these regions, which will not only benefit the hotel, but the entire region of Arenal and the country in general.

In addition to the Seven Stars distinction, the Tabacon Resort came in first place in the International Restaurant & Hotel Awards (IHRA) in the category of “property with Best Water Feature”. Manager Wagner will travel to Beverly Hills, CA this November 2008 to receive the award. The Costa Rica hotel beat out The Biltmore Hotel in Florida and the One & Only Ocean Club in Nassau Bahamas to come in first place.

The IRHA awards are divided into 11 categories at the luxury level. The Best Water Feature category acknowledges hotels with the best pools, beaches, mineral springs or Jacuzzis. Wagner noted that he is especially proud that the Tabacon hot springs are 100% natural thanks to their location at the foot of the Arenal Volcano, and the hotel itself is ecologically friendly.

To round out its list of honors, Tabacon’s Grand Spa was also selected as the “Favorite Spa in Central America” and one of the world’s “Top 10 Best Mineral Spring Water Spas” in 2007 in a poll printed by Luxury SpaFinder.

The spa itself is a treat for all who enter, although only their glowing faces and relaxing accounts will serve as proof, as photographs are not allowed inside. The facilities include 11 outdoor treatment bungalows for couples, individuals or families, each with a private Jacuzzi, a resort shaman, and a Yoga bungalow. Treatments are given in outdoor thermal river pools by spa specialists and overseen by the shaman.

Lapa Rios is well known throughout Costa Rica as being one of the front runners in sustainable tourism but also as being in one of the most bio-diverse areas in Costa Rica, as well as on the planet. When the hotel was first designed many asked the owners ‘why would you build a hotel in the Osa? Nobody goes there?’.

In the 2008 Lapa Rios was voted in the top 500 hotels in the world by Travel and Leisure with a score of 86.5/100. Travel and Leisure described it as ‘One of the country’s-and world’s most earth-friendly addresses’ and said the thing not to miss was ‘Having the lodge arrange a picnic under a hidden jungle waterfall’. It is easy to see how Lapa Rios is in the top 500 hotels in the world as it would definitely be at least in the top 2 for magical experiences.

On a recent visit to Lapa Rios, the Travel Consultants at Costa Rican Vacations wrote a Lapa Rios Hotel Review which can be previewed by clicking the link behind. The hotel is unique and is a benchmark for hotels in Costa Rica in reaching Sustainable Travel levels.

The hotel produces its own electricity and also grows all of its produce in the local area. All the staff at the resort are from Puerto Jimenez or local areas and the hotel plays a large part in the local community. The hotel also picked up an award on the Conde Nast Gold List of 2008 scoring an average of 92/100.

Lapa Rios will continue to be one of the original market leaders in Sustainable Travel as eco-travel and eco-awareness increase more and more throughout the world.

I was completely taken by surprise over the weekend when I revisited Villa Caletas, one of my favorite hotels that holds a close resemblance to paradise. This time, however, I had the opportunity to visit Zephyr Palace, which I did not know even existed (it is brand new) and that is when I discovered a Paradise within Paradise.

The journey in Villa Caletas begins as soon as you access from the main road. On their private access you will be able to enjoy an amazing view that goes from Puntarenas all the way to Playa Hermosa (180º view) and most likely includes a couple of Macaws flying by. Once you arrive to the main area of the hotel you will get that sense of secluded exclusivity that Villa Caletas offers. The most astonishing ocean view in Costa Rica, incredible service and attention to detail, individual rooms in a bungalow like style, enticing restaurants, a serenity spa on the edge of the cliff and the first infinity pool in Costa Rica, which inspired all others, is what makes Villa Caletas so ideal.

But then, you take a 30 second drive to Zephyr Palace and you ask yourself, can it really get better? As soon as you get to the palace and you are surrounded by 4 feet tall stone walls, you realize you are about to enter something out of this World. What makes the Zephyr Palace so magnificent? It includes 7 Utopian suites individually themed, 6 classy salons, breathtaking views, a private jacuzzi on every private balcony and a infinity pool inspired by the original masterpiece. Zephyr Palace is the perfect place for a Costa Rica wedding or honeymoon, no doubt in my mind.

