Small Distinctive Hotels of Costa Rica

Capitán Suizo - Tamarindo, Costa Rica

2010-03-02T11:54:00.003-06:00

Take a look of the comments from our guest who stayed in Capitán Suizo. It is a highly recommended beachfront Hotel!

"This place reminds us of our cabin in the lake. We loved waking to the sounds of nature and having a early morning coffee with the monkeys, squirrels, raccoons etc. we truly enjoyed our stay and would recommend it to our many friends. Dennis Mayberry, BC, Canada
One of the best Hotels of its kind we have ever stayed at" Dodd, England

"Everything and everyone was absolutely faboulos. We definitely stay here when we return and will recommend to our friends and family. It was our pleasure to have met such kind and friendly people. Our stay was very relaxing. Thank you."Room 23 Linda Steward, Texas, USA

"We have enjoyed our stay in this comfortable hotel and hope does not change or expand. A lovely place". Carne, Hampton, England

"We love our stay at Capitan Suizo. Every staff member was extremely kind, helpful and so friendly. You all looked after us so well, you are like family. Take car and God bless you" Terrence and Myrna Campbell, Alberta, Canada.

"We enjoyed our stay, really appreciated the effort. The reservation staff made to accommodate our 4 nights stay. Even though we had to change rooms 3 times, it was well worth the stay! Love the monkeys. The staff had a great attitude and good sense of humor. One of the most memorable hotels we have stay in. Can’t say enough good thing, we will be back!" Small, NY , USA

"We had a wonderful time. The service we received was consistently excellent. Extremely friendly and helpful staff. 22/12/2010 Room 22 Garry Pejski, Toronto, Canada
We will return next year! CS is a wonderful place, run by to notch staff. We specially thank Leonilda, Over, Emerson and Rosa. We must commend your restaurant staff too, because they we always friendly and provide consistently top notch service. Thank you." Ana and Richard Valsamis, Toronto, Canada

Visit the new website of Small Distinctive Hotels

2010-02-16T13:35:00.006-06:00

Small Distinctive hotels has refreshed its image on line, take you time to visit the new website of these exclusive properties

http://www.distinctivehotels.com/

"Small Distinctive Hotels unites Costa Rica’s most luxurious boutique hotels, which are located throughout the most beautiful, diverse, and interesting regions of the country."

Cena de Navidad, Hotel Casa Turire - Turrialba

2009-12-23T10:50:00.001-06:00

Cena de Fin de Año en Hotel Villa Caletas, Jacó.

2009-12-23T10:43:00.002-06:00

1st International Guitar Meeting at Villa Caletas

2009-11-12T14:18:00.003-06:00

Hotel Villa Caletas will host 4 concerts of international guitarists.
Music close to heaven....

www.villacaletas.com

Conde Nast Travel – Readers choice Awards 2009.

2009-10-19T08:59:00.004-06:00

On October 16th, Conde Nast Travel announced the winners of its 22nd annual reader’s ´choice awards where more than 25,008 readers voted this year on more than 10,000 properties and destinations. This evidences that there are thousands of experienced travelers who are still discovering the most spectacular places in the world and the coolest experiences.

Small Distinctive Hotels group is glad to share with all of you that 5 hotels in Costa Rica were awarded this year as the best hotels in Central America. But what is really important to mention is that from these 5 hotels 3 properties are members of Small Distinctive Hotels:

1) Hotel Villa Caletas – Central Pacific http://www.villacaletas.com/
2) Hotel Grano de Oro – San José http://www.granodeoro.com/
3) Hotel Capitán Suizo – Tamarindo Beach http://www.hotelcapitansuizo.com/

This recognition shows our commitment to provide excellent service, outstanding facilities and sustainable practices.

To get more information visit:

http://www.concierge.com/tools/travelawards/readerschoice/hotels#centralamerica ge.com/tools/travelawards/readerschoice/hotels#centralamerica

Thanks to all who voted for these hotels!

