Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection

This is the greatest resort I have ever stayed at. The BEST customer service you will ever receive and you wont want to leave! The food is so fresh, the resort feels like paradise and it is truly magical. The best money you will ever spend hands down. Make sure to check out Mercato for a fresh coffee, go on a hike around the resort, (you can do this with or without a guide) and do as many activities as you can. The staff is so friendly and always there to help!

This was a beautiful place run by a team who really knows how to treat its guests well. We had just a few special requests that were met effortlessly. Daniela, a server for breakfast and lunch is hands down the kindest, most attentive person on the planet. Kevin and Paolo were outstanding Compa's and Roderick and the GM, Koen oversaw a flawless operation. Everything was easy, including the travel from San Jose to the resort. In terms of specific activities, the e-bikes were awesome. The Well is worth the trip by itself and the hiking trails were amazing, both on and off property. I can't say enough about the natural beauty of Costa Rica and this property in particular.

We started our Costa Rica vacation this summer by staying at the Hacienda AltaGracia. It was simply one of the most pristine and wonderful places I’ve ever been. We flew into San Jose and had the staff meet us as we left the airplane. They took us by shuttle to a private immigration terminal after ensuring they knew which checked-in bags to pick up for us. The private immigration area was the size of two large rooms – stocked with refreshments (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) snacks and coffee/tea. The staff made it a breeze to clear customs/immigrations and shortly after, we were taken with our bags and all to the domestic terminal to fly on the charter to the hotel. The charter was a large Cessna craft and after the initial trepidation of how tight a squeeze it was, you settled right in and got excited. The journey is under an hour and at low altitude, so you get amazing views of San Jose, the mountains, and then in/out of the clouds as you get into the cloud forest. The runway comes quick and is a gravel runway that parks you right into front of the hotel staff waiting to pick you up for a short drive to the reception area. Fabian and Daniel were our two “compas” and made sure our entire stay was taken care of. They communicated in person and by WhatsApp to make sure every question and need was taken care of. The property itself is absolutely stunning. The flora/fauna are gorgeous and there is a garden right in the heart. The reception area is cozy with a local boutique and an absolutely fantastic coffee bar with too many delicious coffee, non-coffee and pastry options to count. You get a great tour of the area prior to check in and once things are ready you are dropped off. The entire resort is walkable but for the hilly upslope areas, golf cart rides are a simple phone call away. The rooms are out of this world. Sprawling, gorgeous, technologically up to date with smart shades, blackouts, easy to connect phones/iPads to TVs and beautiful surrounding spaces. We had a lovely plunge pool and an awning to enjoy every morning as we awoke to the morning birds and cloud forest tranquility. The bed and sheets are insanely comfortable. We took part in a lot of activities at the resort. Horseback riding was a blast – Evelyn and Carlos took us all throughout the resort and up the mountain. The panoramic views were breathtaking and the horses personalities were hilarious. We had a 4th of July dinner at the stables where they did a bunch of cool games followed by an awesome meal of fish, beef and chicken that were grilled there and with bonfires and festivities abound. The spa is beautiful and serene. There is a yoga pavilion right behind it tucked into resort with mountain views all over. There are trail, ponds, and trickling creeks throughout. There is a butterfly garden that the children loved in the middle of the resort with numerous species fluttering around. The pool and restaurant area – both for the adults only part and the family one – are awesome. The food is great, service outstanding, and the views stunning. Enjoying the morning coffee, fresh juices, pastries and breakfast was a treat. The poolside menu had so many delicious options and the dinner menu rotated with creative meals every night. Our hands down favorite time was with Anisha and the river bath. Our daughter turned 12 and this was part of her big day. It was a mesmerizing experience that combined a spa/meditation/cold plunge with this incredible cleansing and personal experience in the river downstream from the resort. Overall – this is a gorgeous resort with so many amenities that just blow you away. From the moment you arrive and see the charter, to arriving on the resort and just walking through – it’s a sprawling resort but it feels like only a few people are there at any given time. The hotel is something special. It truly captures the Pura Vida mentality and every staff member went out of their way to make our family feel special and that every need was catered to.