November 2012

2012

Costa Rica Scoop intelligence for upscale travel by Grupo Islita

26 .1 miles… running… for the sheer love of it. What at first seems like an unwanted, crushing task becomes a driving force

that pushes us to prepare physically, mentally, and spiritually. We eventu-ally make peace with the challenge and find ourselves embracing the enter-prise with passion, anticipating the reward of the finish line. Just a few weeks ago, I had a blessed opportunity to run my first marathon, an experi-ence that I will ever be thankful for. During the months of training, for the Chicago Marathon 2012, I couldn’t help but draw parallels with the hospi-tality industry. We may not don running shorts and dry-fit shirts, but we are certainly all about setting goals and working hard toward reaching them. We all run a team marathon where guest satisfaction takes the place of mile markers.

This month, Grupo Islita befittingly celebrates achievement. We are incredi-bly proud to announce that both Hotel Punta Islita and El Silencio Lodge & Spa have been named as two of the top resort destinations in Central and South America by Condé Nast Travelers’ read-ers. In celebration, we are extending a special “Readers’ Best” promotion that we hope you can take advantage of. In the meantime, we continue our ongoing hospitality marathon, looking for-ward to surpassing the dreams and expectations of our guests… for the sheer love of it!

-Gustavo

Mr. Gustavo Segura CEO Grupo Islita

Hospitality Marathon

- Greetings from Gustavo -

Featured Guest Photo

A very special thanks to our

guests’ Dana and Dan from

Romania for sharing this fabulous im-

age featuring heartfelt smiles. When

a broken car key threatened to leave

them stranded on their way to the

airport for a long return trip home,

Grupo Islita’s CEO Gustavo Segura

came to the rescue, giving them a

prompt lift to a replacement vehicle

and escorting them to San Jose Inter-

national. A potential disaster turned

into a fun adventure! Guest Dana B. shares an enthusiastic thumbs up with CEO Gustavo Segura.

W e are thrilled to celebrate

year on year awards for

Hotel Punta Islita and El

Silencio Lodge & Spa.

Both properties are again featured among

the best Central & South American resorts in

the just-released Condé Nast Traveler’s 2012

Readers’ Choice Awards. With this latest ac-

colade Hotel Punta Islita achieves a “stellar

seven”, recognized as one of the best in its

category for seven

consecutive years.

Its younger proper-

ty, El Silencio Lodge

& Spa makes the list for the second time in a

row, continuing to fulfill the high expecta-

tions set forth by its 2008 designation as one

of the globe’s most promising new proper-

ties in Condé Nast Traveler’s Hot List.

As Costa Ricans, we are especially proud to

have our properties consistently rated as

travelers’ favorites. We are grateful for

these longstanding international recogni-

tions and pledge to continue showcasing the

best of our na-

tion’s natural

and cultural

attractions while championing its people-

positive, planet-friendly ideals. To those of

you who had a chance to voice your

thoughts in this years’ survey, we extend our

heartfelt thanks for your partnership and

friendship.

The Votes Are In!!!

- Grupo Islita -

READER’S’ CHOICE AWARDS

2012

H ave you ever experienced

Costa Rica's Pura Vida?

We hope you enjoy this

little "teaser", blockbuster

style. Perfect to convince someone to

plan a fun-filled Costa Rica escape!

http://grupoislita.blogspot.com

Got Minute?

- Hotel Punta Islita -

H otel Punta Islita’s

makeover is com-

plete… and we look

better than ever. The

construction crews are gone, leav-

ing Hotel Punta Islita spiffy and

ready to welcome travelers in full

comfort. Upgrades include a fully

refurbished kitchen where Chef

Lizzeth can create delicious menu

offerings, enhanced walking trails

and new ocean view lounging

decks, improved room amenities,

a new pool deck, brand new

roofing, and energy-efficient laun-

dry facilities.

Experiences! Travel engages us in a quest for novel landscapes, fascinating cul-

tures, and fun. Hotel Punta Islita’s new online Experience Menu

details the cultural discovery and eco-adventures that you can

enjoy during your visit. Please review our new online experience

catalog for a little travel inspiration:

http://bit.ly/ExperienceCatalogHotelPuntaIslitaCostaRica

Better than Ever!

- Hotel Punta Islita -

Art Art Art

More Art for the Islita Museum

B eyond the thrilling adventures,

flavorful cuisine, spectacular

views, and service details, Ho-

tel Punta Islita offers a signa-

ture experience. Authentic and unique,

it allows visitors to fully immerse in Costa

Rica’s cultural tradi-

tions.

The Islita Open-Air

Contemporary Art

Museum is the

flagship program of

the hotel’s Responsible Tourism Model.

This innovative initiative pairs Costa Ri-

can and international artists with local

counterparts to create bold murals, in-

stallations, and sculptures in a display of

identity and self-validation.

Today, there are more than sixty men,

women, and youngsters involved in sev-

en community art groups. Their original

pieces are proudly displayed and sold at

the Casa Museo, located in the heart of

Islita.

Museum Director,

Loida Prétiz is en-

thusiastic about a

new round of art

events to greet the

New Year. A special occasion to show-

case our neighbors’ creative talent as a

way of sharing their history, passions,

and daily lives.

