Andaz Maui Ilikai Villas Review

Andaz Maui Ilikai Villas Review - Updated March of 2024

We just returned from a second stay at the Andaz Maui Ilikai Villas and this time we stayed in the beautiful Penthouse Villa with glass bottom plunge pool.

The villas are just as great as we remember, if not better and make the perfect accommodation for groups of friends, multi-generational families and more. And with a 5th night free when you book with Live Luxe Travel Co., there is no better time for a stay at Andaz Maui!

Our Verdict

Andaz Maui Ilikai Villas Review

Aloha! Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort is located in, you guessed it, Wailea, with direct access to Mokapu Beach. Andaz Maui is located just down the street from the famous Grand Wailea on Wailea Alanui Drive. Andaz Maui isn’t your typical Hawaiian resort. This resort offers 300 guest rooms including 29 villas and 35 suites, but it still has a very boutique and upscale feel.

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort offers plush accommodations, sweeping views of the ocean, a fantastic spa, boutique shops and award-winning dining options including Morimoto Maui (Iron Chef Morimoto).

Welcome to your home away from home at the beautiful Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. In the beginning of May, 2021 Andaz Maui at Wailea finished 19 new Ilikai Villas. “Ilikai,” like the Hawaiian word for Horizon, aptly names this new luxury villa offering.

These new villas are all three bedroom with several different bedroom configurations including:

2 Kings 1 Bunk Bed Garden View

2 Kings 1 Trundle Bed Partial Ocean View

2 Kings 1 Bunk Bed Partial Ocean View

2 Kings 1 Trundle Bed Ocean View

2 Kings 1 Bunk Bed Ocean View

2 Kings 2 Queen Beds Ocean View Penthouse

The new villas are located near the front drive of the resort and just a short walk to the adults-only pool or down to the beach. While some might argue that the new Ilikai Villas aren’t true villas since they aren’t free-standing and are all located in the same building, they are incredible and offer plenty of privacy.

Our stay in the new Ilikai Villas was our second stay at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort . Read our entire review from our stay in February of 2021 when we stayed in one of the Ocean Suites.

This review is based on our personal stay in May of 2021. And don’t forget, if you are planning to stay in one of the new Ilikai Villas at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, book through Live Luxe Travel Co. to take advantage of exclusive Hyatt Privé benefits like the 6th night free, $100 USD resort credit (once per stay), $150 USD daily resort credit (based on number of bedrooms), complimentary valet parking, daily breakfast for two guests per bedroom, a stand-up paddle board lesson for up to 8 registered villa guests and a welcome amenity.

Our Villa

Our villa was the 2 Kings 1 Trundle Bed Partial Ocean View category located on the ground-level with a plunge pool. While this villa is categorized as a partial ocean view, it really should be considered an ocean view as it offers a pretty unobstructed view of the ocean.

This trip was a friend's trip and having the 3 bedroom villa made for the perfect accommodation to offer privacy and a common space where we could all gather. The main king bedroom is right off the outdoor patio which overlooks the plunge pool and ocean.

The second king bedroom was near the entrance to our villa and since we were on the ground floor, it offered a private outdoor courtyard with not much of a view.

The main bedroom and second bedroom are very similar as they both have a walk-in closet, a tv in the bedroom, a beautiful bathroom with dual vanities, walk-in shower and deep soaking tub.

And the third bedroom was toward the middle of the villa. This third bedroom is supposed to have a trundle bed, but due to COVID-19 and furniture being backordered, the bedroom is currently set up with a queen bed.

The third bedroom does have a closet although it’s not as spacious as the other two bedrooms and the third bedroom doesn’t offer an ensuite since the bathroom for this bedroom is located across the hall.

The new Ilikai Villas are just over 1,900 square feet of indoor living space plus the outdoor patio or balcony depending on the category. All of the new Ilikai Villas feature a gourmet chefs kitchen equipped with Bosch built-in refrigerator/freezer, 5 burner gas cooktop, wall oven and microwave combo, built-in coffee machine and built-in dishwasher.

Even though you’re likely staying at Andaz Maui for vacation, it’s nice having the villas to be able to keep snacks, beverages and to be able to cook some.

The outdoor lanai and plunge pool in our villa was the perfect place to escape the rest of the resort if we didn’t feel like leaving the villa. The plunge pool can comfortably accommodate 6 people with extra space. And to our surprise, the pool was heated to the perfect temperature.

The lanai also has a small bistro-style dining table for 4, a small loveseat, 2 lounge chairs, a beverage fridge and drop-in Viking Gas Grill which makes for the perfect place to entertain.

The new Ilikai Villas are equipped with smart switches throughout that control the lights and the roller shades. Some minor details such as motorized roller shades in all of the bedrooms, some additional furniture and a few miscellaneous items are still being completed during guests' stays.

Andaz Maui at Wailea features Mālie toiletries in the koke’e scent which combines organic aloe, coconut and ginger.

Maybe a villa is too big for your stay at Andaz Maui? Read our review of an Ocean View Suite from February of 2021.

Amenities

When you think of a beach vacation, it probably means something different to you than it does to someone else. If you want to swim, Andaz Maui has three tiered pools, a shallow pool walk-in pool (where kids and families usually spend time), and an adults-only pool.

If you’re looking for a place to get your zen on then look no further than ‘awili spa and salon. Awili spa offers separate men’s and women’s facilities with a jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.

If you like to live a life in balance and workout during vacation, the fitness center at Andaz Maui has plenty of cardio equipment including 3 treadmills, 3 ellipticals, 3 Peloton bikes, plenty of free weights and strength training machines. The safety and cleanliness protocols taking place all over the resort and especially at the gym were very thorough. During one of our workouts an attendant came in to spray gym equipment with electrostatic disinfectant. Masks are required during the duration of your workout, which if you aren’t comfortable with that there are a lot of places to get a great workout outside.

Andaz also has a surf shack on the beach where you can rent watersports equipment such as snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards and more. And if you’re looking for a guided adventure, they can help with that too.

Dining

Perhaps one of the best parts of staying at Andaz Maui is the proximity to some of Maui’s best restaurants including Ka’ana Kitchen, Bumbye Beach Bar and Morimoto’s.

Ka’ana Kitchen is Andaz Maui’s main restaurant that is open for breakfast and dinner. This is where the Hyatt Prive and Globalist breakfast is served. And if you’re lucky enough to have breakfast included, it’s about a $50 value per person, per day. Breakfast at Ka’ana is buffet style and due to COVID-19, it’s an assisted buffet to minimize the number of surfaces that guests touch.

The breakfast buffet features a hot food station with pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, an assortment of breakfast meats and a few dishes that change each day. The buffet also has a fruit and charcuterie station and a selection of fresh bakery items including toast, bagels, muffins and more.

