GrupoIslitaScoop2012

January

2012

Costa Rica Scoop intelligence for upscale travel by Grupo Islita

Grupo Islita Integrates Stewardship Hotel Punta Islita and El Silencio

Lodge & Spa have appointed Costa

Rican hospitality and sustainability

expert, Mr. Gustavo Segura, as Direc-

tor and CEO. Formerly managed as

related but separate enterprises,

both hotels are now operating under

the umbrella of Grupo Islita.

Mr. Segura’s leadership and the ap-

pointment of a new Board of Direc-

tors allow Grupo Islita to effectively

combine Hotel Punta Islita’s secluded

coastal landscapes and El Silencio

Lodge & Spa’s cloud forest wellness

in an outstanding, integrated prod-

uct. Vacations featuring both proper-

ties, will grant consumers and travel

professionals a streamlined reserva-

tion process, expedite response

times, and efficient logistics at an

optimal value.

Mr. Gustavo Segura has a fourteen-

year track record in the national and

international responsible tourism

arena, highlighted by effective and

successful leadership in both the pri-

vate and public sectors.

Grupo Islita’s Board of Directors fea-

tures key executives from Hotel Pun-

ta Islita and El Silencio Lodge & Spa

plus a selection of Costa Rica’s most

prominent travel business leaders.

Words From Our CEO

Kind souls carve a special place in our hearts and live on through us in spirited intensity and com-forting friendship. Thank you Bo for inspiring us, for making us laugh, and for always calling to mind that life is indeed beautiful.

The new Board of Directors at Grupo Islita’s official launch ceremony.

Mr. Gustavo Segura, MBA

Please receive our warmest wishes for a suc-

cessful and meaningful 2012.

Grupo Islita is thrilled to offer the first install-

ment of its newsletter, combining information

about its two properties: Hotel Punta Islita and

El Silencio Lodge & Spa. We hope you enjoy this

new format. Our goal is to ever improve it as a

valuable travel planning tool and as an engag-

ing medium to keep in touch with our friends. I

cordially invite you to write to us with any com-

ments & suggestions!

We bid farewell to our dear friend and adven-

ture guide, Bo. His untimely parting in a sad

traffic accident has left a profound void in the

Grupo Islita family. He was loved by many who

shared his passion and reverence for nature. Bo

will forever remain in our hearts.

As we begin a New Year, we embrace it with

optimism, celebrating that our two properties

have now attained the maximum five-level

rating in Costa Rica’s CST program thanks to

their successful environmental and social sus-

tainability programs. Additionally, both hotels

were featured in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2011

Reader’s Choice Awards. And El Silencio Lodge

& Spa greeted 2012 with a debut in the same

magazine’s Gold List.

I am thankful for the privilege of leading Grupo

Islita and look forward to implementing exciting

changes to better fulfill the expectations of se-

lect travelers who embrace Costa Rica as a

unique travel destination.

s

Hotel Punta Islita and El Silencio Lodge & Spa

have both attained the maximum sustainability 5

-Leaf rating in the Certification for Sustainable

Tourism program. This initiative, led by the Cos-

ta Rican government’s Tourism Board evaluates

tour operators and properties according to their

proven commitment to environmental and social

stewardship. Healthy destinations are attractive,

safe destinations and Grupo Islita pledges to fully

support the principles that have made Costa Rica

the favorite spot for green-minded travelers.

If your perfect Costa Ri-ca itinerary is complicated by in-country air transfer conflicts, Grupo Islita can help! Semi-private and charter local flights offer direct

30-35 minute routes connecting Costa Rica's main airports and the Islita Airstrip. Contacts us for de-tails! [email protected]

By choosing CST-rated enterprises, you contribute to

Costa Rica’s long term eco-social health.

Air Tip!

Costa Rica is serviced by two international airports, Juan Santamaría Interna-

tional in San José (SJO) and Liberia International in Guanacaste (LIR). Combining

both may prove more affordable and better suited to your in-country itinerary.

The Polls Are Open!

http://on.fb.me/CRGiftofHappiness

Travel+Leisure is seeking your input to rank the world's best hotels, cities, airlines, and spas. Hotel Punta Islita and El Si-lencio Lodge & Spa are proud to be featured as Costa Rican contenders. The online interface is very user friendly. Just fol-low the link on the right. No purchase necessary. Best of luck! http://bit.ly/TravelLeisureSurvey2012

Vote today for a chance to win a $10,000 dream vacation.

The Costa Rican Tourism

Board is sponsoring a very

special Million Dollar Gift of

Happiness giveaway. Host-

ed by the endearing charac-

ter of Mr. Sloth, the givea-

way includes thematic vaca-

tions emphasizing romance,

adventure, or wellness. It

gives Facebook users a

chance to win an unfor-

gettably joyful Costa Rica

vacation.

Even TV personality, Ander-

son Cooper got in on the

action by bestowing a Gift

of Happiness to viral You

Tube stars Brittany and

Cameron from “Girl Faints

Hearing Wedding Proposal”.

Given Mr. Sloth’s propensity

for deep zzz’s… we’re sure

they’ll hit it off!

Hotel Punta Islita and El Si-

lencio Lodge & Spa are

thrilled to be two of the

participating properties. To

enter, just follow the link,

“like” the Tourism Board’s

Facebook site, and register.

Buena suerte!

About Mr. Sloth!As the animal with a perpetual

smile, the sloth was a befitting

choice for Costa Rica’s Gift of

Happiness Campaign.

