Treatment villas appear to float above the forest canopy / photo: Marriot International
Hailed internally as its “most amazing spa in the world”, Marriott International has revealed a treehouse-inspired wellness concept at the hotly anticipated opening of Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Costa Rica.
The 107-key resort with 36 residences is located in Peninsula Papagayo, a 1,400-acre luxury development backed by private investment platforms Gencom, based in Miami and Mohair Hospitality, based in Cyprus. Peninsula Papagayo, identified as a potential luxury tourism hub by the Costa Rican government in the 1980s, already features a Four Seasons and an Andaz and focuses on slow living, wellness and reconnecting to nature. This opening marks the eighth Ritz-Carlton Reserve worldwide and the first in Central and South America (see p35).
Connected to nature At the heart of Nekajui sits the 27,000sq ft Nimbu Spa & Wellness, designed to envelop guests in the natural beauty of Costa Rica – the country boasts one of the most biodiverse regions in the world and is known for its commitment to conservation.
Inspired by treehouses, Nimbu is accessed by a suspended bridge and nestled within the forest canopy, overlooking the Pacific and offering a seamless indoor-outdoor experience. “Nimbu is an expression of Guanacaste’s culture, with a design that prioritises the stunning ocean views,” says Blu Spas’ Cary Collier who consulted on the project along with Vivianne Garcia-Tunon from WonderFlower. “Every element of the spa, from its architecture to its treatments, is designed to deepen the guest’s connection with this extraordinary place.”
Nimbu features one of the largest hydrotherapy pools in Latin America and treatment villas that seem to float above the forest canopy. “The goal was to create a sensory sanctuary,” Collier adds.
Equipped by Universal Companies, the spa also includes private relaxation gardens, a gym, saunas with panoramic views, a plunge pool, separate men’s and women’s relaxation lounges, as well as a steamroom, a movement studio and foot baths.
Guests can also enjoy bespoke journeys integrating local ingredients including Chorotega pottery, volcanic mud and juanilama essential oils. Signature experiences include Harmonic Monochord Healing, a treetop ritual that uses vibrational energy to relax and restore. At the same time, the Volcanic Lift facial is claimed to detoxify and illuminate the skin using volcanic glass and activated carbon, paired with reflexology.
sense of adventure For those seeking a more exploratory wellness experience, the resort offers outdoor wellness-driven activities, such as guided sunrise yoga on the beach and meditation in the heart of the surrounding forest.
Guests can also embark on personalised hiking or nature walks, integrating mindfulness practices while immersing in the region’s diverse ecosystems. These outdoor excursions are designed to engage the senses, invigorate the body and deepen the connection with Costa Rica’s natural surroundings.
Discerning appeal Nekajui is located within the Área de Conservación Guanacaste, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its unparalleled biodiversity and thousands of plant and animal species.
The resort’s construction and operation adhered to sustainable practices, ensuring its impact on the land is minimal while maintaining the luxury experience. From using locally sourced materials to integrating sustainable design, Nekajui reflects the resort’s commitment to preserving the natural environment.
“Nekajui offers an exclusive, secluded sanctuary that immerses guests in Costa Rica’s natural splendour and cultural richness,” says Tina Edmundson, president of luxury at Marriott International. “Every detail of the resort has been thoughtfully curated to ensure it enhances the land and offers guests an authentic connection to this extraordinary place.”
Overall, Peninsula Papagayo’s blend of top-level development and ecological preservation makes it a haven for discerning travellers seeking an authentic, high-end experience.
