Xandari Resort & Spa

A welcoming hotel of colourful villas amid tropical gardens, within easy reach of San José’s airport

Just 20 minutes drive from San José airport, climb into the jungled hills above the valley and up into another world: colourful modern architecture surrounded by exotic flowers in the lush gardens of Xandari. The labour of love of Californian architect Sherrill Broudy and his painter wife Charlene, this secluded hilltop resort gives you a luxurious and uplifting experience of the country - immersed in wildlife of the forest, while being pampered by the friendly service and delicious Costa Rican food.

Rooms are spacious individual villas, with high curving wooden ceilings and white walls making a backdrop for Charlene’s vividly coloured paintings and eclectic wall hangings. Each villa has its own generous balcony with rattan recliners so that you can lie back and take in the sun or just gaze out at the valley, spotting birds swooping from tree to tree. Have a massage in the spa’s beautiful jalapas, wander along trails through the jungle to the waterfalls, plunge into the Jacuzzi-with-a-view. Xandari is a wonderful introduction to Costa Rica.

Highs

• An appealing alternative to staying in San José, and much more relaxing
• Secluded feel: each room gives you acres of private space, and the lodge is set in beautiful gardens
• Close to the airport: ideal for a welcoming first night in the country, or a comfortable last night
• Spa with interesting treatments and 3 heated outdoor pools
• A warm welcome from charming, friendly staff, and good food especially breakfast
• The huge rooms have every possible comfort, yet the whole place makes efforts to be environmentally friendly

Lows

• The décor is lively rather than restrained. Not for World of Interiors purists
• The small dining area and bar space can get crowded in peak season
• Admirable lack of heating and air conditioning in the rooms - from an environmental point of view. But bring pyjamas if you’re coming in the green season (May-September)
• Not quite close enough to San José to pop out for dinner, as the traffic is horrendous. The point here is to get away from the city