Having been named one of Lonely Planet’s countries to travel to in 2020, Costa Rica is once again enjoying a moment the international spotlight. There are a lot of elements that make this pint-sized Latin American haven a favourite for those seeking a taste of the region including unique wildlife experiences, striking tropical scenery, the warmth of the friendly locals and finally, the outstanding quality of luxury hotels. Costa Rica’s top accommodation ranges from high-class luxury resorts to boutique wildlife lodges tucked away in the forest, the unifying characteristic being the effortless charm of the laid-back design. With Costa Rica’s balmy tropical heat bearing down on guests particularly during the touristic high season, it is a blissful treat to be able to cool off in a stunning swimming pool often throughout your luxury retreat.
Here are our favourite luxury hotels in Costa Rica with pool views to remember…
Origins Lodge, Bijagua Mountains
Close to the border with neighbouring Nicaragua, Origins Lodge is an ultra-exclusive property tucked away in the verdant vegetation of the Bijagua Mountains, a zone of lesser touristic saturation than many of Costa Rica’s more well-known destinations. This cosy lodge overlooks miles of unspoiled forest and also offers guests 180-degree views of Lake Nicaragua across the border from the highest points in the property, including the stunning infinity pool. Each private lodge is superbly well-equipped and, at more than 100 square metres each, offers plenty of space to relax. Enjoy a wide variety of nature and adventure activities in the region such as guided excursions to the Tenorio Volcano National Park, before returning to the luxurious poolside to watch the sun go down with an elegantly crafted cocktail in hand.
Kurá Design Villas, Uvita
Perhaps home to the sexiest infinity pool in the whole of Central America, yet alone just Costa Rica, the Kurá Design Villas in Uvita, on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, are the epitome of minimalist modern cool. Perched high in the forested hills overlooking the ‘Whale’s Tail’ of the fascinating Marino Ballena National Park, this boutique complex of sleek, angular private villas offers guests all the privacy of a stand-alone home with the facilities of a top-level boutique hotel. The hotel restaurant serves a fresh and colourful cuisine inspired by the bounty of the ocean and the rainforest, whilst the Spa, rooftop terrace and pool deck provide travellers with the perfect cosy spaces to wind down in the sun. The shimmering mirror-effect infinity pool with sweeping vistas of the Pacific is really the standout feature of this space-age style luxury retreat. We recommend taking plenty of pictures during sunrise and sunset when the fiery hues of the sky are reflected across the pool surface. It looks as wonderful in person as it does on Instagram.
El Mangroove, Papagayo
Situated within walking distance of some of Guanacaste’s idyllic sandy beaches, El Mangroove is a contemporary boutique property fusing the sustainability principles of an eco-resort with the design sensibility of a cosmopolitan art-hotel. Characterised by angular constructions and a neutral colour palette that blends into its surroundings, El Mangroove offers a sophisticated aesthetic in a region of spectacular natural beauty. The central feature of the hotel’s common spaces is the dark-stone outdoor pool. Surrounded by decadent loungers and Bali-beds, this luxurious pool provides guests with the perfect place to relax and unwind in the sea breeze.
Pacuare Lodge, Siquirres
One of National Geographic’s exquisite Unique Lodges of the World, this secluded property is accessed mainly by rafting in and out along the scenic Pacuare river through isolated rainforests in Costa Rica’s southern central valleys. Elegantly designed suites and bungalows put guests in perfect harmony with nature with upgraded categories offering private spring-fed plunge pools, indoor/outdoor showers and private decks with quirky lounge chairs. The lodge’s newest addition is the stylish infinity pool orientated toward the rushing waters of the Pacuare river that runs adjacent to the property. This tastefully designed leisure feature is cleaned using natural products and is chemical-free so as to protect the unique biodiversity of the local forest and water systems. Truly one of Costa Rica’s most outstanding hotel experiences, look no further than Pacuare for an adventurous brand of ultimate luxury.
