Andaz Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica
more James Bond-type route in, guests can also arrive on the resort’s white sands via a boat taxi transfer from across the bay. Zurcher’s balloon-like structures
author: Chloe Cann
If your clients are searching for a luxury hideaway in Costa Rica, then look no further. The Andaz Peninsula Papagayo, which opened its palm-flanked doors in 2013, is just 30 minutes’ drive from international airport Liberia, yet it hugs a secluded stretch of bay which seems millennia away from the bustle and overdevelopment that has taken root along chunks of the country’s coastline. Driving into the property is an
event in itself, with two gated entrances to pass through. Row upon row of perfectly symmetrical palm trees line the drive and wild deer scamper about the grounds. The slow build-up serves not only to heighten the sense of exclusivity but also to add a feeling of curiosity – the property sits low in Culebra bay, sunken deep into the hillside, and retreats from view. It’s only when I reach the
curvaceous open-air lobby that I can truly drink in the property, designed by Costa Rican architect Ronald Zurcher. Or for a rather
house 132 rooms and 21 suites in total, and even though the resort was at 75% occupancy when I was there, the lofty spaces and sprawling nature meant it still felt quiet. The property’s seclusion is at
once a blessing and a curse; there’s no beachside hassle from wandering vendors, but nor is there any local hubbub from nearby bars or main roads to sample. The nearest alternative dining options are a good drive away and are also set within five-star resorts, so guests should be prepared for staying put (at breakfast I even spied a family stealthily sliding extra food into Ziploc bags). There are, at least, three
different dining options for guests to choose from – main restaurant Rio Bhongo is the crowd-pleaser, with salads, sandwiches and grilled meat and fish; Ostra as the fine dining establishment that serves up seafood with showmanship; and contemporary Chao Pescao, which offers a range of small plates. Food can prove a little hit and
miss though: I sampled a hearty and nourishing mariscada (shellfish stew) at Rio Bhongo, but
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Good to know Many of the resort’s visitors arrive in hire cars, but those without their own transport can make use of the resort’s shuttle service to explore the peninsula, which is free until 6pm and $25pp thereafter. There are nature trails around the resort, but visitors are not advised to traverse them alone. Instead take one of the daily excursions into the forest with a guide. Plenty of other activities, such as morning yoga, are available. Golf carts are available on speed dial to help get visitors around the resort’s steep slopes. But given the inclines, the Andaz might not be the right choice for your less mobile clients. The resort is most popular with families and couples (including honeymooners), and 80% of guests are from the US.
felt some of the dishes at Chao Pescao were a little too ambitious. Breakfast, however, was pure decadence – bowls heaped full of fresh guacamole and spicy salsas; bottles of watermelon and vegetable juice; thick hunks of pineapple; tureens brimming with pinto de gallo (the national dish of rice and beans); and marble countertops lined with pecan pie, caramel sauce, cinnamon buns, banana cake and cheese pastries. Like the food, service at the
Andaz also seemed to fluctuate. Some staff offered an easy-going, pally rapport, while others seemed to almost follow a stilted script. If all the engagement gets too
much, guests can retreat to their rooms, which are adorned in natural materials and feature wonderful views of the bay. Or they could wallow in the waters of the resort’s two secluded beaches, where the only company they might have are giant leatherback sea turtles and whales. Tel: 00 506 2690 1234
papagayo.andaz.hyatt.com
How to book it Abercrombie & Kent offers seven nights’ B&B from £1,830pp, including international and internal flights and round-trip transfers. Tel: 01242 547760
abercrombiekent.co.uk
Exclusive hideaway
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