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Tabacón Grand Thermal Resort, La Fortuna/Arenal, Costa Rica
TABACÓN GRAND SPA THERMAL RESORT
FACT SHEET
Address:
13km North-West from La Fortuna de San Carlos,
Arenal, Alajuela, Costa Rica www.Tabacon.com
Telephone:
Hotel: ++506-2479-2000
Reservations and Sales: ++506-2519-1999
1-877-277-8291 (from US and Canada)
Fax:
Hotel: ++506-2479-1050
Reservations: ++506-2519-1940
Owners:
Tabacón is owned by a group of Costa Rican and American investors and operates under the corporate name Inversions Turisticas Arenal S.A.
CEO & Director General: Uwe F.J. Wagner
Resort Manager: Daniel Pape
F&B Director: Leopoldo Cortes
Sales Director: Carmen Solano
Marketing Director: Melania Lopez
Director of Sustainable Practices: Zuley Herrera
Location:
In the heart of the Costa Rican rainforest, near the base of the Arenal Volcano in Arenal National Park.
Overview:
Tabacón has recently completed a $3.5 million upgrade project, earning membership in Leading Hotels & Spas of the World and a five-star designation from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute. All guest rooms have been renovated and the food & beverage outlets have been upgraded.
Among the recent improvements and additions are The Grand Spa which features 11 private open-air treatment bungalows, all with private Jacuzzis; a three-unit Temazcal Center; and an open-air Yoga Studio. The Grand Spa was named one of Leading Hotels of the World's Leading Spas of the World in 2007, the only one in Central America. The Grand Spa introduces a Wellness and Ayurveda Health program in 2010.
Featuring an ambience of tropical relaxation, the resort's public spaces are a showcase for art and furnishings brought in from different parts of the world ranging from South America to the Far East.
Awards and Accolades:
* Member – Leading Hotels of the World
* Member – Leading Spas of the World
* Member – Healing Hotels of the World
* Recommended Resort Hotel and Luxury Spa – Condé Nast Johansens
* Five-Star Designation – Costa Rican Institute of Tourism
* Three-Leaf Certification for Sustainable Tourism
*Carbon neutral certification by government of Costa Rica, 2009
* Luxury Eco Certification, Leading Hotels of the World and Sustainable Travel International – 2010, second hotel in world to meet criteria
* Spa Magazine, Top Spas in Central and South America, 2010, 2009
* Top 5 Destination Spas in Central and South America, 2010
* Top 10 Spas in Latin America, 2009
* Spa Magazine, Silver Sage Awards, Favorite Spas in Latin America (#4), 2009
* SpaFinder Magazine, Readers' Choice Awards – 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005
* Top 10 Mineral Spring Water Spas, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005
* Favorite Spa in Central America, 2010, 2007
* Best for Mineral Springs, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005
* Top 10 Best Spas for Affordability, 2010
* Top Spas for Environmental Practices, 2010
* Luxist.com, Readers' Choice Award, Best International Spa, 2010
* Condé Nast Traveler World's Savers Award, Poverty Relief, Honorable Mention¸ 2010
* Condé Nast Traveler, Readers' Choice Awards, Top Resorts in Central and South America (#10), 2010
* Condé Nast Johansens Luxury Travel Guide Awards, Finalist, 2010
* Most Excellent Resort
* Most Excellent Spa in Mexico and Central America
* Travel + Leisure, World's Best Awards, 2010, 2009, 2006
* Top 10 Resorts in Central and South America, 2010
* Top 10 Hotel Spas in Latin America, 2009
* "Great Value" citation, 2009
* Ten Best Spa Resorts in Mexico, Central and South America, 2006
* Concierge.com, Top 10 Eco-Spas in the World, 2009
* National Geographic, 50 Top Wellness Destinations –
* Top 50 in South & Central America, 2008
* MSNBC.com, World's Best Eco Spas, 2008
* World Luxury Hotel Awards, 2010
* World Travel Awards, Leading Spa Resort in Mexico and Central America, 2010, 2009, 2006, 2005, 2004
* Seven Stars and Stripes Green World Award, 2009
* International Restaurant and Hotel Awards, 2008
Property with Best Water Feature
* American Academy of Hospitality Sciences Awards, 2008
* Seven Stars and Stripes Global Awards, 2008 – Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort, Los Tucanes Restaurant, The Grand Spa
* Five Star Diamond Award, 2007 – Resort Los Tucanes Restaurant, The Grand Spa
Green/Environmental Responsibility:
Green Awards – Please refer to Awards and Accolades section above.
