Monte Azul – a sensational new Costa Rican boutique hotel

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Two weeks ago I had the pleasure to visit a stunning newcomer to Costa Rica's hotel scene. Every year witnesses the opening of half a dozen or so new boutique hotels. And every year I think I've seen it all. But Monte Azul: Boutique Hotel + Center for Art & Design is not only one of a kind. It raises the bar.

The setting is sublime and serene. Monte Azul is surrounded by montane rainforest in its own 125-hectare reserve in the middle reaches of the Río Chirripó Valley, at the base of Cerro Chirripó (Costa Rica's highest mountain). Fair enough. But it's the concept and execution that mark this as something unique.

Monte Azul is the brainchild of Carlos Rojas, a Costa Rican born artist-turned-art dealer, and his partner Randy Langendorfer, an Indiana-born contractor, along with New York financial professional and art collector Rob Harley.

This art-themed hotel is itself a work of art. The eye-catching modernist design is well-suited to displaying stunning works of contemporary art, many by some of Costa Rica's leading exponents such as Ileana Moya and Alvaro Gómez, as well as pieces by acclaimed international artists. Many works were created on site through Monte Azul's artist-in-residence program.

"We seek to build a center for art where collectors can meet with artists in the studio space, and are able to discuss the artists work in a more casual, social setting," says Carlos. "Ultimately, our goal is to facilitate an experience that makes the process of art appreciation, understanding, and collection far more intimate and rewarding."

The four luxury river-front suites each have sloping roofs and a wall of glass frontage, with patio overlooking gorgeous tropical gardens. Within, the aesthetic is irresistibly hip, including two-tone checkered tile floors. All the fittings are top-notch. Kohler bathroom fixtures. Ikea-style kitchens. Top-of-the-line imported mattresses. Custom-designed furniture. And high-thread-count linens, and hyper-allergenic pillows.

A vertiginous dirt road snakes uphill to a 4,000-square-foot stand-alone villa–Casa Palo Alto–set above its own swimming pool studding a lush garden with sweeping vistas down the mountain. The villa has two suites, which can function separately. Even Martha Stewart would drop her jaw at the state-of-the-art kitchen.

Then there's the open-air restaurant, with its own chic aesthetic, lent added groove by the blue neon-lit bar. Appropriately named Café Blue, it serves American-Asian fusion dishes using organic produce from the hotel's own garden and farm. San Francisco born and raised Sherry Lee West oversees the kitchen with a creative wizard's touch.

Of course, the reserve has trails. And wildlife abounds. I sat in the open-air restaurant and watched white-faced monkeys scamper down to snatch bananas. So close, I could almost reach out and touch 'em.

The hotel is entirely smoke free. Still, smokers can hop across the street to light up a stogie at Tío Pepe's Smoking Lounge.

Keep up with events at Monte Azul's blog.

For further information about travel in Costa Rica, buy Moon Costa Rica

If you're traveling only to San José and the Caribbean, buy Moon Spotlight Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast pocket guide.

If you're traveling only to the beaches of Nicoya, buy Moon Spotlight Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula pocket guide.

If you're traveling only to Arenal and/or Monteverde, buy Moon Spotlight Costa Rica's Arenal & Monteverde pocket guide.

Disclosure: I occasionally accept free or discounted travel when it coincides with my editorial goals. However, my opinion is never for sale. The opinions you see in Cuba & Costa Rica Journal are my unbiased reflection of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Copyright © Christopher P. Baker