Small Distinctive Hotels of Costa Rica

Honeymoon at Arenas Del Mar, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

2008-07-02T08:14:00.001-06:00

Arenas Del Mar is the perfect honeymoon escape, featuring spacious suites with spectacular views and an outdoor bathtub. Manuel Antonio, one of the most beautiful National parks in the world, offers not only beach and ocean activities, but a great combination of restaurants, night life, rainforest and beaches.
Costa Rica has become a preferred destination for the new generation of "active honeymooners" that want more than just cocktails by the pool. A Costa Rican Honeymoon allows you to combine rainforest adventures with relaxing moments on the beach, all in a safe and comfortable environment.
At Arenas Del Mar, we have become specialists in helping honeymoon couples create unforgettable experiences. The private setting of Arenas Del Mar Beach & Nature Resort in its private rainforest reserve within walking distance to secluded beaches and spectacular Ocean views are the ideal setting for couples to decompress after the hectic days of getting married.
Favorite activities for honeymoon couples include horseback riding on the beach or in the rainforest, whitewater rafting excursions to the nearby tropical rivers, Canopy tours (zip lines through the top of the rainforest) and the dolphin watch tour in the Pacific Ocean.
Let us take care of your honeymoon arrangements for you!

Working for a Sustainable Tourisim

2008-06-03T13:55:00.003-06:00

Florblanca’s quest for obtaining our CST (Certificate of Sustainable Tourism) leaves has made us revalue ourselves completely, letting us set a more clear vision of where we want to go and what impact we want to have over our clients, our staff, our community and the environment.

Lucky for us, we have staff in all departments (housekeeping, maintenance, accounting, reception, reservations, security and management), that has the best will to participate and collaborate with the new activities and changes we are developing at Florblanca and Reserva Hotel.

We have taken big steps forward on recycling. We began by focusing on separating the garbage of the hotel. This task required educating the staff, creating infrastructure as well as setting a new plan on managing our solid waste and especially our organic wastes, which we are converting into compost.

After teaching our staff, we started working at a community level. We have proudly helped setup a collection center managed by a local we like to call “Gato”. On June 5th, the international day of the environment, we are kicking off with a recycling program for the communities of Santa Teresa, El Carmen, Hermosa and Manzanillo. Prior to this day, a member of Florblanca’s staff will go door by door explaining the recycling program to the community with brochures and examples of what can be recycled and what cannot be recycled.

Electricity conservation has been also one of our top priorities, therefore; we have just installed solar lights in most of our offices and our kitchen allowing these spaces to be illuminated with natural light from the sun. We have also changed most of our light bulbs to more energy saving bulbs.

At a social level, we have reached out to our community in a number of ways. We have made contributions to paint a school in Paquera, to build the bullring of Cóbano, to help organize the annual sand castle contests in Manzanillo, and to help a 15 year old surfer of our community that qualified get to France for international competitions. Two of our workers volunteered to help MOPT build the bridge from Playa Hermosa to Manzanillo. Florblanca signed a code of conduct rejecting commercial sexual exploitation in travel and tourism. We are happy to sponsor the soccer team of Bello Horizonte, and we also send our maintenance personal for a beach clean up every Friday. Florblanca is committed to its neighbors.

Master Chef of France in Villa Caletas

2008-05-30T15:23:00.003-06:00

Villa Caletas invites you to enjoy our exquisite cuisine at the Mirador and Amphitheater Restaurants managed by our “Master Chef of France” M.Vincent Boutinaud.
“Master Chef of France” is the most envied and desired title that all chefs aspire to have!
Their motto is to preserve and spread the French culinary art, encourage training in cuisine, and assist professional development.
The Master Chef of France is given the highest classification in restaurant guides and is often mentioned in specialized magazines. Most of the leading chefs and the winners of culinary competitions belong to the Association.
The association of the Master Chef of France promotes professional excellence trough numerous national and international cooking competitions.
They also organize Competitions for the Best Apprentice Chef in France and the Best apprentice Chef in Europe.
In our restaurants you can pampered your palate with specialties prepared by our Master Chef or France M. Vincent Boutinaud; at the same time feel closer to heaven admiring the magnificent views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the best sunset in country.

Relaxing amongst the Sugar Cane!

2008-04-14T10:17:00.002-06:00

Casa Turire would like to introduce you to the newest edition to the hotel facilities, in looking at maximizing our guests comfort we have opened the new Veroliz Spa.
We would like you to meet Sonia Aguilar our registered massage therapist whom will greet you with a smile and provide you with the ultimate in relaxation with the large variety of services which her spa provides.
Veroliz is the name given to the flower which blooms on the sugar cane grass just before it is ready to be harvested.
Located just behind the reception offices, as you step through the door of the Veroliz Spa you feel more relaxed, with the decadent smell of eucalyptus and mint coming from the room where Sonia works, guests can only help but fall asleep while Sonia hands work magic on sore muscles from rafting or canyoning.
But Veroliz Spa is about more than just massages; guests have a variety of treatments to choose from while staying at Casa Turire that can range from chocolate body wraps to hot rock massages to facials and body exfoliations.
There are also combos available of massage & body wrap or exfoliations & body wrap.
So looking at relaxing in Turrialba?
We invite you to come and check out the new Veroliz Spa and enjoy some of the many exciting activities at your disposal here in Turrialba!