One day for lunch we dined at Lahua Lounge. This is the same menu that is served poolside or at Bumbye Beach Bar. Our lunch started off with the poke. Then for our main course we tried the Crispy Chicken Mochiko Bowl and it was so good. If you’re looking for an insider trick add avocado to it. The cocktails including the Wailea Spritz are also excellent.

For dinner we ate at Ka’ana Kitchen and we will be the first to tell you to order the Fried Chicken with Jalapeno cornbread! It’s seriously so good!

During our stay we didn’t dine at Morimoto Maui, but this famed restaurant was started by Iron Chef Massiruh Morimoto who you may have seen on Food Network.

And lastly Andaz Maui has Mokapu Market where guests can grab a snack, a bottle of wine, specialty coffee drinks and gelato for a cool treat. And the market has local island made foods, treats and souvenirs. Mokapu Market is typically open 24/7 during normal times but due to COVID are running some temporary hours.

Service

Talk about being treated like a VIP. The Ilikai Villas at Andaz Maui come with a dedicated VIP concierge team. This team handles any requests you might have before you arrive at the property. Brittain, Ben, Michelle, Kathleen & Makanalani can assist you with things like dining reservations on the island.

During our stay, we went to use the Bosch in-wall coffee maker system and noticed one of the parts was missing to steam the milk. We called the VIP team, and within minutes they were at the door of our villa with the missing part.

How are they handling COVID?

Masks were required throughout the entire Andaz Maui Resort unless you were eating or drinking, were in the pool or were sitting by the pool.

Andaz Maui is adhering to all state and local government regulations. All employees were wearing masks, there were hand sanitizer dispensers all over the resort and the staff was there to give gentle reminders to wear a facial covering.

Overall Impression

Andaz Maui hit a home run when it comes to the addition of the 19 new Ilikai Villas. These new villas offer the perfect accommodations for a family trip, friends getaway, corporate retreat. The new Ilikai Villas are in buildings that are 5 villas across by 4 villas high. The villas can be connecting up to 5 across making for 15 bedroom accommodations. 

Extra Perks

And to make your stay in the new Ilikai Villas at Andaz Maui even more special, you’ll receive some extra perks for booking through a Hyatt Privé travel advisor like Live Luxe Travel Co. Andaz Maui is currently running a promotion for the 6th night free, which is a great value for those visiting Maui for almost a week. In addition to the free night the Ilikai Villas come with a daily resort credit based on the number of bedrooms. Since the Ilikai Villas are all three bedrooms they come with a daily $150 USD resort credit in addition to the $100 USD Hyatt Privé credit (once per stay). You’ll also receive daily breakfast for 2 guests per bedroom, complimentary valet parking for 1 vehicle, a private stand up paddle board lesson for up to 8 registered villa guests and a welcome amenity. 

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

Our Verdict

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

Aloha! Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort is located in, you guessed it, Wailea, with direct access to Mokapu Beach. Andaz Maui is located just down the street from the famous Grand Wailea on Wailea Alanui Drive. Andaz Maui isn’t your typical Hawaiian resort. This resort offers 300 guest rooms including 29 villas and 35 suites, but it still has a very boutique and upscale feel.

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort offers plush accommodations, sweeping views of the ocean, a fantastic spa, boutique shops and award-winning dining options including Morimoto Maui (Iron Chef Morimoto).

If you’re looking for a home away from home that has something to offer for everyone, then look no further than Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. The Andaz brand brings the local arts, culture and food to their properties and Andaz Maui is no exception. Whether you’re looking for a place to rest after a day of adventure on the island of Maui or if you’re looking for a place to relax, you won’t be disappointed with Andaz Maui.

This review is based on our personal stay in February of 2021. And don’t forget, if you are planning to stay at Andaz Maui, book through Live Luxe Travel Co. to take advantage of exclusive Hyatt Privé benefits like a confirmed room upgrade (if available, confirmed within 24 hours of booking), $100 resort credit, daily breakfast and a welcome amenity. And for a limited time get the fifth night free combined with Hyatt Privé benefits, valid for stays from until December 20, 2023. See all Hyatt Privé offers here.

Our Room

Now to talk about those plush accommodations. We stayed in an Ocean View Suite in the Makai tower which offered an incredible view of the three cascading infinity pools and the ocean.

The Ocean View Suites are true one bedroom suites with a door that separates the bedroom from the living area. The living area features a half-bathroom, a desk, a dining table, wet bar and a small living area. The bedroom features a small sitting area, and a king size bed.

It’s worth noting that all the rooms and suites at Andaz Maui have lights and blinds that are operated by smart switches located throughout the room including next to the bed.

Andaz Hotels & Resorts are known for their approachable luxury lifestyle elements and that is no different at Andaz Maui. The accommodations feature a soothing neutral palette and modern wood furnishings.

Our Ocean View Suite featured a half-bath which is good if you are entertaining friends or have family staying on the sofa-bed. The ensuite featured a separate water closet equipped with a Toto Washlet toilet seat (in an effort to be more environmentally friendly). The bathroom also had a large walk-in shower that is pretty open unless you want to slide the curtain closed around the shower. The shower had a large rain head and a handheld wand. And lastly our bathroom had a large free standing soaking tub.

Andaz Maui at Wailea features Mālie toiletries in the koke’e scent which combines organic aloe, coconut and ginger.

If you’re looking for more space to spread out, read our review of the new Ilikai Villas from our stay in May of 2021.

Amenities

When you think of a beach vacation, it probably means something different to you than it does to someone else. If you want to swim, Andaz Maui has three tiered pools, a shallow pool walk-in pool (where kids and families usually spend time), and an adults-only pool.

If you’re looking for a place to get your zen on then look no further than ‘awili spa and salon. Awili spa offers separate men’s and women’s facilities with a jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. The steam room was closed during our stay in February due to COVID-19 restrictions. During our stay we enjoyed massages one afternoon which were quite relaxing.

During our experience at the spa, it’s safe to say that the spa staff was taking COVID very seriously and offered us hand sanitizer before our massages and the therapists wore a facial covering during the duration of the massage.

If you like to live a life in balance and workout during vacation, the fitness center at Andaz Maui has plenty of cardio equipment including 3 treadmills, 3 ellipticals, 3 Peloton bikes, plenty of free weights and strength training machines. The safety and cleanliness protocols taking place all over the resort and especially at the gym were very thorough. During one of our workouts an attendant came in to spray gym equipment with electrostatic disinfectant. Masks are required during the duration of your workout, which if you aren’t comfortable with that there are a lot of places to get a great workout outside.

Andaz also has a surf shack on the beach where you can rent watersports equipment such as snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards and more. And if you’re looking for a guided adventure, they can help with that too.

