Resort Review: El Mangroove Costa Rica

By Ellen Marchman, about.com

A Boutique Resort

Perfectly perched on the Gulf of Papagayo, El Mangroove brings an enticing vibe to the northwest coast of Costa Rica. The boutique resort by Enjoy Hotels envelopes 17 acres of natural mangrove forest with miles of calm coastline for walking, swimming, and most importantly relaxing.  While feeling luxuriously secluded, El Mangroove is located in Guanacaste, just 20 minutes from the modern Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia.

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El Mangroove boasts 85 guest rooms, including numerous suites of all sizes, with in-room hammocks, swings and endless views.  All rooms have an adjoining sitting room, large bathrooms with rain showers and separate toilet areas.  Plush beds and pillows encourage lazy mornings while flat screen TVs, iPod docking stations and free Wi-Fi deliver modern conveniences.  Luxurious amenities include 24-hour, in-room dining, nightly turndown service with house baked sweets and signature scent selections along with a pillow menu.

Lounging

The pool stretches 130 feet overlooking the ocean with poolside lounge chairs, cabanas, overseen by the whimsical and large sculpture of “Bigfoot” by Idan Zareski.  The garden terrace offers lounging at its finest with ocean breezes and spectacular sunsets over the Bay of Papagayo.  Moonrise and stargazing are not to be missed, complete with fire pits and outdoor tables.
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Guests are met by fresh and locally sourced meals by Sebastian de la Rocca, the culinary director for Enjoy Hotels, who is a protégé of Chef Jamie Oliver.

Growing up in his grandmother’s kitchen in Argentina, Sebastian embarked to the U.S. to train at the Culinary Institute of America and earned an additional degree from Johnson & Wales.  Sebastian’s international pedigree includes Nobu Miami, Hotel Faena Buenos Aires, Four Seasons Costa Rica, and Jamie Oliver’s award-winning Barbecoa London, awarded 2 AA Rosettes and one Michelin star.

Dining

Matiss is the rich and soulful poolside restaurant offering fine dining for dinner in a sophisticated room surrounded by teak and glass wine walls.  Featuring prime cuts of beef, superior seafood and shellfish, and bountiful vegetarian options, the wine and champagne list is equally as impressing.  Al fresco dining is available throughout the day delivering diverse menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a lively bar serving up the classics and hand-batched, creative cocktails.
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Makoko is the casual sister restaurant serving up three colorful meals daily. With endless views of the ocean, menus offer authentic Costa Rican fare, rich in fruits, vegetables, seafood and local meats and poultry that you will crave for days.    The fruit is rich and vibrant, with healthy smoothies and juices that rival the best juice bars in the States.  Costa Rican fruit is effortlessly superior.  Although the rind and skin looks lackluster, like a book, never judge it by it’s cover.  Once you open it up you’ve been presented a treasure.

Wellness Program

Nationally accredited fitness expert Harmony Hoefner developed El Mangroove’s wellness program to weave running groups, sunset SUP, kayaking, daily meditation and yoga sessions with healthy, delicious meals.  The programs offer something for everyone at all levels of fitness and wellness goals.
She recently launched VOLO Escapes, a new division of VOLO Yoga, the cutting-edge aerial yoga program developed at Pura Vida Fitness in Denver, CO.

VOLO Escapes brings fitness enthusiasts craving serenity to El Mangroove two to three times a year. The all-inclusive retreat creates a healthy landscape to recharge and restore from hectic daily life with a daily yoga program, including private aerial yoga sessions, and water sports.  Non-retreat guests have access to all of the above a la carte, with multiple guides and instructors available.

Green Luxury

Sustainability and dedication to its environment is a priority for El Mangroove.  From a reclaimed, mangrove-inspired gym and spa, an outdoor cold plunge, massage cabanas to daily outdoor yoga and seaside.  The enticing indoor / outdoor environments connect the 17 acres with unexpected seating areas such as a bench in the middle of the forest to view the 150 meters of beach at Gulf of Papagayo.  
Recently celebrating its first anniversary, the resort quickly coined the term “barefoot luxury” with modern architecture paying tribute to natural surroundings.

These sustainable efforts awarded the property 4 stars from Forbes Travel Guide (2016), 2 years running from Conde Nast Johansen (2015 & 2016), and the coveted Sustainable Tourism Certification.  

The Guanacaste province is a land of volcanic peaks, scenic waterfalls, hot springs and rich flora and fauna. National parks, wildlife refuges, quaint villages, historic sites and a myriad of golden beaches provide a variety of activities for guests.  There are two well defined seasons in Costa Rica: gold and green season. Gold season runs from November to April and the green season from May to October. Rainfall during the green season typically occurs mid-afternoon. Temperatures vary little during the year and average in the 80s to low 90s.

Costa Rica entices many travelers, from the curious and active, to the guest seeking peace and harmony.  “Pura Vida” is not a catch phrase; it’s a way of life.  Authentic and pure, the country stays true to its roots and allows guests to power down to feel the rhythm of Costa Rica.

Peninsula Papagayo

Background on Peninsula Papagayo:
Peninsula Papagayo is a lush, private enclave that encompasses a variety of vacation residences, a Four Seasons hotel, a marina, a beach club, and an Audubon-certified Arnold Palmer-designed championship golf course. Part of the Guancaste region, the area is less-developed than the southern Pacific coast, but still offers plenty of all-inclusive resorts nearby.
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Since much of Peninsula Papagayo remains unspoiled, it allows numerous opportunities for outdoor exploration.

Available out-door activities include deep sea fishing, boat cruising, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, windsurfing, sea kayaking, white-water rafting, forest canopy tours, horseback riding. Also close by, is hiking in Costa Rican National Parks and visit local villages and historic sites in the surrounding areas. Golf is one of the most popular pastimes at the peninsula. The peninsula also includes a tennis centre managed by PBI Tennis Specialists. Another popular spot for visitors will be the shops, restaurants, and entertainment bars located at the Village at Marina Papagayo. The Village at Marina Papagayo will include hotels, more residential opportunities, boutique shops and local artisans. Builders of the Village at Marina Papagayo are designing the village to have an ambiance similar to Portofino, Italy with global sophistication and sun-rise to sun-set festivities.