The Tabacón Green Program, Tabacón's Responsible Tourism initiative is an important, all-reaching program at the resort, involving guests, management, and staff.
Program components include:
Energy Conservation – The resort has succeeding in reducing its electricity consumption by 35% with practices such as installing fluorescent lighting, photo voltaic cells, lighting timers, key cards that control lighting in guest rooms, and low-power electric fans.
Water Conservation – All water used at the resort is mineral water that comes from the nearby volcano and natural springs. Additionally, guestrooms have low-flow showers.
Recycling – Since 1997, Tabacón has been actively recycling and purchasing products that are biodegradable, recyclable, or reusable. The resort sends recycled materials to local schools, which then sell the items to recycling industries, and organic waste to local farmers for livestock feed.
Rainforest Protection – Tabacón protects the rainforest within the property and its numerous ecosystems: one method of protection is by strictly prohibiting hunting or extracting animals or plants on the property. The resort also has a "Plant a Tree" program which encourages guests to plant their own trees; a total of 2,000 trees were planted in 2009.
Staff Commitment – The Green Brigade is a group of active and compassionate Tabacón employees who protect the environment through waste removal around the property, reforestation programs, the creation of herb gardens, and community based campaigns to fight Dengue fever.
Community Outreach Program – The resort also encourages guests to contribute to the local community by having guests donate $3.per room per night which goes to public education facilities in the area and a local children's orphanage. Tabacón matches all guest donations.
The Grand Spa:
The Grand Spa – The Grand Spa taps one of the world's most beautiful locations – thermal mineral springs set in the Costa Rican rainforest at the base of the Arenal Volcano – to offer an incomparable spa experience. Treatments are given in 11 open-air bungalows, all with Jacuzzis, in swimming pools and thermal springs, and at the three-unit Temazcal Center. There is also an open-air Yoga Studio.
Treatments are offered for women, men and children. The Grand Spa offers a range of wet and dry treatments, including the signature Tabacón massage which begins with a series of bends and stretches to regulate the body's flow of vital energy, and concludes with volcanic mud vigorously massaged into the body. A Hot Stone massage combines warmed volcanic stones with eucalyptus, lemon and rosemary oils. Watsu and other water therapies are also available.
Every spa treatment is preceded by a Tabacón signature spa ritual promoting a state of complete relaxation. The ritual includes the completion of a medical questionnaire; enjoyment of a selection of teas, fruits, nuts and sorbets; an opportunity to unwind in the relaxation room with its mineral water Jacuzzi; and a cleansing foot bath and massage.
The spa was ranked one of the top three worldwide by Leading Spas of the World and Leading Hotels of the World in their recent inspections.
Nutrition, Weight Management, Wellness and Ayurvedic Lifestyle Programs – New to the resort, programs under the supervision of a licensed nutritionist, working with Spa staff and the resort's Ayurveda chef, are offered to adults and children. Programs range from 7-days to 30-days and are customized based on each guest's individual goals and needs.
Temazcal Center - The very heart of the Tabacón Grand Spa is the new Temazcal Center. Temazcal refers to the traditional Mexican sweat bath developed in Mesoamerica. Temazcal is an ancient native purifying and detoxifying bath ritual performed in an igloo-like structure and led by a shaman (native doctor). Tabacón's Huey Temazcal Aahuatlan is the first of its kind in Costa Rica and the only one in the world embedded in the energy of an active volcanic environment. The Center offers multiple sweat lodge sessions per day, with special appointments as well.
Native wedding ceremonies can also be arranged at the Temazcal.
Yoga Center – The open-air Yoga Center offers daily classes in a variety of disciplines, tailored to the level of guests. A meditation class is also offered.
