Hotel happenings: Country offers visitors more choices than ever

Costa Rica Marriott Hotel and Melia Playa Conchal Beach & Golf Resort, Costa Rica

Costa Rica for Travelers of All Ages

Travel Weekly

December 5, 1996

Luxury in the Costa Rica hotel and resort market took a giant step up with the opening of two new properties. the colonial-style Costa Rica Marriott Hotel in San Jose and the Melia Playa Conchal Beach & Golf Resort. Known previously for its charming country inns and eco-lodges, Costa Rica now also offers true luxury accommodations.

* Grupo Sol Melia. The 308-room Melia Playa Conchal has chosen the finest Pacific beach in the blossoming resort region of Guanacaste in northwest Costa Rica. Its stylish accommodations comprise two-story bungalows with six deluxe suites that feature a living room area and terrace.

Sporting options include tennis, horse back riding and facilities for fishing, water sports and scuba diving; the much-awaited, par-72 Robert Trent Jones II golf course should be available early next year.

Guests can be taken by carts to the landscaped pool area, five restaurants, three bars, a health club, disco, casino and meeting rooms for up to 350 classroom style or 600 for cocktails.

Also in Guanacaste, Melia now operates the 54-room Sol Playa Hermosa and manages the 220-room Melia Carari Conference Center & Golf Resort. Call (800) 336-3542.

* Marriott. Catering to the business and leisure traveler, the classy, 252-room Marriott occupies a coffee plantation out side the center of San Jose. The resort offers its guests a host of amenities including two pools, a golf driving range, tennis courts, indoor health facilities, a casino and a choice of three restaurants.

Rooms feature balconies, cable TV, phones, modems, irons and ironing boards, guests on the executive floor have full concierge services, are greeted with fruit baskets and are served breakfast.

The hotel provides conferences and groups with 13 meeting rooms and an 8,500-square-foot ball-room that can be subdivided into, smaller sections. Call (800) 228-9290.

Copyright 1996 NorthStar Travel Media, LLC

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