Mother´s Day - Celebration at Hotel Casa Turire

2009-08-06T13:48:00.004-06:00

Hotel Casa Turire will celebrate "Mother´s Day". On August 15th Casa Turire restaurant will serve a special dinner and on the 16th a special lunch. Both dates there will be life music.

Casa Turire is a charming hotel located in Turrialba Valley, just 2 hours from San José. Escape from San José to celebrate this occassion.

Cost of the dinner: $40 pero person (includes entree, main dish, dessert, glass of vine and a rose for mothers)

For more information: http://www.hotelcasaturire.com/ - tel. 2531-1111

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Hotel Casa Turire celebrará el Día de las Madres. El 15 de Agosto, el restaurante de CAsa Turire servirá una cena especial y el 16 un almuerzo. Ambos días habrá música en vivo.

Casa Turire es un encatador hotel localizado en el valle de Turrialba, a tan solo 2 horas de San José. Escápese de la ciudad y celebre esta ocasión .

Costo de la cena: $40 por persona (incluye, entrada, plato fuerte, postre, copa de vino y una rosa para las madres)

Para más Información: http://www.hotelcasaturire.com/ - tel. 2531-1111

Menú

Entradas
Ensalada Turire (mejillones media concha con ensalada mixta con frutas de la estación napado con una vinagreta de fresas.
Crema de zanahoria con una guarnición de terrina de camote, crema batida y crotones dulces.

Platos Fuertes
Costillas de cordero al costrón de hierbas con una salsa fresca de remolacha y menta y acompañado de palmito, tomate y albahaca con cebollas caramelizadas con vinagre de fresa.
Rollo de pollo relleno de chile morrón y queso italiano napado con una salsa de kiwi acompañado de puré de camote y vegetales de nuestra eco huerta.

Postres
Pastelillo mousse de vainilla con salsa de guanábana y nueces caramelizadas.
Mil hojas de mousse de chocolate con crujientes de macadamia y salsa de chocolate.

MUSICA EN VIVO.
15 DE AGOSTO: GRUPO GENERACIONES DE 7:30 PM A 9:30 PM.
16 DE AGOSTO: RICARDO JIMENEZ DE 1:00 PM A 3:00 PM.

Credomatic Music Fest at Villa Caletas

2009-07-27T10:50:00.003-06:00

Música Frente al Mar

XIX Credomatic Music Fest

I Concert:
Saturday, August 1st, 5:30 p.m.
Ganssi Group, Early Music, Costa Rica.
Italian Baroque and colonial American
Soprano invited Nell Sanidas, USA

Kattia Calderón, flute

Montenegro Samaria, flute

Eduardo Madrigal, viola da gamba

Maria Clara Vargas, clavichord

Tania Vincent, tiorba Andres Chavez, percussion

II Conciert:
Saturday, August 8th, 5:30 p.m.
Duo-Hunfeld Hengst, Netherlands

Music by Beethoven, Schumann and Ravel

Auspices of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Sanne Hulfeld, violin

Maarten den Hengst, piano

III Concert:
Saturday, August 15th, 5:30 p.m.
Merlin Ensamble Vienna, Austria

Works by Haydn, Schubert, Schumann, Lanner, Strauss

Sponsorship of Kulturinstitut and of the Embassy of Austria

Inge Hager, viola

Martin Walch, violin

Marie-Thérèse Nawara, violin

Christoph Marks, violoncello

General Public: $18.00
Credomatic Cardholder: 2x 1
Villa Caletas Guest: $15.00
V.I.P. or Priviledge cardholder: $15.00

Honeymoon in Costa Rica

2009-07-24T14:49:00.004-06:00

Imagine your memborable honeymoon in Paradise!!!

Hot deal... Small Distinctive Hotels

2009-07-20T13:59:00.002-06:00

Enjoy memorable vacations in the best luxury boutique hotels of Costa Rica. Discover nature and choose your destination among Manuel Antonio, Jaco, Santa Teresa, Tamarindo, Dominical, Turrialba, Vara Blanca and San José.

