Top 10 Reasons to Visit Costa Rica

June 19, 2013 | By

The weather isn’t the only amazing thing about this beautiful Central American country. Here are our top 10 reasons to book a trip to Costa Rica.

10. Adventure 

There’s no shortage of adventure in Costa Rica! Indulge your outdoorsy side with everything from scuba diving to zip lining, cliff diving, white water rafting, rainforest tours and more.

9. Beaches 

Breathtaking views await! Beaches are aplenty in Costa Rica, a country that boasts stunning coastlines on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Marvel at the luxurious white sand at the famed Nosara beach.

8. Surf 

Whether you are a surf pro or just an eager novice, Costa Rica is your perfect destination. The water is almost always warm (major plus!) and there’s no shortage of experienced surf instructors!

7. The National Parks 

Rainforests, beaches, volcanoes, wetlands…with over two dozen national parks to choose from, Costa Rica offers a way for everyone to enjoy the wilderness.

6. Volcanoes 

Costa Rica is located on the Pacific Ring of fire—there are over 60 volcanoes spread throughout this tiny country (its only about the size of West Virginia!). Up until 2010, Costa Rican volcano Arenal was one of the most active volcanoes in the world! You can tour all the beauty and wonder at one of Costa Rica’s many National Parks. 

5. Local Food

Traveling is always a great opportunity to wet your palette with something new. The most popular dish in Costa Rica is called Casado. It consists of bean, rice, bell peppers, onions, fried plantains, cabbage salad, and a choice of meat. Yum!

4. The Weather 

The average temperature is in the mid 70’s year round. Perfecto.

3. It’s Affordable 

Your US dollars will get you farther in Costa Rica than they will stateside. Souvenirs for everyone!

2. Spa 

There’s no shortage of spa in paradise, of course! And when they say luxury, they really mean it: Check out the Spa at the Four Seasons or the Tabacon Grand Spa for a truly lavish treatment.

1. It could be free! 

If you win Spa Week’s June Giveaway, Get Centered in Paradise, that is. We’re giving away four magical nights at the Four Seasons Costa Rica, where you’ll let loose in a canopy suite with your own private plunge pool. Enter to win now!

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Arielle Sidrane is the lip product-obsessed Media Coordinator at Spa Week.

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Travel Tuesday: Spotlight on SniqueAway

May 14, 2013 | By

Memorial Day Weekend is so close we can almost taste the barbecued burgers and corn on the cob. We’re dreaming of the hot summer sun and it’s got everyone itching for a vacation. In honor of Travel Tuesday, we want to direct your attention to the hottest way to book a luxury hotel without breaking the bank. It’s called SniqueAway and we suggest you hurry up and add the URL to the list of sites you check everyday…and we  guarantee you’ll have your own summer sneak away planned in no time.

SniqueAway works likes any other flash-sale site: Time to buy is limited and your options are constantly refreshing. The best part about SniqueAway, though, (besides the quality of the hotels) is the great variety. Whether you’re looking for…

…A tropical getaway (Hotel El Ganzo in San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico)

 

…A rustic retreat (Cork Factory Hotel in Lancaster, PA)

…Or a golf excursion under the Californian sun (Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad, CA)

…SniqueAway will find you your next unforgettable vacation (at a discount, too!).

Enter to win $2,000 in Hotel Credits to SniqueAway, plus other to-die-for prizes in the Shop.Spa.Stay Giveaway! 

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All-Inclusive Spa Vacations Do Exist

May 1, 2013 | By

The spa at the Playacar Palace.

With Cinco de Mayo coming up this weekend, many people may be celebrating with tequila and margaritas. But our minds are on the white sand beaches of Cancun and Riviera Maya. That’s how we prefer to get into the spirit!

You can literally take your pick of stunning, modern oceanfront resorts there, and relaxing, trendy spas are popping up all over. One that’s getting a lot of attention lately is the spa at Playacar Palace. This newly unveiled 11,000-square-foot spa could rival the most private and luxurious New York or Vegas hideaway. Take a look:

You can expect deluxe couples’ massage suites, a sauna, color aromatherapy steam room, ice plunge pool, thermal whirlpool, and heated ceramic loungers. But what you probably didn’t expect is that if you book 3 nights or more, you can enjoy spa services for free thanks to a new resort credit bonus.

The executive vice president of Palace Resorts, Gibran Chapur, said the launch of this spa is “Turning the notion of a traditional all-inclusive resort on its head.” And when you create a fancy new spa like this, you naturally want to launch some sort of promo to help get the word out about it. Here’s what he did: If you stay for 3 nights or more, you get a resort credit that can be used on spa treatments (or excursions and other extras, too). The longer you stay, the bigger your credit — up to $1500.

You can use your credit to purchase treatments at the spa, or even to stock up on luxe Natura Bisse products, which are used in the face and body services.

Think of it as the icing on the cake of an already-awesome all-inclusive vacation. We can only hope this trend continues! Until then, happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone! Here’s one last look at paradise:

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Travel Deals and Discounts

December 3, 2012 | By

It’s only the first week of December, but we’re tired of the cold already. How about you?

Our travel team put together some sunny destination spa specials to help you find yourself in that warm, sunny place you’ve been daydreaming of.

Just click any of our destinations below to learn more about the current travel deals:

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The Ultimate Bora Bora Wedding

October 9, 2012 | By

The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort is nearly synonymous with “dream honeymoon destination.” If the resort is so romantic, why not get hitched there, too? Well, that’s exactly what the hotel was hoping you’d ask…

The resort will open a Bridal Boutique this Winter, featuring a resident “Romance Butler” who will take care of all planning and preparation for your dream Bora Bora wedding. The St. Regis partnered with Norwegian fashion designer Cecilie Melli to create a line of exclusive wedding dresses available for rent or purchase at the boutique. If you’re looking to elope in paradise or plan the ultimate destination wedding, there’s certainly no better place.

“Our new wedding program brings the concept of one-stop-shopping to those brides planning a destination wedding, which in our case happens to be at of the most beautiful and romantic places in the world,” says general manager Michael Schoonewagen. Interested? The St. Regis Bora Bora Bridal Boutique will open in Winter 2013, and prices start at $400 for wedding dress rental.

And if you happen to find yourself in California this month, you have a shot to get in on one of the hotel’s first weddings by bidding on one for charity: On October 20, the St. Regis Bora Bora Resorts will auction off a $250,000 wedding at The Carousel of Hope charity event in Beverly Hills, CA. The dream wedding includes 10 nights in the Resort’s 13,000+ square foot Royal Estate Villa, made up of three separate pavilions that revolve around a private pool. It also includes a “Lady Bora Bora” gown from the new dress line, a photographer, a rehearsal dinner at the Resort’s signature restaurant, Lagoon by Jean-Georges, as well as all meals AND round trip tickets from Los Angeles to Tahiti on Air Tahiti Nui. (Also included: Airport transfers, water activities and 5 nights accommodations for up to 5 additional couples to witness your big day). Good luck to anyone bidding!

For more information contact weddings@stregisborabora.com

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