Costa Rica wins over a reluctant eco-friend

I arrived at Arenas Del Mar at around 2.30 today after driving 4 hours from El Silencio Lodge.  Again, it was surreal to leave somewhere that looks and feels so different! I had gone from damp misty rainforest to really hot beach weather!

Areans Del Mar is a 5 leaves sustainable resort by Manuel Antonio, one of Costa Rica’s most famous beaches.

It has been awarded the 5 leaves because it is one of only 11 resorts/hotels in the whole of Costa Rica who have met such high criteria for Sustainable tourism.

Manuel Antonio is a very touristy place but where Arenas Del Mar is, is very secluded.  They even have their own private beach!

The resort only has 38 rooms but feels like quite a big place.  It is busy with families and couples – I am the only one on their own!

My driver brought me to the pre-reception area where cars can't go any further.  There is a lovely waiting area where you can use the bathroom and get a cold drink.

The staff take your name and radio through to another staff member who drives down to get you and your bags by Golf Cart (electric!) and takes you up to the main reception area.

The drive up the winding little road is very pretty and sometimes you can see Monkeys but I haven't seen one yet!

When you get to the reception area, you can hear the waves crashing down below on the beach. You are greeted and sat down in front of the main desk and are brought a refreshing mint drink – a lovely way to be welcolmed!

During check in, you are given a map of the property and told where things are. They also give you vouchers to use in the spa with some good discounts.  I am getting a massage tomorrow to review so didn't need the vouchers but thought it was a good incentive for others to use them!

I was then taken up to my ocean view deluxe suite and was shown my room. Oh my! I feel very spoilt! This room is fantastic! The view of ocean and Manuel Antonio National park is panoramic and breathtaking!

There is  a huge sitting room with couches and chairs and a small dining table (where I am typing this at the moment) anda small kitchentte with sink and coffee machine.

There is a huge bathroom, double sinks and a toilet and a bidee with the most massive shower recess I have ever seen. Loads of fluffy towels are in the bathroom and they also supply biodegradeable and organic shampoo, conditioner and body wash which they prefer you to use.

The bedroom has a massive bed covered with high quality cushions, pillows and amazing linen, soft as a feather and super comfortable mattress.

The bed has doors which you can slide open to let the breeze in.  I am on the top floor so the views are incredible!

The balcony has two sides, one near the bedroom, which has outside seating (cushioned cane chairs) and the other side has two recliner chairs which are perfect to lounge on.

The star feature of this balcony is the spa!!  It is a half moon shaped spa, for two people and has a fabulous full view of the ocean beneath you!  Whilst the balcony is fairly open, it also is quite protected so your neighbours cant see you if you choose to get in the spa in the nude!

The rooms are airconditioned but I have chosen not to use them as it means that you have to shut the door and block out the noise of the ocean.  I can't wait to fall asleep tonight listening to the waves crashing down below.

Areanas Del Mar have solar panels on the roof of one of the buildings so this helps them to use energy wisely. The resort has an impressive list of eco things they do which is why they were awarded the 5 leaves!

Environmental Stewardship

Onsite Sustainability Features

At Arenas Del Mar, sustainability has been a key feature since the planning and construction phase. Sustainable features of the physical property itself include:

• Solar panels to heat hot water coupled with energy saving auxiliary water heaters.
• Underground electricity systems that do not interfere with surrounding wildlife.
• Chlorine free ionization systems to clean pool water.
• Energy efficient lighting and illumination throughout the entire property.
• Extensive recycling programs.
• Recycling and waste management system.
• Advanced wastewater treatment systems which assure that all water leaving our properties will not affect the surrounding water sources.
• Use of low-flow toilets.
• The use of electric cars on property that significantly reduce our carbon emissions.
• Roof tiles made from discarded plastic bags from the banana industry.
• Recycled materials used throughout the property.
• An advanced vermiculture-based compost system to recycle organic waste.
• Onsite soap production made from leftover cooking oil from the hotel kitchen.
• Non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products.
• Support of local artists and businesses throughout the gift shop and spa.
• Plant a Tree Program.
• Donations made to local organizations that promote reforestation and the protection of squirrel monkeys.
• Native plants nursery.
• Hydroponic garden on the hotel property.
• And much more!

How impressive is this? Usually large resorts are some of the worst environmental culprits, who waste so much energy, water, put chemicals in the waterways and just overall doing terrible things to the surroundings.

Arenas Del Mar is leading the way for showing people what can be done if the right practices are in place.

