It’s official: I found the most amazing luxury wellness paradise in the very heart of my beloved Costa Rica. Let me tell you about it… Imagine waking up surrounded by the tropical garden, lush landscapes, chirping birds, and quartz mountain overlooking the Nicoya Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean… is it even real? This was my thought every single day when I woke up in The Retreat Costa Rica.
The Retreat Costa Rica – a place located in one of the best climates in the world
The Retreat Costa Rica is not only a luxury boutique-like wellness and spa resort, surrounded by an organic garden with breathtaking views of the Nicoya Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean. This is a place where you can go through the renewal of your body and soul, take a break from the chaos and pace of everyday life, and focus on yourself. It is a place that each of us needs every now and then. Surrounded by beautiful nature, with fairy-tale sunsets, a healthy menu, holistic regeneration treatments. Refined down to the smallest detail, so that each element gives a sense of balance and brings relief. Luxury in many dimensions.
The Retreat Costa Rica offers 13 unique and elegant rooms, Vida Mia Healing Center and Spa, two organic restaurants, an organic coffee plantation, two saltwater pools, a yoga studio, a meditation terrace, organic gardens, and hillside paths. All located in the Central Valley region, considered “one of the best climates in the world” by the National Geographic Society.
There are so many amazing places here that you literally don’t know what to start with. Best of all, The Retreat is just 30 minutes from San José International Airport, which means it’s the perfect place not only as a stopover during your Costa Rica visit but also as a weekend gateway when you can stay here only for a few days. This is exactly where you want to come back to every time you need to take care of yourself and catch a breath.
Elegant rooms and touching sunsets
The rooms at The Retreat are minimalistic, yet very elegant. The decor encourages relaxation and the bright colors are soothing. I love that there are no phones or TVs in the rooms that could disturb the calm, natural surroundings and sounds. And I have to mention that it’s been a long time since I had such a comfortable bed and perfectly soft bedding, you simply felt like sleeping on clouds. I slept like a baby!
There are several room types to choose from. Deluxe rooms with private terraces are set in gardens overlooking the mountain landscape, valley, and ocean. From Premium Casitas rooms you can admire the valley and the Pacific Ocean, preferably on the swings on the balcony. Spa Collection rooms have large hot tubs, and you can admire the beauty of the area from the luxurious king-size bed, spacious balcony, or seating area.
I stayed in an absolutely beautiful Premium Casitas room. I had a private terrace with a hanging chair and each morning I was starting my day here with a mug of steaming Costa Rican coffee, Costa Rican nature awakening to life, toucans almost at your fingertips, and hummingbirds rummaging among flowers.
However, the real spectacle of nature began at sunset. I have already mentioned to you many times the fact that Costa Rica welcomed me with phenomenal sunsets, but that féerie of colors absorbing the shimmering ocean in the distance and reflecting off the hills was one of the most beautiful and touching that I have ever seen in Costa Rica.
The evening was by far my favorite moment. When I was coming back from dinner, the room was ready for bedtime: properly set soft light, a schedule for the next day with homemade organic cookie as evenings treat (the devil’s in the detail!) on the pillow. In addition, the delicate fragrance of essential oils in the room, sprayed through a diffuser, was intended to reduce stress, neutralize bacteria and viruses, improve digestion, strengthen bones and reduce inflammation. The rooms are also filled with selenite, a crystal used to ensure happiness and protection. I have already told you that everything in The Retreat is refined in details and in accordance with the holistic care of the body and soul :)
Vida Mia Healing Center and Spa – these are the treatments you come for to The Retreat
The impressive spa covers an area of 8,000 square feet. Thanks to innovative and organic remedies along with the wisdom of ancient therapies and the metaphysical powers of the four elements earth, water, air, and fire, the spa combines health, beauty, relaxation, and healing. It focuses on authentic therapeutic treatments and hands-on experiences to connect, nurture, protect and heal your mind and body. The resort is famous for Ayurvedic treatments, which date back to over 6000 years ago and was one of the most advanced and powerful health systems in India. Due to the belief that mind and body are interconnected and that nothing has greater healing power than the mind, Ayurveda focuses on the inextricable connection of the two spheres. Treatments also contribute to having beautiful and radiant skin, better concentration, and rebuild energy. I had the opportunity to experience them and all I can say is it was really amazing. Such a “me time” that I did not have for a long time, traveling around the world intensively.
