Press Release
Hacienda Altagracia Creates a New Generation Wellness Destination in the Lush Tropical Forests Of Costa Rica
The most highly anticipated holistic well-being resort is set to open in Costa Rica in November 2021, offering a perfect balance of soul stirring wellness and heart pounding adventure
PEREZ ZELEDON, COSTA RICA (July 27, 2021) – Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection, which is now accepting reservations, will be the world’s preeminent well-being destination when it opens in November 2021. Nestled in the foothills of Costa Rica’s awe-inspiring Talamanca Mountains, Auberge Resorts Collection has created an escape for those seeking total well-being and unbridled adventure. Located adjacent to one of the five “Blue Zones” in the world, where locals live to more than 100 years of age, Hacienda AltaGracia will present a balanced blend of eastern and western therapies to deeply connect guests to powerful, effective modes of well-being. In partnership with THE WELL, one of the top and most relevant holistic wellness providers in the world today, the experience is built on the belief that transformative well-being should be both peaceful and exhilarating.
Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection is a retreat that embraces nature in its purest form, with a cutting-edge wellness ecosystem that connects age-old holistic wellness therapies with highly advanced western healing techniques. The resort will stimulate the senses with programming that includes thrilling adventure, meditative escape and experiences that showcase the inherent Costa Rican warmth of spirit, complemented by inspiring culinary journeys that offer the best of Latin American cuisine creatively prepared with the fresh, natural ingredients that are so plentiful in this region of Costa Rica.
“Hacienda AltaGracia will be a place where guests can move fast or slow, explore the destination and their inner selves, and connect with the community while reconnecting with themselves and loved ones,” said Mark Wright, general manager, Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection. “Well-being means something different for everyone – for some it’s a riveting adventure, and for others, it’s meditation or a combination of both. At Hacienda AltaGracia, we will help guests find that balance and sense of purpose, ultimately transforming mind, body and soul.”
Profound in appearance and feel, the raw beauty of nature permeates the soul as you set foot onto the 180-acre retreat, which is rooted in introspection and exploration. Here, rejuvenation and joy come from looking within and finding stimulation from the community, new activities and the rich, local culture.
The Best New Wellness Destination in The World
A well-being destination like no one has ever seen before, THE WELL at Hacienda AltaGracia will be the most innovative of its kind in the world and the largest in Central America. The world-class program will feature East-meets-West healing practices, expert-led health coaching and workshops, and transformative spa treatments.
As the first international destination of THE WELL, the leading wellness brand known for their holistic approach, the resort will introduce Talamancan healing traditions for a wellness experience like no other, bringing advanced therapies and integrating local healing traditions to life in a breathtaking setting. Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection will trailblaze the well-being scene to balance harmony and adventure for luxury travelers seeking to recenter and reconnect.
Each wellness experience will begin at Casa de Agua, a greenhouse-style pool and therapy room with heated stone beds for natural clay treatments and relaxation, which overlooks rolling hills and a lush treetop canopy. Drawing from thousands of years of local healing rituals, immersive experiential treatments will incorporate the land such as THE WELL River Bath, a transformative journey that takes place in a massage bed embedded within the Calientillo River.
THE WELL at Hacienda AltaGracia will boast eight treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy tub and a thermal suite for integrative mind and body treatments. A curated combination of high-tech and age-old techniques result in a diverse offering ranging from crafted treatments – such as Maderoterapia, or ‘Wood Therapy’ – to Celluma Light Therapy and Infrared Cabins. Multiple ranchos will play host to outdoor mindful movement classes and seasonal retreats.
Immersive Experiences
From exploring the culinary, therapeutic and natural offerings on the property, to venturing out into the local community, and taking once-in-a-lifetime adventures to discover the remote and protected corners of Costa Rica, Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection will offer an array of experiences designed for adventurers of all levels. Led by a team of experienced guides, storytellers and naturalists, each activity will be immersive, customizable and designed to celebrate the region’s history and environmental biodiversity.
At ‘El Rio,’ the resort’s built-in playground, guests will explore the local flora and fauna across miles of hiking trails, experience a natural bath in the Calientillo River, or climb among the tallest trees in the property’s tropical forest in search of epic views from a hidden canopy.
Home to a variety of indigenous Costa Rican horses, “Los Establos” is the central hub for the resort’s world-class equine program, which includes experiences such as Talamancan Mountain riding excursions, riding lessons and cutting-edge equine therapy.
For epicurean lovers, the property will provide a variety of one-of-a-kind culinary activities, including chef-led foraging expeditions, culinary workshops and a coffee tour and tasting on the resort’s coffee plantation. Community immersions – such as lunch at a neighboring farm, where local proprietors treat guests to a traditional home-cooked Costa Rican meal around their family table – will provide guests with insight into the local way of life.
For those looking to discover even more of Costa Rica, Hacienda AltaGracia will offer bespoke day adventures and journeys to the most infrequently visited parts of the country. Departing from the property’s own airstrip, the whole of Costa Rica will become the guest’s playground. Led by expert naturists, guests will be taken to lesser-travelled, biodiverse regions of the country, with opportunities including access to Mount Chirripó, the highest point in Costa Rica where you can view both the Pacific and Caribbean Oceans, the beautiful, untouched beaches of Dominical and Uvita, and Osa Peninsula, which has some of the greatest biodiversity found anywhere in the world. Guests will also be able to partake in ecological adventures through national parks, cultural immersions in the Blue Zone, snorkeling, and diving outings in the Pacific Ocean. Nothing will be beyond reach during a stay at Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection.