Fitness Center - The new Fitness Center is equipped with LifeCycle cardio equipment, circuit training machines, free weights and exercise balls. It is currently being expanded and will also include private locker rooms, sauna and steam, for hotel guests only.
Thermal Springs – Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort is the only accredited resort to have pure mineral water. The resort's thermo-mineral waters, running at a soothing temperature range from 27° C to 42° C (about 80° F to 107° F), flow through exotic tropical gardens and form natural waterfalls, streams and river pools.
Dining and Refreshment:
Los Tucanes restaurant, an open-air fine dining restaurant, features an exciting blend of Ayurveda, Spa, Costa Rican, and Mexican cuisine, serving buffet and à la carte breakfast and à la carte lunch and dinner. An elegant setting is achieved with beautiful Costa Rican and Mexican-inspired selections presented on fine Villeroy & Boch china, Luigi Bormioli and Libbey crystal, and Italiana Arte silverware.
The resort's signature Gala Dinner with private chef and waiter, is set in a private, romantic bungalow in the rainforest.
Ave del Paraiso, Tabacón's casual dining restaurant, serves lunch, buffet dinner as well as à la carte selections overlooking lush tropical gardens and the main waterfall.
El Palenque Bar serves a menu of ceviche, grilled skewers, snacks and cocktails amid lush gardens.
Arenal Swim Bar, the resort's original swim-up bar, is located at the main pool in the thermal springs area and offers snacks and cocktails.
Café Brava Bar, the lobby bar, offers drinks and snacks with a view of the tropical gardens.
The Grand Spa features a light spa menu with Ayurvedic selections as well.
Weddings:
In addition to Native American weddings, which can be organized at the Temazcal Center, traditional weddings can be arranged at various locations at the resort including the spa, the hot springs, the gardens and the rainforest. A weddings coordinator is on-hand to manage all details for a perfect destination wedding.
Area Recreation:
Rising 5,436 feet above sea level, the Arenal Volcano is a must-see on any visitor's agenda. Daily ash columns, underground rumbling, glowing red lava flows and sudden explosions are ever-present reminders that visitors are in close proximity to Costa Rica's most active (and closely monitored) volcano.
Other area activities include nature cruises, whitewater rafting, waterfall rappelling, rain forest canopy tours, hanging bridges tours, and volcano hiking.
Rates:
There are six room categories, ranging from forest view rooms to honeymoon suites. Rates range from $245 to $450 for one or two persons per room, per night. Minimum two-night stay required.
Children:
Children are welcome at the resort. Due to security and personal safety concerns, children must be escorted at all times by their parents.
Accessibility:
Special rooms and some facilities are accessible for handicapped travelers.
About Tabacón Grand Thermal Resort
Certified a carbon neutral resort as of May 2009, newly awarded Luxury Eco Certification (second resort in the world) and the first hotel in the world to receive the Seven Stars and Stripes Green World Award, Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort is at the forefront of Costa Rica’s sustainability efforts. Acclaimed as one of the "world’s best spa resorts" and "spas" by Travel + Leisure, Luxist, Spa Magazine and Luxury SpaFinder; and one of the "world’s top eco-spas" by Concierge.com, Tabacón features a three-unit Temazcal, 11 outdoor treatments bungalows, and a menu of indigenous treatments including volcanic mud wraps and Watsu in an outdoor thermal pool. Other highlights within Tabacón’s rainforest setting are 12 natural hot spring pools, natural waterfalls, lagoons, thermal river pools and exotic gardens. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, Tabacón’s Grand Spa is also a member of the Leading Spas of the World and Healing Hotels of the World.
The 114-room resort is surrounded by the energy of the live Arenal volcano. New this year, Tabacón also offers an education-rich wellness vacation program where guests can consult with a nutritionist and spa expert to develop a healthy living plan and assist with weight management. Tabacón has updated accommodations and swimming pool areas. Its restaurants serve an enticing mix of Ayurvedic, Costa Rican and Mexican cuisine. The signature Gala Dinner is served in a private rainforest bungalow with a private chef and server. Nearby activities include nature tours, hanging bridges, ziplining, canyoning, and hiking to the volcano.
www.tabacon.com
011–506–2519–1999
or toll-free
1–877–277–8291
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