Basically if you think you have been bad, make sure you visit one of these two sites because it just might be the closest you will ever get to Paradise in the form of Costa Rica lodging. The prices will bring you back to reality ranging from $450 to $1,500 for the night — but if you can afford it, it is worth it!

This weekend I had the pleasure of visiting Hotel Club del Sol, in Jaco. The first thing that pleased me about the hotel was it’s location, location, location! If you’ve never been to Jaco before, I can tell you it’s notorious for it’s nightlife and is always packed, regardless of the season. Not that I don’t enjoy a night out on the town once in a while, but if I’m at the beach I usually want to relax 90% of the time, and party 10% of the time, so having a place to stay that can offer me that luxury is priceless!

Located on the far end on the long Jaco beach, Hotel Club del Sol is nesteled between trees just 150 metres away from the shore. It’s a 10 minute beach walk to “town”, or a very short car ride, so needless to say, I was able to do my souvenir shopping by day, and have dinner and a few drinks at night. When I was on the beach in front of the hotel, I truly felt I was away from the crowds I usually find in the central area. Of course, as it is Costa Rica, all this is also backed my mountainous rainforest.

Hotel Club del Sol offers 16 condos, equally distributed on two floors. Each condo accommodates up to 6 people and they have king size, queen size and double beds, as well as sofa beds. All condos are fully equipped with a refrigerator and kitchen appliances such as coffee maker, microwave, blender, ice maker, dinnerware and utensils. There is no mini bar, as these are condos, however with the close proximity of a local “corner shop” and major supermarkets in town, you can stock up on goodies and refreshments aplenty! Each condo is also comfortably air-conditioned, but provides a ceiling fan as well for those of us that prefer to feel the heat of the beach a bit! Wireless internet access, laundry service, cable TV, an alarm clock and a safety deposit box are just a few more of the amenities offered.

Although the condos are great for couples and youngsters, it is also definitely family orientated, with lovely gardens and a centerpiece swimming pool with its own cute miniature waterfall, I’m sure my little one would have a blast jumping in and out of it, and if you want a more intimate experience you can relax in the jacuzzi.

There is no restaurant or bar at Hotel Club del Sol, but this is generally the case with rental condos, and in any case, being so close to one of Costa Rica’s hottest social locations, you will probably want to check out some of the many restaurants the Jaco strip has to offer, and if you want a quiet night in, you can cook dinner in the comfort of your own condo. I can definitely say that I was impressed with the clean and smart face of the condos, and the cozy interiors. If I had a choice I would most certainly stay there in any future visits to Jaco!

Despite its remote location 35 minutes away from La Fortuna, La Mansion Inn Arenal boutique hotel offers the best view of the Arenal volcano in the region. While the hotel itself sits on the far edge of Lake Arenal with no direct view of the volcano, a new sunset cruise provides guests the most unique vantage point of flowing lava from the foot of the volcano.

When deciding to go against the pack and construct a hotel in La Union rather than the Arenal-viewing center of La Fortuna, La Mansion owner Godfried Ponteur knew he better have something great to offer guests. The sweeping views of the hilly countryside directly in front of Lake Arenal make for the perfect location for the 17 romantic cottages and villas, but some guests wanted more.

For those who did not want to drive to a viewing area 15 minutes away at night to catch a glimpse of the famous glowing lava, the hotel began offering chartered boat rides along the lake to view the mystical spectacle, departing from the hotel dock. Based on the enthusiasm of the guests, La Mansion Inn Arenal has since made the sunset cruise a regular offering by contracting a cozy pontoon boat to carry up to 12 guests at a time.

The cruise is a new concept in the region and available exclusively to guests of La Mansion. The three hour cruise departs at 3:30 in the afternoon to skim the shores of the lake so guests can view the marine and wildlife in this remote region. A guide is on board to point out some of the native animals including several monkey species and tropical and aquatic birds and share the interesting history of this man made lake that covers the original town of Arenal. Cheese, wine and refreshments are served, making for a comfortable, intimate atmosphere.

After an hour, the boat will arrive to the foot of the Arenal volcano, near the Rio Chiquito area, which is the ideal setting to view the streams of lava that are constantly erupting from the volcano’s crater, making it one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Beautiful views of the sunset from the lake crown the boat’s lazy ride back to La Mansion, where guests will be let off just in time to get ready for dinner.