Visit http://distinctivehotels.com/index.html and check the banner to get a 20% descount.

COSTA RICA ANSWERS THE AGE-OLD QUESTION – WHAT IS THE KEY TO HAPPINESS?

2009-07-09T14:24:00.002-06:00

By setting forth a philosophy of peace with nature and the world, Costas Rica proves to be the happiest place on Earth

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, July 9, 2009 – Costa Rica, the world’s foremost leader in sustainable tourism practices, has begun to reap the rewards for its commitment to social and environmental preservation alike. The country’s philosophy to being at peace with humanity and nature have now set the stage for a country that is recognized internationally as one of the most stable, most ethical, one of the cleanest and consequently, the happiest place on Earth.

Visit this link to read the entire article http://www.distinctivehotels.com/articles/key_to_hapiness.html

La PazWarterfall Gardens Opened!!!

2009-06-16T15:33:00.002-06:00

Five months later since the Earthquake of Vara Blanca, this magical place full of verdant sceneries, views to the Poás volcano and attractions such as a butterfly observatory, aviary, hummingbirds garden, ranarium, serpentarium, and a trail for the two first waterfalls, has opened its doors recently.

This was a huge effort from the owners and all the staff, who depend of their jobs in Waterfall Gardens, all helped to paint, to organize, to take care of animals, to restore the buildings, to clean, etc … all of them became in an united family who achieved to reopen it and start activating the local economy.

On July, Peace Lodge will be opening 8 of its beautiful rooms. During these months, special rates are available for national and international tourists.

Don´t miss the one day tour while you are in San José… you will be impressed by the beauty of nature!!!

Restaurante Grano de Oro

2009-04-29T08:55:00.003-06:00

The restaurant of Hotel Grano de Oro is very prestigiuos among cuisine experts. Small Distinctive Hotels of Costa Rica congratulates Grano de Oro for getting the maximun calification in the Escargot´s Evaluation.

Buen Provecho!

Article in Spanish

http://www.elfinancierocr.com/ef_archivo/2009/mayo/03/estilos1942155.html

Costa Rica is the 5th cleanest country in the world according Forbers Magazine!!!

2009-04-24T13:49:00.001-06:00

Costa RicaScore: 90.5
No. 5 Overall; No. 1 in the Americas

Costa Rica's economy relies on a robust ecotourism industry, and the care it takes for its environment shows. The Central American country ranks fifth in the global Environmental Index, a rating that should only improve as it strives to become carbon-neutral by 2021. Costa Rica has avoided the deforestation that ravages some Latin American countries: the country earns a score of 97 or better in the categories of forestry, air pollution and climate change.

http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/15/worlds-cleanest-countries-business-energy-clean-countries.html

1. Arenas del Mar Hotel is Awarded the Prestigious Blue Flag

2009-04-03T09:18:00.002-06:00

On Tuesday March 24, 2009, Arenas del Mar Beach and Nature Resort was awarded the prestigious Blue Flag award, receiving a flag and a star for its efforts to keep the beaches surrounding its property clean and pristine. The event was held at the in the offices of the Ministery of Water and Acueducts in San Jose. Attendees of the event included the President of the Republic of Costa Rica, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Tourism, and other important government officials.

A special thanks to the Arenas del Mar team, who has coveted this award for three consecutive years in a row (2006 to 2008) and has maintained a strong commitment to be a role model in the community of Manuel Antonio. To learn more about Blue Flag Certification at Arenas del Mar, click here: www.arenasdelmar.com

Eco Tourism Destination - TIES

2009-03-18T15:13:00.001-06:00

Costa Rica selected as “Eco-Tourism Destination” for its stand on Carbon Neutral Gas EmissionsThe International EcoTourism Society – TIES, one of the most revered ecotourism organizations in the world; last month named Costa Rica an “EcoTourism Destination” as a result of the country’s program to mitigate carbon gas emissions into the atmosphere. Each month TIES selects a destination to be promoted worldwide for its contribution to nature. Last February, Costa Rica was selected due to its “Clean Travel” program; a tool that will allow visitors to donate funds to offset their carbon gas emissions on flights to the Central American nation.“Clean Travel” is a Costa Rican Government initiative to enable visitors to the country to contribute to the preservation of forests, watersheds and biodiversity by offsetting those carbon gas emissions with environmental services.

http://www.centralamericagrapevine.com/php/note_detail.php?id_edicion=35&id_nota=308#contenido

Relax your body and soul... close to heaven!

