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| Grand Spa Thermal Resort |
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| La
Fortuna - Costa Rica |
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Society - Extraordanary
November - 2009 |
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6
Stars & 5 Stripes
Overall - 'Resort & Service' |
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The Ultimate Award:
Seven Stars and Stripes® |
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| Not so long ago travelling into the jungle was a thing
for professionals and adventurers who were comfortable with a tent or a simple
hut. Times have changed dramatically; luxurious jungle lodging is today offered
all around the world to the discerning adventure traveler. Though the
volcanologists, zoologists and eco-tourist will most likely assure you that
high thread-count sheets or jungle facials are not what they came for, but
might have influenced their destination decision. |
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| The Tabacón
Grand Spa Thermal Resort of Costa Rica belongs on the top of that list. There
are several airlines that provide nonstop service from the US to Costa Rica,
but there is only one from Europe that flies nonstop to San Jose, Iberia
Airlines, and their
Business Class Plus service (CLICK HERE for a DETAILED IBERIA REVIEW) proved to be excellent. We embarked in Madrid, Spain and experienced great service and delicious on-board cuisine, with a few fabulous Spanish wines and several hours of flat bed sleep. This Iberia team kept us comfortable during the entire ten-hour flight. |
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| Arrival at Juan Santamaria International Airport, San
Jose on a relatively quiet Sunday was no more than a quick and flawless
formality and in no time Tabacón’s VIP Service Shuttle team
welcomed us graciously and offered us cool towels, refreshments and
canapés. On the way to our destination these casually meandering, but
sometimes steep roads kept us on alert until we arrived safely, marveling at
the exotic luscious panorama of this famous eco-sensitive resort.
Welcome
(PHOTO TOUR - CLICK HERE) and check-in was once again celebrated in
traditional Tabacón style, with grand smiles, cool towels and a chilled
exotic welcome drink. My accommodations were luxuriously designed with floor to
ceiling panorama windows that allowed me to feel, hear, breath and encounter
the jungle without ever jeopardizing my level of comfort. |
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| My
corner suite (PHOTO TOUR - CLICK HERE) displayed the look that
combines traditional detailing with the clean lines of contemporary style and
art, allowing the romantic baldachin boudoir-styled bed to be the centerpiece
without letting it takeover the room. Cool, clean natural stone floors
corresponded with elegant furniture of solid mahogany. Suite 508 displayed also
opulent bath facilities, decorated with interesting sculptures, the flowers of
the land and designer soaps and toiletries by Molton Brown. Besides, one can
see the fascinating living jungle in the shower as well as from the oversized
bathtub. The landscape atmosphere is nature embracing and is felt practically
everywhere in the suite, including the bar and desk. |
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The designer enhanced
the beauty of the suite at night through decorative back lighting of the nicely
stocked round marble bar table. Lighting had also been placed in the front of
the bathtub, bringing forth the beauty of the veins of the natural stone
through creative positioning. But nothing compares with the view of the volcano
when you open your eyes in the morning; this is truly unique. I had ordered my
wakeup call with impromptu room service and it was perfectly timed and
executed. Soon I was sipping on a hot freshly brewed cup of coffee that was
grown and roasted locally and this cup would keep me going for a
day… |
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| One of the most unusual natural mineral water spas of
the world was beckoning me that day and I couldn’t wait to get there.
Natural hot mineral water, heated deep within the earth, high in minerals and
legendary for its healing powers are feeding chemical free waterfalls and
natural lagoons on-site. Tabacón’s hot springs are 97% rain-based
and 3% magma-based. The 3 Mineral Spring Waters of Tabacon were examined by the
leading German water research company Fresenius and the evaluation as
Heilwasser / Healing water in 2008 which refers to the highest quality
standard under German Law. People visit Tabacón from all over the world
and are comparing the Grand Spa minerals springs with the thermal water spas of
Baden-Baden, Vichy and Evian. Europeans especially, are aware of the health
benefits of mineral water spas and visit them frequently for their healing
attributes, and cherish Tabacón’s location. |
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Tabacón
Grand Spa - (PHOTO TOUR - CLICK HERE) also specializes in
hydrotherapy and volcanic mud therapies, as well as massages and skin-care.
