Costa Rica has become the playground of the eco-tourist. In addition to offering vacationers one of the most beautiful settings in the world, the country is known for its stewardship of the environment. While some consider luxury and eco-tourism to be an oxymoron, we respectfully disagree by presenting a beachfront luxury villa and guest house in Playa Hermosa.
A point of reference, there are two beaches known as Playa Hermosa. One is located northwest in the Guanacaste area of the country. The beachfront villa we are presenting is located on the west-central coast of Costa Rica, approximately 10 minutes south of Jaco and 15 minutes from Los Suenos, the well-known golf resort and marina of the area.
An introduction to the area: Playa Hermosa is known for offering surfers some of the best and most consistent surf breaks in the world. For surfing, the best season is from April to November when the tide is high. Yet, we suggest checking out Playa Hermosa year-round. For the eco-tourist, a day-trip to the world famous Manuel Antonio National Park is a must. For the adrenaline junkie, we would suggest one of the zip-line tours in the immediate vicinity. For the rest of us, a good book and a bottle of wine while watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean is a daily ritual before dinner in Hermosa or Jaco.
Our Villa La Costa will delight all who visit. Approximately 2 hours west of San Jose (the capital of Costa Rica), the drive is one of the most scenic in the northern hemisphere. Upon entering the gated community of Hermosa Palms, guests meander to Villa La Costa situated on a beautiful 7,000 SF (650 SM) beachfront lot.
Villa La Costa is an eclectic mix of traditional and modern profiled in Costa Rica’s respected Estilos y Casas (Styles & Houses) magazine. The magazine mentioned the unique elements of the home included the tiled roofs, exposed brick domes, natural rock walls, over-sized windows all hallmarks of luxury Costa Rican design, yet incorporating traditional luxury attributes including Italian marble, custom mattresses, chef-grade appliances and modern art all within an open-design for indoor/outdoor living.
Villa La Costa is a mini-estate offering guests the option of rental flexibility. During high-season the full estate is rented as a package, yet during the remainder of the year guests can opt to rent the villa, 2,450 SF (227 SM) with three bedrooms and three and one-half bathrooms and/or the intimate 513 SF (47.6 SM) 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom guest house. (The unoccupied home is locked off when one is rented and not the other)
We hear the same comment about once a week “We are looking for an unspoiled getaway. We want the Caribbean and Mexico as it was before the high-rises and all-inclusive resorts dotted the landscape. We want the unique yet with all the luxuries intact.” We suggest a few opportunities “south of the border….of Mexico”.
As the chill sets in and we prepare for Christmas, our neighbors in Central America are offering many opportunities to escape the snow and cold. From a resort in Belize accessible by boat to an estate in Panama to a flat in Costa Rica, we have options from the Caribbean to the Pacific available through the winter season. Even if you missed the booking window for Christmas, it’s going to be a long winter (which by the way officially began on Monday, Dec. 21st) so do not delay because as we enter the ice-box up north, in Central America, it’s just heating up.
Costa Rica is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world contributing to its tourism popularity. Within minutes, visitors can travel from stunning beaches to dense tropical rainforests. Dining can range from the shack on the beach serving the “fresh catch of the morning” to glorious gourmet dining by candlelight overlooking yachts in the cove.
A personal favorite resort area of Costa Rica is the Los Suenos gated community just minutes north of the laid-back community of Jaco Beach. Los Suenos offers guests the best of Costa Rica from beautiful grounds and beach to resort amenities including a challenging par-72, 18-hole eco-golf course designed by Ted Robinson Junior golf course, a marina, a collection of upscale shops, tennis courts, workout facilities, marina, six restaurants and the ultimate amenity, the personalized signature service of MeadBrown.
We recommend the lovely Casa Pacifica, a brand new villa in Los Suenos Resort and Marina. The home’s many features include five master suites (4 with king beds, one with two double beds), all with 50″ flat screen televisions and private en suite bathrooms, panoramic view of Herradura Bay, private pool and Jacuzzi, open and spacious living room and a gathering room with custom pool table, bar, 50″ flat screen TV and games tables. For the chef the kitchen is equipped with Sub-Zero refrigerator, Wolf appliances, beer and wine cooler.