2009-02-16T15:30:00.002-06:00

Villa Caletas in its eagerness to adapt to the world-wide tendency that demands the hotelkeepers to offer different health services, offers to its guests as a complementary service, Aqua – fitness lessons, Stretching, Pilates, Kick Boxing & Yoga for beginners “

All of these lessons will help our guess by different ways :

Improves balance and coordination

Increases flexibility and strength

Tones & shapes muscles

Reduces stress

Improves Posture

Increase energy

Improves circulation

Improves concentration

Aids injury recovery

Strengthens immune system

Improves sleep patterns

Detoxifies body

Promotes overall wellbeing

A new member in Small Distinctive Hotels

2009-02-04T10:31:00.003-06:00

Small Distinctive Hotels, the most exclusive collections of boutique hotels in Costa Rica, each of its 8 hotels are unique and different in style, character and experience. Each committed through quality and service providing truly unforgettable memories.

Recently, Small Distinctive Hotels decided to include Hotel Cuna del Angel, which is a cozy and charming property located in Dominical Beach, , South Pacific. Cuna del Angel shines like a jewel in the middle of lush forests, this exclusive hotel offers 25 rooms, pool, one of the best restaurants and SPA in the area, besides has facilities to organizes special events and weddings, also owns 3 boats for sport fishing.

“Astonishing views, all along the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, are the red carpet that leads the way to this intimate and warm construction in Colonial and Native Costa Rica’s style; a celebration of the encounter of cultures, where the best of both worlds meet, keeping the glamour and elegance of a modern and civilized world, and evoking the spiritual world of the indigenous cultures that inhabited our small yet rich country”

Come and visit Cuna del Angel and let your soul float away!

http://www.cunadelangel.com/ -info@cunadelangel.com - Tel. (506) 2787-8012

The Blue Flag Program - Arenas del Mar

2008-10-30T10:29:00.002-06:00

Since 2006, the beach located in front of Arenas Del Mar (known as Playitas) has coveted the prestigious Blue Flag (Bandera Azul Ecolgica) award. This program, based on a similar model developed in Europe, works towards the sustainable development of Costa Ricas beaches through strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and other services.

Whenever you see a Blue Flag located on one of Costa Rica beaches, you will know that the surrounding community is working rigorously to better its:

Water Quality by assuring that sea water is suitable for swimming and other recreational activities.

Waste Management, assuring that no untreated waters go directly into nearby steams and oceans, and that a recycling and trash collection program is in place.

Environmental education by providing workshops and training to students and the surrounding population.

Safety and administration, assuring that beaches are safe for the general public.

The Bandera Azul is a volunteer certification that incorporates both private and public sectors. In the case of Playitas Beach specifically, Arenas Del Mar has taken a leadership role in obtaining certification. During your stay, we ask for your cooperation in maintaining our beaches clean and pristine. Thank you!

Hotel Grano de Oro - Thanks for such nice comments!

2008-10-28T11:15:00.002-06:00

We would like to thank to our guests for the nice comments in our guest book, we would like to share some of these comments with you:

“Costa Rica is a beautiful and interesting country. This will be the first of many trips to Costa Rica. The hotel was outstanding and we were well looked after by your excellent staff.”

Jim & Jacky, Calgary, Canada

“This is a great place to stay. Service is good, the restaurant one of the best in San José, I will be back.” Juan Kivotos, California, USA

“A splendid beautiful stay. Strongly recommended. Will be top memory of trip to Costa Rica”. Brigitt & Harry, from Germany & Belgium

“This is a beautiful hotel, thank you for preserving the classic style along with modern convenience. Food is exceptional as is the service. We will recommend to all we know.”

