Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, nestled on Costa Rica's biodiverse Peninsula Papagayo, has quickly established itself as a beacon of ultra-luxury, earning a coveted Michelin Two-Keys designation. This exclusive retreat masterfully blends refined comfort with a deep reverence for its natural surroundings, offering guests an immersive "lush garden" experience.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Nekajui is overwhelmingly positive, often described as a "magical retreat" and a "supermodel of resorts" due to its stunning aesthetics and thoughtful integration with nature. Guests frequently highlight its ability to provide a sense of being far removed from everyday life while still offering impeccable high-end comforts. While some minor "service bumps" are noted, especially for a new property, the overall sentiment is that of a truly unforgettable and luxurious escape.

Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise several standout aspects of Nekajui:

• Design & Ambiance: The resort's biophilic design, which seamlessly blends into the cliffside and tropical dry forest, is a major highlight. Features like a dramatic hanging bridge over a verdant canyon, a treehouse bar (ÁMBAR), and a glass funicular descending to the beach club create unique and memorable experiences. The use of local materials and art inspired by Chorotegan décor further emphasizes a deep sense of place.
• Location & Nature Immersion: Situated on the 1,400-acre Peninsula Papagayo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Nekajui offers unparalleled access to rich biodiversity. Guests frequently spot howler monkeys, iguanas, coatis, and exotic birds.
• Amenities: The resort boasts multiple pools, including an infinity-edge pool, an adults-only pool, and a secluded pool at the Niri Beach Club. The 27,000-square-foot Nimbu Spa & Wellness Sanctuary, featuring Latin America's largest hydrotherapy pool, is also a significant draw. Complimentary activities like yoga, nature walks, and non-motorized water sports (kayaks, paddleboards) are appreciated.

Room Quality

Nekajui offers 107 spacious guest rooms and suites, in addition to luxury treetop tents and residences, all designed to immerse guests in the natural surroundings. Even base-level Ocean Reserve rooms are generous, starting at 872 square feet.

• Comfort & Design: Rooms feature luxurious touches like floor-to-ceiling sliding glass windows that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, custom teak casework, local Arbol de Guanacaste wood, Fusion Quartzite stone, and handmade Marazzi tiles.
• Features: Many accommodations include balconies or expansive terraces, often with private plunge pools and outdoor rainfall showers, providing stunning ocean or forest views. Beds are equipped with Frette linens, and bathrooms offer double sinks, rain showers, and sculptural wooden soaking tubs. Hidden flat-screen TVs encourage guests to connect with nature.

Dining Experience

The culinary offerings at Nekajui are diverse and emphasize local ingredients and sustainable practices, overseen by Executive Chef Lulu Elízaga.

• Variety: The resort features nine dining outlets and three bars, ensuring a wide array of choices.
  • Puna: The signature fine-dining restaurant, helmed by Peruvian chef Diego Muñoz, serves modern Peruvian cuisine with local produce. Highlights include corn risotto, pork belly, and scallop tiradito. It also features an intimate six-seat omakase experience.
  • Niri Beach Club: Accessible by funicular, this beachfront restaurant offers Iberian-inspired wood-fire cooking and Mediterranean bites.
  • Mirador: A breakfast-only restaurant with panoramic views, offering a "tray to table" concept instead of a traditional buffet, which guests appreciate for reducing food waste. Options include authentic gallo pinto and an international selection of curated small dishes.
  • Brisa: A poolside Mexican restaurant known for tacos and frozen cocktails.
  • Café Rincón: An all-day café for coffee, house-made pastries, chocolates, and lighter dishes, celebrating Costa Rica's coffee and cacao heritage.
  • ÁMBAR: An intimate treehouse bar perfect for sunset drinks and fresh botanical cocktails.
  • La Casona Bar: A refined Latin-inspired lounge offering herb- and floral-infused drinks.
  • The Hidden Speakeasy: An intimate, dimly lit space for small-batch spirits and retro cocktails.
• Quality: While generally praised for fresh, accessible, and beautifully presented fare, some guests found the quality of meals and service "somewhat inconsistent," with some expectations for the flagship restaurant not always met. Breakfast is generally highly rated.

Service & Staff

Nekajui emphasizes impeccable, attentive service designed to immerse guests in local culture.

• Manzu Personal Concierge: A distinctive feature is the assignment of a "Manzu" (meaning "friend" in the Chorotega language) to each room. This personal concierge serves as a dedicated point of contact via WhatsApp, arranging activities, making reservations, and providing assistance, striking a balance between availability and unobtrusiveness.
• Hospitality: Staff members are described as friendly and attentive, with some going above and beyond, like driving an hour to deliver forgotten items to a guest's next hotel. However, some guests have reported inconsistent service, particularly poolside, and a "lack of attention to detail" at times, suggesting potential "growing pains" for the relatively new resort.

Location & Accessibility

Nekajui is situated on the exclusive Peninsula Papagayo in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

• Neighborhood & Attractions: The resort is nestled within a 1,400-acre private paradise, offering a secluded and private feel, distinct from nearby properties like the Four Seasons and Andaz. While the immediate area is a "gated enclave for the rich," the resort itself is deeply connected to nature and offers numerous on-site activities. The beach at Nekajui is described as calm and highly swimmable within the cove, though some note it's not the most private and can collect flotsam. Off-site excursions like zip-lining, kayaking, and forest tours can be arranged through partners like Papagayo Explorers. The Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course is also nearby.
• Transport: The resort is easily accessible from Liberia Guanacaste Airport (LIR), with a 40-45 minute private transfer. Private transportation can also be arranged from San José International Airport (SJO).

Value & Pricing

Nekajui is positioned as an ultra-luxury property within Marriott's Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio, and its pricing reflects this.

• Price Range: Cash rates typically start around $1,275 to $2,400+ per night for entry-level rooms, and can skyrocket to over $4,365 during peak times like Christmas. Luxury suites and treetop tents can exceed $7,000 per night.
• Points Redemption: Guests can earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points, with rates for a base ocean-view room starting around 131,000 points per night, though these can reach 212,000 points during popular travel periods.
• Inclusions: Daily breakfast is generally not included in standard room rates, so guests should budget for this additional cost. However, booking through certain travel advisors or packages (like Costco Travel) can include daily breakfast and resort credits.
• Worth the Cost? While undoubtedly pricey, many guests feel that if points can offset the room rate, it offers "solid choice for an ultra-luxe hotel experience" due to the attention to detail, immersive nature, and attentive service. Others express that it's a "gorgeous, expensive" experience with good, occasionally great food.

Common Complaints

Despite its many strengths, some recurring criticisms and issues have been noted:

• Inconsistent Service: While the Manzu concept is highly praised, some guests have experienced "inconsistent" or "hit-or-miss" service, particularly around the pools, and a general "lack of attention to detail" at times.
• Beach Quality: While the beach in the cove is swimmable and offers snorkeling, it's generally not considered the resort's strongest feature compared to other luxury properties in the area, with some finding it "unusable" due to flotsam. Nekajui is not typically treated as a primary "beach resort."
• Dining Expectations: Some guests felt the flagship restaurant didn't always meet "fine dining" expectations, and cocktail offerings at the pool could be overly acidic.
• Facility Readiness: As a new property, some minor aspects like landscaping not being fully grown in, or certain spa facilities (sauna/cold plunge temperatures) not being optimal, have been mentioned. The funicular, while a highlight, has also experienced breakdowns.
• Treetop Tents: The two-bedroom Treetop Tents have been noted to have outdoor common areas without AC or fans, which might be a concern during warmer, more humid months.

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