Explore Costa Rica.com is Costa Rica's online English language daily newspaper, featuring Costa Rica News, Costa Rica Events, Central America News, Costa Rica Weather, Costa Rica Travel, Costa Rica Business, Costa Rica Real Estate, Costa Rica Hotels, Surfing, Fishing, Golf Tournaments, for Costa Rica Travelers or those living in Costa Rica. Costa Rica Real Estate: Costa Rica Investments: Costa Rica General Info: Costa Rica Area Info: Central Pacific Costa Rica: Living & Retiring in Costa Rica

Large-Scale Intimate Lodging

An Artist’s Rendering of the Hyatt Regency Azulera Resort & Spa planned in the northwestern province of Guanacaste. Courtesy of Azulera

Project leaders say construction of the Hyatt Regency Azulera Resort & Spa – between Playas Tamarindo and Flamingo, 200 miles northwest of San Jose and 40 miles southwest of the international airport in Liberia – will be conducted with the environment, as well as nearby town of Brasilito, in mind.

“We’re developing with great sensitivity,” said Ronald Zürcher, head of Zürcher Arquitectos de Costa Rica, which will execute the designs created by U.S.-based Michael Graves & Associates. According to Patrick Burke of Michael Graves, the design concept is based on allowing guests to experience nature.

“We didn’t try to over style the architecture,” he said, adding that the designs focus on local materials. “It’s a real, authentic paradise.”

The resort will offer guests and residents a full-service spa, a gym, beach access, a salt-water pool next to the ocean, and a variety of freshwater pools, as well as a banquet hall, conference rooms and gardens. One of the many bars and dining areas throughout the resort will be located at the highest point of the property, looking out over the ocean and Isla Loros, just offshore, over a series of infinity pools.

Despite the size and scope of the project, Burke said the architects have worked to create “intimate spaces” that “blend the notion of indoors and outdoors.

“The intent is to allow you to feel like you’re living outdoors… that’s exciting for someone coming from Minnesota,” he said.

With this in mind, approximately 20% of the property will be developed; the rooms will be scattered throughout, each with its own private terrace, and each group of rooms with its own patio, gardens and pool.

Buildings will be low-rise, with the goal that the greenery will dominate and only the roofs will be visible, Burke said.

Several of the resort’s services, including the beach, spa and restaurants, will be open to the public, along with a facility designed “to work for both the town (of Brasilito) and the resort,” according to Burke: a “Village Market” of retail and office space. This space, on the side of the resort closest to Brasilito, will house a grocery store, pharmacy and laundromat, along with office space and a medical center – something Brasilito lacks, Burke said.

“This isn’t a project that will be behind walls,” added Zürcher, who estimated the resort will create 2,000-2,500 jobs during construction. “It will be integrated into the community.”

Norman, the 20-time U.S. PGA winner, will design the ocean-view, par-32 golf course, complete with driving range, putting green, club and bar. More than 200 golf-course villas will flank the course.

The Chicago-based Global Hyatt Corporation, which encompasses the Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Grand Hyatt and Park Hyatt brands, has 215 hotels and resorts with more than 90,000 rooms in 44 countries, according to www.hyatt.com.

New Jersey-based Global Financial Group is financing the project.