After the cruise, many visitors choose to stay in to enjoy a gourmet meal provided by the hotel’s chef Xinia, who has been with them for 7 years. The international menu changes daily to ensure that only the freshest ingredients make it to the plate. Each menu gives you a choice between 3 salads, and 5 main dishes varying between chicken, pasta, meat and seafood.

Some meals that you might expect include sea bass fillet with a shrimp and white wine sauce, or Angus beef tenderloin served with a Gorgonzola sauce and rosemary potatoes. Both are great options to end the day before retiring to your personal European style cottage with thoughtful splashes of color throughout.

About the hotel

La Mansion Inn Arenal is a peaceful boutique resort located in La Union, about 25 minutes from the Arenal volcano and 35 minutes from La Fortuna. It offers 17 cottages, each with its own name and design, all set on the sloping shores of Lake Arenal. Amenities include an infinity pool, heated pool and Jacuzzi, spa, satellite TV, and on site restaurant serving international and tropical cuisine.

The price for the sunset cruise to the base of the volcano is $50 per person, (with a minimum of 4 people) and it is open to all guests, including children The tour is available on a daily basis, and may be canceled due to rain, which is not ideal for viewing the volcano.

The Rafiki Safari Lodge, outside Quepos, Costa Rica, is not simply dedicated to its paying guests that come to experience the adventurous treat of this rainforest destination. The “Luxury Tent Camp” is actually a part of a sustainable project to reintroduce the 650lb Baird’s Tapir, a relative to the horse and rhinoceros, to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

Their cyclical sustainability model draws in money through tourism to reinvest in the natural surroundings, people and wildlife in the region, which will then attract more tourists.

They are currently in Stage 2 of the project, which includes fencing in a 60 acre portion of the 750 acre property to serve as the reintroduction area for the Tapirs, where they can acclimate to the area and be viewed by visitors. The Rafiki staff hopes to reintroduce the first Tapirs from other captive sites in the summer of 2008, which will be strictly monitored from an onsite Veterinarian Center. The goal is to someday release the animals along a corridor designated for the giant animal that crosses over the Rafiki property.

The motto of the Lodge, which opened in 2002, is “Vivir y dejar Vivir” (Live and let live). It was constructed by the Boshoff family from South Africa who has managed to leave tiny foot prints in the wake of their prolific project.

The Boshoffs purchased the property after sons Lautjie and Nel took a surfing trip to Dominical, Costa Rica 12 years ago. They got lost along the way, and stumbled upon a home set in the middle of the dense jungle property. Their father, Constant Boshoff, purchased the property in 1999, and began to construct the hotel, incorporating a bit of South Africa in the Safari style tents, cuisine and respect for nature.

From the fans to the pool to the garbage, everything here is designed to have a minimal impact on nature. Energy is generated by a hydro-electric plant which is run by the water that also feeds into Costa Rica’s fastest water slide and the small onsite pool. No chemicals are used in the pool, which is naturally cleaned by the moving water.

The hotel uses biodegradable or recyclable products wherever possible, and the small amount of trash that is generated is disposed of in an onsite treatment plant. The water is heated by a fire that is built from wood and disposed-of paper products.

The family has also firmly instilled a humble practice of social responsibility. Because the entire staff comes from nearby towns such as Santo Domingo and Silencio, they have invested in the future of these areas. They help maintain the schools through donations, and provide training for employees as well as the Red Cross in the area. Between 20 and 30 students have already received scholarships through the hotel, and others benefit from English lessons that are provided at the lodge.

From the point of view of the guests, the hotel is a unique adventure escape. “It is an adventurous Osa,” said past guest Richard Bexon. “I would recommend it for people that don’t want to travel all the way to the Osa to experience Costa Rican wildlife up close.”

Despite their unique safari style, the accommodations are far from rustic. The safari tents are pitched upon raised wooden platforms with rocking chairs and beautiful views of the valley below. Each tent opens into a luxurious bathroom that may make you lose your bearings for a moment. There is a fan and screened windows to protect you from the heat and the mosquitoes.

