ABOUT OUR REVIEWS // We love what we do! We travel often. It’s essential to stay up to date on the hotels we sell. Truth + transparency in travel is our goal, so if we don’t enjoy our stay at a hotel, we won’t write about it. If you’re reading this – the hotel below was a hit! 

FIRST IMPRESSION // My first impression of Hacienda AltaGracia happened before I arrived. Communication with the staff who worked to pre-arrange our activities was clear, concise, and helpful. As soon as I saw the thoughtfully curated amenities awaiting us as we climbed into our private plane charter, I knew I was embarking on a worry-free vacation. When someone else is thinking of the little things and looking over all the details, you can relax, and that’s just one area where Hacienda AltaGracia shines. CLICK TO START PLANNING YOUR TRIP 

This is the first hotel where I feel it’s important to highlight my second impression. After you arrive relaxed and confident you are in excellent care, the landscape you’ve devoured from the air for the past 25 minutes expands before you. I immediately felt that this was a place I wanted to wander and get lost. Greens and blues of every hue, plants of every shape with leaves of every texture. Valleys that dip and rise like ocean waves invoke a geographical memory that the ocean is just on the other side of that one peak. Perhaps the staff could put a GPS chip in my hiking boot and just let me go. This was far from my first visit to Costa Rica, but it might as well have been. Every corner of Hacienda AltaGracia beckons exploration.  

ROOMS // The rooms at Hacienda AltaGracia aren’t really rooms at all. They are casas in every sense of translation. Your own private house, many of which are “con piscina” – with your own private pool. The second the door closes and your compa* leaves you to settle in, you realize you might never leave. This 1300+ square feet space has everything you need. The casas are so well-appointed that you’ll think what lies before you is a facade. What is made to look so causally elegant and dégagé, likely took months, if not years, to plan. Your casita living area will come complete with a faux fireplace, which at first was a turn-off because “faux” anything usually is, but trust me, it does something to counter the effect of the chilly mountain air. What else counters the chilly mountain air? The hot water bottle waiting for you after turn-down service. Before crawling into your cushy bed to snuggle with it, you’ll want to run your feet over the acupressure roller at the bed’s side. *A compa is Hacienda Alta Gracia’s version of a private concierge/butler service. They are your friend during your entire stay, able to provide suggestions and make reservations. 

How much time did we spend in our room? As I mentioned, as soon as I arrived, all I wanted to do was wander! But after entering my casa con piscina, I had a change of heart and incorporated as much downtime in the casa as possible. I spent my days partaking in all the enticing activities offered at Hacienda AltaGracia and returned to my casa at sunset to soak in the private heated pool, and watching shadows dance across the valley. CLICK TO START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

WHAT TO DO // You can do all or nothing at Hacienda AltaGracia. The resort is designed to cater to both active travelers and those who are seeking solace and refuge from the daily grind. The resort’s calendar of experiences refreshes weekly and includes a dozen or so complimentary activities that will immerse you in the local culture of Costa Rica. From Nocturnal Amphibian Discovery to Hacienda Cafe Tour & Tasting, the offerings include a mix of wellness, nature, and culinary immersions.

There are dozens more activities available at a fee. Guided hikes, day trips to the beach in Uvita, the River Bath spa treatment, and our favorite… trail riding.

DINING //  My personal gastronomic journey includes years as a vegan in the 90s when I lived in a college town in Oregon that had more health food stores than gas stations – to a protein-filled diet to support becoming a mother. I eat a rainbow and appreciate whole foods prepared with a total lack of processed ingredients. I was in heaven at Hacienda AltaGracia, and anyone following a special diet would be too.

What lies behind the garden gate? An incredible bounty of fresh veggies + herbs just waiting for the chef to integrate into your next meal. Your entire perception of fresh local cuisines will be changed. The food is exquisite. It is art and tastes as good as it looks. So many dishes were almost too pretty to eat.

Your stay at Hacienda AltaGracia includes daily meals and non-alcoholic beverages.  Having your meals included further enhances your ability to relax. With five dining venues and ever-changing menus, you don’t have to worry about eating the same thing twice. The culinary team pays close attention to keeping guests enticed and on a delectable journey the entire time. CLICK TO START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

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WELLNESS //  The luxurious 20,000 square foot spa is an outpost of the highly-acclaimed NYC Spa, THE WELL. I have a single photo from my visit to the spa because as soon as I was guided to the “robe bar” and selected the plushest option, my phone was turned off and secured in a locker for the rest of the day. I feel like so many elements of the spa experience at Hacienda AltaGracia should be left to surprise and delight, so I won’t share too much. I will say, having visited spas all over the world, that The Well ranks high and checks so many boxes. Worth it.

In similar practice to their culinary department’s visiting guests, The Well hosts visiting masters too. This festive season, they are hosting Manjit Devgun, a leading mind coach in the wellness space.

VIBE // The vibe at Hacienda AltaGracia is one of exclusive laid-back luxury. The hotel’s programs gently nudge guests towards social interactions by offering a variety of group classes and demonstrations. But this is a place you can truly escape for some alone time and enjoy the privacy of your casa or the out-of-the-way corner table at the restaurants. The hotel is quiet; the songbirds and the rippling water of the river take center stage.

Hacienda AltaGracia, in their own words:

“Where nature cradles the soul and inspires new adventure.”

HOW TO GET TO HACIENDA ALTAGRACIA // This mountainside escape is easily reached by private plane charter or private car transfer. This elevated experience began before we even took off from Miami. Our compa texted us asking for photos of our bag tags so he could collect our luggage in Costa Rica.  As soon you land at San Jose International Airport, you are met immediately by a representative from the private transfer company who whisks you quickly to a private lounge for expedited customs + immigration processing. (Shortest customs line of my life – we were the only two in the lounge.) The flight is 25 minutes, and the drive is roughly 4-5 hours. My suggestion is to take one mode of transportation each way. CLICK TO START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

WHO IS HACIENDA ALTAGRACIA BEST FOR // Hacienda AltaGracia is best for active adults, wellness seekers, or those seeking a private getaway. At first glance, HAG appears to be the perfect adult hideaway, but their children’s programs are very impressive! Their Junior Adventurers Program for kids ages 6-13 offers a kid version of all of the activities I’ve mentioned above. Hacienda AltaGracia provides the perfect campus to educate your kids on the importance of sustainability and introduce them to another culture. The hotel is a popular retreat destination for specialists in the art of wellness, where solo attendance is catered to. Hacienda AltaGracia is also a top honeymoon hotel for newlyweds looking to do more than lay by the pool all day but seeking a luxurious private refuge to return to at the end of the day.

FINAL THOUGHTS // I have so many final thoughts because there is so much left to say about this dreamy escape! Hacienda AltaGracia deserves a guidebook, not a blog post. That’s the beauty of working with an experienced travel advisor. We’ve been there, we could write the guidebook, and we are ready to share all this information with you!

The number one reason clients come to us is that they want to know if a specific hotel is right for their vacation plans. We’ve been matching clients to the best destinations for over 22 years. We will work closely with you and plan a personalized itinerary customized to your specific wish list items.

I can’t wait for you to experience Hacienda AltaGracia! Contact us to start planning your visit today! 

Cheers,

Laura Sangster