The World Travel Awards have been compared to the Oscars of the Travel business.  The first awards were held in 1994.  Over 5,000 travel companies, destinations and organizations are nominated every year. 

Judging takes into account every aspect of the business including overall performance, product development, innovation, creativity and customer satisfaction.  This year voting was open to the traveling public.  Votes from individual travelers count as 1 vote and votes from travel agents count as two votes.

This year there were four major categories of awards given for hotels in Costa Rica.

Part 1 - Costa Rica’s Golf Resorts

Part 2 - Costa Rica’s Leading Hotels

Here are the nominees and winners for Costa Rica’s Leading Resorts:

Hotel Parador Boutique Resort & Spa - Winner

Located on the Central Pacific Coast near Manuel Antonio National Park, this hotel is dedicated to sustainable tourism.  They feature a comprehensive spa and three outdoor pools all overlooking the Pacific Ocean, one for adults only, one with a swim up bar and one with a waterfall. There are workout facilities and family fun areas.  Hike through the 12 acres and see monkeys, birds, sloths and other wildlife common to Costa Rica.  They also have business and meeting facilities.

This hotel was also a nominee in the Leading Hotel and Resort Spa categories.

Barcelo Tambor Beach

Located at the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, the Barcelo is a 5 star all-inclusive resort.  They offer a children’s mini club, nightly entertainment, horseback riding, non-motorized water activities, extensive pools and a variety of restaurants.  Barcelo Tambor Beach offers a spa, tennis courts and lots of activities.  The location is spectacular near Cabo Blanco National Park and Curu Wildlife Reserve.

Four Seasons Costa Rica at Papagayo

The Four Seasons is located on the Pagagayo isthmus on the Northern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.  The Resort offers 155 guest rooms, suites and residences.  They boast two unspoiled beaches, an indigenous spa and a dry tropical forest.

The 19 hole, par 72 championship Golf Course was designed by Arnold Palmer.  Golf Digest ranks this course as among the “Best 100 Courses Outside of the United States.  The Golf Club at Four Seasons is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. You will see spectacular birds, colorful plants, trees and animals.  The favorites are the howler and capuchin monkeys. 

This was also a nominee for the Leading Golf Resorts. 

Hilton Papagayo Costa Rica Resort & Spa

Hilton Papagayo  is  located on the Pagagayo isthmus on the Northern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.  This is an all-inclusive resort with 202 guest rooms, bungalows and junior suites.  They offer a Kid’s Club with children’s activities and a children’s menu.  Activities include biking, fishing, jet skiing, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, tennis courts, a fitness room and walking track.  There are pools and a beautiful beach.  Business services are available.

JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa

Located on the Nicoya Peninsula near Tamarindo, JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort and Spa offers  289 guest  rooms and  21 suites.  They boast three beaches, a world class spa, an Equestrian Center  and an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Mike Young.  JW Marriott features a large free form pool with an infinity edge as well as an outdoor children’s pool.  A fitness center with free fitness classes,  whirlpool and sauna is on site.  Other activities include kayaking, snorkeling, table tennis and volleyball.  Family and children activities are available.  There are four restaurants each with unique menus and two bars. 

This nominee is the winner of the leading Spa Resort.

Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort

This resort is located on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.  It is a large resort with 191 rooms, 120 suites and 11 meeting rooms.  It also offers an amazing spa and a casino.  The Golf Course was designed by Ted Robinson and is an 18 hole, par 72 course. The golf course winds around the rainforest and monkeys and brightly hued macaws may be spectators. 

This nominee was the winner of the Leading Golf Resorts,

Occidental Grand Papagayo

Located on the Pagagayo isthmus on the Northern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, Occidental Grand Papagayo offers 160 rooms in 12 buildings.  This all-inclusive resort features dining in three restaurants, four bars with unlimited snacks and 1 disco bar.  They offer a fitness room, scuba clinics, snorkeling and kayaking.  Occidental Grand Papagayo also features an illuminated hard surface tennis court.  There are daily activities by the 2 swimming pool.  The spa is available for an extra fee and offers a wide variety of services. Tall canopy trees along the base of the bluff provide shade for lounging as well as monkey and bird watching.

Paradisus Playa Conchal All Suite, Beach & Golf Resort

Located on the Nicoya Peninsula, on the Pacific Ocean in what is known as the Gold Coast of Costa Rica, The Paradisus features 406 oversized Suites, including 122 Royal Service Suites and two Royal Service Presidential Suites.  It also offers a spa, fitness center, lighted tennis courts and a wide variety of activities from sushi making, to tango dancing to catamaran sailing. 

They feature a Robert Trent II designed 18 hole par 71 golf course which they recommend both for avid golfer and curious beginners. 

This nominee was also nominated in the Golf Resorts category.

Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort

Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort, located in La Fortuna,  is a five star resort with 114 guest rooms.  Tabacón is famous for their natural hot thermal springs, pools and spa.  The main swimming area features five pools with temperatures ranging from 77 to 102 degrees Farenheit.  One offers a swim up bar, thermal water slide  and great views of the Arenal Volcano. There are many other pools and waterfalls in the rainforest and spectacular gardens that you will encounter as you walk through the grounds.  The Spa offers a smorgasbord of indigenous  treatments  A yoga studio and meditation trails are available as is a fitness center.   

This nominee is also nominated in the Resort Spa category.

Tango Mar Hotel Beach Spa & Golf Resort

Located at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in a secluded area, Tango Mar boasts two private beaches with over a mile of sand for walking and sunbathing. You can enjoy a game of tennis on the illuminated courts and swim in the spring fed swimming pool. You can go sport or deep sea fishing. Tango Mar also offers its own quality horses and stables. You can ride into the jungle, ride on the beach or visit local communities. 

One of the resorts main attractions is a 9 hole par 3 and 4 Executive Golf Course.  Due to the limited number of people with access to play, you can play as many holes as you like and practice to your heart’s content here.

This nominee is also nominated in the Golf Resort and Resort Spa categories.

The Royal Corin Resort & Loto Spa

The Royal Corin Resort & Loto Spa, located in La Fortuna, boasts 54 rooms all with a view of the Arenal Volcano.  Visitors here can swim in the three thermal pools each with different temperatures.  There is also a river of hot springs with a warm waterfall.  Guests can also enjoy a massage in the Loto Spa,

This nominee is also nominated in the Resort Spa category.

___________________________________________________________________

I love to hear from my readers. Let me know about your favorite place in Costa Rica.  My e-mail address is LynnFarris@ymail.com