Ritz-Carlton Reserve locations
Dorado Beach – Puerto Rico
Higashiyama – Japan
Mandapa – Bali
Nekajui – Costa Rica
Nujuma – PSaudi Arabia
Phulay Bay – Thailand
Rissai Valley – China
Zadún – Mexico
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2025 issue 1
Editor's letter: Auto spas
Fully automated, self-service spas are set to enter the market, presenting a disruptive opportunity for investors and operators
Spa People: Christian Louboutin
The fashion designer teams up with his personal trainer to create a Brain Edit retreat at his hotel in Portugal
Spa People: Julien Alfred
Exercise, endurance and resilience are the focus of a programme being led by Olympic 100m winner Julien Alfred at BodyHoliday in St Lucia
News report: Emerging economies
Two fresh GWI reports highlight the potential of the wellness markets in the Maldives and Saudi Arabia
Interview: Paul Hawco
Katie Barnes talks to the man heading up wellbeing at Banyan Group as it prepares to open its 100th resort and reports a 16 per cent rise in revenue
Wellness design: Design of the times
Sixteen experts share their insights on how wellness design can be used to create more impactful and profitable spas in a new white paper by Accor
Opinion: High leverage learning
What three skills do people need to master to future-proof their spa careers? Jeremy McCarthy reports
Spa tourism: Hot on the trail
A famous pilgrimage route and natural hot springs are being combined in an innovative tourism package in Spain
Opinion: Beacons of light
As cities in the US start to hire chief wellness officers, Mia Kyricos reveals what this means for our sector
Sponsored: 111SKIN - Winning formulation
111SKIN’s spa/clinic concept is making waves globally – backed by a combination of medical expertise, intuitive partner support and potent products
Product focus: AI and robot massage
Spas around the world are starting to offer AI massage. We highlight the different types of equipment coming to market
Menu engineering: At your service
A dedicated brain health facility at Kamalaya and a menopause package by actor Naomi Watts feature in our programming pages this issue
Finishing touch: Big business
Companies investing in workers’ happiness outperform other portfolios in major global stock markets, according to new research
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
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Treatment villas appear to float above the forest canopy / photo: Marriot International
Hailed internally as its “most amazing spa in the world”, Marriott International has revealed a treehouse-inspired wellness concept at the hotly anticipated opening of Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Costa Rica.
The 107-key resort with 36 residences is located in Peninsula Papagayo, a 1,400-acre luxury development backed by private investment platforms Gencom, based in Miami and Mohair Hospitality, based in Cyprus. Peninsula Papagayo, identified as a potential luxury tourism hub by the Costa Rican government in the 1980s, already features a Four Seasons and an Andaz and focuses on slow living, wellness and reconnecting to nature. This opening marks the eighth Ritz-Carlton Reserve worldwide and the first in Central and South America (see p35).
Connected to nature At the heart of Nekajui sits the 27,000sq ft Nimbu Spa & Wellness, designed to envelop guests in the natural beauty of Costa Rica – the country boasts one of the most biodiverse regions in the world and is known for its commitment to conservation.
Inspired by treehouses, Nimbu is accessed by a suspended bridge and nestled within the forest canopy, overlooking the Pacific and offering a seamless indoor-outdoor experience. “Nimbu is an expression of Guanacaste’s culture, with a design that prioritises the stunning ocean views,” says Blu Spas’ Cary Collier who consulted on the project along with Vivianne Garcia-Tunon from WonderFlower. “Every element of the spa, from its architecture to its treatments, is designed to deepen the guest’s connection with this extraordinary place.”
Nimbu features one of the largest hydrotherapy pools in Latin America and treatment villas that seem to float above the forest canopy. “The goal was to create a sensory sanctuary,” Collier adds.
Equipped by Universal Companies, the spa also includes private relaxation gardens, a gym, saunas with panoramic views, a plunge pool, separate men’s and women’s relaxation lounges, as well as a steamroom, a movement studio and foot baths.
Guests can also enjoy bespoke journeys integrating local ingredients including Chorotega pottery, volcanic mud and juanilama essential oils. Signature experiences include Harmonic Monochord Healing, a treetop ritual that uses vibrational energy to relax and restore. At the same time, the Volcanic Lift facial is claimed to detoxify and illuminate the skin using volcanic glass and activated carbon, paired with reflexology.
sense of adventure For those seeking a more exploratory wellness experience, the resort offers outdoor wellness-driven activities, such as guided sunrise yoga on the beach and meditation in the heart of the surrounding forest.
