Habitat Solutions - Reportaje de Florblanca Resort

• El 9 de Abril  2011, Florblanca Resort fue representado en el programa Habitat Solutions de Canal 7.

• On April 9th 2011, Florblanca Resort was featured on the program Habitat Solutions of Canal 7 (only available in Spanish)

Arenas del Mar - Special Facebook Offer!!

Special Facebook Offer!!

Oferta Especial Facebook!!

Arenas del Mar, Manuel Antonio

We're offering a great special for our Facebook friends from now until June 30th! Stay 5 nights, pay only 4 and take a tour of Manuel Antonio National Park! Contact us at info@arenasdelmar.com for more information.

Ofierta Especial para Facebook amigos desde ahora hasta ell 30 de Junio! Quedarese 5 noches, pagar solamente 4 noches y ademas un tour al Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio! Contáctanos a info@arenasdelmar.com para más informacion!

Hotel Casa Turire: Typical Breakfast // Desayuno Tipico

On Saturday April 16th, Hotel Casa Turire in beautifully green Turrialba , invited to a traditional breakfast event, guests and visitors enjoyed a typical Costa Rican Buffet Breakfast accompanied by live marimba music! 

El Sabado 16 de Abril, Hotel Casa Turire en Turrialba invitaba a un evento de desayuno tradicional donde huespedes y visitantes pudieron disfrutar de un desayuno estilo buffet tipico de Costa Rica y acompañado por musica vivo de marimba!

Santa Teresa among Top 25 Beaches in the World

Santa Teresa, home to Small Distinctive Hotels Member: 

Florblanca Resort, has been ranked the world-wide number 10 beach by TripAdvisor! This beach was therewith ranked higher than those in Hawaii, Maldives, Thailand and more...

"Surf’s always up in the Costa Rican beach town of Santa Teresa. Bright sun and gleaming sands make the perfect backdrop to hang ten in the crystal-clear waters, and fishing, snorkeling and kite-surfing are popular among vacationers. Yoga and spa services are a must for the ultimate relaxation, and, at night, catch a glorious sunset on the same beach where earlier you caught a wave." 

TOP 25 BEACHES IN THE WORLD 

(Traveler's Choice 2011)

1. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

2. Boracay, Philippines

3. Palm/Eagle Beach, Aruba

4. Negril, Jamaica

5. Tulum, Mexico

6. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

7. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

8. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

9. Cape May, New Jersey

10. Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

11. Maldives

12. Panama City Beach, Florida

13. Miami Beach, Florida

14. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

15. Isla Mujeres, Mexico

16. Sanibel Island, Florida

17. Playa del Carmen, Mexico

18. Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico

19. Ayia Napa, Cyprus

20. Cancun, Mexico

21. Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba

22. Skiathos, Greece

23. Clearwater, Florida

24. Honolulu, Hawaii 

25. Ko Phangan, Thailand

Wellness Tourism in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is internationally renowned for its stunning natural environment as well as its efforts to conserve these natural treasures for future generations. Thousands of visitors are attracted yearly to this beautiful country, frequently opting for eco-friendly holidays, which is why over the past years Costa Rica has built a worldwide reputation as ecotourism pioneer.

Recently however, a new tourism trend has begun to emerge in Costa Rica, which can be summed up under the term of wellness tourism. The prevailing types of wellness tourism in Costa Rica can be summed up as Medical-, Spa- and Yoga Tourism.

Medical tourism is the increasingly popular practice of traveling internationally to obtain health care, frequently combining this medical treatment with a holiday. The benefits of this type of vacation abound, and so do the reasons for choosing Costa Rica:          

Medical facilities in Costa Rica are modern, medical staff is oftentimes trained in the United States, the travel time is shorter compared to other countries, while at the same time the prices are affordable (30-70 percent of US prices) and the country practically guarantees an unforgettable vacation. Moreover, a ranking of the world’s health systems by the World Health Organizations rated Costa Rica even above the United States and New Zealand. Currently there are three Joint Commission International accredited (JCI) Hospitals all of which located in San José, Costa Rica. And last but not least, a medical journey to Costa Rica. Besides, from April 26 through 28, the second Latin American Global Medicine and Wellness Congress will take place in San José. (http://www.globalmedicinecongress.com/)

The other two popular forms of wellness tourism in Costa Rica are Spa- and Yoga Tourism. 