Nancy, from USA

“Thanks for the two pleasant nights in this wonderful hotel. A good hotel mets the demands of its customer; a superb hotel, like Grano de Oro, exceeded our expectations by friendly personal…thank you!” Olaf, from Holland

“Our fourth visit to this hotel. We never leave Costa Rica without our visit here. Food was excellent as always.” Jack & Mary, Calgary, Canada

“What an awesome hotel! Beautiful! And your staff amazing! I communicated via internet from the United States and everyone was so nice and helpful! We will be back and we’ll stay much longer!! Thank you for such wonderful hospitality!” Chris & Slisha, Florida, USA

“We are on our honeymoon and we found this hotel to be beautiful and a great start in Costa Rica. We would love to come back and visit. Thank you for the great service and wonderful food.”

PJ & Sasha, Arizona, USA

“On our 20 day honeymoon here in lovely Costa Rica we have traveled all over the country, and have met wonderful Costa Ricans and also people from the USA whom we will continue to be in contact with. Hotel Grano de Oro was great and fantastic. PURA VIDA! And may God bless the land of Costa Rica.”

Bill & Patricia, California, USA

“This was our last trip on our honeymoon and we wish we could have stayed longer. The staff is amazing and very helpful to whatever your needs may be. Have a drink at the bar and you will be very relaxed. Muchas gracias to all the people here! Made a wonderful ending to our amazing honeymoon!”

Allison & Walker, North Carolina, USA

“I love the Grano de Oro with its old world charm, elegance and décor. I loved the attention to detail at every turn, the well appointed rooms, the woodwork, the tropical flowers. Most notable was the restaurant. The courtyard was delightful, what a relaxing atmosphere for breakfast. The food was superb and the service refined. The staff was friendly and accommodating, making our stay all the more pleasurable. I would highly recommend a stay at this hotel.”
J. from New York, USA

AGREEMENT HOTEL CASA TURIRE –ICE & FITNESS TRAIL

2008-09-19T13:30:00.004-06:00

Just a few days ago, Hotel Casa Turire had the opportunity of signing a new agreement with ICE, who is in charge and management of all the lands surrounding La Angostura Lake, a hydroelectric project located just a door step from our hotel and surrounding our property on the north and south sides.

The ICE has two hydroelectric projects in cascade, Cachi and Angostura Lakes, which both together generate 277 MW per hour and provides 38% of the national hydroelectricity.
This agreement allows us to built two trails one of 1.5 kilometers and the other 2 kilometers of length.

First trail, 1.5 km. Will have emphasis in ethno-botany, as matter of fact, information concerning how plants are used as medicine for humans, whether it has been studied or is information passed from generation to generation as a cultural practice.

This trail will have the modality of Auto-guided trail, therefore clients will have the chance to purchase the booklet at our reception and follow the stations at their own pace.

Second trail, 2 km. It is focus as a new approach to nature, “healthy tourism” (vita Parcour fitness trail) we considered it is totally new in Costa Rica and certainly will be followed by many other hotels, perhaps private reserves around the country.

Vita Parcour fitness trail give you the opportunity to stay fit at your level, free of charge, at whatever time suits you. Every circuit features different exercises aimed at muscle training, flexibility and/or endurance. Alternatively, you can simply go for a jog along the sign posted trails.

It consists of 15 stations along the trails and in everyone of them a different exercise to perform, all them marked with colors which indicates the difficulty of it, besides showing the exercise possible for the station. Stations will be built with bamboo and other natural materials found at the property, meaning that the settings will be totally natural.
CIRCUITO DE VIDA.

This idea of enjoying nature as well as the possibility of staying fit without charge was created in Switzerland and the idea was brought to us by Mr. Daniel Allemann.
The name we are adopting for this type of trails will be “CIRCUITO DE VIDA”.
Consequently, we are creating or enhancing the activities our clients can perform at Hotel Casa Turire without leaving our property.

