Nestled in a location that’s second to none, the place the Gulf of Papagayo meets the sapphire blue waters of Culebra Bay, Andaz Costa Rica Resort At Peninsula Papagayo extends over an enormous hillside (name for a golf cart if the uphill hike within the warmth turns into an excessive amount of) with breathtaking views over the ocean and the mountainous behind.
Set into the tropical hills overlooking the ocean and marina under, this spectacular resort presents a full five-star expertise with heat and pleasant service from its workers and the native wildlife. Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort presents unequalled ocean views, attractive infinity swimming pools, a wellness-focused spa, funky Costa Rican eating places, considerable wildlife, and even a ship trip to their wonderful seashore membership.
Wherever you resolve to remain, e-book through our luxurious journey concierge. We provide free upgrades, free breakfasts, and free perks at motels, together with the 4 Seasons, Aman, Belmond, Hyatt, Ritz-Carlton, Marriott, InterContinental, and extra. You additionally get your common Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt, loyalty factors, and standing advantages whenever you e-book with our concierge.
Location
The most effective airport to fly into is Guanacaste Airport in Liberia (full title Daniel Oduber Quiros Worldwide Airport). That is the second largest worldwide airport in Costa Rica, the opposite being San Jose. Liberia Airport is then a brief 20-minute scenic drive to the resort, whereas for those who fly into San Jose, it’s extra like a four-hour drive.
The dry season in Costa Rica runs from December by way of to April. That is when the climate is on the hottest and, after all, driest! It’s additionally peak time, so count on costs to be larger and the resort to be at its busiest. This may occasionally go well with you nicely, however we discovered the tail finish of the moist season a magical time to go to. We visited in mid-October when all the things was inexperienced and in bloom. We noticed little or no rain, lower than an hour in a few days, so for us, it was greater than value it to understand the gorgeous greenery.
The Andaz lies tucked on the tropical hillside of the Peninsula Papagayo with breathtaking ocean views, which take within the Marina Papagayo under and the huge Bay of Culebra.
The gated neighborhood of Peninsula Papagayo is dwelling to 3 unique resorts, residences, and a non-public membership, the marina, a number of eating places each within the resorts themselves and a number of other impartial too, the 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course, a nature middle and an journey tour firm.
There’s a stunning relationship between the institutions right here, the motels discuss one another’s eating places, they usually even present complimentary journey wherever on the Peninsula. We cherished this. Typically whenever you keep in a resort, you may really feel restricted to only that resort, for those who’re fortunate, possibly a sister resort. Right here you may discover additional but within the utmost consolation along with your driver delivering and amassing you, pausing solely to level out wildlife on route!
Fashion & Character
You get your first style of the allure that’s the Andaz Resort Costa Rica whenever you pull up exterior the primary reception. Your consideration is torn between your first glimpse of the ocean and the fabulous shiny purple VW Camper Van that proudly welcomes you.
The ocean view wins however not earlier than you smile on the pure enjoyable of this place. Heading in the direction of the check-in house, tree-lined infinity swimming pools flank your path, and also you attain an epic curved roof-topped open foyer.
They don’t prefer to name this reception. As a substitute, it’s their lounge, and appropriately you’re proven to cozy seating areas, as a substitute of standing at a desk, the place you may loosen up out of your journey and start to completely take within the panoramic ocean views.
The resort is designed by iconic Costa Rican architect Ronald Zürcher, who’s at present designing a group of luxurious Residences for the resort in addition to an incredible renovation of one of many eating places.
In addition to reflecting the Andaz model and striving for good concord with its environment, the resort makes use of shapes of cocoons and shells in its key buildings. These are then additionally used as motifs and displayed across the resort and on every visitor constructing; nice enjoyable to attempt to spot all of them!
Conservation and sustainability are vital right here, and that is evident all through the resort. All of the water bottles are steel, not plastic, and there are indicators saying to request when you desire to a turndown service and towels modified to reduce environmental impression.
Additionally they showcase native tradition all through the resort. A lot of the art work displayed is proudly domestically produced. We cherished the massive driftwood sculpture that hangs above the beds, made domestically in Costa Rica. There may be additionally an infinite multi-colored mural that strains the wall beneath the primary swimming pools. As you descend to the seashore, you may’t miss it. It’s so completely Andaz and so completely Costa Rica, too, a sheer delight!
Service & Amenities
You might be actually spoilt with methods to fill your time on the Andaz Resort Costa Rica. The most important determination first is whether or not to loosen up; on one among three seashores, by one among 4 freeform swimming pools (one with a beach-style shallow entrance, one adult-only, and I feel all infinity!), with a wellness remedy on the spa (whereas the children are at Cambi, the children membership after all!) or whether or not to get lively on the health middle, snorkeling, arise paddle boarding, kayaking, play a spherical of golf, a recreation of tennis, deep sea fishing, take a surf lesson or discover on an electrical bike! Phew!
In some unspecified time in the future in your actions, you’re, little question, going to need to head to the seashore. There are two seashores proper by the resort itself, simply meander down the tropical plant-lined paths and head down the picket walkway, and you’ll arrive on the seashores of Culebra Bay.
The actual deal with, nonetheless, awaits a brief boat trip away. Hop on board, and you’re taken 10 minutes throughout the ocean to the Andaz Seashore Membership set upon Playa Nacascolo. This pleasant house is the house of all these water sports activities. Below the timber are set many loungers and day beds. There’s a child’s playpark together with an enormous choice of sand toys, and whenever you’re worn out from all of the exercise, simply recline again on a hammock and catch some rays! The Seashore Membership has an exquisite chilled vibe and is absolutely staffed, too, so you’re served food and drinks by your lounger. That is additionally the house of one of many Andaz eating places, the Seashore Home.