Here are other interesting facts

about this cheerful creature:

Related to both armadillos and

anteaters, sloths sleep almost

20 hours a day and spend most

of their lives in the tree canopy.

Their neck structure allows

them to turn their heads by al-

most 360º (Think “the Exorcist”,

but at a very leisurely pace.)

Sloths are believed to move

slowly to avoid being spotted by

predators. So slowly, that mold

actually grows on their fur!

But, despite their sluggish land

speed, they are know to be

swift swimmers.

A Bold Power Nap!

Did you know that the optimum combi-

nation for a quick, refreshing rest is prep-

ping for a short slumber with a cup of

your favorite coffee? According to re-

searchers, the invigorating effects of

caffeine kick in about fifteen minutes

after ingestion. Just in time to help you

awaken from your mini-nap. And we are

sure that the benefits are even better if

the coffee is Costa Rican… and enjoyed at

El Silencio Lodge & Spa.

A study published in Current Biology

Magazine gave a scientific seal of ap-

proval to hammock napping. According

to preliminary research, sleeping while

cradled and swayed by a comfy ham-

mock promotes faster and deeper zzzs.

More research is needed to establish

the reasons, and we think Hotel Punta

Islita is the perfect lab!

Simple Ideas for Quick Rest

It’s in the ZZZway!

Eco-Design

is Golden!

El Silencio

Lodge & Spa

was just fea-

tured in Conde Nast Traveler Magazine's 2012 Gold List,

detailing the planets' most enticing lodging destinations. El

Silencio’s Suites earned a perfect 100% score in a much ap-

preciated nod to upscale, planet-friendly design. Gracias!

Horseback Riding Adventure

Bajos del Toro’s landscapes are best explored on horseback. A relaxed pace lets riders fully take in Poas Vol-cano’s heat-etched slopes, tinted streams, and hidden waterfalls. As the trail veers into the heart of the Juan Castro Blanco National Park, par-ticipants are shrouded in Costa Rica’s pristine primary cloud forest for a uniquely soul-soothing immersion ex-perience. A highlight is witnessing the town of Rio Segundo, an aban-doned hacienda that is gradually re-claimed by nature’s implacable exu-berance. Unsurprisingly, this activity is General Manager Andrey’s favorite tour. In his words: “a must-live”

“Barbara: And then we arrived

at El Silencio Lodge and Spa!

Oh man. Gorgeous, peaceful,

lovely sanctuary. A 5-Leaf hotel

(which signifies the highest

compliance with eco-friendly

practices that a hotel can

have). Phil kept saying that he

never expected a hotel with

such high environmental stand-

ards to feel so posh, comforta-

ble, and decadent.

Deb and Barbara: So we will

sign off tonight fire-side in the

dining room, sipping a lovely

glass of red wine and awaiting

our first dinner in Costa Rica.”

“The workers can pick up to 20 bushels in 10 hours. I picked 15…. Beans… Took me a half hour.

My back is killing me.” -Colin Mochrie on the art of coffee-picking.

Please enjoy the charming wit of Deb

McGrath and Barbara Radecki as they

recount their first impressions of Costa

Rica's Gift of Happiness on The Middle

Ages, a wonderful blog about family and

friendship. El Silencio Lodge & Spa had

the honor to be their first hosts. Deb’s

husband, Colin Mochrie from the classic

TV hit “Whose Line is it Anyway”, pro-

vides some hilarious takes on their ad-

ventures in Costa Rica. To enjoy their

blog, please visit:

http://bit.ly/TheMiddleAgesinCostaRica

http://on.fb.me/ElSilencioLodgeWelcome

Please join El Silencio Lodge & Spa’s Facebook community.

An Excerpt from The Middle Ages

It was fun to host the

filming crew for an

international ad se-

ries featuring Costa

Rica’s beautiful

beaches as backdrop.

Kudos to our staff

and star concierge

Marvin for helping

the cast enjoy au-

thentic Costa Rican

hospitality.

Lights, Camera, Action!

Concierge Marvin Seas shares a bit of Guanacaste’s sunshine with former Baywatch star,

Pamela Anderson. Photo used with permission

Hotel Punta Islita’s 2011/12 New Year’s Carnaval was a thrilling success!

Thanks to all who shared such a festive occasion with us. We hope you can

join us next time. Just remember that the Holiday period sells out early in the

year and it is never too early to make your reservations.

Islita Carnaval

http://bit.ly/HotelPuntaIslitaWelcome

Please join Hotel Punta Islita’s Facebook community.

Hotel Punta Islita’s

new sunning deck

by the infinity pool

has been complet-

ed. Perfect to enjoy

sunny Guanacaste’s

ocean views!

We celebrate being named

Condé Nast Johansen’s

2012 “Most Excellent Eco-

Resort”. Thank you for

your enthusiastic support!

Warm up chilly winter days with smoky, hot chili! For a delicious

tropical twist add dark, unsweetened chocolate to your own favorite

recipe. Just blend in 1 oz dark chocolate per 4 cups of chili. Enjoy!

Grupo Islita’s two select

properties blend the best of

Costa Rica’s beach and

mountain settings featuring in-

tense nature, upscale comfort

and bespoke services.

We now offer a unified

reservations center and a

dedicated bilingual team to

help travelers, travel profes-

sionals and their partners en-

sure seamless logistics from ar-

rival to departure.

Grupo Islita simplifies Costa Rica travel planning!

How may we assist you?

Email: [email protected]

Phone in Costa Rica: +506 2231-6122

Toll Free from US & Canada: 1-866-446-4053 or 1-888-437-7111

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