Xandari Plantation Resort
Art and architecture are highlights of the Xandari experience in Costa Rica. The Xandari Plantation Resort is nestled on a 40-acre plantation, surrounded by lush gardens, with terraces facing spectacular views of Costa Rica’s majestic Central Valley day and night. Here, the main aim is to diminish the environmental impact of all hotel operations and to protect the invaluable natural resources of the area.
xandari alajuela
When the land where Xandari Resort is now located was purchased in 1989, the property was almost entirely planted with coffee, except for those areas too steep to harvest. There were few birds or butterflies as there were no trees, bushes or flowers to attract them. Slowly, they have began to replace areas of coffee with trees and tropical plants in an effort to return the land closer to its natural state. There are many different attractions to see, located just 5 miles from the resort and these include: Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffee Farm, Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral, Juan Santamario Historical Cultural Museum, Rescate Wildlife Rescue Centre, Laguna de Hule, Termales del Bosque Hot Springs and much more.
- Just 20 minutes away from the SJO International Airport
- Rooms with stunning views to the central Valley
- Farm to table philosophy
- A private forest reserve with rivers
- Full service Spa in idyllic location
- Three pools, each with a unique view of coffee plantations
- Yoga studio
- Guided tours to the farms, orchid garden and greenhouse
24 spacious villas nestled on a 40-acre plantation are surrounded by lush gardens, with terraces facing spectacular views of Costa Rica’s majestic Central Valley day and night. Each is a unique design, with tropical colours and contemporary design. Villas feature private terraces with panoramic views to the Central Valley (except the Palm roof villa, with a garden view), all with private gated garden entrances, and private back gardens. Seventeen villas and two lap swimming pools are on the East Hill, surrounding the Main Building and Restaurant. Seven villas and a dramatic long swimming pool are on the West Hill, accessible to the main building via a garden trail. An electric car is also available for transportation on request. All villas have mini-kitchens offering mini-bars, coffeemaker, and a selection of complimentary coffee, teas, snacks, juices and bottled water. All villas are equipped with a safe deposit box, hair dryer, iron & ironing board (except Primas), telephone, alarm clock, desk, table and chairs, and chaise lounges on the terrace.
Prima Villas
- 500 square feet in size
- Buildings of 2 or 4 villas
- King sized bed or 2 full beds
- A round jalapa with a dramatic high palm roof, a king sized bed and a garden view
Prima Plus Villas
- Sub-divided into two types- Villas 15 and 16
- 735 square feet in size
- Buildings of 4 villas
- A sleeping alcove
- A king sized bed
- A sofa/bed in the main area
- Villas 23 and 24 are individual villas on West-Hill
- 600 square feet in size
- 2 full beds
- A sofa/bed
- Larger private garden area
Ultra Villas
- 735 square feet in size
- Individual buildings
- A king sized bed or 2 full beds
- Located on East Hill
Ultra Plus Villas
- 820 square feet in size
- A king sized bed
- 2 sofa beds
- Larger private gardens
- Located on West Hill
- Villa 26 has a separate bedroom (all other villas are open plan)
- Designed for specially abled people
Star Villas
- 1420 square feet in size
- 2 generous bedrooms
- A king sized bed in one room and 2 double beds in the other
- 2 bathrooms
- A salon
- Dining area
- Office study with internet
- Television
- Full kitchen
- Panoramic view over tropical gardens, the sunset pool and the expanse of the Central Valley
- Ideal for special guests, visiting dignitaries or families
- May also be reserved for small special events or long term stays
Xandari’s terrace restaurant features a variety of healthy choices, from Costa Rican specialties to Mediterranean and Californian cuisines. Their farm-to-table menu begins at breakfast and continues through lunch and dinner, featuring produce sourced from their own plantations using all-natural methods such as fruits, vegetables and dairy items. The farm-to-table menus have been offered by Xandari since the opening of it first property two decades ago and it set on some of the most fertile agricultural land in Costa Rica which makes it suitable for growing all-natural vegetables, greens, fruits, herbs and spices which are grown on the property.
