Uvita, Costa Rica
Oxygen
Glass rainforest pavilions
Glass rainforest pavilions
Twelve stilted glass pavilions share a private rainforest preserve, where guests look straight through the canopy to the Pacific.
“The glass-walled accommodations use a clever interplay of jungle, bamboo screens, and curtains to allow guests to withdraw from the world in airy privacy.”
What it’s good at
Notable
Glass-walled pavilions framed in teak and stone, perched above the rainforest canopy.
Notable
Open-air massage platforms along a jungle stream, beside a natural waterfall plunge pool.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler.
combining an elevated rainforest location, an adults-only atmosphere, and a luxury-villa concept to dramatic effect.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
A steep mountain track leads down to Uvita, where the Whale's Tail sandbar emerges at low tide for swimming.
The rooms
Floor-to-ceiling glass surrounds netted four-poster beds, and Spa Villas add open-air soaking tubs on their private decks.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The green-tiled infinity pool looks across the rainforest canopy to the Pacific, lined with teak loungers under white umbrellas.
The spa
Massage tables sit on a timber platform in the rainforest, where therapists use native aloe and Bijagua leaf wraps.
At the table
Terraza Bistro serves Mediterranean-inflected dishes under hanging ferns, with tables arranged around a circular evening fire pit.
How it began
The Dutch founders raised each pavilion on stilts to protect wildlife corridors, blending Balinese woodwork with European minimalism.
Uvita
More like this
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Achioté
“Rammed-earth canopy roost”
The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.