Couple's Escape

Xandari Resort & Spa

near Alajuela

This resort is the creation of architect and artist Sherril and Charlene Broudy, who envisioned a paradise reflecting the natural beauty of Costa Rica. There are 21 spacious villas decorated with original art and custom-designed furniture, hidden away on a 40 acre coffee and fruit plantation which overlooks Costa Rica's Central Valley. All villas have a private view terrace with a garden, a walled-in sun area, a bar kitchen, and either a king bed or two full beds. In the resort there are two lap swimming pools, a heated outdoor Jacuzzi and a dining room with a panoramic view of the Central Valley. With 4 kms of scenic trails located within the grounds of the hotel, this is a great place to start or end your trip and perhaps take a treatment in the lovely spa. The outdoor restaurant sources its food from the fruits, vegetables and herbs of the plantation’s gardens.

Pacuare Lodge

Turrialba

One of our favourite lodge's in Costa Rica, Pacuare is an award winning ecolodge nestled deep inside the enchanting and captivating Pacuare River and tropical forest.

The lodge has 12 rooms, 4 river view suites  and 6 garden view bungalows. The junior suites have king size beds, their own balcony and both inside and outdoor showers. The garden suites have a king size bed and a private bathroom with shower. There is no air-conditioning here but a natural breeze from the river keeps the rooms at a comfortable temperature. There is also a honeymoon suite set high up in the jungle with a private plunge pool and a unique hanging bridge that leads from the balcony across to a platform in a giant tree.

From Sep 2017 there will be 24h electricity in all rooms (currently just in two new river side Linda Vista suites). There will still be the option for rooms to be lit by candlelight at night as has been traditonal here up until now. Flashlights are provided in the rooms.  The main building which houses the bar and restaurant overlooks the river and the food (all sourced locally) is absolutely superb. The lodge has its own canopy tour and offers several other excursions including five hikes, earl morning birdwatching, horse riding and visiting the local Cabecar Indians.  

You can choose to get to and from the lodge either by 4x4 then a handcranked basket across the river to the far bank where the lodge is siturated or by white water rafting.  Rafting on the way in is grade II and takes around and hour to an hour and a half, depending on river levels. Rafting on the way out is a stronger grade III to IV and takes 4 hours through amazing scenery stopping for lunch on route.

There is a Spa on-site (massages and therapies at extra cost), plus a special tree-house dining space called 'the nest' situated high above the forest floor. It seats up to four people (min age 12 years) and should be pre-booked for a memorable meal at either breakfast, lunch or dinner. The food is winched up to you high in the canopy - supplementary costs apply ranging currently priced from $65-125pp depending on the meal option chosen.

Child policy:

If no rafting involved: minimum age is 7 years

If rafting out: minimum age 12 years

If river levels are low it could be possible for a  child aged 10-12 years to raft in (but they can never raft out).  

Grano de Oro

San José

Our favourite amongst the more upmarket downtown hotels in San Jose, Grano de Oro is an elegant place to stay. It is located in the west of the city near the Parque Metropolitano La Sabana and the Museum of Costa Rican Art. Formerly a private Victorian mansion it has been extended over the years and now has 32 tastefully decorated rooms in three price categories. The hotel's impressive new dining room has been crafted in fin du siecle style and it is considered one of the top spots to dine in the city. There is a small internal patio filled with tropical plants and a roof-top jacuzzi with a couple of sun loungers should you tire of sightseeing. Room facilities include the usual mini-bar, cable TV, room service, direct telephone, and safe deposit box. A laundry service is available.

Rio Perdido

Guanacaste

Rio Perdido is a modern, stylish, upmarket lodge within a 600 acre private reserve. It lies in a relatively remote part of Guanacaste's with dramatic gorges, tumbling waterfalls, wild rivers and thermal hot-springs in dry forest surroundings.

The lodge is a perfect base for adventure and relaxation.

Each of the Rio Perdido's 20 stand-alone, tastefully decorated bungalows have a/c, two queen-sized beds that can be combined into one king-sized bed, mini-bar, coffee station, terrace with hammock, wifi, flat screen cable TV.

Facilities include a swimming pool, a striking restaurant and bar area view view out over the forest canopy, spa and gift shop. Guests are transferred around the property by electric golf-carts.

Activities possible include on-site hiking trails of varying lengths in the reserve (which is accessed by a 200ft hanging bridge), thermal canyon with hot river pools, mountain biking, tubing, canopy zipline.

Rio Perdido has won a Trip Advisor 'Green Leaders' Platinum property award for sustainability. The lodge is 1.5hr drive from Liberia airport.

Alma del Pacifico

Playa Esterillos Este

Alma del Pacifico is one of the few good quality beach hotels in Costa Rica that is actually set directly on the beach, so you can walk out of your room and on to the sands in a few steps. The style is colourful and original, as spacious and comfortable rooms have the feel of an upmarket Mexican villa. Most of the rooms enjoy a view of the landscaped garden, opening out on to the sands behind. The thatched open-air restaurant looks onto the garden and the beach and there is a lovely swimming pool and a spa. Alma del Pacifico is also a good choice for honeymooners.