Guests can also embark on personalised hiking or nature walks, integrating mindfulness practices while immersing in the region’s diverse ecosystems. These outdoor excursions are designed to engage the senses, invigorate the body and deepen the connection with Costa Rica’s natural surroundings.
Discerning appeal Nekajui is located within the Área de Conservación Guanacaste, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its unparalleled biodiversity and thousands of plant and animal species.
The resort’s construction and operation adhered to sustainable practices, ensuring its impact on the land is minimal while maintaining the luxury experience. From using locally sourced materials to integrating sustainable design, Nekajui reflects the resort’s commitment to preserving the natural environment.
“Nekajui offers an exclusive, secluded sanctuary that immerses guests in Costa Rica’s natural splendour and cultural richness,” says Tina Edmundson, president of luxury at Marriott International. “Every detail of the resort has been thoughtfully curated to ensure it enhances the land and offers guests an authentic connection to this extraordinary place.”
Overall, Peninsula Papagayo’s blend of top-level development and ecological preservation makes it a haven for discerning travellers seeking an authentic, high-end experience.
Ritz-Carlton Reserve locations
Dorado Beach – Puerto Rico
Higashiyama – Japan
Mandapa – Bali
Nekajui – Costa Rica
Nujuma – PSaudi Arabia
Phulay Bay – Thailand
Rissai Valley – China
Zadún – Mexico
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2025 issue 1
Editor's letter: Auto spas
Fully automated, self-service spas are set to enter the market, presenting a disruptive opportunity for investors and operators
Spa People: Christian Louboutin
The fashion designer teams up with his personal trainer to create a Brain Edit retreat at his hotel in Portugal
Spa People: Julien Alfred
Exercise, endurance and resilience are the focus of a programme being led by Olympic 100m winner Julien Alfred at BodyHoliday in St Lucia
News report: Emerging economies
Two fresh GWI reports highlight the potential of the wellness markets in the Maldives and Saudi Arabia
Interview: Paul Hawco
Katie Barnes talks to the man heading up wellbeing at Banyan Group as it prepares to open its 100th resort and reports a 16 per cent rise in revenue
Wellness design: Design of the times
Sixteen experts share their insights on how wellness design can be used to create more impactful and profitable spas in a new white paper by Accor
Opinion: High leverage learning
What three skills do people need to master to future-proof their spa careers? Jeremy McCarthy reports
Spa tourism: Hot on the trail
A famous pilgrimage route and natural hot springs are being combined in an innovative tourism package in Spain
Opinion: Beacons of light
As cities in the US start to hire chief wellness officers, Mia Kyricos reveals what this means for our sector
Sponsored: 111SKIN - Winning formulation
111SKIN’s spa/clinic concept is making waves globally – backed by a combination of medical expertise, intuitive partner support and potent products
Product focus: AI and robot massage
Spas around the world are starting to offer AI massage. We highlight the different types of equipment coming to market
Menu engineering: At your service
A dedicated brain health facility at Kamalaya and a menopause package by actor Naomi Watts feature in our programming pages this issue
Finishing touch: Big business
Companies investing in workers’ happiness outperform other portfolios in major global stock markets, according to new research
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Swire Hotels’ luxury hospitality brand Upper House has revealed it will roll out its two-day
House of Healing retreats at its three hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai.
LVMH-owned beauty house Guerlain will launch up to five spas with partners a year as part of
its plan to expand globally, according to the brand’s international spa and wellness director,
Diane Davody.
A new global study by Kevin Kelly and Peter Yesawich, called WELLSurvey 2.0, has revealed
more than half of consumers in the UK, US and Germany would not choose numerous high-
profile wellness resort brands for a future trip.
Luxury hospitality and wellness pioneer Jeremy McCarthy has launched Leisure Alchemy, a
digital platform that will provide professionals with strategic guidance on how to build
transformational leisure experiences that drive profit.
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Spa Supply Solutions Founded in 2014 by spa management expert Julie Bevilacqua, Spa Supply Solutions is a leader in spa p [more...]