After I had a spa, (which was amazing by the way, the view was something you could stare at for hours and hours as watching the sea is just so calming) I went down to check out the private beach club 'Playitis Beach' which has a pool and also a restaurant.  What is fabulous about the private beach is that there are chairs and tables and recliners which are for the guests of Areans Del Mar.  Most of the beaches are usually quite crowded, especially Manuel Antonio so I think Arena's offer guests something pretty special – a private beach (with rocks on either side) so that there are only a few people here.

I took some great pictures and video!

It was lovely to be walking on sand again and I went and dipped my toes in the water. I would have loved to have had a swim but I am only here for the night and have to make sure I take all the video and pictures.  I am working remember!

I had a lovely waiter down the beach called Luis, who is so sweet – he just loves people from different countries and was saying how he would love to go to the UK.

When you travel on your own, staff like him can really make you feel more comfortable because they take the time to chat to you.

The hotel is on a cliff so you have to take a little walk to the beach. I was offered a golf cart to drive down but I thought man, is that lazy! So I took a short walk down there and got to see the rest of the hotel.

The beach club really is so nice. The pool was full of kids who I could tell where having a great time!

The beach menu was quite extensive and there were some nice vegetarian options. I had their vege spring rolls which were amazing!

I also had a mango lassi made with Almonds, Vanilla, Honey and Coconut milk which was absolutely delicious!

Dinner tonight was a cold watermelon fruit sou, beautifully presented and super tasty!

I was introduced to fruit soups when at Finca De Vida because Chris Kendall from www.the-raw-advantage.com made me fruit soups all the time.  When I go back to the UK that is all I am going to be eating! Once you eat a fruit soup, you will want to have them all the time!

Dinner is served in the El Mirador restaurant which is a lovely open air dining area.
In the mornings, monkeys are said to climb up the trees, often staring at the guests and hoping they will be fed!

The hotel explains to guests in great detail just how dangerous it is to feed them as they can get diseases from us humans (yep not just the other way around, we can make them sick too!) and sometimes become dependant on the food and then will be big pests!

The bed in the room is soft as a cloud with beautiful linen and pillows that are neither too soft or too big.  The waves crashing on the beach help you to sleep and there is a big fan above the bed if you don't want to use the AC.

I went and had breakfast in El Mirador which is so stunning first thing in the morning. You can see the ocean and blue sky.

Breakfast was a buffet of fruit, cakes and muffins and all the typical continental style breakfast. Included in the room rate is also the choice of one meal from the menu which offers things like eggs, french toast, etc etc.

I love the fresh fruit here so try to have as much of it as I can.

After I finished breakfast I went and visited Manuel Antonio beach.  Arenas Del Mar, take their guests down the bottom on Electric Golf carts where there is a little walk way. There is a guard there who takes your name and room number down so they know where you are at all times. It's also to keep from non guests from entering into the hotel.

They also have a life guard there too as there are lots of rip tides off some of the beaches here.

The beach was just beautiful and I went for a little walk about 1/5 up the beach. Manuel Antonio beach is very looooooong and I couldn't walk the whole way.

After my walk I got ready for my spa treatment!

I was booked in for the  90 minute Hot Stones massage and went down a little earlier to film and photograph the spa.

The design of the spa is to allow as much light and view of the forest into the rooms.

Each room has a large glass wall from floor to ceiling that lets you look out into the forest.  Needless to say, it creates a beautiful environment.

I have only ever had one hot stones massage before and it was amazing, but the one I had a Le Barisa spa was absolutely blissful. I think it is now the best treatment I have ever had.

If you go to Arenas Del Mar, please book in with Andrea, she was just incredible! She had the best soft touch and really knew what she was doing.  This 90 minute treatment is much better than 60 minutes as you get to really relax and she takes her time with what body part  you could prefer to be worked on. I always like my legs and feet massaged so she spent about 30 minutes doing that.  Hot Stones are just an experience! So soothing, yet stimulating as well and really good for encouraging circulation.

The treatment also involved a scalp massage and at the end, Andrea even exfoliated my feet and legs and finished off removing with a warm cloth.

I was so relaxed afterwards, I felt like jelly!  And, when I went out the front, there was a fruit smoothie and little snack waiting for me!

What an absolutely amazing way to finish the treatment!

Arenas Del Mar is a fantastic resort, perfect for families, couples (young and old).  Whilst I don't think it's ideal for singles, I would love to go back again with my husband one day and stay for longer.

The staff were super friendly (some I will remember if I go back again!), their private beach amazing, the spa on the balcony was unforgettable, and the bed so soft and comfortable!  There are so many great things to say about Arenas Del Mar.

It's impressive to see a resort achieve the 5 leaves CST certification!

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