Five Star Guests at Capitan Suizo!

2008-03-25T14:19:00.002-06:00

We have the privilege to introduce our two special guests: Alice & Sophie. They are two baby howler monkeys that unfortunately lost their families. Alice was found one morning walking through the hotel garden. We brought her to the veterinary and he informed us that she was brought to him after an (unknown) accident and that he had to amputate the tale because it was very much damaged. Since then Alice is living with us. Her family is visiting Capitan Suizo frequently. When the troop is here, Alice spends some time with the family. For our guests and all of us it’s beautiful to observe it.

A couple weeks later a tourist found Sophie walking alone on the road and after a veterinarian check the hotel took care of her as well. Both of them are very cute and they require to be close to someone as they are used in the troop. A big part of the hotel staff is helping taking care of the two babies. But since this is a fulltime job, the hotel hired a “babysitter” for 8 hours a day to make sure that they feel comfortable and happy at our place and that the hotel is a good home for them until they are strong and skilful enough to join the group one day.

Birds, howler monkeys, squirrels, gray iguanas, armadillos, skunks and raccoons are animals that can be seen almost daily throughout the hotel’s garden since Capitan Suizo is an oasis where it is implicit that nature and animals are integrated with love and respect. This is why probably Julius, a 6 year old guest in Capitan Suizo, called the property “the zoo hotel”.

Arenas del Mar Hotel – Manuel Antonio National Park

2008-03-10T09:03:00.002-06:00

Arenas del Mar is a beachfront resort situated in the rainforest of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. This fine Costa Rica hotel was designed and built with a unique combination of deluxe accommodations coupled with the highest level of certified sustainability. With 38 rooms equipped with Jacuzzis that overlook the Pacific ocean and the surrounding forest, Arenas del Mar is truly the epitome of sustainability and luxury combined.

While Arenas del Mar just opened recently, its very foundations and construction are rooted in the concept of sustainable tourism. With a focus on native plants (the entire property consists of plants native to Costa Rica), recycled materials (roof tiles are made from recycled plastic from the banana industry), solar panels, recycling and waste management, as well as community and guest interaction, Arenas del Mar truly stands out as a shining example of how sustainability can be applied at all levels of operation.

Kiana Resorts, new member of “Green Hotels”.

2008-02-29T10:24:00.002-06:00

Costa Rica is classified as one of the most important destination of the world regarding the environment. Eco tourism and sustainable tourism destinations are really trendy nowadays and Costa Rica is proud to welcome so many tourists interesting in enjoying the lovely tropical beaches, the wonders of nature and the grandest adventures, the country has to offer.

Kiana Resorts, uniquely situated amidst nature’s richest treasures, where mountainous rainforest descends to meet the dramatic Pacific surfs, conforms to this sustainable policy set by the country.
The Certification in Sustainable Tourism Program (CST), designed by the Costa Rica Tourism Institute, serves as guideline to plan the different procedures of operations. Kiana Resorts, which purpose is to operate in full harmony with environment, involving local community and pass this value to the guests, hope to be certificate by the soon coming opening.
In order to set the environment as a main preoccupation, this beachfront resort is now also part as “Green Hotels”, becoming one of the 3 Costa Rican hotels members. This association encourages, promotes and supports the “greening” of the lodging industry. They publish for the members a “green” catalog, comprehensive compilation of suggestions and ideas proposed by hoteliers on how to save water and energy and reduce solid waste. More information http://www.greenhotels.com/

Concert at Villa Caletas

2008-02-28T11:33:00.002-06:00

On March 22nd Villa Caletas has group Escats in one of its last concerts before their trip to Mexico. Be trapped by its musical diversity and a magical encounter with the Villa Caletas’ amphitheatre at sunset!
To get more details of this concert please check our site http://www.villacaletas.com/printable/eng-conciertos.html where you can sign up to receive news about concerts and special offers of Villa Caletas.

Casa Turire... witness of an active volcano

2008-02-18T09:18:00.003-06:00

As many of you may or may not know the magical backdrop of our picturesque hotel is the magnificent Turrialba volcano.

Over many years this volcano lay silent amongst the Turrialba valley providing an exciting place for tours, the land provides excellent soil for farmers and an elegant touch to the landscape of the area.

Tourists who have visited the volcano marvel at the fact that they can get so close to an active volcano. The vegetation around the craters is something special as it is a bit difficult to survive as a plant around a volcano.

Over the last few months the Costa Rican authorities on volcanoes OVISCORI (http://www.oviscori.uca.ac.cr/) has been keeping a close eye on our friendly giant as she has been releasing some tension.

We have all watched in awe as day by day we see the volcano begin to blow off steam and lately is has been something a little bit more common.

Through many field trips led by OVISCORI there have been a number of changes to the area immediately around the volcano, some of the changes are: vegetation is being affected by the release of gases, some of the houses in the area are experiencing more rust on the roofs and cattle fences and of course the visits to the craters of the volcano are limited to a shorter period of time.

