Hacienda AltaGracia, an Auberge Resort

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. The water is heated and they have a bunch of pool toys and floaties available as well. The resort is all inclusive. 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. You wanted to try so many new things because you sort of felt obligated with it all being at your fingertips! 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. I can’t say enough about Anish who make the entire experience for our family one of the most memorable times. 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 but you just look one way or the other and friendly staff is right around the corner with a smile to assist. 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.

Highly recommend! Beautiful resort, great staff, wonderful food! It was truly a unique luxury experience for the whole family!

We had a few issues on arrival into SJO, not quite the welcome we expected, but the hotel made up for this quickly and we went on to have a fantastic stay. We stayed in a larger casita option with a pool. The room was very spacious with stunning views over the hills, a very comfortable bed and a jetted bath which was a great extra. Food throughout was excellent. Every meal was fresh and tasty, and the quality was consistent. The same could be said of the team, always friendly and welcoming. Try the coffee tasting with Tacho (I hope I spelt that correctly), was amazing and his personality and knowledge made it special. The experiences really made the trip special. We booked a private in-casita BBQ, tried the river bath and enjoyed spa treatments, all of which were amazing. The highlight for us was the sloth safari, where we saw so much wildlife. Travelling to and from the resort by plane was also a unique and enjoyable touch. The only thing we noticed, compared with other luxury brands, is that Auberge keeps the in-room amenities more basic, with extras available on request. It’s not a problem at all, but something to be aware of. Would we go back? Without hesitation, yes.

Hands down the best resort I have ever been to in my life. Every team member made us feel special celebrating our honeymoon and we could not recommend Hacienda Altagracia more. Truly an amazing experience from arrival to departure. Our stay here FAR exceeded our stay at the Four Seasons Costa Rica - we are chomping at the bit to get back!!

What a wonderful treat to experience the hidden gem of AltaGracia in Costa Rica! The local staff is so knowledgeable and friendly. You will be spoiled and find a welcoming environment to relax in today's busy world. Surrounded by the beautiful mountains and forest of Costa Rica, the AltaGracia will be able to offer a retreat of wellness and reconnection!