There are different types of Spa Tourism such as medical spas, day spas as well as hotel or resort spas, latter of which are most prevalent in Costa Rica. The presence of a spa at an accommodation is a decisive criterion for a growing number of travelers, to which Costa Rica caters increasingly well. 

Yoga tourism is another type of tourism that has become increasingly popular in Costa Rica. From one- or two week retreats to occasional classes at the accommodation of choice, Costa Rica’s peaceful natural surroundings provide an excellent setting for rejuvenating retreats, or simply occasional yoga classes. As the official world’s happiest- and one of the “greenest” countries, Costa Rica has moreover become home to many international yoga teachers, who now share their yoga skills and experience at local hotels and resorts.

We look forward to welcoming you to experience Costa Rica’s rejuvenating wellness offer, its peaceful natural surroundings as well as its relaxed inhabitants!

Interview - Yoga at Florblanca Resort

Florblanca Resort, located in the beautiful area of Santa Teresa, is popular among both residents and tourists for its unique yoga setting and classes. To find out more about what makes yoga at Florblanca this special, we have conducted an interview with Stefano Alighieri, yoga teacher at Florblanca.

First of all, thank you very much for offering your time for this interview. Perhaps you could start by  telling us a little about yourself? 

I am originally from Italy, yet decided to come to Costa Rica because this country doesn't have an army. I have been working for Florblanca since its very first day. 

What inspired you to become a teacher and where did you absolve your training?

My first introduction to yoga was with a USA teacher here in Costa Rica. This inspired me to deepen my practice and eventually become a yoga teacher. I absolved my teacher training all over the world.

What is it that makes yoga at Florblanca unique? Could you tell us about your classes; their location, frequency and levels?

Florblanca is an amazing hotel. The "Shala" is right in front  of the ocean which means that one practices with "nature". I teach from Monday to Saturday and the classes are suitable for all levels.

We are interested in learning more about the yoga style you teach, how it has evolved over time and whether you incorporate the latest trends?

My background is in Ashtanga Yoga but I an Anusara-inspired teacher with an open mind. Yoga is about the practice - the style is not that important. It is however important to practice with love.

Florblanca Resort has been hosting yoga retreats in the past - what is it that makes this resort the perfect place to host a retreat?

The location, the ambiance, the contact with the sounds and smells of nature... Moreover the Shala is an incredibly intimate and beautiful place to practice yoga.

Why would you recommend yoga to guests of the Florblanca Resort?

To open  the body - mind - spirit with awareness and feel the vacation not only on the outside, but from the inside too.

Now that you have inspired everyone to visit your classes at Florblanca, what do your guests need to bring to the classes?

Just the present moment... And from that point onwards we will start the exploration.

Thank you very much for this interview, we hope that many guests will be inspired to participate in the special yoga classes at Florblanca Resort.

Yoga classes at Florblanca Resort are available free of charge from Monday to Saturday at the seaside open air Yoga Dojo. Private, couple or group sessions are available upon request. The planning staff at Florblanca moreover assists with the organization of yoga retreats.

For more information, please visit the corresponding section at www.florblanca.com.

Small Distinctive Spas of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is growing increasingly popular as a wellness destination with medical tourism and a multitude of hotels with spa as well as yoga facilities, Small Distinctive Hotels caters perfectly to that trend with an enticing offer of wellness facilities.

Our group comprises nine special boutique hotel members, located in the most naturally beautiful areas of Costa Rica. These accommodations are the ideal place to visit for a rejuvenating vacation, as you can read below:
 

Hotel Grano de Oro for instance, as an oasis in the middle of the bustling capital city San José which offers the ideal place for relaxing the first days after minor medical treatments. 

At a small distance from San José, the hotels Casa Turire in Turrialba and Peace Lodge close to the Poás Volcano, both offer perfect natural surroundings for a restorative retreat. Latter offers not only a peaceful rainforest walk to relax on, moreover in-room massages complete the wellness experience. 