Many people may think; how scary an active volcano!
But we can assure you here as our guest that you be in wonder as you have the chance to sit safely and view the volcano from the balcony of your suite.

Some information on the Turrialba volcano:
Height: 3340m above sea level
Last eruption: February 1866
3 principal craters

Villa Caletas ... close to heaven!!!

2008-02-14T09:30:00.002-06:00

Villa Caletas was chosen as a Best Value by Budget Travel Magazine in its first-ever Best Values list, powered by Trip Advisor ®. Featured on the cover of the magazine’s February issue, the list showcases the top hotels around the world with the best value, earning their distinction from those who know them best – real travelers

¨The awards were created to spotlight the hotels that give travelers what they really want: A reliably satisfying experience at a reasonable price. said Erik Torkells, editor, Budget Travel Magazine¨. "We were thrilled to partner with Trip Advisor for our first-ever hotel awards program, to draw from their vast and reputable data to develop the list and feature traveler testimonials from their site for the winning hotels."

The winners were determined by a combination of the highest traveler ratings and the Trip Advisor Popularity Index, a measurement of overall traveler satisfaction. Trip Advisor, as you certainly know, is the world’s leading source for hotel reviews. Budget Travel, founded by travel icon Arthur Frommer, now has 600,000 devoted subscribers.

Arena Blanca, Hotel Florblanca….

2008-02-11T09:16:00.000-06:00

The sun is again shinning at Florblanca after weeks of renourishment from our raining season.

Many items are improved for this season including a fabulous new menu of local and international dishes, new furnishings in the villas, poolside, and beach front and a newly constructed concierge area and interim spa. We have added a specialty gift shop and additional outdoor dining. Our fitness area is to be ready pretty soon.

As part of our enhancements to Florblanca's we are amid construction of our world class Canopy Spa, nestled into the forest. We are also completing a reception entrance and parking area.

The sunshine now is here to stay and the major heavy equipment has left our property.

We also want you to know that our construction area is screened off and is not in the core grounds of Florblanca. This area is farthest from the pool, restaurant and beach areas. We will be additionally limiting working hours during your stay and much of the work being done now will be hand work rather than heavy equipment. We hope any interruption will be slight.

Be assured, we are closely monitoring the construction process and we and our contractor are committed to doing everything possible to limit the impact on your stay here. Florblanca is a uniquely wonderful place and we will insure your stay with us is wonderful as well. We simply wanted you to know, before you arrive, that this project to improve Florblanca is still in process. We indeed look forward to your arrival soon and to offering you the wonder that is Florblanca, Costa Rica.

Our New Spa Bambú

Our exquisite “Spa Bambú” looks out through the palms to the sea and is the perfect pampering spot. Set on white sand with the sound of the waves and smell of the ocean Spa Bambú is indeed a treat to your senses. We offer a full menu of massages, aesthetics, Tao Shiatsu and more. You must come to the Spa Bamboo!

The hidden treasure of San José.... Hotel Grano de Oro

2008-01-22T11:06:00.000-06:00

THANK YOU!

We are very happy to announce that the Hotel Grano de Oro has been selected for the second year in the row by Condenast and Travel & Leisure, as one of the preferred hotels in Mexico and Central America. We want to thank all the people that gave positive reviews about us to these publications, and that made this distinctive recognition possible. But specially we want to thank all the members of our staff, we are very proud of them; their friendly and professional service deserve all the credit. At the same time that we celebrate the honor of being included in these lists, we understand we need to continue to work harder everyday to meet (and exceed) client’s expectations…we love the challenge!

OUR RESTAURANT

Next February 1st we will celebrate the 1st Anniversary of our new restaurant. Although some of our old clients have said they miss the garden in the old restaurant, they also have mentioned the new restaurant is quite spectacular, with its open terrace and great bar. Anyone who comes to Restaurante Grano de Oro will enjoy dining in a replica of the tropical victorian homes of old San José…fine food, exguisite china and crystal complete the experience. Our Chef Francis Canal continues to performance and excellent job along with his great team, providing the consistency in food quality that our clients expect to receive. The new restaurant also features a couple of private rooms for meetings or private group dining.

Small Distinctive Hotels

2008-01-18T09:00:00.000-06:00

Is Costa Rica’s most luxury boutique hotels, which are located throughout the most beautiful, diverse, and interesting regions of the country.

Costa Rica is a perfect combination of tropical weather, exuberant nature, adventure activities, friendly people (known as Ticos), and a stable democracy. Thousands of tourists come to Costa Rica to experience a unique nature experience. Places such as Manuel Antonio, Tortuguero, Arenal, Monteverde, Guanacaste, Corcovado, shine as jewels among the best beaches and forests around Costa Rica and the world.

Costa Rica is to be face to face with an imposing active volcano, is to experience the strength of the rivers in a whitewater rafting tour, Costa Rica is a hiking in the middle of lush forest… Costa Rica is a memorable freedom experience in nature. Costa Rica admires colorful sunsets from beautiful sandy beaches. The majestic waterfalls allow your mind to wonder as you feel the droplets of water freshen your face.