W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, has announced the opening of W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal, the first W hotel in the country.

The highly anticipated opening of W Costa Rica brings an exciting new energy to the nation’s tropical hotel scene, offering guests and locals alike the chance to soak in the iconic W lifestyle. In addition to being the second W hotel to open in Central America this year (following W Panama), W Costa Rica is also the newest W Escape, the brand’s unique spin on the traditional resort experience – zip line and all.

W Costa Rica is located within a 2,300-acre nature reserve just minutes from Tamarindo, an internationally-renowned surf spot that has earned a reputation among amateur and professional wave enthusiasts. Surfing not your style? Nearby Playa Flamingo offers horseback riding, ATV and catamaran rides as well as fishing, snorkelling and jungle exploration by foot. In the dry season (December through April), Costa Rica is a must for nature-lovers who can witness majestic humpback whale migration and magical turtle nesting along the nearby beaches. Known as one of the happiest countries in the world, Costa Rica lives by the “pura vida” lifestyle, a carefree, optimistic approach to everyday pleasures.

“The land of ‘pura vida’ is where the playful spirit of the W brand was born to run free,” said Anthony Ingham, global brand leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “The people, the culture and the beauty of this country all meet to create a paradise unlike any other, and W Costa Rica will celebrate it all. The hotel is our latest W Escape, W’s platform for hotels that redefine the resort experience for the modern traveller looking for a holiday rooted in unexpected experiences and local sizzle.”

Welcome to Paradise
W Costa Rica brings unexpected style to the serene, tropical paradise of Reserva Conchal. Designed by Mister Important Design alongside the renowned in-house design team at W Hotels and Ronald Zurcher Architects, W Costa Rica embraces its surroundings with interpretations of the natural beauty of nearby beaches and jungle. Elements of this breathtaking landscape as well as the deep historical roots of the region are embedded in every aspect of W Costa Rica as the hotel combines land and sea with culture and treasured history. Upon arrival, guests are ushered through an avenue of 2,000 Bursera Simaruba trees (or “Indios Desnudos”), a living fence traditionally grown by local farmers to pen in livestock. The brand’s signature “W” sign is a negative space among a bright red wall that wraps around the Wheels area (valet). The circular arrival area and signature W sign is inspired by the unmistakable red of bull fighting that can still be found during one of the country’s emblematic cultural activities held at “Plaza de Toros.” Although true to the Pura Vida spirit, bulls in the Costa Rican bullfighting tradition are not killed.

As guests approach the Living Room (the brand’s signature spin on the traditional hotel lobby), floor-to-ceiling stone and wooden panels line the walls of the artistically lit hallway, mimicking one of Costa Rica’s favourite instruments, the marimba. The indoor-outdoor Living Room immerses guests in the Guanacaste Forest with wooden structures towering above the outdoor areas, mirroring the shape of the province’s famous namesake trees.

Guests will be able to shop local without leaving the hotel at W Hotels The Store, which will feature a rotating curated collection of artisan and regionally inspired items. At the far end of the Living Room, a giant curvaceous wooden pillar is engraved to reflect the textures and patterns of the Costa Rican pineapple, the global symbol of hospitality and one of Costa Rica’s most important economic drivers. The structure frames the elevator leading to the hotel’s meeting spaces and restaurant, Latitud 10° Norte.

The Wet Deck (the W pool) honours the wheels of Costa Rica’s colourful “Carreta Tipica,” oxcarts that can be found across the country, with a mosaic interpretation of the mandala-like designs inlaid in the hot tub within the hotel’s sparkling pool and throughout the interiors of the curvaceous sunken Wet Bar.

Zona Azul Beach Club is the brand’s first on-site beach club located on one of the country’s rare white sand beaches, Playa Conchal. Can’t wait to hit the beach? Put your feet up, you’re in for a ride. W Costa Rica is giving guests a playfully social thrill – a soon-to-come zip line right from the hilltop Wet Deck to the surf side beach club. Guests can take the 10-minute stroll down to the shore, or opt-in for a one-way ticket down to Zona Azul Beach Club.

