Issue link: https://www.balharbourdigital.com/i/1543791
C O U R T E S Y O F N E K A J U I , A R I T Z- C A R LTO N R E S E R V E villas to book room to retreat VILLA GUAYACÁN, PENINSULA PAPAGAYO, COSTA RICA Nekajui, on Costa Rica's Peninsula Papagayo, is one of Ritz-Carlton's ultra-rare Reserve properties, prized for their handpicked locations and deeply personalized approach. Nekajui's crown jewel mega villa is Villa Guayacán, a staggering 10-bedroom, 37,000-square-foot estate wrapped in jungle and opening onto sweeping Pacific Ocean views. Highlights include an Olympic-sized pool, five private plunge pools, a screening theater, yoga pavilion, and spa treatment suite, plus not one but two dedicated butlers. The private chef, working between two kitchens, prepares local specialties, like ceviche or a whole red snapper roasted to order. And because this is Costa Rica, the vibe remains blissfully laid-back: Pura Vida is more than a motto here. The only reason to venture beyond your private perch? A nightcap at Cooper's, the speakeasy-style bar hidden at Nekajui. — MARY HOLLAND Meet the mega villa. These days, when seeking an alternative to a hotel, it's not enough to rent a private home. Enter the new breed of sprawling estates, where the atmosphere is entirely your own, but the experience feels like a personal boutique resort. Think multiple pools, private beaches, and every extravagant amenity, ideal for milestone birthdays, or a splashy getaway with friends. Here, three standout properties that offer it all. The 10-bedroom Villa Guayacán at Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, ups the ante on Costa Rica's Pura Vida lifestyle. BALHAR B O U RSH O P S .CO M