Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Five kilometers south of Quepos, on the road to Manuel Antonio National Park, this hip newcomer sets a new trend for the region with its chic 21st–century design that will appeal to the Porsche and Prada set.
Conceived and designed by Venezuelan–born owner Boris Marchegiani, and opened to great fanfare in 2006, flashy newcomer Gaia Hotel and Reserve is already considered by many to be the best luxury hotel in Costa Rica. Set high above the roller–coaster Quepos–Manuel Antonio road, this gleaming white post–modernist hotel clings to a steep hillside, with the 5.7 hectare forest reserve sprawling down the far valley. Guests park in a lot beside a floodlit waterfall at the base of the hill and are ferried up and down aboard golf carts.
Frosted–glass doors open to the small reception lobby, where courteous staff perform proficiently. Four guests rooms are directly above reception and range from a 350–square–foot Studio to a 1,000–square–foot suite. Additional quarters are in two separate buildings linked by sloping boardwalks and exterior staircases with brushed–steel rails––a bane in the frequent rains for which the region is known. Crisp and contemporary, the clinically white interiors combine snowy fabrics with dark Brazilian hardwood fixtures. The rattan beds (most are king–size) are as comfortable as any in  Costa Rica, with 500–thread–count linens and duvets and down pillows as soft as a cloud. Each room features fully recessed all–around ceiling lights, and all accommodations come with flat–screen TVs, portable phones, Internet connectivity, minibar, safes, heaps of closet space, and a full entertainment system with surround–sound.
Bathrooms come in a snazzy contemporary style, with square sinks, Italian slate floors, oversize slate–walled tub–showers (the unduly narrow step in and out, however, is an accident waiting to happen), topped off with fluffy towels plus robes. Deluxe suites are multi–level villas with their own rooftop sundecks with pool. All are graced by original contemporary art. Each room gets its own experienced valet for on–call service, and room service is offered 24/7.
The La Luna restaurant is the hotel's signature highlight, tended to by a celebrity chef and boasting one of the best wine lists in Central America. Open to the ocean, it boasts a spectacular panoramic vista along the coast and is a superb sunset perch, while a trickling pool brings nature close at hand. Ceiling fans stir  the air and help keep things cool. Breakfasts include a stacked fruit plate, a sampling of baked goods, and pots of Dickinson's preserves. The changing lunch and dinner menus feature gourmet nouvelle dishes executed with perfection by the youthful kitchen staff. Deep–cushion sofas and high stools invite guests to lounge in the adjoining Amber Lounge, where tapas and a full complement of cocktails are served.
A triple–tiered horizon pool has a wet–bar, with the lower level fed by a cascade from above. Wooden decks provide space for sunning. A well–equipped gym has walls of glass for enjoying the views over the hotel's private forest reserve, accessible to guests only along manicured trails. And a superbly outfitted and under–utilized spa offers a complete range of services.
Jaded guests who have traveled the world are still delighted by this refuge and most already place Gaia Hotel and Reserve a notch above the Four Seasons in terms of service.
Web Address: www.gaiahr.com
Total Number of Rooms: 20
Published rates: $330 to $880 BB
Review and photos by Christopher Baker
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