As if the sweets at Dolce Vita are not enough to entice a visit, the managers of Casa Pacifica recently informed us the rate for Casa Pacifica has been reduced to $1,600/night from $2,500/night through February. A beautiful vacation rental villa with private amenities at an attractive rate, maybe not a Christmas Miracle but close!
Located within the lush tropical region of Costa Rica’s south Pacific an area National Geographic Magazine called “the most biologically intense place on earth”, this waterfront vacation residence exemplifies exclusivity and luxury while adhering to the realities of keeping the environment “Green”. The luxury lifestyle has never been so environmentally conscious.
Situated among a diverse tropical setting Casa Ramon offers guests a truly Costa Rican environment, the warm waters of the Pacific below, the lush foliage of a mountain rainforest above. You will not see another home in sight. The only audible sounds will be the native birds in the morning, the cooing of monkeys at dusk and throughout the day and evening, the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean along the beach.
Casa Ramon is a five (5) bedroom, seven (7) bathroom estate designed in unison with its unique diverse environment utilizing ecologically sensitive tropical architecture coupled with rustic and modern finishes including bamboo, coral stones, volcanic and river stones, tropical hardwoods and recycled glass.
At Casa Ramon, not one detail has been overlooked. Each of the five (5) bedrooms offers guests a king-size bed with en-suite bath equipped with L’Occitane organic personal bathing accessories. Each bedroom is artistic in design respecting the native culture and beautifully illuminated per architect specifications. For those who desire the comforts of the 21st century each suite provides thermostat controlled air conditioning and hidden plasma televisions.
In Costa Rica, the climate facilitates outdoor living year-round. Guests enjoy a private pool and spa within the courtyard rivaling the finest resorts, all for your private and personal use. Upon request, the personal concierge can facilitate a masseuse, yoga instructor and beauty consultant to enhance your on-site spa experience.
Dining is one of the many pleasures at Casa Ramon. While the gourmet kitchen will impress the professional chef, the outdoor grills within the miradores (look-outs) will delight as well. Your first evening at Casa Ramon will be enhanced with a local-flavored dinner compliments of the local husband and wife chef team of Roberto and Saida.
In a world where luxury has become homogenized, Casa Ramon stand out as an opportunity to experience luxury and exclusivity refined for the select few for the 21st century and beyond.
Since the launch of our new Global Bundle product just a few months ago, we have a wealth of success stories that we would like to share. Around the world homeowners, property managers, resorts, developers and fractional owners have found The Global Bundle to be the perfect solution for their online marketing efforts.
Below is a recap of October including success stories and some select new properties we’ve added in the past 30 days.
Success Stories: Beaver Creek, CO: Ski Safari home was booked within the first week of being listed through The Global Bundle. The booking was for over $10,000. Now that’s an ROI we like to see for our clients. Every booking from now one just adds more to the bottom line. See home here: http://thesociety.com/vacation+rental/23987
West Vail, CO: This “accessible luxury” condo had zero bookings through the first few weeks in The Global Bundle. Our account management team worked with the owner and adjusted the headlines and offered a reasonable discount for early bookings. The result: immediately saw 4x’s the inquiries, 3 of which ended up booking in October alone. See home here: http://thesociety.com/vacation+rental/23907
Ambergris Caye, Belize: Las Terrazas Resort booked the entire resort for a 40 person Wedding. 40 guests staying for 7 nights. The Global Bundle reaches travelers and large group planners. See the resort here: http://thesociety.com/vacation+rental/23844
East Hampton, NY: This unique Whale Rock home, which is up for sale, was put into The Global Bundle to earn rental income as it was on the market. Within the first couple of days of listing, this property was filled for Labor Day and 2 off-season bookings. See the home here: http://thesociety.com/vacation+rental/23668
Paradise Valley, AZ: This $10 million estate had very few inquiries for the previous months. It was placed into The Global Bundle to target affluent audiences and the owner reported a qualified inquiry within 24 hours of listing. See the home here: http://thesociety.com/vacation+rental/23829
Selected New Properties Added to The Global Bundle in October:
Let us help you drive qualified inquiries and bookings efficiently and cost-effectively. View more information and sign-up for more information on our Global Bundle at: http://thesociety.com/gb
One of the many advantages of a vacation rental during the December holidays is the opportunity to make your lodging “personal and memorable”. From the Rocky Mountain West to the beaches of Mexico, Florida and the Caribbean, celebrating the holidays infused with generations of tradition (or make some new ones) in your vacation residence can provide memories to last a lifetime. We interviewed a few of our partners who offered some ideas:
Ski Holiday: A mountain vacation in the mountains during December guarantees a “White Christmas”. Our mountain managers suggest the following:
Holiday Décor: Request a Christmas Tree. The tree can be delivered and decorated prior to arrival. To keep the family traditions, consider shipping a small selection of ornaments to the management company prior to your trip. When you arrive, you and your family can place the “finishing touches” on the tree. Few destinations during the holidays rival our Ski Safari Chalet in Beaver Creek, CO. Families will enjoy the spacious 4 bedrooms which sleeps 10 in luxury. Even though true ski-in/out, we suggest apres-ski in the village with a hot cocoa and gelato just a short walk from the chalet.