The Veroliz Spa at Casa Turire hosts a team of registered physiotherapists offering a whole range of rejuvenating treatments. Moreover retreats and private yoga groups are welcomed and co-organized at this tranquil hotel.

Moving towards the beach, Hotel Villa Caletas in Jacó, Arenas del Mar Beach and Nature Resort in Manuel Antonio as well as Cuna del Angel in Dominical and Playa Nicuesa on the Osa Peninsula form distinctive hotel highlights on the Pacific Coast. 

Beginning with Hotel Villa Caletas, located on a mountain overlooking the Pacific Ocean - this setting alone would calms the senses... however the Serenity Spa absolutely perfects this luxurious stay. 

Arenas del Mar Beach and Nature Resort in Manuel Antonio combines the  serenity of the ocean with the tranquility of this popular national park... The "Las Brisas" Spa brings a fresh breeze into your life with a variety of repleneshing treatments.


Hotel Cuna del Angel is located close to Dominical, in the authentic South of Costa Rica and as the translated name "cradle of an angel" suggests, themed around angels. This of course includes the divine spa with heavenly treatments and promising packages such as "Angel`s Dreams" or "Celestial Energy".

Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge is the most Southern of the hotels, located in the stunning natural setting of the Osa Peninsula. With the rainforest in the backyard and the ocean in front, the yoga classes and massages (by the beach or in the room) take place in the most pristine natural settings imaginable.

Then last, but definitely not least, two hotels are located on the Nicoya Peninsula on the North Coast of Costa Rica:

Capitan Suizo is a Swiss-run beachfront hotel, an oasis close to the popular beach town of Tamarindo. Treatments are either available here in the rejuvenating Spa or... how about a massage right at the tropical beach?

Florblanca is a Balinese-style resort which is nestled in the lush natural surroundings of Santa Teresa and situated right at the beach. The Spa Bambú is "a highlight of those looking for a wellness experience at Florblanca" according to the general manager. A wide variety of treatments, different special packages as well as fresh and healthy foods, including for those with special dietary preferences such as vegan or vegetarian are offered here. Yoga is yet another highlight at Florblanca and forms part of the resort's culture, reflected in the specially constructed open air dojo, free daily yoga classes with internationally trained instructors, and regular retreats hosted, co-organized and personalized by Florblanca Resort.

For more information about the relaxing offer of the Small Distinctive Hotels' Spas, we invite you to visit our online sanctuary at:
http://distinctivehotels.com/spas.html

Hotel Florblanca, one of Santa Teresa’s most exclusive hotels and member of the hotel group Small Distinctive Hotels, officially received the result of its Sustainable Tourism Certification by the responsible committee of the Costa Rica Tourist Board (ICT).  Florblanca Resort managed to be certified with 4 out of the 5 maximum possible leaves.

According to Cody Dillon, general manager of the hotel,

“it has been an intensive process of 3 years, realized with passion by our entire staff. Our decision to be a sustainable hotel has enabled us to share with the community, raise awareness among our clients and develop projects which minimize our impact on the environment. Today we have managed to become the first hotel in the extreme South of the Nicoya Peninsula to obtain a certification of 4 leaves”.

In order to achieve this certification, a balanced development needs to take place in 4 areas:

The interaction of the hotel with its physical environment, the dispersion of information to raise awareness among guests, as well as the socio-economic involvement in the community and efficiency of its facilities.

For more information about the certification process, please visit the website of Costa Rican Sustainable Tourism Certification (CST).

Description of Florblanca Resort

Florblanca Resort is an enchanting boutique hotel, immersed in exuberant natural surroundings and located right at the beach. Florblanca’s Balinese-style architecture allows guests to be in direct contact with nature at every moment.

Its 11 rooms are very comfortable and luxurious, its restaurant “Nectar” and its impressive spa “Bambú” both stand out as the best of the region. For lovers of yoga, Florblanca offers daily classes for clients as well as residents of the region. A truly beautiful location, this resort is frequently visited by Hollywood stars due to its privacy, excellent service and luscious natural surroundings.