Dining

Perhaps one of the best parts of staying at Andaz Maui is the proximity to some of Maui’s best restaurants including Ka’ana Kitchen, Bumbye Beach Bar and Morimoto’s.

Ka’ana Kitchen is Andaz Maui’s main restaurant that is open for breakfast and dinner. This is where the Hyatt Prive and Globalist breakfast is served. And if you’re lucky enough to have breakfast included, it’s about a $50 value per person, per day. Breakfast at Ka’ana is buffet style and due to COVID-19, it’s an assisted buffet to minimize the number of surfaces that guests touch.

The breakfast buffet features a hot food station with pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, an assortment of breakfast meats and a few dishes that change each day. The buffet also has a fruit and charcuterie station and a selection of fresh bakery items including toast, bagels, muffins and more.

One day for lunch we had Bumbye Beach Bar. This is the same menu that is served poolside or at the bar. Our lunch started off with the poke. Then for our main course we tried the lobster grilled cheese & waffle fries and the burger, both which were excellent. The cocktails including the Wailea Spritz are also excellent.

For dinner we ate at Ka’ana Kitchen and we will be the first to tell you to order the Fried Chicken with Jalapeno cornbread! It’s seriously so good!

During our stay we didn’t dine at Morimoto Maui just because we were only in Maui for 3 nights, but this famed restaurant was started by Iron Chef Massiruh Morimoto who you may have seen on Food Network.

And lastly Andaz Maui has Mokapu Market where guests can grab a snack, a bottle of wine, specialty coffee drinks and gelato for a cool treat. And the market has local island made foods, treats and souvenirs. Mokapu Market is typically open 24/7 during normal times but due to COVID are running some temporary hours.

Service

The service at Andaz Maui truly makes you feel like you are family. The bell staff, front desk agents, house keepers, servers and everyone else we encountered made sure to say aloha to us.

The staff is very attentive and truly makes an effort to get to know you during your stay.

How are they handling COVID?

Traveling in February of 2021 and during COVID was definitely different, but one of the main reasons that we wanted to visit Hawaii was because of the protocols and procedures that Hawai’i put into place. In order for us to visit Maui we had to have a negative COVID-19 test, we had to download the AlohaSafe Alert App (for contact tracing), and we had to create a trip on the Safe Travels Hawaii website. Knowing that travelers have spent the time and money to go through these extra steps and have been recently tested definitely gives you a little bit of peace of mind.

Masks were required throughout the entire Andaz Maui Resort unless you were eating or drinking, were in the pool or were sitting by the pool.

Andaz Maui is adhering to all state and local government regulations. All employees were wearing masks, there were hand sanitizer dispensers all over the resort and the staff was there to give gentle reminders to wear a facial covering.

Overall Impression

Some resorts feel like you could pick them up, move them to another destination and you wouldn't even know where you were at. Andaz Maui at Wailea has a very authentic feel to it and truly makes you feel like you are in Hawaii the way the resort is perched to overlook the ocean.

This luxury resort is the perfect spot for a family getaway, couples getaway, honeymoon, or a friends trip.

Everything from the accommodations to the food to the staff, our entire experience at Andaz Maui was nothing short of Mahalo!

Extra Perks

And don’t forget, when you book Andaz Maui with Live Luxe Travel Co., through our Hyatt Privé partnership, you’ll receive a $100 resort credit, daily breakfast for two, a room upgrade and a welcome amenity.

Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale Review

Our Verdict

Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale Review

When most people think of a hip escape in Florida they think of Miami. But if you’re looking for something a little quieter than Miami, then you need to check out the Hyatt Centric Las Olas in downtown Fort Lauderdale. This stunning hotel is located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale’s Riverfront District in close proximity to the city’s top restaurants, nightlife, shopping and attractions. And it’s only a short drive to explore seven miles of sand and surf at Fort Lauderdale Beach.

This boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale features 238 destination-centric luxury rooms and suites that overlook the city skyline.

Hyatt Centric Las Olas offers luxury accommodations, a rooftop pool, on-site restaurant, and a great fitness center. It’s the perfect starting point for you to go and explore all that Fort Lauderdale has to offer.

This review is based off of our personal stay in January of 2021. And don’t forget, if you are planning to stay at Hyatt Centric Las Olas, book through Hyatt Privé to take advantage of exclusive complimentary extras like a confirmed room upgrade (confirmed within 24 hours, if available), $25 hotel credit, daily breakfast and a welcome amenity. To request Hyatt Privé rates, just visit liveluxetravelco.com/hyatt-prive.

And as a Live Luxe Travel Co. client, you’ll also receive complimentary use of a Peloton bike in your guest room (normally a $25 charge) along with a chilled towel and sparkling water.

Hyatt Centric Las Olas is the first new hotel to be developed in Fort Lauderdale in over 50 years. And let us be the first to tell you that you won’t be disappointed staying here.

Our Room

During our stay at Hyatt Centric Las Olas, we were upgraded to a Centric Suite due to low occupancy rates during our stay. Even though we were able to enjoy a suite during our stay, it’s worth noting that all guest rooms have Hyatt Grand Bed’s, a 55” flat-screen TV, blackout curtains, floor to ceiling windows, robes & slippers, a coffeemaker and a mini fridge.

The Centric Suite was the perfect place to kick back in 733 square feet with a balcony, living room, a work desk, 1.5 baths and city views.

The Centric Suite is a true one bedroom suite that offers a separate living room and bedroom. The living room features a sleeper sofa, Keurig, mini fridge, work desk, a TV and a powder bath. One thing that was really impressive were the controls in the room. There were buttons on the wall in every room to control the lights, sheer curtains and black out shades. Nothing like the convince of the touch of a button.

The bathroom in our suite was quite spacious. The layout was a little different as the closet, ironing board, toilet and shower were all in one room that is separated from the bedroom via a sliding barn door.

The Hyatt Centric Las Olas features BeeKind toiletries which combines honey with certified organic extracts of red clover, calendula, lemongrass and camomile.

Amenities

The Hyatt Centric Las Olas is a small boutique property, but it also didn’t lack when it came to amenities. The rooftop pool and fitness center are located on the 8th floor and both were very spacious.

The rooftop is the perfect place to float, swim, kick back with a drink from the rooftop bar, or the perfect place to energize yourself and focus with a morning yoga session.

The fitness center is open 24-hours and offered plenty of cardio equipment, free weights and an area to do yoga and stretch. There was plenty of sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer in the gym which is nice in today’s world. And if you’re into cycling, you’re in luck because Hyatt Centric Las Olas has Peloton Bikes.

Dining

Hyatt Centric Las Olas features one main restaurant, Harborwood, located in the lobby + ELEV8 pool bar located on the 8th floor. Harwood + Harwood Bar is one of the hot spots in downtown Fort Lauderdale. This space really allows the outdoors to be brought in when the weather is nice with doors that open up to Las Olas Boulevard.