Set in a tropical garden at 3900 feet elevation, guests are welcome to relax in the Spa Village at Xandari with treatments being known to be some of the best in Costa Rica with all natural ingredients. With a breath-taking view of the Central Valley, there are five private, palm-roofed jalapas which each have their own hot tub and massage tables where guests can enjoy one of the many treatment options available: from scrubs to massages. Relax in the jacuzzi before your treatment as you enjoy the spa experience and yoga sessions are readily available in the studio.
Hike along the 3 miles of wooded trails that wind through the 12-acre forest reserve which includes a small river with several waterfalls. The largest of the waterfalls is between 60 and 70 feet tall which you can see on the daily waterfall and nature tours that the resort offers to guests; these last for around 2 hours and are a great way to explore the private reserve and the Costa Rican forest within.
Every morning, bird-watching tours are offered through the trails and gardens of Xandari Resort which last for 1-2 1/2 hours depending on guest reference. There are over 140 species of both resident Costa Rican and migratory North American bird species that have been reported on the eBird hotspot and they can be spotted from on the property; these species include: Rufous-naped Wren, the Clay-coloured Thrush, Yellow-throated Euphonia, Barred Antshrike, Laughing Falcons and many more.
There are activities available inside the resort with some available upon request as guests can borrow card and board games from the Reception, for use in the Lobby or in your villa. There is also a Ping-Pong table below the restaurant, in the Studio Annex and there is a selection of book in the little library, next to the TV/DVD room, which is supplemented by a small selection of volumes in each villa.
Plant-a-Tree Programme
This programme is a way for guests, employees, children and neighbours to contribute to reforestation. An individual, couple, family or group carefully plants a tree, with the help and guidance from staff members, after Xandari has provided the tree, the know-how and the location. A marker is placed by the tree as a lasting reminder of who it was planted by and when.
Compost
This resort has an organic compost that is created from food and garden waste and it is used on site. The compost is mixed with local soil, dry grass, leaves and branches to create a rich organic soil that enriches Xandari’s gardens.
Energy Conservation
CFL bulbs are used to practice energy conservation as these consume 75% less energy and produce 75% less heat than standard bulbs: efficient LED lights and solar lighting on walkways are also used. Solar panels have been put in place on the Sunset Pool and Pool #1 to heat up these pools, guests and luggage are transported by an electric cart and both staff and guests are encouraged to turn off lights and unplug equipment that is not being used. Xandari has also constructed a drying area with a transparent roof for drying hotel laundry when the weather permits, and many of the guests elect the option of having their towels and sheets laundered less often.
Water Conservation
This is practiced by collecting rainfall and diverting some of the river water into canals: this is then used to irrigate the gardens on the property. Regular testing is done by the staff to review WC’s leaking as well as pipes and during the rainy season, the Sunset Pool is filled with rainfall water.
Recycling
Staff in all areas of the hotel recycle paper, glass, aluminium and cardboard, including the sorting of villa waste. Recyclable and refillable bottles are used when possible and products with the least amount of packaging are preferred.
Biodegradable
Biodegradable and non-toxic products are used throughout the resort and an alternative to chlorine is used in the pools; the pool water is purified with a system of natural chlorination using salt and organic bacteria (efficient microorganism) is used in the cleaning room to reduce the use of chemicals.
Local Employment
44 out of the total of 57 employees at Xandari Resort are employed from the small village of Tacaori where Xandari is located. Many of the local employees have been with Xandari since its inception and provide the resort with a consistent, dependable work force. Most of the other employees are also relatively local from surrounding villages or Alajuela.
Donations
Xandari make regular donations to the Association for Child and Adolescent Health which helps to provide medical attention to children and adolescents from lower income families. They also support the Terranostra Association which is a nongovernment organisation that pioneers in educating the public on the proper management of solid waste in Costa Rica and raises awareness for the conservation of water resources, by leading a yearly community street clean-up in the local town. The resort is also involved with Tacacori Association of Development which ensures that the needs of the local community are being addressed, such as the maintenance of roads, improved lighting, and affordable public transportation services.