For those looking to rough it, the lodge is not lacking in adventure opportunities. Son and manager Lautjie is a bit of a bushman and onsite biologist. He leads many of the safaris, be it on horseback or in the lodge’s specialty “Mini Me” rafts that allow guests to have slightly less stable experience on the Rio Savegre. The infamous Super Lekker is Rafiki Safari’s signature challenge and blends horseback riding, whitewater rafting and hiking for quite the adrenaline rush.

From the courtesy welcome drink at the beginning of your stay, to the South African Braai or barbeque where you share tales of the day’s quests, you will find yourself feeling like part of the Boshoff family and their exemplary model of sustainable tourism set in the rainforests of Costa Rica.

Located on the Atlantic side of Costa Rica, in the town of Guápiles, the Suerre Hotel & Country Club is a good option for business and leisure travelers. Rates range from $60 for a single occupancy room to $150 for a suite.

I stayed in a clean double room and it had all the basic amenities (A/C, in-room safe, Cable TV, mini-bar, refrigerator and room service). There is no coffeemaker in the rooms but complimentary coffee is available in the reception area. A minor nuisance was that I had to let the water flow for 2-3 seemingly endless minutes before the water was hot enough to shower with.

Entertainment
The hotel’s sports facilities serve double duty as the local area country club so it has a well-equipped workout gym, Olympic-sized swimming pool with water slide, indoor tennis courts, outdoor basketball court and a full-size soccer field. In the poolside area you can also find billiards, ping pong and foosball tables. I tried the swimming pool which was surprisingly well maintained and the temperature was perfect.

For adults, 18 and over, there is an on-site casino with a Blackjack and Pai Gow table, slot machines and an electronic roulette wheel. The casino staff is very friendly and will even teach you how to play if you need to learn the basics. Bets begin at 1000 colones or US$5 if you want to bet in dollars, so if you just want to stretch out your dollars, play in colones.

The Suerre has two bars, a small one in the main restaurant area and larger one poolside. The main bar has a big-screen TV so it’s a good place to catch those must-see games. The poolside bar is under a nice palm frond hut structure and offers snacks, burgers and nachos too.

Food
The food I tried was buffet style – basic and good. For breakfast there was a nice selection of fresh juices, local fresh fruit and the ever-present and popular “gallo pinto” as part of the Tico style continental breakfast. A-la-carte service is also available. The kitchen closes at 11pm so if you’re out late and looking for a quick bite to eat, go make a few bets in the casino and order a couple of their small but tasty grilled ham and cheese sandwiches.

Business Facilities
The hotel’s business facilities include a couple of basic conference rooms and wireless internet access is available in the restaurant, pool area and in most rooms. The A/C in the conference room we used was noisy so it was difficult to hear others speaking. A few new conference rooms are currently being built so hopefully they have a quieter cooling system.

Tips and Overall Comments
The hotel is going through some expansion so more rooms are being built. I stayed in room number 140 and the construction workers were hammering and sawing away at 6:00 am. If you plan on sleeping in late, I recommend not staying in any of the rooms at the back for the next few months.

If you’re staying in the area, on your way to San Jose or heading to the beaches along the Atlantic coast, The Suerre is a nice option to stay at for a night or two.

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John D. Kloninger is a online marketer living in Costa Rica. Born in California, he grew up in San Jose and then went on to University in Honolulu, HI and Boston, MA. You can contact him at jkloninger@gmail.com.

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting the tranquil and beautiful retreat, El Silencio Lodge & Spa, tucked between Poas Volcano and Juan Castro Blanco National Park just north of the charming town of Sarchi.  It’s been ages since I had a weekend as relaxing and enjoyable as this one, and I will certainly be recommending this hotel to other travelers, or anyone living in San Jose looking for a quick getaway for the weekend. 

The lodge is a new sister-property to the fabulous and luxurious Hotel Punta Islita on the Nicoya Peninsula.  In fact, combining El Silencio with Punta Islita would make for a perfect week-long combo trip for couples or families with older children that enjoy nature, desire luxury, and are seeking the more “untouched” locales of Costa Rica.  