Several of the Good Practices developed at Hotel Florblanca

  

Recycling Program and Waste Management

Part of the work realized by the hotel consists of the cleaning of surrounding beaches, a complete recycling program, re-using of materials, recycling organic waste products by means of composting, as well as responsible water management due to the installation of various water filters, presenting guests with biodegradable drinking bottles, a bio-filter to treat the residual waters from the kitchen as well as biodegradable cleaning products and packaging.

  

Conservation of Resources

The facilities maximize natural light by means of the infrastructure as well as solar tube tecnology. Awareness is raised among both guests and staff about electricity such as light and air conditioning, and reducing the daily change of linen and towels. Moreover electric cars are used on the compound.

Interaction with the Community

Florblanca actively participates in the community at every level and organizes fairs with themes such as sports, recycling and community security. The children of the public schools have received various benefits from the hotel, ranging from an English teacher to the purchase of school books. The hotel moreover contributes to the community by means of trainings for staff as well as the community. Another important aspect is that the hotel’s restaurant primarily purchases products from local merchants.

For further information, please visit the following website:  sustainability section of Florblanca Resort on our website for a complete overview of Florblanca's sustainability activities.

Contact Information

Hotel Florblanca  

Cody Dillon, General Manager 

Tel. (506) 2531-1111 

Email: cody@florblanca.com  

 

Small Distinctive Hotels:

Hellen Campos, Marketing Manager

Tel: (506) 2258-0150

Email: hcampos@distinctivehotels.com

Valentine’s Day with Small Distinctive Hotels

Valentine’s Day is approaching, and Small Distinctive Hotels would like to welcome you to celebrate this special day of the year with us in Costa Rica! 

Did you know that February is the perfect time of the year to visit Costa Rica? The locals call this the summer season, implying not only excellent weather in most parts of the country, but this is also the time of the year when many (beach) towns come to life, opening their shops and restaurants, and start buzzing with activity! 

Small Distinctive Hotels features nine luxury boutique hotels spread among the most outstanding parts of Costa Rica. Why are these hotels the perfect choice for a romantic valentine’s trip? Nestled in both naturally impressive and secluded spots, these hotels offer romantic surroundings, excellent and friendly service, high quality standard and top amenities, as well as a relaxed elegant atmosphere combined with a myriad of nature activities to choose from. The ideal ingredients for an unforgettable romantic escape! 

Whether you prefer lazing on the beach, venturing into nature, undertaking exciting activities such as canopying, kayaking, mountain biking, or all of them combined, Small Distinctive Hotel members offer the best starting point for exciting activities of all kinds: 

Hotel Grano de Oro for instance, a converted Tropical Victorian mansion forms a true oasis in the middle of the bustling city of San José. 

Hotel Capitan Suizo sits right on the beach, only miles away from the popular town of Tamarindo. The Swiss-run hotel offers discreet elegance in harmony with nature. 

Hotel Villa Caletas situated on a mountain top, overlooking the ocean of Jaco, forms a royal setting with its classical decoration and Greek-style amphitheatre. 

Florblanca Resort is located in the ecologically-diverse Santa Teresa area, offering personalized service, harmonious surroundings and a quiet elegance. 

Hotel Casa Turire is best described as a magnificent countryside estate in Turrialba, with a beautiful lake and mountains forming the background scenery and many activities in nature. 

Peace Lodge brings you what the name promises… a tranquil rainforest in its backyard as well as an array of tropical animals to watch; this lodge will make you feel one with nature. 

Arenas del Mar Beach and Nature Resort is located right on the beach, minutes away from the Manuel Antonio National Park. Nature and beach activities abound at this ecologically sound and naturally elegant resort. 

Hotel Cuna del Angel in the quiet and stunningly green area of Dominical, brings you into heavenly realms with its angelic decoration, divine food and tropical beach! 

Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge is located in the naturally stunning Osa Peninsula region, and can only be reached by boat. Surrounded by both beach and rainforest, this lodge offers everything for an energizing stay. 

We hope that you have found one or even more appealing hotels, and look forward to welcoming you! For more information, please visit the Romantic Escapes section on our website. 


