Hello! I actually should be blogging about the Peace Lodge right now, which was where I was for the last few days but I am now at Punta Islita and had to write about this place straight away!
Oh my god! This place is incredible! Hands down wins ‘Best Beach Resort’ from me!
I arrived today by Nature Flight flying from San Jose to Punta Islita which is a tiny little town near the beach on the Nicoya Penninsula.
The transfer bus to take us to the hotel actually drove right up on the runway so we literally walked down the stairs off plane, and into the bus. That, was definitely cool!
Hotel Punta Islita is actually a sister hotel to El Silencio Lodge where I was a few weeks ago.
It is also a very eco minded hotel and this hotel supports the local community in a big way. If you want to have a read about sll of that click here:
As you know, I have visited many places over the last few weeks and they all have had wonderful qualities about them, some fantastic, others still pretty good! But, not all of them I would necessarily visit again as I felt like I had seen it all and that was enough, but I already know that Hotel Punta Islita is a place I would (will) come back to again one day.
The hotel is set onto a side of a mountain and has a whole bunch of different types of villas some small and some enormous! The property also includes a golf course and a private beach side club which has a large pool (with a swim and sit up to the bar area), Yoga platform, Spa, and loads of sun loungers, tables and chairs and hammocks for guests to lie about in. It’s a kids and adults paradise!
The main hotel area sits up on the side of the mountain and has a huge dining area under a ‘rancho’ (pictured above) that looks out over the most amazing infinity pool with sunloungers and umbrellas. It’s very chic and elegant.
What I have noticed already is that even though it is quite a large place, its really spread out and is so romantic for a couple, yet still a great fun environment for families too.
my jacuzzi -filled with cool water – a relief in this heat!
My villa is a suite and absolutely gorgeous! In fact, I would be thrilled to have my villa and outside area as my home in future!
My suite comes has a large 4 poster bed with soft comfortable linen, an extremely private outside area with spa, hammock, two sunloungers, all set in a very private garden overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This means that you can lie in the sun in your birth day suit and no one will see!
The Beach Club pool
I am going to cherish every minute here because soon I will be back in London.
When we arrived as the car pulled up, their were men waiting with cool scented towels so we could refresh ourselves with them as it was so hot outside. Super thoughtful!
We were taken into the dining area and offered a drink of our choice. Then, the hotel grounds were explained and the directions to get to the beach. This place is so big, we were given a detailed map.
Yoga deck
We were also given a timetable for this coming week and can choose from things like Yoga, Surfing lessons, Zip lining (yay! going to do that here I think finally!), nature walks, kayaking and heaps more things!
Beach Spa Cabana
After I was shown my room and settled in, I went and had lunch which was delicious! The menu is quite varied with very healthy options and I was able to have a meal that was all raw. I chose two different salads and a coconut cream and pineapple smoothie as my dessert.
spectacular views everywhere you look!
It’s day 2 as I type this now, waking up this morning was pure bliss. The bed was divinely comfortable and it was lovely to come back to my room after dinner last night to find that the side curtains were pulled around the bed and all the other curtains in villa were closed, ready for a good nights sleep! I actually left the curtains open as I like the light waking me up in the morning. My body clock is now programed for 5.45am every day. For those that are my friends, I bet you can’t believe that as I used to have so much trouble waking up before 10am!
Tomato Soup with roasted garlic
I am absolutely loving being here. I love that it can be a very private holiday, say, spendign time in your villa or more social when you can come and chat to people around the bar, beach or dining areas.
Free food! perfect mangoes found on the path to beach club!
I have met a really lovely Canadian couple who are on their honeymoon at the moment so its been great to spend some time talking with them both. We are going Ziplining on Wednesday together and dinner in the nearby town tomorrow night! I love traveling on my own, but the company certainly is nice too!
path to beach club, lined with mango trees!
I am doing a community tour tomorrow so will be filming that to show you. This hotel has literally helped hundreds of people by not only employing them but also funding the local schools and community projects. They also are helping individuals create businesses as well. Don’t know too much about it all right now but will fill you in after the tour!
I did yoga this morning down near the beach club. It was for an hour and 15 and wow, did I certainly build up a sweat. The teacher was great, her way of explaining the poses, despite that she does not have english as her first language was pretty amazing!
our wonderful yoga teacher!
She finished the yoga with spraying some aromatherapy around us as we were lying down and then came around to give us a quick scalp massage. Oh and she also used the tibetan singing bowls.
Yoga is not just yoga anymore - its so much more than that!
Harrys Bar area
The staff here are pretty good, some more friendly than others. I have noticed if you take the time to ask about them, their families etc that you will form better bonds with the people here. Even though its a medium sized resort with lots of workers, you do see the same people every day so I think it’s worth the effort to find out more about them.
I am going to blog again tomorrow with some more news about this place!