El Silencio is a short 1 hour and 15 minute drive from the Juan Santamaria International Airport (perhaps a bit longer if you wish to stop along the way in Grecia or Sarchi to investigate local artisan shops or enjoy some delicious “comida tipica” (local food)).  It’s a bit tricky to manuever at night (as my husband and I discovered) so arrival is recommended before 6 PM… however I have to say that one advantage of arriving late was the spectacular view of the San Jose city lights from high above as we drove to the lodge. 

Upon arrival we were greeted by the general manager and our “Eco-Concierge” who assisted us with our luggage, parked our car, and showed us to our private cabina via an electric golf cart (the themes of El Silencio, as well as Punta Islita, are environmental consciousness and giving back to the local community, and those values were clearly evident throughout our stay which made us feel even better about choosing this property!).

The cabinas are SO comfy and cozy that you will not want to leave and explore the rest of the 200 hectare property!  You will find a king-size bed, excellent linens, gas fireplace, large sitting area for enjoying a good book, large bathrooms, private outdoor jacuzzi, and a sizeable porch with rocking chairs for enjoying the majestic view of the mountains… all decorated with a mountain theme using natural wood and earth-tones. 

The fireplace and private jacuzzi were my personal favorite touches.  You’ll need the fire as the mornings and evenings are quite cool, and the jacuzzi was perfect after our morning hike to see three amazing waterfalls that certainly rival the falls at La Paz Waterfall Gardens (for those that are familiar with that location).  In fact, I found the hike at El Silencio to be more enjoyable than the hike at La Paz, and it’s easy enough that those of any age can manuever the well-built trails without a problem.  Accompanying us on our hike was our Eco-Concierge, who was a wealth of knowledge on plants, animals, birds, and insects, as well as the hotel’s future projects and the nearby community of Bajos del Toro.  A hike is included as part of your room rate, so be sure to take advantage of this wonderful amenity.

We also made sure to visit the excellent spa at El Silencio. The spa is built slightly away from the cabinas to allow more privacy, and is so peaceful and quiet that I felt I should whisper for fear of disturbing it all. Our experience with the spa was very professional, and I found the prices to be extremely reasonable for the quality of service provided. I was lucky enough to be there at the same time they were offering a special for an exfoliation and aromatherapy massage package for only $100 for an hour and a half treatment. It was truly the best spa experience I have had in Costa Rica because of the staff, quality of treatment, and the atmosphere.  

Finally, I have saved the best for last… the food.  El Silencio’s per person rates include three meals per day (alcoholic beverages are separate) and, let me tell you, the food is the best quality I have had in Costa Rica to date. Chef Marco uses only the freshest ingredients, many of which come from their organic garden located on property. You can actually TASTE the freshness of the food…it’s like nothing I had ever experienced.  The colors of the food are so bright and beautiful that it emphasizes the freshness even more. 

With each meal, you have choice of an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert, complimented with tea, coffee, or an array of natural fruit drinks. Of course, alcoholic beverages or the perfect glass of wine are available to complement your meal.  The “stand out” favorites in my mind were a delicious Pejibaye Ceviche on the first night, and the best Chicken Parmigiana I have ever tasted with pesto sauce and homemade pasta. The breakfasts are also very unique…they have a hint of the “typical” Costa Rican favorites of gallo pinto, eggs, and fresh fruit, but in creative ways and with creative flavors, plus some surprises like multi-grain pancakes with homemade berry compote.  My husband would tell you that his favorite part of all three meals was the out-of-this-world homemade berry jam that accompanied every breakfast.  He couldn’t get enough of it…

The staff at El Silencio is extremely personable, kind, and helpful.  You can sense the sincerity in their work, and their belief in the hotel’s themes of environmental consciousness and contribution to the local community. It was nice to see the same staff each day as it made the property feel more “home-y” and relaxed, almost like you were visiting friends or family.

 Overall, my experience at El Silencio ranks as one of my top hotel stays in Costa Rica.  I have stayed at many excellent hotels here through my work, but very few have successfully combined service, atmosphere, luxury, and beauty, AND have a mindful eye on doing right by the environment and the Costa Rican people.  Felicidades to El Silencio and Grupo Islita for establishing such a fabulous hotel!  If you are reading this article, please be sure to visit El Silencio (and Punta Islita for that matter!) on your next trip to Costa Rica or your next weekend getaway from San Jose.  You won’t be disappointed!