Valentine’s Day in Costa Rica is destined to create unforgettable memories. The following member hotels organize a special event this day: 

Hotel Casa Turire offers an exclusive menu during the entire valentine’s weekend

Hotel Cuna del Angel  hosts a cultural night with the minister of culture of Costa Rica













Hotel Villa Caletas offers a special Valentine’s Day menu













Florblanca Resort hosts a special three course menu with live music:
"For all those special couples, families, neighbors, or groups of friends wanting to celebrate, we invite you to join us for an evening of fantastic food and great music. Nectar Restaurant will be serving up a delicious three course menu made with LOVE next Monday Feb. 14th, Valentine's Day! Our special musical guests ...will be Felipe and John from The Common People. Please join us."

Small Distinctive Beach Hotels

Summer has started in Costa Rica, making these months an excellent time of the year to visit this wonderful country!

To get the most out of your vacations during the Costa Rica summer, we absolutely recommend a visit to one of our tropical beaches! Small Distinctive Hotels features 9 member hotels, of which 6 are located on the most beautiful beaches of the country. In this article, we invite you to take a trip with us to get acquainted with our beach hotels, their stunning natural surroundings and the multitude of activities they offer… and then pick your favorite(s)!

Starting with the beach that is closest to San José, we arrive at Jacó after about 1.5 hours. Located on top of rainforest-covered mountains, Hotel Villa Caletas is not only of royal standard due to its majestic location, the decoration and Greek-style amphitheatre with breathtaking views and amazing sunsets add to the magic of this place. The corresponding beach is situated at the foot of the mountain and therefore offers an uncommon seclusion and privacy from which to enjoy the emerald green ocean.

Moving further South, our journey takes us into greener and greener surroundings, until we arrive at the famous Manuel Antonio National Park. Not only does this park host a surprisingly large variety of wildlife, it also hosts the Arenas del Mar Beach and Nature Resort, which is located directly at a truly nature-immersed beach. Operated in a highly sustainable way and integrated in its lush green surroundings, this is a feel-good resort in the truest sense of the word.

Leaving Manuel Antonio behind, we drive towards the South Pacific coast until we reach our third destination: Dominical. The lush rainforest surroundings and sparkling coastline already prepare us for the relaxed atmosphere we encounter at Hotel Cuna del Angel. Literally translated this name means Cradle of an Angel, which is reflected in the angelic decoration, tranquil atmosphere even the heavenly food… The beach, which is situated a short walk from the hotel, is truly located in jungle surroundings and comes close to the description of a tropical paradise.

Our last beach in the Southern part of Costa Rica is located in the Osa Peninsula region in one of the most “naturally diverse areas of the world”, as National Geographic puts it. The Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge is truly an example of jungle-chic. The small-scale hotel offers an authentically-friendly and personal service, combined with the most exquisite natural surroundings… With the rainforest as its backyard and the beach as front yard, activities abound in this secluded area of Costa Rica. The owners are seriously dedicated to environmental protection, which is reflected from the construction, to daily operations as well as the food, which is locally grown and primarily organic. Visitors can moreover learn about environmental and social sustainability in an entertaining way here.

From this point, we fly to the most Northern peninsula of the country in the Nicoya Peninsula. This region of Costa Rica boasts a wide variety of beaches and is ideal for beach-hopping or of course, simply relaxing on only one beach… The first beach is located in Tamarindo, a modern, bustling beach town that leads us to the Swiss-run Hotel Capitan Suizo . The atmosphere of this beach-front hotel is best described as “discreet elegance in harmony with nature”, offering a wide variety of beach and nature activities.

The last hotel on this trip is definitely not the least. Florblanca Resort is located in the increasingly popular town of Santa Teresa, known for its laid-back atmosphere and excellent mix of surfing and yoga. The same attributes can be found at Florblanca Resort, mixed with a royal dose of natural elegance in a beautiful environment. The perfect ending for this trip, as well as your own holidays in Costa Rica!

We hope that you have enjoyed this brief tour of Costa Rica’s magnificent beaches, and we are looking forward to hopefully receiving you at one of our unique boutique hotels this season!

For more information about Small Distinctive Hotels, and to learn about the other participating hotel members, please visit” http://www.distinctivehotels.com

Summer in Costa Rica!