Amor Arenal, La Fortuna
One of the newest luxury hotels on the scene in the popular Arenal region, Amor Arenal offers cosy private bungalows shrouded in tropical forest with views to the nearby conical peak of the Arenal Volcano. With an earthy, eco-chic style, the hotel effortlessly blends modern design principles with the highest-quality local materials to create an authentically Costa Rican atmosphere, where guests feel truly immersed in their tropical environment. One of the hotel’s standout features is the main pool with a stylish swim-up bar. Geothermal volcanic springs also feed multiple hot pools on the property where guests can enjoy a spa-like experience in the open air in total privacy, away from the overcrowded thermal springs complexes of nearby La Fortuna. Contemporary, bold and exotic – Amor Arenal is the perfect choice for those looking for an intimate tropical escape.
Makanda by the Sea, Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio’s reputation has taken a bit of a hit in recent years, with the surge of Costa Rican tourism giving rise to a boom in sub-standard hotels and tacky tourist shops in some parts of Quepos. Despite these changes, Manuel Antonio remains one of the most picturesque and exciting parts of Costa Rica’s stunning Pacific Coast to explore – offering a vibrant cocktail of adventure, nature activities and beautiful coastline. For those seeking a more exclusive experience of this dynamic area, we suggest the sleek adults only Makanda by the Sea, boasting two luxurious pool complexes overlooking the surrounding rainforest and offering sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean down below. Located in a unique biodiversity corridor, guests of Makanda can expect to share their relaxation time in the pool with the local exotic parrots, vocal toucans and playful monkeys that skip through the forest canopy above.
Simon Williams is Director of Humboldt Travel. Humboldt Travel is a luxury travel company specialising in tailor made holidays to Latin America, Africa and Asia. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
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8 Comments
Can’t go wrong with Nat Geo recommendation especially when you know they’ve got a reputation to protect. Plus, the pictures prove it, Pacuare Lodge, Siquirres’ pool is beautiful. What surrounds it even more so. Just imagine the serene ambience of being just with nature while quietly reflecting. I bet it’s an amazing feeling.
I’m in awe of the architects who can see a chunk of land and view it as an empty canvas and then create a masterpiece. All of these pools are very different and each matches into its environment very nicely. If you transported any one of these pools to another hotel it just wouldn’t work as well. Top marks to the designers.
Not an easy choice out of all of these but if I had to pick one out of these great properties I think that I’d probably go for El Mangroove. It’s got such brilliant views. At the moment it’s a bit of wishful Sunday morning day dreaming but Costa Rica is definitely on my list. I plan to get there in the next year or two and the partner is also very, very keen on Costa Rica as a destination which always helps.
Whether somewhere has a pool is a feature I look for when I travel, but I’m not really too fussy about what it’s like as long as there is one. It definitely makes a difference if it’s a nice one though, it changes my view of the hotel if they’ve invested money in something a little more luxurious. The worst I’ve been to was a tiny indoor pool, awful area around it that looked liked it hadn’t been maintained for years, the water was cold and it just looked depressing all around. All of these places look stunning! It’s a benefit to being in such a gorgeous part of the world to get nice weather to enjoy outdoor pools, and the views are incredible. Infinity pools seem particularly popular and they definitely stand out on the travel brochures and online pics.
Contemporary styles capture my eye, so I love the smooth, streamlined look of polished stone and chrome with some of these. The infinity versions are often seem as the pinnacle of luxury. I actually quite fancy the Armor Arenal in La Fortuna. The geothermal springs for a spa experience, swim up bar and the overall rustic kind of appeal, it’s all very warm and charming.
As soon as you start using a superlative like “most” and making judgements on style you are starting to walk into dangerous territory. I bet there are several hoteliers in Costa Rica ready to argue that they’ve got a pool that deserves a place in a collection of “most stylish”. As ever it all depends on your definition of style. What are you looking for? Infinity pools that really merge with the horizon? Pools that accentuate the natural beauty of the environment? Pools that fit in perfectly with the hotel’s architecture? At the end of the day, whatever the criteria, there’s no doubt that Costa Rica has more than its fair share of stylish pools.
Luxury hotels are everything for the weary traveller and its services and facilities are always spot on especially when you talk about big hotel chains. After all, it’s about reputation and word of mouth. But then, throw in these amazing leisure amenities, like the swimming pools, jacuzzis, or spa and it’s a winner. Pools are among a hotel’s asset and attraction, and it’s also something that travellers consider when looking for a hotel to stay in. These pools are a great example of how a hotel flaunts its spectacular location and its amenities. It just makes me want to visit Costa Rica.
