Imagine following a winding road, uphill, through tropical flora and fauna, feeling the warm embrace of the air, listening to the sound of birds calling and inhaling the scent of the ocean…. at the top of the hill, you come to an oasis, tucked away and so beautifully constructed that it fits naturally into it's surroundings…that describes my introduction to Arenas Del Mar! Arenas Del Mar is a sumptuous paradise of a resort with onsite access to two lovely beaches, a swimming pool, spa and two tasty restaurants. I was fortunate to be there the week of a chef event with Chef Chip Roman of Philadelphia and got to enjoy three exciting evenings of specially prepared meals. Each meal highlighted local flavors and spices including fish caught in the morning by Chef Roman himself! Aside from the meals prepared by the Chef, the food was delicious. The dining areas are outdoors with beach views (so you don't miss a moment of the splendor surrounding you!) and are well covered and easily converted in case of inclement weather. The menus are short and sweet focusing on serving fresh local fare.

It is apparent that every inch of Arenas Del Mar was perfectly planned taking into consideration the natural beauty of the area. The entire hotel was built with sustainability in mind and just flows into it's surroundings….the Iguanas, Sloths, Capuchins, etc. clearly are not disturbed by it's presence! I stayed in a room with a breathtaking ocean view that felt like a secluded bungalow and included a spacious bathroom with a magnificent shower and an ever useful bidet. The staff at Arenas Del Mar is outstanding…genuinely gracious and incredibly accommodating. I inquired about local yoga classes and within an hour was scheduled for a private class right there at the hotel! Almost anything you desire is yours for the asking and when you leave you will feel like you truly have new friends.

I visited during the "green" season and was so thrilled by the whole experience that I was undaunted by the rain. The warm tropical air made it comfortable enough to get out and explore…to hike through a rainforest, go ziplining, visit a local town, etc. The trip was a superb escape that left me with many fond memories. I'm looking forward to visiting again someday!

The short story: 1. A Garden of Eden location with spectacular beach, rainforest, and exotic wildlife and fauna. 2. A five star resort with first class accommodations and an eco friendly focus. 3. A local staff with a passion for Costa Rica and a desire to make your visit comfortable and memorable.
The details. I had been to Manuel Antonio five years ago and was excited to return to this truly beautiful part of the world. The beaches here are so natural and unspoiled it's like you're the first to discover them. Arenas Del Mar captures the laid back, natural spirit and atmosphere of the area wonderfully, while their staff treats you like a long lost friend the process. It is literally hidden inside a tropical rain forest and only steps from the beach. While the resort is nothing but five star, it's the staff that sets it apart. They are mostly local to the area and excude the relaxed, friendly desire to please and serve that is common in Costa Rica. They take the time to remember you, your name, and even your food and drink preferences! They were also extremely helpful in setting up our off property activities including zip lines, rain forest tours, and private yoga classes. Our room had a spectacular view of the ocean and we slept to the sounds of the surf and awoke to local exotic song birds. While on the multi-acre property we saw multiple sloths, monkeys, iguanas, beautiful birds, and flora. The property is set up in private, six room buildings that give you a very personal feel. Our spacious room, luxurious bed, large balcony with furniture and mini-kitchen, and huge shower were terrific. If you can't relax here then you just can't relax! The property also has two great restaurants with delicious, fresh local flavors and two beautiful pools with awesome ocean views. Not to mention two separate beach areas with wait service, towels, board rentals, etc. They even have outdoor private baths and showers we were able to use the day we checked out so we could enjoy the beach before we left. We were lucky enough to be there while the resort had a guest chef from Philadelphia who prepared three nights of outstanding dinners with a local flare. A real and unexpected treat! While the week's weather, during the "green" season, wasn't always perfect, Arenas Del Mar nearly was. We only hope we can plan a return trip soon!!!

My husband and I just returned from this Costa Rican paradise. We were invited to share in a special guest Chef week. The Chef, Chip Roman, of Blackfish,Mica, and ELA, here in Philadelphia, is one of our favorites! From our very first communication with "Hans" we knew that we would be delighted.
Arriving at the Welcome Center set the stage for an amazing adventure. We were offered ice cold water and a quick ride up to the Lobby in a golf cart. There we were greeted warmly an offered a delicious tropical drink.The staff could not have been more accommodating, friendly, gracious,warm,and informative. From early coffee to late dinner and drinks...each guide, each driver, each staff member,all seem to not only be effective in his or her work, but each person we came to know seemed to enjoy interacting with the guests.
We were offered and enthusiastically accepted, a tour "behind the scene" of the official hotel. We were welcomed into the "home" of the staff. We learned how the Cayuga organization works. The incentives to the staff, their commitment to the preservation of the environment,their passion for living a sustainable lifestyle, their love of nature, their love and respect for each other.
Chip's meals were extraordinary! The three other Chef's on staff delighted in sharing special cooking demonstrations which truly enhanced our appreciation of local fruits,vegetables, fish, and seasonings.
Our suite was spectacular...views of the Pacific, amazing huge shower...lots of hot water! The terrace included a spacious hot tub...comfortable furniture...and an abundance of wildlife! The king size bed was great...exceptionally luxurious linens...wonderful sleeping!
I had a marvelous massage in the Spa!

When Arenas Del Mar says PURA VIDA, they mean it!

I stayed at Arenas del Mar for 3 nights with my girlfriend, we found it last minute on Jetsetter and i'm so glad we chose this property. We got a fabulous off season deal, and we felt spoiled rotten every single second of our stay. The room was fantastic, we used the balcony jacuzzi every night and it was so amazing sitting in our private little tub sipping wine and listening to the ocean and rain and jungle. The aesthetic of the room is nice, sort of like island italian, not totally my taste but i certainly had nothing to complain about. The bed was SO GOOD. Really high quality linens, and i slept so well. But, where this property really, truly shines is the staff and the amenities. I can not say enough good things about the incredible staff at this place. There are golf carts to take you anywhere you want to go, 24hs a day. And the guys who drive these carts are seriously wonderful They are always smiling, they all remember your name and where your room is, they have witty conversation and they are just lovely! I wish i could take them all home. The bartenders and servers are also awesome, same with the people at the front desk and the people at the Spa. The free breakfast is MASSIVE and delicious with tons of options. The spa services were GLORIOUS. We also had lunch at the beach cafe and dinner one night and all was perfection. I can not think of one thing that could have possible been better and i am really picky. I would go back here in a heartbeat, especially if i really needed a vacation where i am pampered and catered to every single second of the day, and isn't' that sort of the whole point of vacation? Every person working at this hotel should be given raises, huge massive raises. They are wonderful. Can't wait to come back.