We warmly invite you to visit our magnificent country in the beginning of this new year. Not only has Costa Rica recently been named one of the top destinations to visit in 2011 by readers of the New York Times*, moreover the dry season, which is locally called the summer, has recently started!

The green season (which lasts from May to November in most parts of the country) brings with it an abundance of afternoon rains which cover the entire country in a hush of green.

The dry season, or "summer" on the other hand (lasting from December to April in most parts) has less rain and higher temperatures which is especially attractive to those visitors escaping their own winters and encountering more lively atmospheres here. 

Both seasons have their own special appeal, yet during summer season many towns are filled with life; certain bars, restaurants and other ventures open their doors especially during these summer months. No matter the time of the year however, there is a wide variety of activities to be undertaken by young and old during all months of the year. 

Our nine member hotels feature an abundance of activities ranging from adrenalizing adventure, eco-friendly nature exploration to of course plain and simple relaxation!

Hotel Grano de Oro for instance poses the excellent starting point to discover the bustling capital of San José, such as an cultural city tour, a visit to the fascinating gold or jade museums or a day trip to a bird zoo, coffee plantation or butterfly farm, this hotel is moreover a true sanctuary to get back to at the end of an exciting day!

Hotel Capitan Suizo in Tamarindo, Florblanca Resort in Santa Teresa, Hotel Villa Caletas in Jaco and Hotel Cuna del Angel in Dominical are all located on beautiful beaches and offer excellent facilities to make the best out of your stay. From kayaking to sports fishing, surfing to snorkeling or diving, and many more, not to forget simply relaxing on a tropical beach... these hotels have got it all.

For an even more direct experience of the stunning nature of Costa Rica; Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge in the Osa Peninsula, Arenas del Mar Beach and Nature Resort in Manuel Antonio National Park, Hotel Casa Turire in Turrialba and Peace Lodge in Vara Blanca (close to the impressive Poas Volcano) are all located in unique natural surroundings. Activities such as hiking, canopy tours, horseback riding, mountain biking, rainforest walks, bird-watching and many more can be undertaken here.

The described activities are only a fragment of what Costa Rica has to offer. We can only recommend you to experience this versatile country for yourself and enjoy the unique natural environment, friendly inhabitants, bountiful beaches, widely varied activities and laidback lifestyle! We hope to welcome you here in 2011!

*http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/travel/2010-places-to-go.html?ref=travel

Playa Nicuesa Lodge receives Fodor’s Choice Distinction

Small Distinctive Hotels’ latest member, Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge, recently received the Fodor’s Choice 2010 distinction by the renowned Fodor’s travel guide book series.

Fodor’s describe their distinction as recognizing “the top sights, properties, and experiences that we've found while traveling the world. These places are the "best of the best," providing remarkable experiences in their price range, destination, or category.” The properties that have been distinguished as Fodor’s Choice are highlighted on both the internet and the guide book with an orange star as a special recommendation.

And indeed, located on a secluded spot on the Pacific Coast (only to be reached by boat), this unique Rainforest Lodge does seem to offer it all: adventure, relaxation and impressive nature on both land and sea. As Fodor’s describes the plentiful diverse activities, there is enough for every taste: ”Out the front door of the lodge are beach, bay, and mangroves, with kayaks, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, and swimming; out the back door is a forested mountain with hiking trails, a waterfall, and plenty of wildlife and a resident naturalist to interpret the trails. For more contemplative types, there is a new yoga deck and a resident yoga instructor in high season.”

At the same time, the owners, Donna and Michael Butler, have been committed to sustainability directly from the start. The construction of the lodge, which has been built from fallen wood and recycled material, reflects the seriousness of the preservation of their stunning natural environment, and so do activities such as: the use of solar power, composting, an organic septic system, as well as a chemical-free garden and a kitchen that uses local produce and freshly-caught fish. Moreover among the support of various programs and activities, the owners match guests' donations to the Osa Campaign, a cooperative conservation program.

We congratulate Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge with this well-deserved distinction, and can only add our own recommendation to experience this special lodge and enjoy its beautiful location between rainforest and ocean!


For more information, please visit Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge on our  website.