Hotel Punta Islita, Autograph Collection, Costa Rica [Master Thread]
 

Hello! Just checked in for three nights at Punta Islita. (We are here 7 nights total. The last 4 at the Westin for a work event.)

Will update during our stay…..

Day One Arrival. Up at 3am EST. Left BWI via AA with a connection in Miami. All was uneventful. Thrilled to get out after so much snow on Thursday!

Drive from Liberia Airport….

Three hours 15 minutes total. 2/3 paved 1/3 unpaved. Beautiful ride though the mountains and towns. Certainly glad we had an SUV. Needed the clearance more than anything. In rainy season, one would need the four wheel drive.

Used a GPS from the rental car company (Vamos). Worked great.

Arrived at the gate about 4:20 local time. They radioed ahead that we were here. Up the mountain we drove….

Our personal concierge, Isel, met us in the parking lot with cool towels. Escorted us to reception. The whole process takes place in a lounge with complimentary drinks. She reviewed everything about the property. Activities during our stay etc. Completes check in and takes of us during our entire stay.

Here's something interesting…. Platinum Arrival gift….
1) 500 points
2) Costa Rican cooking class for 2
3) Costa Rican mixology class for 2

My wife and I are taking the cooking class tomorrow!

We were upgraded from a standard room to deluxe. (Better view.) BTW: two paid nights, one on points Each room has a private garden with a hammock and sitting area. Ours has a star fruit tree, Birds of Paradise flowers and more. I scared a macaw from the tree I hadn't seen. :mad: Rooms just go up from there.

I need to sleep now….more later. :D

Day 2: Breakfast was wonderful served 7-10 in the main restaurant. On the cliffs overlooking the Pacific. Open air with plenty of ceiling fans and breeze-or the heat would be an issue. I think ALL rates include breakfast. That seems the norm across CR. Buffet style with fabulous fruit and juices. Coffee with warm milk. American and local food offerings.

Next to this restaurant is the adults only infinity pool (16+) swim up and walk up bar with great views.

Punta Islita also has a wonderful complex way down at the beach. You have to take many stairs and paths. 10 min walk to get there. Another pool-all ages. Chairs, towels, umbrellas, great natural shade. Another restaurant. Chair service. The ocean is warm and swimmable. Black sand. Its wavy and surf able too. Not Caribbean like water.

Ate a light lunch by the ocean because of cooking class. That was a lot of fun. Cooked a full meal. Four participants. Chef's hat and everything!

When we came up for cooking class, Isel stopped us. Although upgraded a category yesterday, we still had two beds. Thats all available when we booked. She was very sorry that she couldn't get us a better view with a king yesterday. WELL, she did today. I am sitting in a 1BR suite. Plunge pool, hammock, garden, living area, huge shower, FULL view over the cliff or the pacific. What happens 5 mins after we get in here? 20….yes 20 red Macaws fly by. Right past the windows. Incredibly beautiful. Inzel got a nice tip.

Day 3: Enjoyed a great on property bird watching tour at 6am. Just two of us with a birding guide. Saw about 25 species. Really worthwhile. BYOB Bring your own binoculars. Another great breakfast. The staff here is excellent. They go out their way to remember you and your names. Even if they are not your current waiter, they come over to great you. Really make you feel welcome.

Back down to the beach/ocean front set up. As we had a later start today due to my bird watching, we got to the beach 10am or so. NO chairs or space in the shade. Shade is a must for me here. The Sun is intense. They really need to increase this capacity. They did go out of their way to figure something out for us. But it was H-O-T. The breeze was hot! We were in the water quick.

Afternoon was into the town of Islita. They have a nice art school with shop we wanted to see. The town is small and quaint. We drove through town and up a dirt road-reminded me of the Bolivian Death Road! Shear drop into the ocean below about 400" But the views were fantastic. Made a U turn at an outcropping and back to the village. We were having trouble finding the shop. Then, my wife saw our concierge Isel just walking down the street! She took us right there and then was on her way.

Dinner was at the hotel restaurant. Lobster and pasta special. Delicious. Then we did some star gazing from the deck. Unbelievable star gazing here. Fun to use Google Sky Map to see what you are looking at.

That filled out the day.

Day 4: Departure Day

TO come

Looking forward to the rest of the trip report re: the property! Cool Plat arrival gift!

Cheers.

Will do. By the way, the bed is by the window. With windows open, the bed overlooks the garden. One of these guys just walked past the window. Stopped and looked around. Very cute. I couldn't get the camera.

http://photobucket.com/images/coati?page=1

Day two info added

&

FB Public links of some photos-shouldnt need FB to view.

Drive from LIR to Punta Islita
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=1bfaaf43da

Day one at the Property
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=e22ebc10da

New upgraded room-1 BR suite
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=8da69cf505

Macaws buzzing our room.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=cadf2976d0

Any pictures of the little lizard you found in your bed?:D

Ask and ye shall receive! We are up to TWO now. One in the bed. We had a slightly larger one visit a few minutes ago during drinks on at sunset. This was next to the plunge pool. Give me your assessment on compensation to demand. I am thinking a 120k mile cat 8 travel package.

Patio/Garden visitor
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...8&l=a00a3faff8

Bed intruder blurry because he was scurrying.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...8&l=31a04b155b

Who did you use for rental car?
Thanks again for all the info and details.

If the drive from the airport was a more reasonable amount of time, I'd love to go there.

Vamos rental car. They are in San Jose and Liberia. Found them through Trip Advisor. Worked out great. Provide a free cell phone for emergencies. Can use for other reasons for slight fee. GPS $8/day. WELL worth it :)

Natureair flies right from SJO-Islita. Thats our plan next time 35 mins.

Ok. That's great.

These two seem to be the same link (the drive link).