Fodor's Expert Review Gaia Hotel & Reserve

On 13 acres of private reserve, this boutique hotel is contemporary and very chic, with rooms rendered in slate, hardwood, and rattan with Italian fittings. Elegance abounds with soft hues of cream and white and pampering extras like 500-thread-count Egyptian-cotton bed linens and Turkish robes. Jacuzzi tubs and (shared) rooftop sundecks encourage relaxation, as does the Terra Spa complete with a Vichy rain shower, mud room, sauna, hair salon, and six treatment rooms. Higher room categories include a complimentary mini-spa treatment with direct booking. Three white buildings house the rooms, which are surprisingly spacious—the smallest is 350 square feet. Wildlife tours of the preserve take place daily at 3:30, and beach transportation is offered hourly from 7:30 to 4. The hotel’s La Luna Restaurant has an excellent tapas menu from 4 to 6 and sweeping sunset views, earning it a reputation as one of the best restaurants in Manuel Antonio.