After relaxing in the hot springs I was scheduled for a couple of signatures
therapies and treatments in the midst of Tabacón Grand Spa’s lively
surroundings. Tabacón’s signature massage started with a light
stretching to loosen my jetlagged muscles, then moved slowly towards a softer
version of a deep tissue and ended with me being battered with an organic,
detoxifying and exfoliating mud, full of curative minerals from the Arenal
Volcano. |
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| It was an amazing
experience so far but it became even more interesting as I got up from the
massage table and was asked to step into a warm natural mineral pool to soak
off the mud. The intimate estuary was part of a natural hot spring that allowed
the flow of water to gently wash the mud away. I don’t think that I felt
more relaxed and cared for as in that moment. I closed my eyes and listened to
the sounds of the tropical rain forest, the chatter of monkeys, the songs of
the birds and the serendipitous splashing, running waters of the pools and
springs. |
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| Paradise
found - (PHOTO TOUR - CLICK HERE). There are about a dozen outdoor
treatment rooms, all with their own jet pools and plenty of privacy granted
through evergreen walls, each one secluded at the end of a meandering pathway.
After a refreshing glass of tropical fruit juice in the Grand Spa pool, I was
on the way to my outdoor Gentlemen’s facial ‘Para Caballero’, a
75-minute men’s facial with exfoliation, massage and a professional peel
off mask. This treatment was designed to deep cleanse, soothe, increase
circulation, penetrate the pores and it left my face radiant looking and
toned. |
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It was a truly exquisite
experience; the esthetician was a master of her trade and the result
instantaneous. A well executed facial will put anyone into a relaxed and
rejuvenated state, but at the Grand Spa, surrounded by the sounds and sights of
the rain forest, the effect penetrates more than ones skin, it touches ones
soul. Later that afternoon it was time for
‘Temazcal’
- (PHOTO TOUR - CLICK HERE), a steam bath ritual that was used for
spiritual and physical cleansing in Mesoamerican cultures. A temazcal is a type
of sweat lodge that originated with pre-Hispanic Indigenous peoples in
Mesoamerica. |
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| In ancient times it was used as part of a curative
ceremony and thought to purify the body after physical exertion, such as after
a battle or a ceremonial ball game. It was also used for healing the sick,
improving health, and for women to give birth. It continues to be used today in
Indigenous cultures of Mexico and Central America that were part of the ancient
Mesoamerican region for spiritual and health reasons. The Grand Spa, always
seeking innovation in its treatments, has opened the HUEY TEMAZCAL AAHUATLAN,
an exclusive therapy based on these ancient Mesoamerican rituals. |
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| This therapy was the first of its kind in Costa Rica
and is the only one worldwide known to be found in the energy field of an
active volcanic environment. This worthwhile, possibly life changing experience
takes place in a womb-like structure, where energy from the center of the earth
and from all four winds is summoned and flows in circular motion, in direct
relation to the natural elements which make up this magical place: Earth,
Water, Fire and Air. The Grand Spa as I experienced it that day, fully
emigrated in its environment as a part of its natural surroundings, is a Green
project with little carbon footprint that GM Uwe Wagner takes very
serious. |
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| A visit at the Tabacón Grand Spa should also
include a few adventure excursions. On our last visit we made unforgettable
memories by soaring through treetops like Tarzan and took a tour on a raft down
the river where we got to see all kinds of exotic rainforest birds, howler
monkeys and huge crocodiles. Soaring over the jungle on famed zip-lines was one
of the most exhilarating experiences for me with platforms connected by thick
cables stretching across this active jungle.