Gifts: Consider having your gifts shipped to your vacation home rental. Imagine opening gifts by the fireplace watching the falling snow and the twinkling lights of the town. Or, if you desire a forested setting with evergreen trees covered in snow, consider our 3 bedroom condo in West Vail which accommodates 14, just minutes from the slopes yet set within a beautiful valley of mature aspens and evergreen trees, the finest mountain setting for the holidays and beyond.When its time to return home, have the larger gifts shipped.
Skis/Boards: Anyone on your gift list receiving new skis, boots or boards? If yes, ask the managing agent which retailer they prefer and order the equipment to be delivered to the vacation residence. Concerning boots, be sure to use a reputable retailer with a boot-fitting specialist. Bows and gift-wrapping are optional.
Christmas Dinner: The finest restaurants will be booked for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the weekend that follows. If you do not wish to cook, consider a private caterer or chef. Full formal meals can be delivered and re-heated or prepared on-site and professionally served, the choice is yours. Having a holiday party, have TheSociety.com assist you in securing a Butler for your event.
Costa Rica has enjoyed much popularity due to its diversity of vacation opportunities from active to passive and everything in between. A favorite destination of many vacationers is the Pacific Coast at Manuel Antonio. The area is well known for Manuel Antonio National Park, which is the smallest of the nation’s national parks, yet one of the most popular due to the preservation of one of the most beautiful and bio-diverse areas in Costa Rica and the world.
The uniqueness of the area is the combination of lush rain forests, stunning beaches (considered the finest in the country) and living coral reefs (excellent for snorkeling). For eco-tourists, we suggest the trail around Punta Catedral with its spectacular views (and a visit to Cathedral Point which used to be an island now connected via a narrow land bridge). For the beach enthusiasts, Playa Manuel Antonio is not to be missed. It’s a ½ mile white sand crescent with a mix of dense forests and a beautiful cove.
If considering a visit to Manuel Antonio National Park and the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, may we suggest a private luxury villa within the gated community of Tulemar Gardens, a 33 acre development, intimate yet providing the amenities and services of a luxury resort.
Buena Vista Luxury Villas within Tulemar Gardens slopes down to the signature sandy beach with the most gorgeous sunsets year round. Each villa comes with daily maid service and within the Tulemar Gardens community is a restaurant, bar service and a beautiful Cliffside pool.
All the villas (from Jr. Suite to 3 Bedrooms) are fully air-conditioned, have lovely outdoor space and panoramic views of the rain forests and the Pacific Ocean. For families or a group of friends, we suggest the 3 Bedroom Villa, a truly luxury offering from state of the art electronics to a chef’s kitchen to three large bedrooms and beautiful common areas.
Activities in the area include: Park Tours (a must do), sport fishing, river rafting, jet skiing, horseback riding, surfing, mountain biking, 4-wheeling, dolphin watching and spa. Of course, this is an excellent destination for destination weddings and romantic honeymoons.
As the economy begins to stabilize, we at The Society have enjoyed an increase in calls concerning our marketing services for vacation home rentals. Yet, before considering a purchase and/or interviewing management companies, it may be best to “Try Before You Buy”.
