Hotel Nantipa, Santa Teresa

Pros

• This beachfront property has a restaurant and bar right on the beach.
• The restaurant has live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
• Some room categories feature a private plunge pool and direct outdoor access to the shower.
• Other rooms can accommodate up to five guests, which is good for families.

Cons

• Most amenities and hotel services, such as minibar snacks and laundry service, have an additional cost.
• Though the beachfront, most rooms don't offer ocean views; instead, they feature garden area views.
• The WiFi signal isn't great in different areas of the property.

Authenticity

Hotel Nantipa is a beachfront property with a lot of greenery throughout the grounds. Its name comes from the local language, Chorotega, and means "blue" to reflect the region being declared a "blue zone" where people live longer than average. The hotel's other features, such as the restaurant, spa, and room names, also use the language and local terms. Guests can also expect to find locally sourced products and amenities.

Location

The hotel is positioned steps away from the beach in Santa Teresa in the heart of the Nicoya Peninsula. The hotel will provide transportation to other restaurants and beaches in the area for an additional fee, but many options are within walking distance.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Hotel Nantipa offers various rooms, including beachfront villas with a private pool, beachfront bungalows with a private plunge pool, hammock, and outdoor path that connects directly to the shower, garden bungalows, and family suites. All rooms feature a diffuser, umbrella, robes and slippers, flashlight, coffee maker, minibar, and snacks (at an additional cost). Dreamcatchers are used on door handles for "do not disturb" signs, and guests can expect a welcome gift upon arrival.

Sustainability

Hotel Nantipa's focus on sustainability includes using solar panels to heat water and a water treatment facility that filters the hotel's used water to care for its grounds.

Wildlife

Expect friendly wildlife sightings on and near the property, such as birds, iguanas, lizards, and geckos. Some past guests said they saw howler monkeys climbing in the trees on the property; others reported seeing hummingbirds and armadillos in the undergrowth. 

Amenities

One large C-shaped pool at the Hotel Nantipa is surrounded by greenery, including cacti and palm trees. Guests can order poolside food and drinks and relax on the adjacent deck. The hotel offers an open-air spa, yoga and fitness classes, and one guest room specifically outfitted for wheelchair users. The grounds are mostly flat and wheelchair-accessible, and the hotel also has a special beach-friendly wheelchair available for guest use. 

Family-Friendliness

Children of all ages are welcome at Hotel Nantipa; those aged 13 and above are considered adults. No extra beds are available, and cribs are subject to availability. Baby safety gates are available for families, and babysitting services are available at an additional charge. There's outdoor play equipment, an indoor play area, and board games and puzzles to keep kids occupied. The spa also offers treatments for children. There's a snack bar for kids, and kids' meals are available at the family-friendly restaurant. 

Other Highlights

Manzú Beachfront Restaurant serves food and drinks in palm-thatched huts characteristic of the region's native cultures. The open kitchen specializes in international dishes with traditional Costa Rican recipes made with fresh, local ingredients. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served a la carte. The menu also features signature cocktails incorporating flavors and ingredients from Costa Rica. Hotel Nantipa frequently has events at their restaurant, such as live music on Friday and Saturday nights.