the luxury hotels of Costa Rica
Aug 18, 2014, 7:15 am
#16
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Near Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,987
Didn't get any pictures 
. But our golf course filmed this (capturing and relocating a a big gator - do not try this on your own!):
http://www.tpcsawgrassagronomy.com/2...s-stadium.html
Robyn
. But our golf course filmed this (capturing and relocating a a big gator - do not try this on your own!):http://www.tpcsawgrassagronomy.com/2...s-stadium.html
Robyn
Aug 19, 2014, 3:36 pm
#18
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Near Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,987
Dec 9, 2014, 2:48 pm
#19
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
David:
Did you fly out of Liberia? I know you flew into San Jose. Wondering if it's easier to fly into one and out the other on this type of trip.
Was the Andaz a Virtuoso property when you took this trip? Wondering why you skipped it - at least for a site inspection - considering how close it is to the FS.
Very interested in Villa Manzu as far as Papagayo goes.
Did you fly out of Liberia? I know you flew into San Jose. Wondering if it's easier to fly into one and out the other on this type of trip.
Was the Andaz a Virtuoso property when you took this trip? Wondering why you skipped it - at least for a site inspection - considering how close it is to the FS.
Very interested in Villa Manzu as far as Papagayo goes.
Dec 9, 2014, 3:07 pm
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Asheville, NC
Programs: Virtuoso, FSPP, STARS, MO FAN Club, PEN Club, Bellini Club, Dorchester Diamond Club, Travel Leaders
Posts: 1,854
We flew out of Liberia, much more convenient for Papagayo.
Andaz wasn't Virtuoso at the time - and may not have been opened. Villa Manzu tried to set up a site inspection for us, but they only contacted us the final morning we were there and that unfortunately didn't work out.
Andaz wasn't Virtuoso at the time - and may not have been opened. Villa Manzu tried to set up a site inspection for us, but they only contacted us the final morning we were there and that unfortunately didn't work out.
David:
Did you fly out of Liberia? I know you flew into San Jose. Wondering if it's easier to fly into one and out the other on this type of trip.
Was the Andaz a Virtuoso property when you took this trip? Wondering why you skipped it - at least for a site inspection - considering how close it is to the FS.
Very interested in Villa Manzu as far as Papagayo goes.
Did you fly out of Liberia? I know you flew into San Jose. Wondering if it's easier to fly into one and out the other on this type of trip.
Was the Andaz a Virtuoso property when you took this trip? Wondering why you skipped it - at least for a site inspection - considering how close it is to the FS.
Very interested in Villa Manzu as far as Papagayo goes.
Dec 9, 2014, 5:06 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
at $15,000 per night? (although 7 bedrooms)
just in costa rica >
two of the FS estate villas are less than that
isla simca: exclusive-use 270 acre island + 18 miles / 13,546 acres of coastline
just in costa rica >
two of the FS estate villas are less than that
isla simca: exclusive-use 270 acre island + 18 miles / 13,546 acres of coastline
Jan 19, 2015, 12:43 pm
#24
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
If you want waves, head a bit north to Southwest Nicaragua. Maybe too professional/big for what you're looking for? Double overhead most of the year
Jan 19, 2015, 1:01 pm
#25
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ORF
Posts: 1,740
I believe there is good surf nearby: Santa Rosa, Witche's Rock, and Ollie's are all in the area. Don't think you have anything directly in front of the hotel, so to speak.
If you want waves, head a bit north to Southwest Nicaragua. Maybe too professional/big for what you're looking for? Double overhead most of the year
If you want waves, head a bit north to Southwest Nicaragua. Maybe too professional/big for what you're looking for? Double overhead most of the year
I have a buddy who has a place in Nicaragua, great surf. Not terribly difficult either, which is a plus. A nice double overhead wave is much easier than a pitching shoulder high beach break really. I am definitely too old and out of shape to charge like I used to though. Had a great setup when I lived in Santa Barbara with a friend who went to UH and lived on the North Shore at the top of Pupukea Hill. Just a quick plane ride and had a free place to crash minutes from Pipe!
Jun 2, 2015, 4:07 am
#26
Join Date: May 2004
Location: TPE
Programs: AA EXP 2MM
Posts: 507
Has anyone been to Kura Design Villas in Uvita? It's gotten great reviews on T.A. and has been featured in a number of travel magazines, but I haven't seen any mention of it here on FT.
And more in general, what's the general feel on Costa Rica these days? Some people quite like it, but others seem very underwhelmed and lament that the experience is far from what it used to be.
And more in general, what's the general feel on Costa Rica these days? Some people quite like it, but others seem very underwhelmed and lament that the experience is far from what it used to be.
Jun 2, 2015, 10:36 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 458
We have 2 kids aged 11 and 6. We we traveled with another family. They didn't do the kids program this time. We hired some guides for some great outings into the jungle. The wildlife down there is incredible. There are monkeys swinging out of practically every tree it seems. This is a great trip with little ones.
We had one really funny moment on a tour. We went down a 500 foot long waterslide in the jungle. You sit in the slide and a guy literally opens the floodgates with river water and you fly down this thing for about 45 seconds into a pool at the end. The other dad went down and when he got to the end, they were yelling at him to get out. It turns out he had been accompanied down the slide by a six foot long snake. It was priceless! I can't see that happening in the ole US of A!
We had one really funny moment on a tour. We went down a 500 foot long waterslide in the jungle. You sit in the slide and a guy literally opens the floodgates with river water and you fly down this thing for about 45 seconds into a pool at the end. The other dad went down and when he got to the end, they were yelling at him to get out. It turns out he had been accompanied down the slide by a six foot long snake. It was priceless! I can't see that happening in the ole US of A!
Jun 2, 2015, 2:39 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Mem
Programs: Delta GM, Amex Reserve, Amex Plat, JP Morgan Palladium
Posts: 984
We have 2 kids as well and we are looking at two rooms at the FS for March- $1075 a night for 2 brisk rooms seems really high- I am wavering on this trip and considering florida instead. Anyone have opinions on this rate and whether March will be too crowded. I don't want to pay $2500 a night and have to fight for a pool chair!
We stayed in one for the week and then moved to connecting rooms at the main hotel for a few days afterwards.
Jun 2, 2015, 3:16 pm
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
Has anyone been to Kura Design Villas in Uvita? It's gotten great reviews on T.A. and has been featured in a number of travel magazines, but I haven't seen any mention of it here on FT.
And more in general, what's the general feel on Costa Rica these days? Some people quite like it, but others seem very underwhelmed and lament that the experience is far from what it used to be.
And more in general, what's the general feel on Costa Rica these days? Some people quite like it, but others seem very underwhelmed and lament that the experience is far from what it used to be.
The product is respected both by industry professionals (other hoteliers) and clients.
ps, the feel for Costa is the same as I ever knew it to be: amazing.
Jun 2, 2015, 4:13 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 458
I would go look on VRBO or similar and see if you can find a rental at the Four Seasons Residence Club. I don't think the owners are supposed to rent them out, but I have seen a few for rent over the years. You would get a lot more space with a full kitchen and living room. You might be able to find one for $1000-1200 a night.
We stayed in one for the week and then moved to connecting rooms at the main hotel for a few days afterwards.
We stayed in one for the week and then moved to connecting rooms at the main hotel for a few days afterwards.
Last edited by off2rome; Jun 2, 2015 at 4:20 pm Reason: typo