The Best of Both Worlds: Staying in a Villa at a Resort
How a beachfront villa upgrade at Nantipa Costa Rica revealed the perfect combination of privacy, space, and resort service.
- Q: What makes a villa at a resort different from a vacation rental?
- A: Villa resorts combine the privacy and space of a private home with resort amenities and services like daily housekeeping, restaurants, concierge, and activities. You get your own pool and separate living spaces without sacrificing the convenience of a full-service property.
One of my favorite parts of being a travel advisor is finding those little extras that make a trip even more special. An upgrade is always exciting to secure for a client, but getting to experience that surprise myself is pretty fun, too.
During our recent trip to Costa Rica, my friend's family and mine had booked two rooms at Nantipa in Santa Teresa. When we arrived, we were surprised with an upgrade that none of us saw coming: a stunning beachfront villa with its own private pool.
And judging by the kids' reactions when they walked in, I was not the only one who thought it was pretty incredible.
But what really struck me about the experience was not just the villa itself. It was the combination of having all that space and privacy while still being at a resort.
The best of both worlds
There is something incredibly appealing about a private vacation rental. You can spread out, have separate bedrooms and living spaces, enjoy your own pool and settle into a home-away-from-home kind of experience.
But there is also a downside. With a typical vacation rental, you are often giving up the services and amenities that come with a resort. There is no restaurant downstairs when you do not feel like cooking. Housekeeping may be limited or nonexistent. If you need help with something, you are often figuring it out yourself.
A villa located within a resort gives you another option.
You can have the privacy, space and flexibility of a private home while still enjoying the services of a professionally managed resort. Depending on the property, that can include daily housekeeping, a restaurant and bar, pools, beach service, activities, concierge assistance, butler service, private chefs and more.
It is a combination I especially love for families and multi-generational groups. Everyone can have their own space, but you are not completely on your own.
At Nantipa, our villa was ideal for our group. The kids had a double queen room with their own ensuite, while each set of parents had a king room and ensuite. We also had our own pool and were steps from the beach.
Each villa features its own private pool, steps from the beach
Thoughtfully designed villa bedrooms and bathrooms gave everyone their own comfortable space
And when we wanted breakfast, we did not have to figure out groceries or start cooking. We simply headed to the resort restaurant. When you book Nantipa through us, breakfast is included as an added benefit.
Whether dining at the resort or in your villa, meals are convenient and delicious
That is a very different experience from renting a standalone vacation home.
This is the key differentiator for families and multi-generational groups. Everyone gets their own space and privacy, but you're not left managing all the logistics yourself. The resort handles housekeeping, dining, and activities while you enjoy the freedom of your own villa.
Why Nantipa stood out
Nantipa is located on Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world's five Blue Zones. The resort's name means "blue" in the Chorotegan language, and that connection to the region's focus on health and longevity is woven throughout the experience.
Mornings begin with complimentary yoga, the restaurant emphasizes fresh, healthy ingredients, and smoothies and cocktails are made with real fruit.
Complimentary yoga classes set the tone for mornings at Nantipa
For us, though, the biggest luxury was simply having somewhere beautiful to slow down.
We had already spent time exploring inland Costa Rica, including the Arenal area, so by the time we reached Santa Teresa, we were ready for some beach time. We did not book excursions or try to fill every day with activities. We spent our time swimming, relaxing, enjoying the beach and making the most of our villa.
The beach and grounds at Nantipa provided the perfect backdrop for slowing down
Sometimes that is exactly what a vacation needs.
A resort stay that teaches something, too
Another thing I appreciated about Nantipa was how naturally sustainability was incorporated into the guest experience.
The resort has practices in place to reduce its environmental impact, including recycling water to help nourish its gardens. But what I loved most was the way they made sustainability something the kids could participate in rather than simply something adults were told about.
Nantipa encourages guests to participate in beach cleanups by rewarding collected trash with free smoothies.
Needless to say, our kids were highly motivated.
What stuck with them even more was learning that much of the plastic that washes up on Costa Rica's beaches does not actually originate in Costa Rica. It can travel through the ocean from places far away.
