Although still about three years away from being open, Travel Agent was recently able to gather information on the Regent Papagayo Bay, a Carlson hotel, which is due to open in 2010 in the hot destination of Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
We spoke with Steve Hedberg, vice president of operations
and implementation for Carlson Hotels, and got some details about the new
luxury property being built in Guanacaste, a
It's a mixed-use project that will be a luxury hotel,
condominiums and estate homes as well as a retail village. Hedberg says it
hasn't been determined whether there will be rental units, permanent homes or
both. The hotel, however, will consist of 150 suites with views of
About Guanacaste
Guanacaste, which is on the west side of Coast Rica, is an area that Hedberg describes as one of the country's up-and-coming destinations.
The nearest airport is in
The hotel will be built up the hills, so naturally the rooms located higher up will be the most desired, Hedberg says. However, room categories and rates haven't been determined yet.
Forming the eastern borders of Guanacaste is a chain of volcanoes that stretch out to join the Cordillera de Guanacaste and Cordillera de Tilaran mountain ranges. Hedberg says several active volcanoes will be able to be seen from the property, which will also have two private beaches.
Target Clientele
For
There will be four areas for dining, including a three-meal
restaurant operated by Regent, overlooking
Hedberg says when the property opens, there will be opening packages and incentives offered for travel agents.
"This is going to be such a great destination for agents to book for their clients," Hedberg says. "I'm amazed with how pristine the destination is, although there is a lot of development going on in this area."
Hedberg says agents will receive a 10 percent commission.
Agents looking to track the progress of the