During our stay we dined at Harborwood for breakfast and for an afternoon snack. This modern American restaurant is the perfect place for people-watching, soaking in the downtown views, indulging in savory bites and enjoying a hand-crafted cocktail.

For breakfast we had the All-American Breakfast, a 3 Egg Omelet and a blueberry muffin. Both main dishes at breakfast were excellent. And Hyatt Centric Las Olas serves one of our favorite coffee roasters, Panther Coffee.

And for a snack we had the Argentinian Pulled Chicken Empanadas and Roasted Cauliflower. You have got to try both of these appetizers. The empanadas are homemade by the chef and were quite tasty.

And last but not least, we got a sneak peek during our stay at one of Hyatt Centric Las Olas’s newest amenities, Room 901, a prohibition inspired speak easy.

This guest room converted into a secret speakeasy happens to come with a bartender-in-residence program that gives back to the food and beverage industry. This will allow bar’s from around the world to keep their legacy alive through a pop-up event at Room 901.

Room 901 is set to open on February 12th and first up for the bartender-in-residency program is the famed Washington D.C. speakeasy, The Gibson. The 901 can be reserved as a private experience for up to six guests at a time and is bookable by reservation only. To book, guests can email 901@hyatt.com or by visiting the bar’s website. There is a minimum of $50 per person, with a one-hour minimum for 1-2 guests and a two-hour minimum for 3-6 guests. Upon reserving the speakeasy, guests receive a password to give at the front desk in exchange for an unmarked key to room 901. Just make sure to knock twice or you may not get in.

Service

While Hyatt Centric Las Olas isn’t a 5-star property, the service provided at check-in, at Harborwood, by valet and everyone else we encountered was top notch.

Service by the front-desk agents was very quick efficient and helpful. And the service provided at Harborwood was prompt.

How are they handling COVID?

How is Hyatt Centric Las Olas handling COVID? They are following all state and local government regulations and Hyatt’s Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment. Hyatt Centric Las Olas first opened their doors in June of 2020, so they are no strangers to enhanced safety and cleaning protocols.

All employees were wearing masks, there were hand sanitizing stations located in the lobby, throughout the property and in the elevators.

There were plexiglass partitions up at the front desk to protect guests and staff during the check-in process. And if you’re like us we used the mobile check-in option in the World of Hyatt app to minimize contact necessary during check-in.

Overall Impression

If you’re looking to experience the best that Fort Lauderdale has to offer, then book yourself a stay at Hyatt Centric Las Olas. The location here gives you access to the best shopping, restaurants, museums, and more!

This was our first Hyatt Centric stay and after the experience at Hyatt Centric Las Olas, it certainly won’t be our last.

Extra Perks

And don’t forget, when you book Hyatt Centric Las Olas with Live Luxe Travel Co., through our Hyatt Privé partnership, you’ll receive a $25 hotel credit to use on dining, daily breakfast for two, a room upgrade, welcome amenity and complimentary use of a Peloton bike in your room with sparkling water and chilled towel.

Grand Hyatt Nashville Review

Our Verdict

Grand Hyatt Nashville Review

While the Grand Hyatt Nashville might be the newest hotel to open in Music City, it sure doesn’t lack when it comes to the history and heritage this property pays to the city. The hotel is located on Broadway at the new Nashville Yards development that is within walking distance to the Gulch and Midtown. And one of the best features of the new Grand Hyatt Nashville is that they have the highest rooftop bar in the city.

The Grand Hyatt Nashville offers luxury accommodations, a spa, seven food and beverage experiences and is located close to all that Nashville has to offer.

This review is based off of our personal stay in October of 2020. And don’t forget, if you are planning to stay at the Grand Hyatt Nashville, book through Hyatt Privé to take advantage of exclusive complimentary extras like a confirmed room upgrade (confirmed within 24 hours, if available), $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast and a welcome amenity. To request Hyatt Privé rates, just visit liveluxetravelco.com/hyatt-prive.

And don’t miss this exclusive 3rd night free offer to Live Luxe Travel Co. clients. Must book by March 31, 2021 for stays between January 1, 2021 - June 30, 2021. See all Hyatt Privé offers here.

If you are looking for a grand experience in Nashville, look no further than the Grand Hyatt Nashville. This area of the lobby is made to look like a box car of a train paying heritage to the Nashville Rail Yard.

From the moment you drive up to the front of the hotel, to that first step foot inside the expansive lobby, your experience will be nothing short of grand, especially with the use of luxurious stone, hardwood and metals that you will find throughout the hotel.

Our Room

During our stay at Grand Hyatt Nashville, we were upgraded to a Grand Corner King Suite due to low occupancy rates during our stay. While we might have had a suite for our stay, it’s worth noting that all 591 guest rooms including 55 suites have hardwood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, flat-screen TVs, blackout curtains and BALMAIN bath amenities.

The Grand Corner King suite offers incredible views of the city while surrounding you in luxurious accommodations.

The Grand Corner King Suite is a true one bedroom suite that offers a bedroom equipped with a door and a separate living area. The living area features a Nespresso, a flat-screen TV and a mini fridge.

The bathroom in our suite was stunning and offered incredible views of the city. The floor to ceiling windows in the bathroom gave it plenty of natural light. And if you’re worried about privacy, the bathroom had shades that came down with the push of a button. Our only complaint was that the sun coming through the window can make the bathroom get quite warm.

Amenities

Unlike the Thompson Nashville (read our review from July of 2020) , the Grand Hyatt Nashville does have an incredible rooftop pool located on the fifth-floor.

Whether you want to enjoy a leisurely swim, or lounge in the sun, the rooftop deck offers panoramic views of Broadway and downtown Nashville.

The fifth-floor is known as the lifestyle level which features the outdoor pool, sundeck, fitness center, spa and pool-side restaurant, Solstice.

The fitness center is open 24-hours and offered plenty of cardio equipment, free weights and an area to do yoga and stretch. And there were bottles of Fiji water for you to enjoy during your workout, which we thought was an extremely nice touch!

Dining

You’ll find no shortage of restaurants to enjoy at Grand Hyatt Nashville. There are 7 food and beverage experiences on-property including The Continental (signature dining experience from Chef Brock), The Nashville Grange (“Tennessee to table” menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner), Aurum (lobby lounge with small bites, craft cocktails and local brews), Hummingbird Coffee Market (coffee, grab-and-go, pastries, muffins and sweet treats), Solstice (healthy food served on the fifth-floor pool deck), Lou|Na (rooftop bar), Grand Club Lounge (for Club-level guests) and Room Service.

The Grand Club wasn’t yet open due to the pandemic, but we did have the opportunity the see the space and it’s gorgeous.