That lesson came home with us. It is an easy reminder that the choices we make around single-use plastics can have an impact far beyond our own communities.
I love when a resort can make an experience memorable for kids while also leaving them with something meaningful to think about after they return home.
When choosing a resort for a family trip, look for properties that offer opportunities for kids to engage with the destination beyond the typical tourist activities. Nantipa's beach cleanup program was educational, meaningful, and gave the kids something tangible to contribute to their trip.
A different way to think about vacation rentals
When clients tell us they want the space of a villa or vacation rental, we always want to understand what they really mean.
Do you want the privacy and room to spread out?
Do you want a private pool?
Do you want multiple bedrooms and bathrooms so everyone has their own space?
Or do you also want someone making the beds, a great restaurant nearby, someone to arrange dinner, a chef who can come to the villa, a butler who can take care of the details or a team available when you need them?
Because you do not necessarily have to choose.
If your family has been torn between booking a vacation rental and a traditional resort, villa resorts might be your answer. They give you everything you love about private homes - space, privacy, and independence - without sacrificing the service and amenities that make vacations actually relaxing. This is what I'd book for my own family, every time.
The villa's living spaces and full kitchen provide comfort and flexibility, while resort amenities handle the hard work
There are private villas within resorts and luxury villa properties that offer many of the comforts of a resort while giving you the space of a private home. For families, groups of friends and multi-generational trips, that combination can be a fantastic fit.
Our stay at Nantipa was a great reminder of why I love this style of travel.
We got the villa. We got the beach. We got the private pool. We got the space for everyone to spread out.
And we still had the resort taking care of the details.
That really is the best of both worlds.
Ready to Plan Your Costa Rica Escape?
We specialize in crafting Costa Rica experiences that combine luxury, adventure, and that perfect blend of privacy and service. Let's talk about what your family's best vacation looks like.
Start Planning- Q: Is Nantipa right for families? - Yes, absolutely. The private villa setup with separate bedrooms, resort amenities, and activities like beach cleanups makes it ideal for families and multi-generational groups. Kids get the fun of having their own space while parents enjoy the convenience of resort services.
- Q: What's included when you book Nantipa through Explore More Travel? - When booked through us, breakfast is included as an added benefit. We also handle all the planning details so you can focus on relaxing and enjoying your family time.
- Q: Is Nantipa all-inclusive? - Nantipa is not an all-inclusive resort, but the villas come with daily housekeeping, and breakfast is included when booked through Explore More Travel. Lunch, dinner, and activities are additional but easily arranged through the resort.
- Q: How far is Nantipa from the airport? - Nantipa is located in Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula, about 4-5 hours from San Jose International Airport. We can arrange transportation for you.
- Q: What's the best time to visit Nantipa? - The dry season from December to April is peak season and offers the most stable weather. However, the green season (May-November) offers lush landscapes, fewer crowds, and often better rates.
- Q: Can Nantipa accommodate large groups? - Yes. With multiple villa options on the property, Nantipa can accommodate families and groups of varying sizes. We can help coordinate villa bookings for your entire group.
- Q: What activities are available at Nantipa? - Beyond the beach, Nantipa offers complimentary yoga, beach cleanups, and can arrange excursions like surfing, zip-lining, wildlife tours, and cultural experiences on the Nicoya Peninsula.
- Q: Are there other villa resorts similar to Nantipa in Costa Rica? - Yes, there are several luxury villa resorts throughout Costa Rica that offer this same combination of privacy and service. We can recommend properties that match your family's specific needs and budget.
- Q: How do I book a stay at Nantipa? - Contact us at team@exploremoretravelco.com. We'll handle all the details, including securing your villa, arranging transfers, and making sure your stay includes all the perks we negotiate for our clients.
- Q: What makes a villa resort better than a traditional hotel or vacation rental? - Villa resorts give you the privacy and space of a home with the amenities and services of a resort. You're not managing groceries or housekeeping, but you're not confined to a hotel room either.