Weddings in Florblanca

2008-08-27T12:00:00.001-06:00

Florblanca is keeping the Santa Teresa area filled with fiestas! Kicking off the month of August, Florblanca hosted Carolina Ortíz and David Guiterrez of San José for an exquisite wedding. Filling all of Hotel Florblanca and many other small boutique hotels throughout Santa Teresa, Carolina and David´s wedding party took over the town beginning with a formal catered brunch by Florblanca´s Nectar Restaurant chefs. After the afternoon wedding ceremony, the celebration began with a small band on the beach and over a hundred guests dancing around beds of green and white orchids.

In addition to this private fiesta, Florblanca has been hosting local musicians on Saturday nights with a special menu provided by Nectar Restaurant. Every Saturday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm live music is performed while visitors are invited to experience a pre-fixed menu at $30.00 a person. The menu includes your choice of an appetizer, entrée and dessert. The turnout in Nectar Restaurant on Saturday nights has been such a success that Florblanca please asks that those attending make a reservation! We invite you to join us sometime before the festivities end on October 31, 2008!

Birds and Hotel Casa Turire

2008-08-05T15:59:00.003-06:00

Lovely Cotinga

If there is something we assure to our guest is the great diversity of avifauna we can offer at our hotel.

Our location between two very important mountain ranges makes Hotel Casa Turire a very special birding spot. Turrialba Volcano on the north side providing middle elevation to higlands species (600 to 3350 mts asl) and the beginning of Talamanca mountain range (600 to 1500 mts asl) on the southeast; were most of the endemism occur in Costa Rica, not only with avifauna but botanically as well, since it is part of the oldest lands of Costa Rica.

We have create a birdchecklist for the Hotel grounds so do nearby areas where our guest can discover and learn about our local avifauna. Only for the area of Hotel Casa Turire over 180 species have been recorded up to this moment, and be sure as the migrant species approach many other sorprises will engrose our checklist.

For the sorrounding areas such Tuis River Valley, CATIE and Cerro Silencio, another 137 plus different species has been added so far.

The most important about the species that can be found in our area is that several of them are very hard to find elsewhere in our country.

To name a few of them:
Lanceolated Monklet
Lovely Cotinga
Rufous Browed Tyrannulet
Red Breasted Blackbird
Tropical Mockingbird
Sharpbill
Resplendent Quetzal

Therefore we invite you to visit the Turrialba area, stay at Hotel Casa Turire and enjoy all the attractions located just around the corner and of course discover and learn about the treasure we have at our door step, the birds.

Heliport construcction

2008-07-24T11:40:00.002-06:00

In its constant desire to exceed the expectations and to serve our guests in an efficient and fast manner, the Villa Caletas Hotel has begun with the construction of a Heliport.
A heliport is the elevated area or land surface, to be bound for landing, take-off or moving in the helicopter area.
Due to the increase of guests asking for this method of transportation, the heliport will become an effective form to make easy to our guests the arrival at Villa Caletas Hotel in a more fast and efficient way.
At the same time, and because of the appropriate space needed for the construction of a heliport, the presidency and management of the hotel, in its continuous wish and effort of reforestation and respect for our ecological system, has tried above all to maintain its surrounding nature, always keeping its magnificent tropical vegetation.
We will welcome and wait for you to enjoy Villa Caletas with its constant progress, always thinking in the well-being of our guests, letting them feel every time closer to heaven!

“Live music at Restaurante Grano de Oro”

2008-07-08T08:15:00.001-06:00

We are happy to announce that July is the “month of the music” at Restaurante Grano de Oro. We are having daily evening live presentations (Monday through Saturday), and at lunch time on Sundays, with musicians from “Editus”, Grammy Award winning Costa Rican group. Presentations include violin, guitar, sax and flute. We invite you to experience an unforgettable evening at our lovely restaurant, enjoy the exquisite food and the live music!