While Hummingbird coffee was open, we didn’t have a chance to visit during this stay, so it’s on our list to check our next time.

During our stay we did have the opportunity to dine at The Nashville Grange for breakfast and dinner. This farm-to-table inspired restaurant offers incredible views of famed Broadway, nearby Union Station and the city. The cuisine at Nashville Grange is best described as southern flavor with a modern twist.

For dinner we had the savory monkey bread, R&R Radishes and the Carrot Ravioli to share with the table. All of which were delicious. You have to try the Carrot Ravioli!

For the main course we tried the Joyce Farm Chicken, the Fennel Rub Pork Chop and the Atlantic Halibut, all of which were so fresh and very flavorful!

And we finished off our meal with Chess Pie (a true Southern-inspired dessert).

For breakfast at Nashville Grange, we enjoyed the biscuits which are an absolute must! And for the main part of breakfast we tried the 2 Eggs Your Way, the TN Omelet and the Eggs Benedict which were all fantastic.

One of our favorite things about Grand Hyatt Nashville is the rooftop bar Lou|Na. Lou|Na plays heritage to the Louisville & Nashville rail lines that passed directly through the site of the Grand Hyatt for over a century. The rooftop as we mentioned earlier is the highest rooftop bar in Nashville and it offers incredible food, drinks and nightlife.

Lou|Na has a DJ on the weekends and their indoor and outdoor spaces make for the perfect place to hangout with friends, take your significant other out for a night on the town or to host a celebration.

The cocktails at Lou|Na are crafted with perfection. We tried the Message in a Bottle, Moxie Dewdrop, and the Wild at Heart.

Service

The service that the team at Grand Hyatt Nashville provided was 5-star through and through. The bell staff was great helping us unload our car, getting us checked-in and up to our suite.

The friendly, knowledgeable and helpful staff was always eager and willing to assist with our every request. When you stay at a luxury property you expect a certain level of service, and that was no exception at Grand Hyatt Nashville.

How are they handling COVID?

How is Grand Hyatt Nashville handling COVID? They are following all state and local government regulations and Hyatt’s Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment. Since the Grand Hyatt Nashville opened its doors during the pandemic they were prepared from their very first day to make sure guests have a safe, healthy and memorable stay.

All employees were wearing masks and the bell staff were also wearing rubber gloves which they were changing after each encounter with a guests vehicle or luggage.

There were plexiglass partitions up at the front desk to protect guests and staff during the check-in process. And if you’re like us we used the mobile check-in option in the World of Hyatt app to minimize contact necessary during check-in.

From the lobby to the elevator lobby to the restaurants, gym, pool deck and everywhere else you can think of there were hand sanitizing stations.

Overall Impression

If you’re looking for new digs that surround you in luxury while getting a history lesson, then the Grand Hyatt Nashville is a place you need to experience. And the location of this property gives you easy access to all of the great areas of Nashville without getting caught in Downtown Nashville traffic.

The service, the food and the accommodations made for an incredible stay for us. We even expected a few kinks from a property that was so new, but we didn’t experience any glitches or service failures. In fact, this might be a bold statement, but this is likely one of the best Grand Hyatt properties we’ve ever stayed at.

Extra Perks

And don’t forget, when you book Grand Hyatt Nashville with Live Luxe Travel Co., through our Hyatt Privé partnership, you’ll receive a $100 hotel credit to use on dining, daily breakfast for two, a room upgrade and a welcome amenity.

Thompson Nashville Review

Our Verdict

Thompson Nashville Review

The Thompson Nashville is rather new to the city. The hotel first opened their doors in 2017 . While the Thompson Nashville isn’t considered a boutique hotel since it has 224 rooms and suites spread out over 12 floors, it still feels very intimate, warm and cozy. And the location in the Gulch is the perfect escape from Broadway where it’s 24/7 hustle and bustle.

The Thompson Nashville offers luxurious accommodations and great food and beverage outlets including Killebrew Coffee, L.A. Jackson and Marsh House.

This review is based off of our personal stay in July of 2020. And don’t forget, if you are planning to stay at the Thompson Nashville, book through Hyatt Privé to take advantage of exclusive complimentary extras like a confirmed room upgrade (confirmed within 24 hours, if available), $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast and a welcome amenity. And for stays through March 31, 2021, receive the third night free. To request Hyatt Privé rates, just visit liveluxetravelco.com/hyatt-prive.

And for a limited time get the 3rd night free. Must book by March 27, 2021 for stays between January 1, 2021 - March 31, 2021. And as a Live Luxe Travel Co. client you’ll receive complimentary valet parking* when booking a Thompson or Executive suite or receive a double room upgrade* when booking a Neighborhood view room. (*Valid for stays of 2 Nights or more). See all Hyatt Privé offers here.

If you are looking for top notch accommodations in the Music City, then the Thompson Nashville is exactly what you are looking for. This industrial modern hotel is the perfect place to kick up your feet after a day of exploring this southern city or a night out on the town.

Our Room

During our stay at the Thompson Nashville, we were upgraded to an executive suite due to low occupancy rates during our stay. Even though we had a suite for our stay, it is worth noting that all of the rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, warm wooden floors, wallpaper from Flat Vernacular, as well as custom-designed rugs from a one-off collaboration between Tailor Made Textiles and Eskayel.

As soon as we opened the door of our suite, we were greeted by elegant touches that mix Nashville heritage with modern design. The rooms are very balanced with tons of natural light, texture and high quality finishes.

The executive suite is a true one bedroom suite that offers a bedroom equipped with a door and a separate sitting area. The executive suite has a shared wall between the sitting area and bedroom that features a breezeway (almost like a double-sided fireplace without the fire) that can be closed off via a sliding door. This was a nice touch because it allows the sitting area and bedroom to be connected or disconnected from one another.

The bathroom in our room was absolutely gorgeous. One entire wall of the bathroom featured white subway tile from floor to ceiling, which makes a bold statement. And the hand painted tile on the floor was a nice unique touch that one can appreciate. The bathroom featured a big cast iron free standing tub, a double vanity, large walk in shower and separate water closet.

Amenities

While the Thompson Nashville doesn’t have a pool, they make up for it in many other ways. One of our favorite things about this property is the rooftop bar and restaurant, L.A. Jackson, which offers sweeping views of the city.

The Thompson Nashville has an on-site 24 hour fitness center that is located on the second floor. The fitness center isn’t the biggest hotel gym we have seen considering the number of rooms, but it has enough cardio and weight equipment to get a good workout in. The gym features 3 ellipticals, 3 treadmills, 2 Peloton bikes, free weights and a couple of weight machines.

