It’s luxurious. It’s breathtaking. It’s a rainforest oasis. It’s Nayara Springs. After reading about the top category awards Nayara Springs received from Travel and Leisure Magazine, Forbes, Conde Nast Traveler, and TripAdvisor — not to mention it is adult only — I knew this was where I wanted to celebrate my 50th birthday.
Upon arrival, my guest and I were met at the reception “house” by a Nayara host . While sipping champagne, the layout of the resort and details about the property and activities were explained. After this very personal check-in, we were driven, via golf cart to our villa.
When the door to my villa opened, automatically my mouth fell open too; I had to pause to take in all its magnificence.
The floors, constructed of teak and cristobál wood, were a perfect complement to the high thatched bamboo ceiling above. In front of me, a princess style four-post canopy bed, enclosed in sheer white netting.
Beyond the bed was a sitting area with an absolutely exquisite chandelier hanging above it. Turning around, I saw the floor to ceiling glass doors that opened up to a Veranda. There, was an oversized daybed and private plunge pool, surrounded by gorgeous plants with enormous leaves hanging overhead.
Back inside, I walked around the bend from the bedroom area and found “the parlour”. Not just a shower/vanity and bathroom. This enormous space included both an oversized indoor shower for 2, and a stunning oversized outdoor shower for 2 built into a rock wall. On my actual birthday, Nayara had my villa decorated with balloons and a multi-tiered cake made of towels with rose petals – a special touch!
Getting around Nayara can be done by foot or, if you choose, within minutes of calling the concierge, a chauffeured golf cart will pick you up at your doorstep. Stone pathways carve the way around the jungle resort.
The spa at Nayara has been deemed “a sanctuary of serenity”. The design’s ultimate goal is to create a setting and experience where body, mind and nature join together in perfect harmony. Mission accomplished. My treatment “space” was open air with a thatched roof, and without walls. Ambient music was not played during my volcanic mud massage because there was no need for it. The natural sounds from the surrounding rain forest made for the perfect natural soundscape.
The dining options were vast and varied. Each restaurant offered something unique in menu selection and decor. Altamira, a Latin Bistro, offers guests a mix of local flavors as well as wood burning pizzas. The gourmet option, Amor Loco, is sexy and oozes sultriness. Live music plays nightly at this stunning onyx bar & perfect for a pre or post dinner drink. Asia Luna, serves Asian and Peruvian dishes. This “Pulperia” bar is designed with hand-painted vibrant bar stools and has been created by the indigenous Maleku people of Costa Rica. Also on property, a wine bar with quite an impressive tapas and wine list.
Even though it poured during most of my stay, it was still perfect! Ordering room service and dining on my veranda, while watching and listening to the pouring rain as it bounced off the leaves and into the plunge pool, was incredibly soothing.
Nayara is quite easy to get to, with an airport right in La Fortuna, or about a 2 hour car ride from San Jose. I was coming from another area of Costa Rica, and chose to hire a driver to enjoy a leisurely 4 hour drive – it was well worth it as I was able to see areas I would not have seen had I flown right in.
With all the beauty, luxury and amenities that Nayara Springs offers, you may never want to leave the property. However, the town of La Fortuna is 15 minutes away and there you can find shopping and all the adventure activities a mountainous rainforest region offers. Overall, Nayara Springs truly is the ultimate for a luxury spa vacation. Pura Vida!