For an actual spot of rest, the Onda Spa is a relaxed, stress-free sanctuary. We arrived on the lovely major spa check-in and have been then slowly led previous a group of luxurious huts set round jungle pathways. Like most issues on the Andaz Costa Rica, the spa is positioned to profit from the views. The very highest level of the resort is an open-air remedy house which might be simply unbelievable to start out the day with morning yoga or wind down with a soothing therapeutic massage.
There are each inside and out of doors remedy rooms, however whichever fits you and your remedy, the ocean view is simply unbelievable and turns into an actual a part of your time right here, including an exquisite pure ingredient to your expertise. The spa has a robust wellness element, and your therapist takes you thru a journey that begins with choosing an intention to your remedy, a extremely private strategy to make your time right here particular and memorable. Our couple’s Sound Therapeutic expertise was a very nurturing time that was soothing and deeply stress-free, a extremely valuable time collectively, and such a novel strategy to really feel completely linked to this unbelievable setting.
The service on the Andaz was persistently glorious, as you’d hope for those who’d stayed at an Andaz earlier than (we love the one in London). The resort has a contemporary, younger spirit, the colourful décor lifting everybody and producing a way of enjoyable and laughter. Not for a second does this undermine the requirements, although. It’s a 5-star resort, and the effectivity, friendliness, and professionalism are exacting all through.
Rooms
There are 153 spacious rooms (together with 21 suites), and the resort manages to take care of an enthralling boutique really feel, maybe partly as a consequence of its hillside location. Nothing feels too unfold out or far aside. All of the rooms have massive furnished balconies, rainfall showers, and floor-to-ceiling home windows.
The same old services and facilities that you’d count on are supplied, plus some considerate extras too. There are complimentary his and hers hats and complimentary flip flops in snazzy Andaz colours, and the mini-bar accommodates complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. The visitor rooms are all the identical measurement, however every change in class improves your view. I might completely advocate the Bay View rooms, this view is awe-inspiring, and also you merely want to have the ability to spend as a lot time as potential admiring it!
Our room was attractive, with pure colours and supplies used all through, however the uplifting burst of shade continued with some fabulous picket lizards on the wall that don’t allow you to neglect that you’re in lovely Costa Rica. The room was open plan in design with the beds at one finish of the room and a intelligent room divider appearing as each your tv stand on one aspect, your wardrobe and storage on the opposite, and a eating nook on the far finish.
Our bathe was particular too, solely indoors however with a floor-to-ceiling window with a sliding glass door, which implies in complete privateness, you may benefit from the ocean views wanting throughout the balcony whilst you cleanse. I additionally cherished the pebble impact ground that continues all through the bathe, throughout the sink space, and into the bathroom, utilizing the flooring to separate the toilet zone from the open plan room format.
We adored our room, and the 2 double-bed layouts labored completely for a household. Upgrading to an Andaz Suite does provide the bonus of a shocking deep soaking tub with a view or a plunge pool, and even higher, each!
The Andaz Suites, in addition to being bigger than the visitor rooms, even have bigger terraces; be sure you go for the View possibility to maximise the wow issue of these panoramic ocean views. The Andaz Giant Suite provides you extra space nonetheless, and you’ll connect with a room, too, so you will have a two-bedroom suite, good for a touring household. There’s additionally a Presidential Suite for the last word luxurious expertise. That is value contemplating for those who’re celebrating a special day or simply need to unfold out and profit from each minute spent in paradise.
Meals & Drink
There are 4 glorious eating institutions in Andaz Costa Rica. The primary restaurant the place breakfast is served is the Latin American restaurant Rio Bhongo. The positioning of this restaurant is genius. You overlook three of the swimming swimming pools and have gorgeous ocean views too. The breakfast is a really beneficiant cold and warm buffet. They clarify all the things the primary day, however you tour the completely different stations, serving to your self to chilly treats and being served sizzling objects whereas they preserve you topped up with tea and occasional. The juice bar and fruit station have been one among my favorites, all the things was so contemporary, and it was nice enjoyable sampling all of the unique fruits too. My kids adored the selection of pastries and breads and the new station had an incredible mixture of traditional and native dishes, which modified a bit of every day so you might all the time strive one thing new. We returned right here for a scrumptious dinner too, the place the lights of the pool and the marina under give a relaxed, romantic air whilst you tuck right into a Latin American feast.
On one other night, we headed to the attractive Chao Pescao for an incredible combo of tapas and Latin-inspired cocktails. The place had a buzzing environment, positively thanks partly to the superb dwell music.
We couldn’t go to the seafood-restaurant Ostra throughout our keep as that is the restaurant at present present process a change. The idea sounds wonderful, with a journey by way of your night strategy, which strikes you from welcome drinks to dwell culinary stations, by way of to the primary occasion, the place you tuck into the contemporary seafood delicacies in gorgeous environment. A superb excuse for a return go to at the very least!
Lastly, the Seashore Home is tremendous handy whenever you’re on the Seashore Membership and fancy a locally-inspired taco or burger, you could be served proper to your lounger, or there’s a spacious open-air restaurant on the high of the Seashore Membership too.
Conclusion
We had an exquisite and really memorable keep on the Andaz Resort Costa Rica. The wonderful services have been a giant a part of that. I’m nonetheless dreaming of bathing of their infinity swimming pools shaded by jicaro timber and framed by views of the cobalt blue bay.
However the resort is a lot extra than simply the services, it’s a fantastic a part of its setting, and we actually felt this. The wildlife is nurtured and revered, even all the way down to the low lighting within the evenings, in order to not disturb the animals. It’s issues like this and its great staff that make Andaz Costa Rica so very particular.
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