“The latest edition of the Islita Art En-counters will emphasize art pieces by

local community artists.” -Museum Director, Loida Prétiz

Museum Director Loida Prétiz

- Hotel Punta Islita -

Ingredients/Materials

2 cups masa harina. 1 1/2 to 2 cups water. 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. Salt.

Wax paper. Your hands, tortilla press, or rolling pin.

You can replicate some of the long-living benefits of the traditional Nicoya

Blue Zone diet by making the area’s signature staple, the simple tortilla. This

delicious favorite is chockfull of nutrients, thanks to the special properties of

its main ingredient: masa harina. Treated with calcium hydroxide, this corn flour is more nutritious be-

cause it releases more niacin and is easier on the digestive system. Find masa harina at most supermar-

kets or your local Latin or Mexican Market.

Prep: Pour the masa harina and baking soda in a large mixing bowl. Heat the water until it is very warm

but not scalding. Add to the flour and mix, folding it thoroughly. Add a sprinkle of water or a little more

flour If necessary. Work it for several minutes until the dough reaches the consistency of Play Doh. Let sit

for about five minutes. Take chunks of the dough and roll into spheres the size of golf balls.

Lay an 8 inch square piece of wax paper on the table or tortilla press. Place a sphere in the middle, top

with another 8 inch wax paper and press. Use your hands, tortilla press, or rolling pin. Another good op-

tion is a flat dish with at least a 6 inch bottom. Gently press the sphere into thin circles. Repeat until all

uncooked tortillas are ready for the skillet.

Heat a large skillet on high heat. Remove each individual tortilla from the wax paper and cook for about 45

seconds on each side. Remove and wrap in a dish towel to keep the warmth. Cook each tortilla individual-

ly. Serve immediately with your favorite hash dish, meat, tofu, or veggies. Tortillas are completely versa-

tile. You can also freeze and reheat for later use.

Long-Life Tortilla Flat

Longevity Blue Zone

D id you know that Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula is one of

the globe's hotbeds of healthy longevity? Hotel Punta Islita is

blessed by such energizing surroundings. Intrigued? Learn more

about author Dan Buettner’s Blue Zones project at:

www.bluezones.com . You can also read about journalist Sherrie

Nachman’s recent experience at Hotel Punta Islita’s neighboring

Blue Zone during a special family vacation: http://bit.ly/Ug1gbQ

Tortillas may be key to Nicoya’s long-living secret!

How Far Would You

Swim for Love?

- El Silencio Lodge & Spa -

Brewing

Tico

Style!

T he chorreador is Costa Rica’s favorite and most traditional

coffee brewing gadget. Coffee enthusiasts fall in love with

this simple, environmentally friendly method. A thick can-

vass bag is hung on a special wooden stand right over your

favorite mug or cup. Coffee grinds are added to the bag and boiling

water is slowly poured in to brew the

coffee. The method gives complete con-

trol to the brewer to achieve the perfect

strength. It is easy to add your signature

touch like a clove or a bit of cinnamon

right into the brewing sock. Many ex-

perts say that the java’s best oils and

healthy properties are best enjoyed in a

cup of freshly-seeped chorreador coffee.

In addition to Costa Rican coffee, traditional chorreado kits are a great gift idea.

Chorreador Tip:

To keep your brewing bag fresh,

rinse thoroughly with water

after each use and let it dry

completely. Never use soap or

detergent!

About once a month, rub with

plenty of salt to remove excess

oil and rinse well with water!

Next time you enjoy your favorite cup of

Costa Rican coffee, pause before you

toss away the grinds. What is most of

the time destined to the garbage can is

actually a nutrient-rich, multi-purpose

black gold.

Shine! Imbue your hair with silky soft-

ness. Just work a dollop of grinds

through your hair and rinse thoroughly.

Exfoliate! Just pat on skin, massage

lightly, and rinse.

Fertilize! Just sprinkle a bit around the

base of your favorite acid-loving plant

like tomatoes, citruses, and colorful

flowering ornamentals like roses, azal-

eas, and camellias.

Repel! In addition to adding nutrients to

the soil, the granular texture of grinds

repels slugs and other pests.

Deodorize! Just place a small bowl of

grinds in the freezer to absorb odor. Or

rub grinds on your hands after chopping

veggies to remove pungent smells.

- El Silencio Lodge & Spa -

Coffee to the Grind!

- El Silencio Lodge & Spa -

The El Silencio Experience

R eminisce about your last

visit to El Silencio Lodge &

Spa or dream about a fu-

ture vacation. We hope

you enjoy this mini-video featuring the

essence of our soul-soothing cloud for-

est. http://grupoislita.blogspot.com/

hotelpuntaislita.com │ elsilenciolodge.com ..…. hotelpuntaislita.com │ elsilenciolodge.com ..….

Grupo Islita’s two select

properties blend the best of

Costa Rica’s beach and moun-

tain settings featuring intense

nature, upscale comfort and

bespoke services. Remember,

we now offer a unified reser-

vations center and a dedicat-

ed bilingual team to help

travelers, travel professionals

and their partners ensure

seamless logistics from arrival

to departure.

http://grupoislita.blogspot.com/

Please visit our blog! Your com-

ments, questions, and contributions

will be greatly appreciated.

How may we assist you?

Email: reserve@grupoislita.com Phone in Costa Rica: +506 2231-6122

Toll Free from US & Canada: 1-866-446-4053

Online chat: www.hotelpuntaislita.com or www.elsilenciolodge.com