Waldorf Astoria opens its first spa resort in Costa Rica as anchor to the Cacique Peninsula development
The first Waldorf Astoria resort and spa in Costa Rica has opened on the Guanacaste coast. The development was first reported in 2022.
The property is the anchor resort for the Cacique Peninsula, a luxury community which is being developed by real estate and hospitality investor Revolution, led by Steve Case.
Revolution also has an interest in Miraval.
Case, who was born in Hawaii, said, “The Cacique Peninsula will be a great gathering place for families, a great place to work and a great place to live a healthier life. It reminds me of Hawaii 50 years ago.”
Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique is being managed by Hilton, with investors including Cacique Investors LLC and the project’s Costa Rican developer Garnier & Garnier. Real estate investment banking firm GFG Securities LLC raised the equity and debt financing.
The 188-key property has panoramic views of Culebra Bay to the North, Coco Bay to the South and unobstructed sunset views over the Pacific, with the accommodation including 148 hotel rooms and 40 private residences, 22 of which will have private plunge pools.
The 17,000sq ft (1,579sq m) spa has 11 treatment rooms, pre- and post-treatment relaxation lounges, saunas, steamrooms and a hot tub.
The spa’s programming draws on the healing traditions of the indigenous Chortega people. The ritual-based treatments use volcanic clay and minerals to restore balance, while other locally-sourced ingredients on the spa menu include cacao, Melipona honey and native botanicals.
There's also a fitness centre, lap pool and multi-level swimming pool and an open-air yoga studio.
Guided meditation and fitness classes are available for all ages and the property has a salon offering manicure, pedicure, hair and make-up services.
Skincare at the spa is by Knesko, known for its collagen masks and Haute Custom Beauty. Lemi's Spa Dream quartz and water massage beds are also in use at the spa.
There are also six restaurants on-site, alongside 10,000sq ft (929sq m) of meeting space and a dedicated club for children and teens.
Guests are invited to experience the local “Pura Vida” lifestyle at the beachside resort. This translates as ‘pure life’ in English, but to Costa Ricans it embodies a uniquely positive outlook on life through spending time in nature.
The resort was designed by architects Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos to incorporate native flora that conserves water and will gradually grow around the built structures. Indoor and outdoor spaces are integrated, moulding to the site’s sloping contours. Living roofs will mitigate heat and enhance sustainability.
The residences and landscape were designed by Garnier Arquítectos, RoblesArq, Gensler and ESDA.
The property has received the Costa Rican Bandera Azul Ecológica award for improving environmental conditions at the local beach, Playa Penca.
Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Pura Vida Chortega Hilton spa Cacique Peninsula
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
