L' Acqua Viva Resort is located in the heart of Costa Rica's Guanaguaste province, in the small coastal town of Playa Guiones, which borders the extraordinary Nosara Coastal Forest Preserve & Wildlife refuge. Hotels and private houses are spread apart, hidden in the soothing shade of tropical greenery, remaining unseen from the main road. Ideal for travelers who want the option of relaxation in a location that also offers a wide range of adventures, Playa Guiones is both a surfer's paradise and a nature lovers dream. The area is famous for its magnificent canopy tours that take visitors high into the upper realms of the rainforest and also for its turtle nesting grounds where sea turtles come to lay their eggs.
"Staff was not the friendliest (except for one waiter who was really outgoing and even helped us with our struggling Spanish), but the resort was beautiful! So calm and LOVED that it was kid-friendly! A number of other families with children were there and the kids all played together in the pool while the adults lounged with a drink. Restaurant was good- not too many vegetarian/vegan options, but what they did have was tasty. The room was AMAZING! Loved having two levels, so much space, beautifully appointed, super comfortable king bed, housekeeping staff took very good care of the place. Towel service for beach/pool trips was fantastic too."
Dec 2012
12 Visitor Ratings
Cleanliness
108.0
Expectations
107.0
Overall Value
106.66666666667
Staff
107.33333333333
L'Acqua Viva Resort and Spa
Nosara keeps its treasures well hidden. There is an intricate system of trails and small roads that weave in and out of the forest and many travelers pass by Nosara without realizing what it has to offer. The thick foliage hides one of the oldest and most upscale ex-patriot communities in Costa Rica and the tight-knit community has worked hard to ensure that the natural beauty and integrity of their home remains intact. Many of the hotels and businesses strive to be eco-friendly as well. As a result, Nosara has found a good balance between development and protection of the environment. The village of Nosara is six kilometers inland from the ocean and remains a small, traditional Costa Rican village. Most of the hotels are located on the beach and are separated from the town. Preservation is the key to the region's unspoiled beauty, as the beaches of Nosara form part of the Ostional Wildlife reserve, located just north of the town. Playa Guiones, where L'Acqua Viva resort is located, is considered the main beach of Nosara and is a six kilometer stretch of flawless white sand. Playa Guiones is also one of the best surf locations on the Nicoya Peninsula. The beach is easily accessible and safe for surfers, offering consistent surf with long beach breaks.
L'Acqua Viva Resort is an architectural masterpiece. The decor of the resort fuses diverse cultural components from around the world, creating an exclusively global feeling. Decorated with impeccably chosen art pieces belying a private collection, every corner of the hotel is thoughtfully designed and precisely put together. The restaurant in the hotel has a fresh, metropolitan vibe with high thatched ceilings and eclectic cuisine. Adjacent to the restaurant is an open-air lounge that offers a cooling breeze and a plush location for star gazing.
L' Acqua Viva translates to "live water" and it is this element that appears in the layout of the resort again and again with its fresh energy giving life to every corner. The bungalows and buildings of L' Acqua Viva seem to almost be floating on the ponds, pools and fountains of the resort. The effect is balancing and soothing. A centerpiece of the hotel is a live coral garden maintained by professional scientists, created to encourage an understanding of the delicate coral reefs that have made the region famous for snorkeling and scuba diving. L'Acqua Viva offers a scuba diving station and access to gear rentals, as well as coaching for snorkeling and surfing. A holistic spa and beauty parlor is also on site at the hotel and coaxes guests to come in for a little pampering.
L'Acqua Viva Facilities Swimming pool, fitness equipment, bar/lounge, parking, laundry.
Accommodations All of the 32 units available are modern and spacious. All rooms offer a/c, mini-bar, satellite TV, safety box, hairdryer, coffee maker, desk, reading lamps, and balcony. There are a variety of room sizes with varying bed sizes and amenities: Deluxe rooms with two queen size beds; deluxe rooms with one king size bed standard suites with king size bed, two pull-out couches, living room, satellite TV, A/C; master suites with king size bed and two rollaway beds, flat screen TV, mini-bar, coffee maker, pool view junior villas with king size bed, full kitchen, desk, furnished balcony presidential villa with two master bedrooms, each with its own private bath and king size bed, plus a pool view, surrounded by part of the forest preserve, living room, TV room, full kitchen, dining area, furnished balcony.
Amenities
Free BreakfastRestaurantA/CSwimming PoolCable TV
Air Conditioning
Swimming Pool
Kids Pool
Cable TV
Spa
Jacuzzi
Mini Gym
Conference Rooms
Fan
Beach Access
Restaurant
Hair Dryer
Telephone
Balcony
Babysitter
Bar
Beauty Treatments
Free Breakfast
Breakfast Available
Accommodations
Living RoomTelephoneHair DryerSafe Deposit BoxCable TVFanHot WaterAir ConditioningMini BarBalcony
"Staff was not the friendliest (except for one waiter who was really outgoing and even helped us with our struggling Spanish), but the resort was beautiful! So calm and LOVED that it was kid-friendly! A number of other families with children were there and the kids all played together in the pool while the adults lounged with a drink. Restaurant was good- not too many vegetarian/vegan options, but what they did have was tasty. The room was AMAZING! Loved having two levels, so much space, beautifully appointed, super comfortable king bed, housekeeping staff took very good care of the place. Towel service for beach/pool trips was fantastic too."
Dec 2012