Conde Nast Travel – Readers choice Awards 2009.

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#centralamericage.com/tools/travelawards/readerschoice/hotels#centralamerica

Thanks to all who voted for these hotels!

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

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

Concert at Villa Caletas

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

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

Small Distinctive Hotels

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.