Costa Rica’s new Waldorf Astoria is a cozy couples getaway that’s worth the splurge | Canada Voices

It was like a luxury tree house, this open-air yoga space seemingly suspended above a ravine of tropical green. As chimes rang out to signal the start of a private guided meditation, birdsong echoed the welcome.

I reached over to the mat next to mine and took my partner’s hand in excitement. He squeezed back, as if to say: “I know! How cool is this?” Part of what made the moment magical is that my partner is not at all a guided meditation kind of guy. Or at least he wasn’t until we arrived at the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique to celebrate our 20th anniversary.

A day after being pampered at the hotel’s spa, we partook of a different kind of relaxation for a couple of foodies: a cooking class for two. In the gleaming open kitchen of one of the property’s excellent restaurants, a chef taught us his grandmother’s tamale recipe.

As we kneaded the corn flour dough into the perfect consistency to be swaddled in banana leaves, we chatted to the chef and his colleagues about the vision behind this new resort, which opened in April, 2025, in Costa Rica’s northern Guanacaste province.

The chefs were looking for ways to set the hotel apart on a stretch of the Pacific coast that has no shortage of luxury options − and more going up at a steady clip. One answer turned out to be right in front of their eyes. Given the rich agricultural traditions of the region, the team based their culinary calling card on a farm-to-table, nose-to-tail philosophy more typical of a family business than a multinational hotel chain.

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Why you should visit

The Punta Cacique in the resort’s name refers to the peninsula on which Costa Rica’s first Waldorf Astoria property is the sole occupant. The topography creates a cozy feeling of seclusion, even though you’re only a half-hour drive from the international airport in Liberia.

We disembarked from the SUV that had whisked us here to a smiling greeter in the lobby offering up cool mint-infused towelettes and fresh coconut water. From that moment on, everything around us channelled the same message: slow down, relax, unwind.

Savouring a bottle of local Copey Estate pinot noir on our suite’s terrace, we marvelled at the panoramic view of Culebra Bay and, beyond it, the cobalt blue Pacific Ocean.

The rooms, in soothing shades of terracotta, seem uncannily designed to minimize the inevitable couple quibbles that arise over two decades. I’m a neat freak; he’s not. No worries: Beautiful Asian-style sliding screens hide any mess. He falls asleep early; I’m an insomniac. No sweat: I’ll just run myself a midnight bath in the soaking tub on the balcony.

With accommodation spread out among eight low-rise buildings, arranged in a semicircle around the terraced pool area that leads down to the white sand of Penca Beach, you’ll find lots of quiet, private nooks.

All that lounging and fresh air – with the occasional excitement of an extended family of spider monkeys roaring through the treetops – builds an appetite. And the dining options are spectacular. For lunch, we loved the Vida patio, where they remembered our preferred mocktails each day (lime/cucumber/basil soda for me; butterfly pea flower iced tea for the new yogi).

In the evening, La Finca offers fine dining, while Tico Tica is more casual. Highlights for us included scallops from Costa Rica’s Puntarenas Bay; North Pacific octopus; and any beef dish – all made with Guanacaste wagyu.

Room for improvement

How many times have you been at a hotel where a breathtaking entrance turns out to be the biggest attraction amid otherwise ho-hum facilities? It was the opposite here, where the understated lobby felt cramped at certain times of the afternoon and evening when more guests were milling about.

During our stay in December, facilities were still being built for the 22 ultraluxury Waldorf residences on the other side of the peninsula. We found noise and disturbance were kept to a minimum, but the hotel and residences will share an entrance to the property, and it remains to be seen how it will all fit together.

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Since you’re in the neighbourhood

One of the advantages of staying at a place that is not all-inclusive is there’s no reason not to look beyond the resort for meals or activities. A 10-minute drive away is the quaint town of Playa Hermosa, with a long and inviting Blue Flag beach. We enjoyed scrumptious pan-Asian tapas at Ginger and took in live Latin music on the patio of Villa del Sueño.

The take-away

With its curated experiences for couples, this Waldorf Astoria is perfect for a special-occasion splurge. Rooms in low season start at $1,400 a night. If your exploration of Costa Rica is built around renting a car and exploring different areas, finishing with a stay here would be a perfect way to end the journey.

A few days after our guided meditation, my partner and I chillaxed in the spa’s outdoor lounge, watching tiny mariola bees buzz in and out of their hive. They encapsulated our time at the resort and our life together: Coming home to a welcoming pied-à-terre is the best way to cap a day of adventure and discovery.

Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique is a 30-minute drive from Liberia airport in Costa Rica. Transfer by taxi is about $100 one-way. Accommodation includes in-room espresso; filtered water and group activities such as kayaking, snorkelling and stretch classes.

The writer was a guest of the hotel, which did not review or approve this article. Stories are based on merit; The Globe does not guarantee coverage.