Dining

Be prepared to eat some delicious food during your stay at the Thompson Nashville. There are 3 food and beverage outlets on-property including Killebrew Coffee (delicious coffee & pastries), Marsh House (signature restaurant that focuses on sustainably sourced seafood & southern-fused cuisines), and L.A. Jackson (indoor-outdoor rooftop bar & restaurant that serves up custom craft cocktails and small plates).

During our stay we flocked to where the locals hangout on our first night to try out L.A. Jackson. And we would definitely recommend you give it a try. The views combined with the custom craft cocktails, frosé and beer selection make this the perfect spot to grab a few drinks and some food. Do yourself a favor and try their signature frosé and burger!

Unfortunately during our stay, Marsh House was closed so we didn’t get to try the food, but we did get to peek at the space and get a feel for the ambience.

And lastly if you’re a coffee snob, you will love Killebrew, not to mention that you don’t even have to leave the hotel to grab that perfect cup of coffee! And if you’re looking for something quick and good for breakfast try their breakfast sandwich.

If you’re like us, sometimes you don’t want to leave your room to get food, and that is just fine since there is also the option of ordering room service. Since there is no restaurant to get breakfast at in the hotel, we ordered room service breakfast on our second morning.

We placed our breakfast order the night before and it arrived right on time just as we had arranged for. You would be surprised how many hotels can’t get room service breakfast right or forget to bring half of what you order.

Service

From the moment we pulled up at valet to the moment we stepped foot in the hotel, we were greeted by friendly, knowledgeable and helpful staff. Not sure if it’s just a southern hospitality thing or if the employees at the Thompson Nashville really like their job, but everyone was so friendly.

When staying at a 5-star property you expect a high-level of service and that is exactly what you will find at the Thompson Nashville.

How are they handling COVID?

How are hotels handling COVID? This is a big question on every travelers mind right now including ours. The Thompson Nashville isn’t operating as normal, but at a new normal.

The most important thing to note is the Thompson Nashville is adhering to all state and local government regulations and Hyatt’s Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment. All employees were wearing masks, there were hand sanitizer dispensers in the lobby and there was signage and markings on the floor in all common areas to encourage social distancing.

There were plexiglass partitions up at the front desk to protect guests and staff during the check-in process. And if you’re like us we used the mobile check-in option in the World of Hyatt app to minimize contact necessary during check-in.

The first night of our stay when we went to L.A. Jackson for drinks and dinner, there was a 15 minute wait to get a table. They took our phone number and texted us when our table was ready. In addition to being required to wear a facial covering when walking to and from your table, the host was also taking patrons temperatures with a touchless thermometer to ensure everyone’s health and safety.

Overall Impression

If you’re looking for luxurious accommodations in Music City in a well sought out neighborhood away from the main attractions of the city then look no further than the Thompson Nashville. This boutique hotel makes for a great home base to explore the city and a serene escape when you return for the night.

From the accommodations, to the food to the staff, our stay was flawless, even while traveling during these unprecedented times.

Extra Perks

And don’t forget, when you book the Thompson Nashville with Live Luxe Travel Co., through our Hyatt Privé partnership, you’ll receive a $100 hotel credit to use on dining, daily breakfast for two, a room upgrade and a welcome amenity.

Alila & Miraval Hotels Join Hyatt Prive

Hyatt Privé is one of the luxury hotel programs we book the most here at Live Luxe Travel Co. We personally are very loyal to Hyatt and World of Hyatt. And we think Hyatt Privé is one of the better luxury hotels programs due to the benefits that come with booking the Privé rate.

Benefits with Hyatt Privé bookings differ from other programs because the room upgrade is confirmed at the time of booking. That means you always know if your room is going to be upgraded. Plus of course you get a hotel or resort credit, daily breakfast for two, early check-in and late check-out and another differentiating benefit is a welcome amenity. It’s nice to show up to a hotel room and find a bottle of champagne and dessert waiting on you!

As of this last week, Hyatt added two more brands to the Hyatt Privé program.

Alila Hotels

So what are Alila Hotels? Here’s how Hyatt describes the brand:

To stay at any Alila's hotels and resorts is to embark on an authentic destination experience. Be it in recreating the flavors of the local cuisine, enhancing your well-being through ancient healing arts or the thrill of adventure sports... Indulge in the joy of discovery at Alila.

Miraval Resorts

And how about Miraval Resorts? Hyatt describes Miraval Resorts as a life in balance —a healing sanctuary of surrender and discovery where nurturing specialists guide you through mindful experiences.

And when you book an Alila or Miraval Hotel or Resort with Virtual Travel Gurus, you’ll get a confirmed room upgrade, hotel or resort credit, daily breakfast for two each day and a welcome amenity.

For more information on Hyatt Privé or to book your next stay, just visit www.liveluxetravelco.com/hyatt-prive

New Additions to Hyatt Privé

With Hyatt’s recent acquisition of Two Roads Hospitality, there has been a much anticipated wait for additions to Hyatt Privé.

On Monday June 17th, 2019 Hyatt will officially add three new brands with dozens of new properties to Hyatt Privé. We are excited to tell you that properties from Thompson, Joie de Vivre and Hyatt Centric will now participate in Hyatt Privé.

Hyatt Privé bookings include a hotel/resort credit, daily breakfast for two and confirmed room upgrade at the time of booking. And those benefits are all complimentary just for booking through a Hyatt Privé advisor like Live Luxe Travel Co.

Here is the list of newly participating hotels in Hyatt Privé as of Monday, June 17th.

PARK HYATT

Park Hyatt Shenzhen

HYATT REGENCY

Hyatt Regency Bethesda

Hyatt Regency Casablanca

Hyatt Regency Istanbul Atakoy

Hyatt Regency Sochi

UNBOUND COLLECTION

Chicago Athletic Association

Great Scotland Yard

Holston House Nashville

Hotel Sofia Barcelona

Nam Nghi Resort Phu Quoc

UB Budapest Parisi Udvar

HYATT CENTRIC

Hyatt Centric Brickell Miami

Hyatt Centric French Quarter New Orleans

Hyatt Centric Gran Via Madrid

Hyatt Centric Guatemala City

Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa

Hyatt Centric Levent Istanbul

Hyatt Centric Montevideo

Hyatt Centric San Isidro Lima

Hyatt Centric Las Condes Santiago

Hyatt Centric South Beach

Hyatt Centric Times Square New York

Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach

THOMPSON HOTELS

Gild Hall

The Beekman

The Cape

Thompson Nashville

Thompson Playa del Carmen - Beach House

Thompson Playa del Carmen - Main House

Thompson Seattle

Thompson Zihuatanejo

Thompson Chicago

JOIE DE VIVRE

50 Bowery

Carmel Valley Ranch

Hotel Revival

The Laurel Inn

The Talbott Hotel

Book your next stay with Live Luxe Travel Co. to receive complimentary Hyatt Privé benefits. Request rates on our Hyatt Privé page, send an email to hyattprive@liveluxetravelco.com or give us a call at 1-888-743-8533.

Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme Review

Our Verdict

Bonjour! That is exactly what comes to mind when we think about Paris. Paris is such a romantic and charming city.

Paris has dozens of 4 and 5-star hotels. But, if you are going for ultra luxury then there is also another designation you should know about. Ultra luxury properties in France are located in historic palaces and are given the designation as a Palace hotel by the French government.

One of the reasons we choose the Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme was for it’s location in proximity to the Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries. And this property has a much more boutique feel with only 155 guest rooms.

PARK HYATT PARIS VENDÔME

A luxury palace away from home is exactly how we would describe the Park Hyatt Vendôme. With exquisite decor, plenty of luxury amenities and the excellent location make this hotel an unforgettable experience. As to be expected with most Park Hyatt hotels, they are a great mix of old-world luxury yet also contemporary.

OUR ROOM

During our stay at the Park Hyatt Vendôme we stayed in a Park Suite King. This particular suite felt like a true home away from home. The only thing this apartment-style suite was missing was a kitchen.

Upon entering the suite you are welcomed into a living room, followed by a spa-inspired bathroom and then the master-bedroom. There was no lack of space in the Park King Suite and perhaps the most notable feature was the attention to detail and use of elegant materials.

From the door handles to the light sconces, everywhere we looked there was so much influence of art in the style and decor of the room and even the whole hotel.

The bathroom could practically be a spa with the limestone walls, a deep-soaking tub, rain shower, heated floors, and exclusive toiletries designed by acclaimed perfumer Blaise Mautin. And we just loved those toiletries!

DINING

There was not a lack of great food at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme. Food is a huge focus at this property with 5 different dining options. The most well known dining venue is Michelin-starred Pur’ – Jean-François Rouquette.

During our stay we enjoyed breakfast each day at Sens under an elegant glass ceiling. And as you would expect at any Park Hyatt, a gourmet breakfast. Breakfast is either order off the menu or a buffet with made to order eggs.

For those who are gluten-free, paleo, keto any any other type of dietary restrictions, there are plenty of options for everyone.

AMENITIES

As you might expect in a palace hotel, there were plenty of amenities to keep guests busy. After a long day of exploring the city streets of Paris, come back to this palace to relax, get in a good workout or get some work done.

Le Spa features four treatment rooms, a sauna, a steam room and a jacuzzi. The spa facilities are co-ed and might just make you forget you are in the middle of Paris. The use of stone and tones of gold make Le Spa very elegant and reflective.

SERVICE

Parisians tend to be very classy, elegant and demand a certain level of service. The service at the Park Hyatt Vendôme is no exception to these standards.

Upon arrival at the property, we were promptly greeted, assisted with our luggage and taken to the front desk. Each time we left or returned to the property, we were greeted by friendly and helpful staff.

OVERALL IMPRESSION

The Park Hyatt Vendôme feels like somewhere you could stay overnight, for a few days or even for upwards of a few weeks. The finishes, the staff and the amenities make it a true home away from home for any European vacation.

As one of just 11 palace hotels in France, we would highly recommend you stay here for all or part of your trip to Paris.

And when you book with Live Luxe Travel Co., you’ll get complimentary extras like a $100 activity credit, daily breakfast for two and a room upgrade at the time of booking.

New Properties Added To Hyatt Privé

We love the Hyatt Privé program. In fact, we think it’s one of the best luxury hotel programs available. Why? For one, the personalized service can’t be beat. And the extra value you receive through Privé like a confirmed room upgrade at the time of booking and welcome amenity are special touches that most programs don’t offer. And Hyatt has some great, aspirational, luxury properties like the Park Hyatt New York, Andaz Maui and Park Hyatt St. Kitts.

As a reminder, with the Hyatt Prive program, you get either a $50 or $100 hotel or resort credit, confirmed room upgrade, daily breakfast for two, welcome amenity and more at Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Andaz, Unbound Collection and Hyatt Regency Hotels & Resorts.

New Additions To Hyatt Privé

And as of this week, over twenty additional properties are now participating in Hyatt Privé.

Here’s list of the new additions:

Andaz Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi

Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor

Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere (opening April 2019)

Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl

Grand Hyatt Bogota

Grand Hyatt Denver

Grand Hyatt Incheon

Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty

Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit

Hyatt Regency Cartagena

Hyatt Regency Chantilly

Hyatt Regency Coral Gables

Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, the Kilimanjaro

Hyatt Regency Makkah

Hyatt Regency Moscow Petrovsky Park

Hyatt Regency Orange County

Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk

Hyatt Regency San Francisco

Hyatt Regency Savannah

Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island, Okinawa

Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country

Hyatt Regency Westlake

Park Hyatt Chennai

Park Hyatt Ningbo

The Unbound Collection - Jinmao Hotel Lijiang

Ready To Book?

Most Anticipated Hotel Openings of 2019

We are getting excited about several new hotels coming in 2019. Here is a list of some of the most anticipated hotel openings of 2019

Andaz Palm Springs - Opening Spring of 2019

The Andaz Palm Springs resort will bring new life to Downtown Palm Springs when it opens in 2019.

We've been waiting for the Andaz Palm Springs to open for over a year now. And after construction delays, we're finally get closer to seeing this beautiful hotel that will reinvigorate the center of Downtown Palm Springs open to guests. 

Constructed as a collection of small buildings and guestroom bungalows surrounding two outdoor pools and garden areas on an elevated patio terrace, the hotel offers panoramic views of Palm Springs and the San Jacinto Mountains.

A full-service spa, a fitness facility, 7,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a signature Argentinian restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating will be available to make the hotel a place to heighten your experience.

The Lodge At Blue Sky - Opening May of 2019

Gaze out at the mountain views and savor the peace at the Blue Sky Resort, opening of Park City, UT in 2019.

Bring on the adventure at the 46-suite Lodge at Blue Sky, set on 3,500 acres outside Park City, Utah. Almost everything here will revolve around outdoor pursuits, from fly-fishing and yoga in the summer to snowboarding and heli-skiing in the winter. You’ll find us learning how whiskey gets made at High West, the on-site distillery.

Four Seasons Resort & Residences Napa Valley

When the Four Seasons Resort & Residences Napa Valley opens in 2019, it will surely be the hottest resort in the Napa Valley.

What will likely be the hottest new resort in the Napa Valley, the Four Seasons Resort & Residences Napa Valley will open it's doors in 2019. Located at the northern end of Napa, off the Silverado Trail, the property features a vineyard and winery overseen by renowned winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown.

The resort will have 85 guest rooms in single- and two-story villas scattered among the property’s vines and oak trees. And the resort will also feature two pools, one for adults and another for families. Plus a grill with outdoor dining, fire pits, and bocce make it a place to hang out before or after wine tasting. A restaurant, bar, and general store provide other dining options.