Sustainable, Seasonal Cuisine
Drawing from ancient culinary influences and the bounty of El Cultivo, the chef’s organic garden, each of the resort’s dining venues will offer a chance to discover Latin America’s epicurean pleasures. The resort will also showcase ancestral cooking techniques and preservation styles, highlighting Hacienda AltaGracia’s commitment to sustainability.
At Grano, Hacienda AltaGracia’s signature restaurant, the gastronomical experience will highlight the culinary team’s deep connection to the land, penchant for experimentation and talent for creating rustic plates influenced by generational recipes and the flavors of Central America. Adjacent to the chef’s garden, the kitchen will act as a chef’s laboratory, with a focus on whole ingredients and menus adapted to the season.
The heart of Cienfuegos will be the open-fire grill, where an array of dishes from land and sea are cooked over a dried coconut husk fire. Food will be served family style as guests enjoy a traditional Costa Rican horse show right from their tables, offering an evening of exquisite cuisine and entertainment.
At Picoteo, the resort’s poolside eatery, a menu of fresh, light offerings will be available. Located by the adults-only pool, Las Brisas, will be a laid back rancho bar where cocktail culture reigns.
At the heart of the resort is Mercado, a coffee bar which will draw from the inspired surroundings of the coffee plantation. Mercado will offer an array of options, including the typical ‘chorreador,’ for those looking to blend into the local life, as well as an all-day menu featuring grab-and-go items that begin with breakfast pastries and work their way to charcuterie and craft beer. The adjoining retail shop will stock artisanal snacks and other curated items from sustainable, local brands.
Organic Design, Unparalleled Service
New York-based designer, Nina Gotlieb, has designed the interiors of the property’s hacienda-style casitas, using a neutral color palette and rich textures of wood, stone and organic fibers to invite the natural wonders indoors. Select room styles feature private plunge pools and stone terraces with panoramic views of the San Isidro Valley or the on-site coffee plantation.
“The goal was to create an environment that evokes a feeling of having escaped to somewhere truly magical,” said Gotlieb. “I tried to imagine every move through the eyes of a fictionalized brother and sister, having taken over the family compound in order to welcome guests.”
Each casita will be tended to by a Compa, a dedicated liaison and experience designer, who will provide guests with personalized itineraries and unparalleled service throughout their stay.
Getting Here
In the mountains of Pérez Zeledón in the southern region of Costa Rica, Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection is perched among rolling hills, with sweeping views of the San Isidro Valley and the nearby mountains.
Accessible via international airports in San José or Liberia, connecting flights are available via private or scheduled charter, landing directly on the property’s airstrip or at Pérez Zeledón airport with a 40-minute vehicle transfer to the resort. Private vehicle transfers via a mountain or ocean route are also available, offering a scenic drive through the majestic Costa Rican countryside.
All rates are inclusive of meals, non-alcoholic beverages, weekly adventure and wellness programming and transfers between Pérez Zeledón airport and Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection.
Guests can now reserve rooms for stays from November 2021 and beyond by visiting aubergeresorts.com/altagracia/.
About Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection:
Tucked away in the lush mountains of Pérez Zeledón in the southern region of Costa Rica, Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection is an escape for those seeking total well-being and unbridled adventure. Located adjacent to one of the world’s five “Blue Zones,” where locals live to more than 100 years of age, the resort brings well-being to life like nowhere else in the world. In partnership with THE WELL, one of the world’s top holistic wellness providers, the experience is built on the belief that transformative well-being should be both peaceful and exhilarating. Set amongst 180 birdsong-filled acres of rolling hills and untamed tropical forest, the property offers 50 spacious hacienda-style casitas featuring picturesque views and an indoor/outdoor living experience. Amenities include THE WELL, a coffee farm, a pool with panoramic views, equine stables and an organic chef’s garden. The resort is home to several distinct dining destinations including Grano, Hacienda AltaGracia’s signature restaurant; Cienfuegos, an open-fire grill restaurant; Picoteo, the resort’s poolside eatery; Las Brisas, a laid-back rancho bar, and a coffee bar called Mercado. Hacienda AltaGracia’s programming and bespoke approach distinguish the guest experience with personalized itineraries and service. All guests are tended to by a dedicated Compa, a liaison and experience designer, who plays a pivotal role in the stay.
For more information about Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection please visit altagracia.aubergeresorts.com.
Follow Hacienda AltaGracia on Facebook and Instagram @AltaGraciaAuberge
About Auberge Resorts Collection:
Auberge Resorts Collection is a portfolio of extraordinary hotels, resorts, residences and private clubs. While each property is unique, all share a crafted approach to luxury and bring the soul of the locale to life through captivating design, exceptional cuisine, innovative spas and gracious yet unobtrusive service. With 20 hotels and resorts across three continents and eight new hotels under development, Auberge invites guests to create unforgettable stories in some of the world’s most desirable destinations.
For more information: aubergeresorts.com
Connect with Auberge Resorts Collection on Facebook Twitter and Instagram @AubergeResorts and #AlwaysAuberge
About The Friedkin Group:
The Friedkin Group is a privately-held consortium of automotive, hospitality, entertainment, sports and adventure companies. These organizations include: Gulf States Toyota, GSFSGroup, US AutoLogistics, Ascent Automotive Group, Auberge Resorts Collection, AS Roma, Imperative Entertainment, 30WEST, NEON, Diamond Creek Golf Club, Congaree and Legendary Expeditions. The Friedkin Group is led by Chairman and CEO Dan Friedkin. For more information, visit www.friedkin.com.
Media Contact
Murphy O’Brien