Luxist

Mandarin Oriental has announced a beach resort and branded Residences at Playa Manzanillo, in Guanacaste province, on Costa Rica's northern Pacific coast. The Mandarin Oriental, Costa Rica will be part of a 538-acre gated golf and residential development, Rancho Manzanillo, which will feature branded Mandarin Oriental residences, beach and golf villas, and private homes. The resort will include the 18-hole Fred Couples Signature Championship golf course and 200 acres will be protected tropical dry forest. The hotel will be build on a costal ridge with bay views and hte suites will be designed using native woods and stone. The hotel will also have "tree house suites" away from the main building and set below the trees. The resort will include three restaurants, a lounge and three bars and a 20,000-square-foot spa. The 130-room resort will open in 2009. 28/05/08