Sky
Tram & Trek Tour (PHOTO TOUR - CLICK HERE) |
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| We were strapped into
harnesses, clipped onto the cables and sent flying from one platform to the
next while our adrenalin was brought to boil. Another excursion that you should
not miss is a tour with an inflatable raft down the river, which gets you in
very close proximity to an unusual assortment of wildlife. You don't have to be
a pro to ride the tame rivers; we had a knowledgeable guide who presented us
with plenty of opportunity to try the skill. We also got ample opportunity for
wildlife viewing, sometimes closer then we wanted to. We wouldn’t have
missed it for the world. We had been promised that an excursion on the silent
air raft would grant us the opportunity to experience the jungle at its best
and with a little luck we might even be able to see crocodiles, toucans,
iguanas and other animals and we sure did. It became obvious that our guides
were experienced naturalists; they gave us a brief introduction into the
natural history of this beautiful part of their country, besides pointing out
and explaining the vast array of life surrounding the deep-olive green river.
Costa
Rica - Boat Trip (PHOTO TOUR - CLICK HERE) |
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| Another trip you should not miss and one that you
would probably never expect to experience in the jungles of Costa Rica is a
tiny
Swiss
Vilage - (PHOTO TOUR - CLICK HERE) just a half hour ride from the
Tabacón resort, a place where a Swiss enthusiast could get crazy. It was
as if we had entered a time and space tunnel! The buildings and the little
church on the hill all featured the Swiss Chalet A-frame building style. The
houses had all red-shingled roofs and then some… |
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| Tabacón’s star is
Uwe
Wagner, a man who has put his heart and soul into this project thereby
placing Costa Rica’s Arsenal region on the global map. The German born
Managing Director began a major renovation project to upgrade and change the
old resort's identity shortly after he took over as general manager, five years
ago. Wagner and his dedicated team transformed the resort and its’ former
Iskandria Spa into the Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort, which has
become one of the most accredited Green Thermal Spas worldwide. Uwe
Wagner’s philosophy is that environmental awareness and motivation starts
at home. “If you wish to see change happen, YOU have to be the
change…”. |
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| Shortly after his arrival at Tabacón he
appointed a Coop. Director of Environmental & Social Responsibility who is
now addressing and coordinating all aspects of the resort, including educating
the staff of the responsibility and impact of such a unique property with a
virtually zero carbon footprint. “We are positive, meaning we have no
carbon footprint, we produce more reduction then pollution”, he said
referring to one of his new programs,
‘Tabacón
’s Plant a Tree’ project - (PHOTO TOUR - CLICK HERE). For
a $3 USD donation guests are encouraged to plant a new tree. A member of the
Seven Stars and Stripes team was recently part of the first Tabacón
’s tree planting ceremony that counted an impressive 1000 saplings.
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| Another successful socially responsible program that
Uwe Wagner started a few years ago is the ‘Tabacón Unique Social
Responsibility Program’, which helps children in need. The resort suggests
a $3 USD donation to the guest for each night, which is matched by the resort.
Wagner has since inception been able to support the children and schools with
hundreds of thousands of dollars. We had the pleasure of meeting
Mr.
Jorge Rodriguez, Costa Rica’s Environmental Minister (PHOTO TOUR -
CLICK HERE) who accepted the Seven Stars Green World Award as the first
of its kind for Tabacón and Costa Rica. At the recent International
Climate Change Summit, Costa Rican Environmental Minister Jorge Rodriguez asked
developed nations to reduce emissions by 45 percent by 2020. Rodriguez said
that Costa Rica's proposal includes increased protection of forests and a goal
of reducing emissions by 95 percent from their 1990 levels by 2050. |
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| 2009
Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort- Seven Stars and Stripers® -
Award-Hand-Out |
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| The green team implemented its own resort-wide
recycling program recently; buying ‘green’ products and merchandise
in bulk and preferring locally grown green produce in general. The green team
has implemented energy saving appliances and furthermore made a commitment to
reduce their use of energy over the next few years. We noticed that the lush
landscape has become more sprawling and found out that the gardeners have been
instructed to allow the plants to grow to a certain degree naturally into the
paths, so when you walk around them, you know that you are sharing their space
in the rainforest. |
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by Edmund Buehrmann & Thorsten Buehrmann
Editor: Ingrid
Lemme
Editor-in-Chief: John Lomitola |
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| © 2009 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes,
Inc. |
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