Fairmont Century Plaza Los Angeles

The Landmark Century Plaza Hotel will soon be reinvented with the opening of the new Fairmont Century Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles.

Fairmont Hotels will soon breath new life into the Los Angeles landmark Century Plaza Hotel, which first opened way back in 1966 on the former back lot of 20th Century Fox Studios. The hotel was most recently a Hyatt Regency. The new hotel will be housed in the recognizable, crescent-shaped 19-story tower originally designed by Minoru Yamasaki. It will have 400 rooms, a gourmet café, a brasserie serving American classics and a rooftop bar, among other amenities.

But the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel isn't the only new and exciting hotel coming to Downtown Los Angeles. The Park Hyatt Los Angeles is expected to open by the end of 2019.

Baker’s Cay Resort

Curio Collection's Baker's Cay Resort will reopen in early 2019 following a massive remodel/reinvention of the Key Largo resort.

Hilton's Curio Collection Baker’s Cay is a new upscale beachfront hideaway carved into Key Largo’s most lush and secluded region. And the 200-room resort will boast two swimming pools separated by a cascading waterfall grotto, a salon, library and winding nature trails. Plus the resort will be home to four dining outlets including beachside taco-and-tequila eatery with one of the largest collection of house-made hot sauces and a food truck.

Located on the Gulf side of the Overseas Highway, this resort is tucked away on 13 acres of tropical groves situated on a former pineapple plantation previously owned by namesake Captain Ben Baker. And the retreat is supporting the local environment like coral restoration dive programs, dolphins rehabilitation initiatives and partnerships with brands to launch Baker’s Cay bikinis, sandals made from renewable raw materials; yoga mats from tree rubber and more.

Review: Andaz Peninsula Papagayo

Nestled in a location where the Gulf of Papagayo meets the sapphire blue waters of Culebra Bay, the

Andaz Peninsula Papagayo

Resort captures the native spirit of Costa Rica with its distinctive "Pura Vida" (pure life) philosophy. The dense tropical dry forest along with volcanic beaches makes the area ideal for both nature lovers and those seeking to relax.

Andaz Peninsula Papagayo

The Andaz Peninsula Papagayo is located 30 minutes from the Liberia Airport. When you arrive at the Andaz Peninsula Papgayo, one of the first things you’ll notice is the beautiful landscaping and distinct architecture. From the shell-shaped studios to the zero edged cascading pools, the hotel’s design is inspired by Costa Rica’s natural landscape. One of our favorite things about the resort is how it blends with the surrounding environment and truly makes you feel like you are in Costa Rica.

In typical Andaz fashion, the lobby is more of a lounge where you relax and are greeted with a drink while you are checked in.

The Peninsula Papagayo area has nice weather much of the year, but there are two distinct seasons. The dry season runs from December to April and is considered the best time of year to visit. The wet season runs from May to November with September and October being the wettest months.

The Room

The Andaz Peninsula Papagayo has 153 guestrooms and suites. Each of the 153 rooms balance stylish contemporary design with touches of character which blend into the natural surroundings, with woven textiles, local solid woods and carved artifacts highlighting the rich Costa Rican aesthetic.

All guest rooms and suites have a spacious balcony with breathtaking bay and forest views. Our particular room was a King Bed Bay View room.

The room had Costa Rican inspired decor and furniture. The bedroom area is furnished with a king bed, two night stands, a dresser and a chair overlooking the floor to ceiling windows. Separating the bathroom from the bedroom is a desk with an adjacent complimentary mini-bar and built-in closet.

The bathroom had a toilet room, large vanity and beautiful stone lined shower which opened up to the outside patio.

And like most Andaz properties, the bathroom was stocked with Lather toiletries (our personal favorite).

And outside the shower the patio offered incredible views of the bay.

Dining

The Andaz Peninsula Papagayo has three on-site restaurants. Rio Bhongo is open for breakfast (they put out an incredible breakfast buffet every morning), and for casual lunches and dinners. Ostra is more of an elegant restaurant with reservation required dinners. And Chao Pescao is a great spot for sunset cocktails and features sharing plates with a Latin-American influence.

We ate breakfast most mornings at Rio Bhongo. The breakfast buffet was just incredible and included fresh made to order eggs. Plus it had a large spread of locally inspired breakfast dishes like and plenty of fruit and pastry options. In addition when you have the buffet, you can order off the regular breakfast menu plus the buffet includes drinks off the barista menu.

We ordered the baked plantain two mornings and it was so savory and delicious. The plantain is baked with palmito cheese, and topped with cinnamon and is served with butter and maple syrup. Needless to say the buffet was filling enough that most days we just skipped lunch, or had a snack by the pool.

In addition to the three restaurants at the resort, the Andaz Papagayo has a fourth dining option at their off-site beach house. We had lunch one day at the beach house and the mango skirt steak tacos were incredible.

Amenities

The Andaz Papagayo has two swimming pool complexes. The first family pool area consists of three cascading pools including a zero-entry pool. The adult infinity pool is much more quiet plus is totally immersed in the forest, allowing you to completely relax.

The Onda Spa features 9 treatment rooms. Before your treatments, you'll enjoy an ancient tea overlooking the spectacular Culebra Bay.

Just around from the spa is the fitness center, small lounge and pool area and locker rooms and steam rooms. The fitness center had treadmills, elliptical machines, free weights and several weight machines. Overall we found the fitness center satisfactory enough to get a good workout in each day.

The Andaz Peninsula Papagayo offers plenty to do in addition to their pools, fitness center and spa. On the beach at the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo, you'll find complimentary stand-up-paddle boards, snorkeling equipment and kayaks. For a fee you can also rent jet skis and water bikes.

And while the beach at the resort itself isn't spectacular, the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo does have an off site Beach House with lounge chairs, restaurant and much larger beach.

Plus the beach at the Andaz Beach House is amazing. And it's perfect for a long afternoon stroll.

And there's a good chance you'll see some of these guys at the Beach House.

The resort also publishes a weekly program of activities such as forest walks (look out for monkeys and iguanas), yoga, kayak tours and cooking classes.

We enjoyed participating in the barista class. And not only did we drink plenty of coffee but we also learned so much about the different coffee brewing methods.

Overall Impression

Where do we even begin? We absolutely loved the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo. The service was top notch. The resort was absolutely beautiful. And unlike other Costa Rican resorts, the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo truly makes you feel like you are in Costa Rica. The amount of wildlife including iguanas, coatis and monkeys was truly spectacular.

But the staff is what truly makes the stay at the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo incredible. Every single staff member we encountered was not only friendly but they practically treated us like family. We can't say enough how much we loved Costa Rica and the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo and would highly recommend a visit!