Here are our favourite luxury hotels in Costa Rica with pool views to remember…
Origins Lodge, Bijagua Mountains
Close to the border with neighbouring Nicaragua, Origins Lodge is an ultra-exclusive property tucked away in the verdant vegetation of the Bijagua Mountains, a zone of lesser touristic saturation than many of Costa Rica’s more well-known destinations. This cosy lodge overlooks miles of unspoiled forest and also offers guests 180-degree views of Lake Nicaragua across the border from the highest points in the property, including the stunning infinity pool. Each private lodge is superbly well-equipped and, at more than 100 square metres each, offers plenty of space to relax. Enjoy a wide variety of nature and adventure activities in the region such as guided excursions to the Tenorio Volcano National Park, before returning to the luxurious poolside to watch the sun go down with an elegantly crafted cocktail in hand.
Here are our favourite luxury hotels in Costa Rica with pool views to remember…
Origins Lodge, Bijagua Mountains
Close to the border with neighbouring Nicaragua, Origins Lodge is an ultra-exclusive property tucked away in the verdant vegetation of the Bijagua Mountains, a zone of lesser touristic saturation than many of Costa Rica’s more well-known destinations. This cosy lodge overlooks miles of unspoiled forest and also offers guests 180-degree views of Lake Nicaragua across the border from the highest points in the property, including the stunning infinity pool. Each private lodge is superbly well-equipped and, at more than 100 square metres each, offers plenty of space to relax. Enjoy a wide variety of nature and adventure activities in the region such as guided excursions to the Tenorio Volcano National Park, before returning to the luxurious poolside to watch the sun go down with an elegantly crafted cocktail in hand.
Kurá Design Villas, Uvita
Perhaps home to the sexiest infinity pool in the whole of Central America, yet alone just Costa Rica, the Kurá Design Villas in Uvita, on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, are the epitome of minimalist modern cool. Perched high in the forested hills overlooking the ‘Whale’s Tail’ of the fascinating Marino Ballena National Park, this boutique complex of sleek, angular private villas offers guests all the privacy of a stand-alone home with the facilities of a top-level boutique hotel. The hotel restaurant serves a fresh and colourful cuisine inspired by the bounty of the ocean and the rainforest, whilst the Spa, rooftop terrace and pool deck provide travellers with the perfect cosy spaces to wind down in the sun. The shimmering mirror-effect infinity pool with sweeping vistas of the Pacific is really the standout feature of this space-age style luxury retreat. We recommend taking plenty of pictures during sunrise and sunset when the fiery hues of the sky are reflected across the pool surface. It looks as wonderful in person as it does on Instagram.
El Mangroove, Papagayo
Situated within walking distance of some of Guanacaste’s idyllic sandy beaches, El Mangroove is a contemporary boutique property fusing the sustainability principles of an eco-resort with the design sensibility of a cosmopolitan art-hotel. Characterised by angular constructions and a neutral colour palette that blends into its surroundings, El Mangroove offers a sophisticated aesthetic in a region of spectacular natural beauty. The central feature of the hotel’s common spaces is the dark-stone outdoor pool. Surrounded by decadent loungers and Bali-beds, this luxurious pool provides guests with the perfect place to relax and unwind in the sea breeze.
Pacuare Lodge, Siquirres
One of National Geographic’s exquisite Unique Lodges of the World, this secluded property is accessed mainly by rafting in and out along the scenic Pacuare river through isolated rainforests in Costa Rica’s southern central valleys. Elegantly designed suites and bungalows put guests in perfect harmony with nature with upgraded categories offering private spring-fed plunge pools, indoor/outdoor showers and private decks with quirky lounge chairs. The lodge’s newest addition is the stylish infinity pool orientated toward the rushing waters of the Pacuare river that runs adjacent to the property. This tastefully designed leisure feature is cleaned using natural products and is chemical-free so as to protect the unique biodiversity of the local forest and water systems. Truly one of Costa Rica’s most outstanding hotel experiences, look no further than Pacuare for an adventurous brand of ultimate luxury.