Let’s face it, we have all been on vacation and while enjoying ourselves, we begin to fantasize about the possibility of a vacation home purchase and start looking in the windows of real estate offices next door to the tee-shirt shop. While ownership can take many different forms from interval-ownership, time-shares, full ownership, partnerships and so forth, we suggest you “rent before you buy”.
1) Learning the Lay of the Land: Recently I enjoyed a vacation in Costa Rica. We stayed at a wonderful resort community and were truly enjoying the exemplary service provided by the management company representing our vacation home rental. We opened a dialogue with the management company assuming they would be most proactive in assisting us with a purchase and management contract in the community. To our surprise, the management company advised us 1) High-season is vastly different than the time we were visiting and 2) they suggested another area of Costa Rica to visit and 3) consider visiting at different times of the year. The management’s suggestions were right on target. We found a neighboring area we were even more impressed with and were assured in-season crowds would be minimal. All of this came about due to my comment “If I have to place a book on my lounge chair at 7AM to reserve it, I will not be a happy camper”.
2) Multiple Visits: From my experience as a real estate broker with experience in resort communities, I suggest visiting 3-4 times before making a purchase. By visiting multiple times, you can assess if the initial “wow-factor” continues on each visit and learn about the different seasons. For example, one of my clients bought in Vail, Colorado for the skiing. Yet, after a summer visit and enjoyment of the many golf courses, the clients now rent their vacation residence during the winter months (through The Society) and enjoy the summers on the golf course and biking the many mountain and paved trails.
While the Caribbean and Mexico are perennial favorites for a winter getaway, more of our clients and travel agent partners are asking about Costa Rica. This wonderful Latin American destination boasts some of the most diverse eco-systems in the world. From lush rain forests to white-sand beaches to some of the best surfing in the region.
May we suggest Casa Ramon located in the South Pacific region of Costa Rica for your consideration. The creators of Casa Ramon have put together natural materials in a remarkable way that blends textures and colors to enrich guest’s experience of life providing the Ultimate in Tropical Coastal Living.
Casa Ramon is designed for singles and couples to larger groups traveling together including extended families, corporate retreats, incentive travel, friends and those looking for privacy concerning living quarters yet sharing common amenities including pool/Jacuzzi, outdoor showers and of course a secluded small cove beach just below Casa Ramon, about 3 - 5 minutes by foot.
For those looking for an adventure getaway, Casa Ramon will not disappoint. In addition the multiple nature reserves within close proximity by car, other activities include: Kayaking to Ventanas Caves,Savegre River Rafting Tour, mountain biking, surfing and a personal favorite when visiting Casa Ramon, horseback riding on Dominical Beach at sunset.
With accommodations including the Grand Vista Apartment (2Bd/2Ba). The Deluxe Suite (2Bd/3Ba) and my personal favorite, the Casita Ramon (1Bd/2Ba) with its French Doors opening onto the dining terrace and Infinity Pool, Casa Ramon can accommodate the destination wedding, the romantic couple, the extended family and groups of friends and co-workers. All in a luxury and opulence which respects the Costa Rican ethos of natural preservation and beauty.
As mentioned in the July 7th newsletter, summer airfares have been skyrocketing. With increased demand and decreased capacity, fares were bound to increase. However, the Fall season, beginning after Labor Day, flights seem to be at bargain rates. Fall historically is a slower travel season i.e. kids in school; summer vacation is over, others preparing for the December holidays.
However, if you are able to travel during the Fall season, bargains are to be had. In addition to airfares, many of our property management partners run specials during the post-summer season. Europe is glorious in the Fall. The Southern Hemisphere is entering their spring, a great time to consider crossing the equator. For guests vacationing in the Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America, once crowded beaches become secluded pre-December holiday rush. The Rocky Mountain West is alive with the changing of the Aspens against the backdrop of snow-covered peaks. If not now, when?
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We hear the same comment about once a week “We are looking for an unspoiled getaway. We want the Caribbean and Mexico as it was before the high-rises and all-inclusive resorts dotted the landscape. We want the unique yet with all the luxuries intact.” We suggest a few opportunities “south of the border….of Mexico”.