Vida Mia was designed according to the principles of ancient Feng Shui, balancing energy throughout the building structure to optimize health, wealth, charisma, love, sex, and happiness. There is also a Meditation Deck created for reflection, prayer, or just to stop here for a break to enjoy the surrounding nature. The pool is perfect for relaxing, sunbathing, and enjoying the view of the Pacific Ocean. It was one of my favorite places to read and sip the best Iced Mocha I’ve ever had.
An organic menu that fills the senses and soothes the body
The whole concept of the menu at The Retreat is noteworthy because these are not ordinary dishes, but culinary pieces of art selected with a great care and knowledge. The menu is based on an anti-inflammatory diet, using organic products mostly grown locally. The lunches are always plant-based and were my favorite meals. The meals were grain-free, dairy-free, with no refined sweeteners. Products were sourced locally and sustainably. Each menu is tailored to the needs of each guest, and vegan and vegetarian options are available with all meals. The menu is based on the concept of an organic farm-to-table restaurant using seasonal products.
I was very impressed with the open kitchen, which allows seeing how the dishes are prepared and ask about anything at any time. Right next to a beautiful, open-air restaurant, on a slope, there is an organic garden, where most of the ingredients of the dishes come from. Fresh medicinal herbs are added to drinking water, smoothies and cocktails.
It is a place where everything works in harmony with the surrounding nature, under its dictation, drawing from it, but not destroying it. The food is amazing – healthy, nutritious, aromatic, and colorful. Each meal was served beautifully and was a pure pleasure. If like me, you care about eating healthily and being fit, even when traveling around the world, you will be delighted.
Morning yoga, evening gym – the perfect place in line with travel and keep fit
I would not be myself if I did not write you at least a few words about Travel and Keep Fit – in other words – about my concept of being active, even when traveling. At The Retreat, it was easy and fun. Every day at 8 am and 5 pm there is yoga combined with meditation. Starting the day with yoga in such a beautiful natural setting was a dream come true. The additional bonuses were the hotel residents – the peacocks that loved to watch the classes. There is no other way to get closer to nature than this.
In addition, there is an air-conditioned gym on the upper level of the spa, where I did my training every evening. Believe me, not every hotel has a well-equipped gym and this one was really great with free weights, big mirrors on one wall, and mountain views on the other.
Sustainable development and social responsibility prove the uniqueness of The Retreat
When traveling and searching for the most unique accommodation in the world, I make sure that they are created in the spirit of sustainable development and social awareness. Through the local community, visitors, and operating protocols, The Retreat has taken actual steps to respect the environment and positively impact everything around it. Starting with caring for the surrounding nature – the hotel farm is organic, spa treatments are chemical-free and made with organic products, and the restaurant’s fish and meat are sourced locally.
A very important aspect is the employment policy, which states that 90% of employees must come from the local community. In addition, there is a huge emphasis on energy and water saving, a recycling program in cooperation with the municipality, and an on-farm reforestation program.
These are the places we want to support as responsible tourism consumers and we should pay attention to them when choosing hotels around the world. It’s amazing that more and more places are focusing on sustainability and adaptation to local conditions. This is what proves their uniqueness and luxury.
The Retreat Costa Rica is in many ways a little paradise hidden among the Costa Rican hills, green forests, and magical sunsets. I had an amazing time in this oasis that nourishes and renews your mind, body, and soul.
If you are planning a trip to Costa Rica anytime soon, this is the place you would like to visit even for a moment. Life is too short, not to pamper yourself a little. Am I right?
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