HOTEL
A Luxury Eco-Lodge in Upala, Costa Rica
ORIGINS LODGE | BY JARONE ASHKENAZI PHOTOS CREDIT: RYAN FORBES
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ff National Highway No. 6, down a windy gravel road surrounded on both sides by luscious greenery and the occasional friendly cow, lies ORIGINS Lodge. This luxury boutique property is an elegant eco-lodge overlooking the Higueron Valley, surrounded by lagoons and a lush rainforest, where guests have a unique opportunity to experience pura vida. In the far northwestern corner of Costa Rica, in Provincia de Alajuela, Upala, ORIGINS Lodge presents the full-service amenities of a luxu-rious resort. Guests are fully immersed in the sights and sounds of the high valley jungle of Costa Rica’s wondrous northern rainforest. The sophisticated luxury lodges (six in total) feature hardwood floors, artwork from local artists, and indoor and outdoor showers. The rooms are designed to mirror an indigenous Cali (casa). The circular shape brings in light, capturing the positive energy of the day and letting it go during the afternoon when the opercula is closed. Each features a large balcony with fire-heated hot tubs overlooking the jungle, where guests can spot sloths or monkeys on the trees that surround the tropical foliage. The property also features a three-room villa accommodating up to six guests and is primed to build an adjacent resort with larger villas geared toward families and larger groups. At present, there are seven accommodations on the property, including six one-bedroom luxury lodges and one three-bedroom Villa Vertigo, meaning that the maximum number of people at the resort is 18.
Led by hospitality veteran Claudia Silva, General Manager of ORIGINS Luxury Lodge, there are a total of 60 full-time employees who cater to each guest’s needs with the utmost care. From the moment you check in to your last goodbye, the environment created by each staff member presents one of bespoke inclusivity, offering a beautiful place of respite and refuge. “ORIGINS Lodge is ideal for a personal retreat or romantic getaway, nestled amidst 111 acres of private rainforest jungle. The options are endless, from hiking to a waterfall and spotting sloths on the way, going on an evening safari-style hike around the property to see the red-eyed frog, indulging in the highest quality gourmet cuisine with French and Costa Rican flavors with produce from the on-site garden, enjoying a spa treatment in the spacious Spa Suite, to simply relaxing in the private warm pools adjacent to each luxury lodge, which are heated by outdoor fireplaces,¨ said General Manager Claudia Silva. On its 46 hectares, the exquisite cuisine is bolstered by the on-site organic garden, where Payito, the garden curator, directs the kitchen staff to the freshness of the daily produce. Chef Bismark Herrera proudly presents offerings grown on property at the on-site El Salto restaurant, with specialties like ratatouille and superfood salads. Innovative vegan and vegetarian menus are also available, utilizing organic herbs, edible flowers, and an array of vegetables. Along with a stunning 180° view, the team presents a beautiful experience filled with color and flavor, harkening your taste buds back to the source of intimate dining.
108 | UPSCALE LIVING MAGAZINE | AUG/SEPT 2023
In terms of activities, the options are endless for both on-site and off-site activities. From Laka-Tii spa, which uses natural products for its massage and therapies, to its Koora yoga pavilion, where Caro leads daily yoga practice, guests can also take a general flora or medicinal plant tour with naturalists to dive deeper into the lodge’s sustainability measures, as well as go on night walks/hikes to spot the red-eyed frogs and other creatures. Meet with naturalists to spot around a hundred and fifty species of birds around the property, or take a cooking class to savor the freshness and organic flavor of their gardens and farms. Hike up the 280 steps, feel the fresh air along the on-site Oro Waterfall, and return via horseback for a memorable experience. The dedicated team can also create tailored, allinclusive wellness packages featuring customizable itineraries, including rejuvenating spa treatments, healing therapies, and exclusive experiences for a transformative stay. With accommodations for four, after five nights and five days in a Luxury Lodge, guests will embark on a personalized retreat with prices starting at $4,500 for double occupancy and $3,900 for solo travelers. ORIGINS Lodge works with local business-es to offer off-site activities like a unique chocolate tour, white water rafting, volcano hikes, tubbing on the celeste river, tapir valley preserve, safari boat, and cano negro wetlands, among others.
