Gaia Hotel & Reserve—Adults Only, Manuel Antonio

Comprising 22 suites and villas across a trio of three-story buildings, the Gaia Luxury Boutique Hotel and Reserve is located near Manuel Antonio National Park. The adults-only resort combines modern luxury with a rustic feel, integrating eco-friendly practices and natural materials that reflect the surrounding environment. From the exterior, the hotel appears to cascade naturally down the hillside, with its white buildings contrasting against the verdant greenery. The layout respects the contours of the landscape, creating a sense of harmony with the surrounding forest. The rooms have hardwood floors, dark wood furniture, tropical plants, and colorful artwork. The hotel is generally quiet, benefiting from its setting amid coastal forests. 

 

Pros

• The hotel offers easy access to Manuel Antonio National Park.
• Guests can expect to see wildlife on the grounds.
• The resort has several outdoor infinity pools.
• In-room amenities include 500-thread-count sheets, LED Smart TVs with Netflix, and organic bath products.

Cons

• Children under 13 are not allowed because of the property's design, which features staircases and multi-tiered infinity pools.
• Rooms closer to communal amenities (like the pool or dining areas) might experience noise.  
• Past guests left mixed reviews about the resort's food and drink.

Authenticity

Architecturally, the hotel incorporates local features that contribute to its ambience, including using natural materials and designs that complement the tropical setting. The hotel is deeply immersed in nature, surrounded by a lush forest reserve, offering guests an opportunity to connect with the natural beauty of Costa Rica. Initially established as the Gaia Garden, a sanctuary for the preservation and restoration of native species and orchids, the site was preserved mainly in its natural state during the hotel's construction in 2005, and it continues to serve as a refuge for the area's wildlife to this day. 

Location

The hotel, situated high within a nature reserve, offers a secluded environment away from the more touristy areas. It provides a tranquil setting with views overlooking the rainforest and the ocean. Manuel Antonio National Park, renowned for its biodiversity, is 2 miles (3.2 km) from the hotel. While not within walking distance of many attractions, the hotel does provide a complimentary beach shuttle, making it easy to access the nearby ADR Adventure Park, Biesanz Beach, and Manuel Antonio Beach.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The resort's well-appointed, terraced suites and villas are individually decorated and offer views of the lush surroundings. Each room features modern amenities such as MP3 docking stations, minibars, Egyptian cotton sheets, LCD TVs, and free WiFi. The private bathrooms come with designer toiletries and hair dryers.

Wildlife

Guests will encounter an array of wildlife here. The area is known for its biodiversity, including various animals such as white-faced, howler, and squirrel monkeys, both two-toed and three-toed sloths, iguanas, raccoons, and numerous bird species, including scarlet macaws from the hotel's reintroduction program. Wildlife sightings are reported by guests while swimming in the pool, dining, or simply taking a leisurely walk around the property.

Amenities

The hotel's Terra Spa offers a range of treatments. The resort features several outdoor infinity pools, a sauna, and a 24-hour fitness center. A poolside bar serving food and drinks is available, as are sun loungers, beach chairs, umbrellas, and towels. For guests with limited mobility, the hotel has an elevator, accessible bathrooms, and wheelchair-accessible pathways.

Family-Friendliness

The hotel primarily caters to adults, including teenagers 13 years and older. (Children under 13 are not accommodated.) For families with older children, the hotel has suites, deluxe suites, and two-bedroom villas, which can house up to four and eight guests, respectively. The hotel provides entertainment options that could appeal to families with teenagers, such as board games, puzzles, cultural classes, and various local tours. A kids' menu is available for dining, offering familiar options like fish and chicken fingers, mac and cheese, burgers, and fries. 

Other Highlights

La Luna, the hotel's restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring international and Costa Rican cuisine. Guests are offered various breakfast options, including fresh fruits, tropical juices, breads, pancakes, yogurts, beans, eggs, coffee & tea. Lunch includes soups, salads, sandwiches, and burgers, while dinner features pasta, ceviches, and seafood. For a more exclusive dining experience, La Luna provides a 5-course wine-pairing dinner menu that requires reservations. The Ambar Bar and Lounge serves sangria, frozen daiquiris, margaritas, and wine. Guests dine and drink in an open-air pavilion with views of the Pacific Ocean and Manuel Antonio National Park.