Imagine immersing yourself in Costa Rica’s exotic landscape but experiencing the sensation of sleeping in a tree house. That is the basic promise offered to guests by Suitree Experience Hotel, a unique place designed by Costa Rican Studio Saxe, to coexist and interact symbiotically with the surrounding environment. 

The hotel, located in Sardinal, in the province of Guanacaste, extends over a 2.6-hectare property and was meticulously conceived to minimize environmental damage. Studio Saxe’s design philosophy is based on the concept of “floating architecture,” that is, structures that don’t disturb the existing ecosystem, but become a harmonious extension of it. 

The Costa Rican rainforest as seen from a tree  

The heart of the resort is formed by five tree-inspired “pods” or modules, elevated up to 30 feet off the ground to offer expansive views and the sensation of being immersed in the canopy of the rainforest. Each pod has spacious and luxurious suites that offer guests 360-degree views of the Costa Rican rainforest. 

For its construction, Studio Saxe used steel and teak wood, which rest on stylized steel pillars. The roofs were made of thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), and their eaves are covered with a material called Caña Brava bamboo, which is also used in the cladding of the pods’ interiors. 

Each module was carefully prefabricated so that they all measure 180 square meters. Each of the modules is built on top of 4 anti-seismic supports and offers a harmonious natural view. All suites have water and electricity, thanks to pipes and wiring hidden in the metal columns. 

And to complete the experience, the resort has a restaurant and spa also designed by Studio Saxe. In addition, guests can enjoy an intimate setting connected to nature, away from the distractions of urban life in a specific area called the mirador. This capsule, on the same level as the others, is an observation area with clear glass zones where guests can rest peacefully. 

An interesting detail about this hotel complex is the fact that it was built following a very new line of architecture: sustainable luxury. This means that the Suitree Experience Hotel has a water treatment plant, as well as energy conservation, and waste management systems, to offer a luxury experience with a reduced impact on the environment. 

Suitree Experience Hotel is an architectural gem in Costa Rica that shows that ecological architecture and luxury can go hand in hand.