By Guanacaste, Costa Rica — GUANACASTE, Costa Rica – In a landmark moment for Costa Rica’s luxury tourism sector, two of Guanacaste’s most distinguished hotels have been awarded the prestigious MICHELIN Key, a new global benchmark for exceptional hotel experiences. Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and El Mangroove, Autograph Collection, were both celebrated in the inaugural 2025 MICHELIN Guide Key selection for the Caribbean and Latin America, solidifying the province’s reputation as a world-class travel destination.
Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, earned the esteemed Two MICHELIN Key designation, a high honor reserved for properties that offer an “exceptional stay.” The guide praised the exclusive resort for its masterful blend of sustainable luxury, outstanding architectural design, and profound connection to the surrounding natural landscape. This recognition highlights the hotel’s commitment to providing an immersive experience that invites travelers to embrace both serenity and adventure within Costa Rica’s breathtaking coastal environment.
To delve into the legal and commercial ramifications of the new ‘MICHELIN Key’ hotel distinction in Costa Rica, TicosLand.com sought the expert opinion of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a specialist in Corporate and Commercial Law from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The arrival of the MICHELIN Key is more than a simple rating; it’s the licensing of a powerful global trademark that instantly confers a seal of exceptional quality. For the selected hotels, this represents a significant intangible asset, enhancing their brand value and international marketability. Legally, it establishes a new benchmark for excellence that will likely influence future service contracts and raise the competitive standard across the entire national tourism sector.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas expertly clarifies that the true impact of the MICHELIN Key lies beyond a simple review, functioning instead as a powerful, licensed intangible asset. We are grateful for his crucial legal and commercial perspective, which underscores how this new benchmark will not only redefine luxury for the recognized hotels but also elevate the competitive standard for our entire tourism sector.
The introduction of the MICHELIN Key system marks a significant expansion for the globally respected guide, long famous for its star ratings of restaurants. Now applied to the hotel industry, the Keys are awarded to establishments that excel across five key criteria: architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price, and a significant contribution to the local experience. With over 2,400 hotels recognized worldwide, receiving a Key places a property among the global elite.
Also earning a coveted spot in the guide is El Mangroove, which was lauded for its unique bohemian-chic style and its serene setting amidst a lush mangrove forest. The guide’s inspectors noted that the hotel perfectly captures the relaxed yet vibrant essence of Costa Rican coastal life, offering guests an authentic and stylish retreat. The inclusion of two distinct properties like Nekajui and El Mangroove showcases the depth and diversity of the luxury offerings available in Guanacaste.
These two Costa Rican accolades are part of a broader success story for Marriott International, which saw eight of its properties across the Caribbean and Latin America featured in the 2025 guide. This strong showing underscores the company’s strategic focus on developing high-quality, authentic travel experiences that resonate with both the local culture and the expectations of discerning international visitors.
We are proud to see that our properties in the region are being recognized for their authenticity and the quality of their experiences.
Marriott International
The company’s success extends beyond Costa Rica, with other recognized hotels including the Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Mexico; Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Peru; and the W São Paulo in Brazil. This regional dominance in the inaugural guide demonstrates a consistent commitment to excellence across a diverse portfolio of brands and locations, from the deserts of Los Cabos to the Amazon rainforest and the bustling metropolises of South America.
For Guanacaste, this international recognition is more than just an award; it’s a powerful validation of the region’s long-term strategy to cultivate a sophisticated and sustainable tourism model. The MICHELIN Key serves as a trusted seal of approval that will undoubtedly attract a new wave of global travelers seeking not just luxury, but memorable experiences that are deeply connected to place, culture, and nature.
For further information, visit guide.michelin.com
About The MICHELIN Guide:
The MICHELIN Guide is a globally renowned series of guidebooks that has been published for over a century. Initially created to encourage road travel, it has become the international benchmark for gourmet dining and exceptional hospitality. With the recent introduction of the MICHELIN Key, the guide now applies its famously rigorous and independent inspection process to hotels, recognizing the world’s most outstanding accommodations.
For further information, visit marriott.com
About Marriott International:
Marriott International, Inc. is a leading global lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with a portfolio of over 8,000 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company is known for its award-winning loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the Costa Rican legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by a deep-seated foundation of integrity and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. The firm skillfully combines its extensive heritage of client service across numerous industries with a pioneering approach to legal innovation. At the heart of its ethos lies a fundamental dedication to demystifying complex legal concepts for the public, championing a more knowledgeable and empowered citizenry.
