The Retreat Costa Rica Voted #1 Best Spa in the World by Condé Nast Traveler
We are humbled and proud to share that The Retreat Costa Rica has been voted the #1 Best Spa in the World by Condé Nast Traveler U.K. and the #8 Best Destination Spa in the World by Condé Nast Traveler U.S. in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards.
For us, this award is more than a title. It reflects nearly ten years of dedication, a team that pours heart into every detail, and a community of guests who return again and again.
The Heart of The Retreat: Our People
From the very beginning, The Retreat has been more than a place; it has been a family. Every guest who walks through our doors feels it immediately: the warmth, the attention to detail, and the sense that they are not just visiting a hotel, but stepping into a home.
That spirit exists because of our extraordinary staff—servers who remember your favorite drink, bartenders and sommeliers who create memorable evenings, our front desk team who greets you with genuine smiles, and our housekeeping and maintenance teams whose care makes every detail feel effortless.
Our Santosha Wellness Club team brings life to our social-wellness spaces, while our spa therapists, yoga instructors, and fitness trainers guide guests into balance, restoration, and transformation. It is their devotion that makes The Retreat what it is.
The Soul of Our Spa
The Vida Mía Healing Center & Spa has always been our beating heart. Built into the mountainside with sweeping views of the Pacific, it is a sanctuary where traditional therapies meet the future of wellness.
This year, we’ve expanded into cutting-edge longevity practices, offering:
- IV Vitamin Therapy & Hydration Treatments – customized drips to restore energy, immunity, and vitality. Discover our IV therapies →
- Hormone Balancing & Exosome Treatments – tailored to support vitality and healthy aging.
- Alongside our beloved classics: facials, body rituals, and signature massages.
Every treatment is designed not just for the body, but to create moments of deep healing and transformation.
Santosha Wellness Club: A New Chapter in Wellness
his past year we unveiled the Santosha Wellness Club, our $4M expansion dedicated to connection, movement, and joy. Santosha means “contentment,” and here you’ll find:
- A new yoga shala and light-filled movement studios.
- A state-of-the-art gym with the latest equipment.
- A sparkling pool under a Guanacaste tree.
- Social spaces designed to foster community and belonging.
We’ve also launched Santosha Memberships for local and extended-stay guests, granting exclusive access to classes, pools, events, and our growing social wellness community.
Mystique Rooftop Fine Dining
Our culinary story has reached new heights with Mystique Rooftop Fine Dining, helmed by award-winning chef Pablo Bonilla and inspired by Costa Rica’s cultural richness. Seasonal tasting menus blend bold flavors, refined artistry, and panoramic rooftop views.
Reservations are now available for both in-house and outside guests.
The New 3-Bedroom Residence
This year, we also introduced our first private villa-style space: The Residence. At 2,529 ft², it’s perfect for groups, families, or guests who want more privacy, space, and independence. With three bedrooms, a full kitchen, elegant living areas, and its own laundry, it feels like a luxurious home away from home—with seamless access to Santosha, Mystique, and La Diosa.
The guests of The Residence can enjoy the full range of The Retreat’s amenities while having a private sanctuary of their own.
Wellness Packages: Remembering Our Roots
As we celebrate being voted the #1 Best Spa in the World by Condé Nast Traveler U.K. and #8 Best Destination Spa in the World by Condé Nast Traveler U.S., we pause to remember what brought us here.
Even as The Retreat has grown — with the opening of the Santosha Wellness Club, Mystique Rooftop Fine Dining, new luxury accommodations, and cutting-edge therapies — our foundation remains the same: the transformative wellness programs that have guided our guests from the very beginning.
These core packages are the roots of The Retreat. They’ve been here since day one, shaping countless journeys of healing, restoration, and transformation. Today, they continue to define who we are.
Fitness Reboot & Fat Burning Package
Ideal for: Body recomposition, weight loss, and building strength
A results-driven program designed to reset habits and ignite transformation through mindful movement, metabolism-boosting nutrition, and restorative therapies.
- Six 60-minute private training sessions with our in-house trainer, Carlos Roque
- Personalized fitness assessment and consultation
- Twice-daily yoga and meditation sessions
- 11 healing therapies for rest and recovery, including infrared sauna
- Anti-inflammatory meals designed to cleanse and fuel the body
- Full access to Santosha gym, yoga shala, and pools
Explore Fitness Reboot & Fat Burning
The Art of Resting Package
Ideal for: Stress relief, deep rest, and nervous system reset
or those seeking to step back, slow down, and restore balance. This package is a gentle invitation to experience true rest and renewal.
- Daily yoga, meditation, and breathwork sessions
- Spa treatments focused on calming the nervous system
- Nourishing chef’s choice meals with an emphasis on anti-inflammatory healing
- Guided walks in nature for grounding and reconnection
- Access to Vida Mía Healing Center and Santosha Wellness Club amenities
The Signature Naked Challenge
Ideal for: Deep transformation, body recomposition, and lifestyle reset
One of our most intensive and popular programs, The Naked Challenge strips away old patterns and rebuilds.
- Comprehensive consultation and wellness planning
- Structured daily fitness, yoga, and mindful movement sessions
- Targeted therapies to accelerate recovery and enhance metabolism
- Anti-inflammatory chef-designed meals that cleanse and replenish
- Personalized coaching and accountability from our wellness team
- Access to Santosha’s state-of-the-art gym, yoga shala, and pools
These packages are more than programs — they are the soul of The Retreat. While we continue to evolve with new spaces, therapies, and experiences, it is through these roots that we honor our beginnings and celebrate our recognition among the best in the world.
Joining the World’s Finest
This recognition comes as we continue to grow globally:
- Member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH)
- Partner of Virtuoso
- Awarded Luxury Spa Edit distinction
- Now recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as the #1 Spa in the World (U.K.) and #8 Destination Spa in the World (U.S.)
These honors are bridges, connecting us to a global community of travelers seeking authentic, sustainable, and transformative experiences.
Looking Ahead
From a dream on a crystal-quartz mountain to a sanctuary celebrated worldwide, The Retreat has blossomed into a destination where luxury, wellness, and soul meet.
As we step into the next decade, we remain committed to listening, evolving, and creating spaces where every guest feels safe, nurtured, and transformed.
With gratitude—to our team, our guests, and our global community—for making this journey possible.