Amor Arenal, La Fortuna
One of the newest luxury hotels on the scene in the popular Arenal region, Amor Arenal offers cosy private bungalows shrouded in tropical forest with views to the nearby conical peak of the Arenal Volcano. With an earthy, eco-chic style, the hotel effortlessly blends modern design principles with the highest-quality local materials to create an authentically Costa Rican atmosphere, where guests feel truly immersed in their tropical environment. One of the hotel’s standout features is the main pool with a stylish swim-up bar. Geothermal volcanic springs also feed multiple hot pools on the property where guests can enjoy a spa-like experience in the open air in total privacy, away from the overcrowded thermal springs complexes of nearby La Fortuna. Contemporary, bold and exotic – Amor Arenal is the perfect choice for those looking for an intimate tropical escape.
Makanda by the Sea, Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio’s reputation has taken a bit of a hit in recent years, with the surge of Costa Rican tourism giving rise to a boom in sub-standard hotels and tacky tourist shops in some parts of Quepos. Despite these changes, Manuel Antonio remains one of the most picturesque and exciting parts of Costa Rica’s stunning Pacific Coast to explore – offering a vibrant cocktail of adventure, nature activities and beautiful coastline. For those seeking a more exclusive experience of this dynamic area, we suggest the sleek adults only Makanda by the Sea, boasting two luxurious pool complexes overlooking the surrounding rainforest and offering sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean down below. Located in a unique biodiversity corridor, guests of Makanda can expect to share their relaxation time in the pool with the local exotic parrots, vocal toucans and playful monkeys that skip through the forest canopy above.
Can’t go wrong with Nat Geo recommendation especially when you know they’ve got a reputation to protect. Plus, the pictures prove it, Pacuare Lodge, Siquirres’ pool is beautiful. What surrounds it even more so. Just imagine the serene ambience of being just with nature while quietly reflecting. I bet it’s an amazing feeling.
Wow – Costa Rica certainly knows how to do pools. Being a hotel inspector in Costa Rica must be one of the world’s most desirable jobs.
I’m in awe of the architects who can see a chunk of land and view it as an empty canvas and then create a masterpiece. All of these pools are very different and each matches into its environment very nicely. If you transported any one of these pools to another hotel it just wouldn’t work as well. Top marks to the designers.
Not an easy choice out of all of these but if I had to pick one out of these great properties I think that I’d probably go for El Mangroove. It’s got such brilliant views. At the moment it’s a bit of wishful Sunday morning day dreaming but Costa Rica is definitely on my list. I plan to get there in the next year or two and the partner is also very, very keen on Costa Rica as a destination which always helps.
Whether somewhere has a pool is a feature I look for when I travel, but I’m not really too fussy about what it’s like as long as there is one. It definitely makes a difference if it’s a nice one though, it changes my view of the hotel if they’ve invested money in something a little more luxurious. The worst I’ve been to was a tiny indoor pool, awful area around it that looked liked it hadn’t been maintained for years, the water was cold and it just looked depressing all around. All of these places look stunning! It’s a benefit to being in such a gorgeous part of the world to get nice weather to enjoy outdoor pools, and the views are incredible. Infinity pools seem particularly popular and they definitely stand out on the travel brochures and online pics.
Contemporary styles capture my eye, so I love the smooth, streamlined look of polished stone and chrome with some of these. The infinity versions are often seem as the pinnacle of luxury. I actually quite fancy the Armor Arenal in La Fortuna. The geothermal springs for a spa experience, swim up bar and the overall rustic kind of appeal, it’s all very warm and charming.
As soon as you start using a superlative like “most” and making judgements on style you are starting to walk into dangerous territory. I bet there are several hoteliers in Costa Rica ready to argue that they’ve got a pool that deserves a place in a collection of “most stylish”. As ever it all depends on your definition of style. What are you looking for? Infinity pools that really merge with the horizon? Pools that accentuate the natural beauty of the environment? Pools that fit in perfectly with the hotel’s architecture? At the end of the day, whatever the criteria, there’s no doubt that Costa Rica has more than its fair share of stylish pools.
Luxury hotels are everything for the weary traveller and its services and facilities are always spot on especially when you talk about big hotel chains. After all, it’s about reputation and word of mouth. But then, throw in these amazing leisure amenities, like the swimming pools, jacuzzis, or spa and it’s a winner. Pools are among a hotel’s asset and attraction, and it’s also something that travellers consider when looking for a hotel to stay in. These pools are a great example of how a hotel flaunts its spectacular location and its amenities. It just makes me want to visit Costa Rica.