Inspired by nearby Nicoya, one of only five places in the world where quality of life and happiness lead to an extraordinary number of centenarians, Zona Azul Beach Club is named for the world-famous “blue zone” that holds the key to longevity. The hotel’s beach club features a stunning infinity pool for guests to soak in the sun and relax in high-design luxury. This vibrant beach club restaurant offers a menu that melds international tastes from each of the five blue zones located in Italy, Japan, Greece, California (US) and of course, Costa Rica.

The party doesn’t stop with decadent dining at Zona Azul Beach Club. Costa Rica’s newest oceanside haunt will feature high-energy entertainment including DJs, late-night cocktails and direct access to Playa Conchal. Zona Azul Beach Club will welcome both W guests and local party-goers, offering a total destination experience year-round.

Room for adventure
Each of the hotel’s 150 guest rooms honour the adventurous spirit of the island through locally-designed mini surfboards that extend from the walls of each MixBar (mini bar). Inspired by the commonly seen Oropendola birds and their woven basket nests, curvaceous wooden headboards cradle each guest bed, while walls feature abstract floral murals set against natural wood. Spanning the walls of each room’s sleek bathroom and vanity space is a Chorotega-style design, showcasing the artistry of Guaitil handcrafted pottery. In a true W first, every room at W Costa Rica comes outfitted with an in-room draft beer tap filled with local brew. Cold cervezas can be enjoyed outside, as each in-room bar extends onto an outdoor patio, connecting guests to nature. The Tree House Suites at W Costa Rica are nestled into the mangroves, engulfing guests in the stunning natural elements of the destination.

The Extreme Wow Suite (the brand’s take on the traditional Presidential Suite) features a large faceted wood wall, expansive bar, fully-stocked library and entertainment kiosk. The suite’s large, private wrap-around deck boasts amazing views, a private pool and a marble surfboard which serves as a unique dining table. The oversized bed is shaped like a cloud and is positioned to offer guests a view of the suite’s private pool and the sparkling ocean beyond. The Extreme Wow Suite can open completely to the deck, creating an immersive indoor-outdoor space.

Flavours to savour
W Costa Rica gives guests every opportunity to indulge with six distinct options for decadent cuisine and handcrafted cocktails. The Living Room (the brand’s signature lobby/bar) features an array of international tapas and craft cocktails that take local mixology to the next level. The tree-like structure that serves as the focal point is encrusted with 9,000 recycled glass beer bottles that illuminate and create a stunning, custom light display. The light installation is made of white, blue, green and brown bottles in a pattern inspired by the tails of Costa Rica’s many hummingbirds. Located off the Living Room, Cocina de Mercado offers a mix of local comforts with Latin, American and Mediterranean flair as well as grab-and-go options for those who can’t wait to zip the beach club or stroll to the Wet Deck Bar for poolside bites.

Open only for dinner, Latitud 10° Norte, named for the shared latitude between Thailand and Costa Rica, explores new Latin cuisine with a Thai twist. This mix makes for one-of-a-kind dishes like crab brain fried rice and octopus chifrijo. The menu also offers exclusive cocktails, presented tableside.

Play away
The final spot to see and be seen at W Costa Rica is nestled inside an unexpected place: the hotel’s spa. Guests can detox, retox and get social at Away Spa Bar, the first full-service bar located inside an AWAY Spa (the brand’s signature spa concept). The spa experience gets its own makeover at W Costa Rica as guests are offered group and semi-private treatments to mix and mingle while getting pampered, with or without a craft cocktail. Six private treatment rooms are modelled after butterfly cocoons, a design that pays homage to the country’s 1500+ species of butterflies, which make up approximately 18% of the world’s butterfly population.

W Costa Rica also offers more than 950-sq-m of flexible event space, where high tech meets high design for business meets pleasure meetings as well as unforgettable weddings and celebrations. Each meeting space features floor-to-ceiling windows, tropical vibes with bold splashes of colour and access to The Lawn, an adjacent outdoor space with beautifully manicured grass perfect for cocktails, ceremonies and celebrating.

Rates at W Costa Rica start at $389 per night (plus taxes). - TradeArabia News Service