Nekajui Ritz-Carlton Reserve Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica resort property, Costa Rican luxury hotel photos

Nekajui Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Costa Rica

15 November 2025

Design Architect: 10 Design
Executive Architect and Interior Designer: Gensler
Interior Designers: BAMO
Landscape Architect: EDSA

Location: Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica

Photos by Andres Garcia

Nekajui Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica Property

Designing Nekajui: A Ritz-Carlton Reserve Where Architecture Meets Nature Now open on Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica.

The resort sets a new standard for immersive, site-sensitive luxury.

PENINSULA PAPAGAYO, COSTA RICA (November, 2025) – Nekajui Ritz-Carlton Reserve, now open, is bringing a new approach to luxury hospitality on Costa Rica’s lush Peninsula Papagayo. Designed to blend seamlessly with one of the world’s most biodiverse landscapes, the project is the result of a collaboration between leading global architecture and design firms. 10 Design served as the Design Architect, with Gensler as Executive Architect and Interior Designer, BAMO as Interior Designers, EDSA as Landscape Architect, and Luxury Frontiers as Experiential Lodging Experts. Together, the team has created a retreat that embodies a deep connection to nature, cultural heritage, and the evolving expectations of today’s travelers.

Perched on 42 acres of lush hillside overlooking Pochote Bay, Nekajui is designed to be more than a resort—it is an immersive, ecotourism-driven destination that embraces the land’s natural contours. A careful balance of architectural tradition and organic modernism defines the experience, with ocean-facing rooms, suites, luxury tree-top tents, and open-air pavilions positioned to preserve view corridors and minimize ecological impact. Inspired by the region’s diverse design influences, the resort moves fluidly between spaces rooted in classic hacienda-style architecture and those that reflect the organic rhythms of the natural environment.

At the heart of the resort, an open-air gathering space, La Casona, draws on Spanish colonial influences, creating a warm and welcoming setting where guests can experience Costa Rica’s rich cultural traditions. A distinctive architectural journey unfolds as guests move from the central hacienda-style core to the transitional zones of guest rooms and residences, culminating in the organic, nature-inspired ocean-facing lodgings.

The surrounding guest rooms and branded residences are intentionally oriented toward the ocean, offering panoramic views and a daily connection to the rhythms of the Pacific. Interiors combine clean, modern lines with locally sourced materials, where every piece of millwork is handcrafted by Guanacaste artisans. As the experience extends outward, the architecture becomes more immersive—tucked into the landscape with private terraces, infinity pools, and expansive outdoor living areas that blur the boundaries between interior and exterior. The architectural vision draws from Costa Rica’s classic hacienda-style homes, reinterpreted through a modern, residential lens with open-air corridors, textured stone walls, and layered courtyards. Every element is designed to evoke the spirit of a private estate—welcoming, refined, and unmistakably Costa Rican.

“The design of Nekajui is a celebration of Costa Rica’s natural beauty and artisanal heritage,” said Rashana Zaklit, Hospitality Interiors Design Director at Gensler. “We worked closely with local craftsmen to weave the soul of the region into every detail—from hand-carved woodwork to bespoke textiles and locally fired ceramics. The architecture and interiors are a seamless extension of the landscape—elevated yet understated, designed to honor both the environment and the artistry of the community. The result is a sanctuary that feels deeply connected to its surroundings, offering an immersive and authentic sense of luxury.”

From the earliest planning stages, the project team took a site-sensitive approach, prioritizing environmental preservation and responsible material sourcing. A comprehensive tree survey and development constraint study informed key design decisions, ensuring that buildings and pathways respected the land’s natural contours. The resort aligns with the Papagayo 2025 initiative, a vision for sustainable development in the region, with a commitment to resource efficiency and a focus on locally crafted furnishings and finishes that support the surrounding community. More than 75 percent of the resort’s custom furniture and lighting were produced by regional artisans, reinforcing a deep connection to place while reducing the project’s environmental footprint.

“Today’s discerning travelers and buyers are seeking the most beautiful, remote landscapes to relax, explore, and deepen their connection to nature,” said 10 Design’s Design Principal, Jorey ‘Shosh’ Friedman. “With immersive hospitality concepts informed by research into the traditions and architecture of the Guanacaste region, we designed Nekajui as a place to soak up the local culture, satiate a thirst for outdoor adventure, and experience the peninsula’s natural wonders through the Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand.”

Beyond the built environment, Nekajui is designed to provide guests with a layered and immersive hospitality experience. Thoughtfully placed throughout the resort, a series of gathering spaces offer opportunities for connection and retreat. A cascading pool mirrors the movement of the region’s natural waterfalls, while an open-air wedding pavilion and intimate chapel embrace the beauty of the landscape. A funicular system—gracefully navigating the rugged terrain—delivers guests from the hilltop arrival pavilion to the Niri Beach Club below, allowing for uninterrupted views along the journey.

With its careful integration into the landscape and a design ethos that honors the essence of Peninsula Papagayo. Nekajui represents a new chapter in the evolution of luxury travel. The resort reflects a shift in hospitality, where exclusivity is defined not by seclusion, but by authentic engagement with nature, culture, and community. Nekajui is a destination that reimagines the relationship between architecture and place, offering guests an experience that is as meaningful as it is unforgettable.

For more information or to reserve, please visit Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

Nekajui Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica – Property Information

Project Credits:

• Owner & Developer – Gencom
• Development Manager – Athens Development Group
• Design Architect – 10 Design (previously SB Architects)
• Executive Architect – Gensler
• Interior Design – Gensler, BAMO
• Landscape Design – EDSA
• Tented Villas – Luxury Frontiers
• Project Management – DDP
• Structural Engineering – BA Ingeniería
• MEP – JCI
• Civil Engineering– DEHC
• Lighting Design – GMLD

Gensler

At Gensler, the value of our work stems from its positive impact on the human experience. We are a dynamic and collaborative design firm uniting creativity, research, and innovation to solve complex problems for our clients.

Our work challenges conventional ideas about architecture and the built environment. We aren’t just designing buildings — we are reimagining cities and places that make a difference in people’s lives. Founded in 1965, Gensler has built a team of 6,000 professionals who partner with clients in over 100 countries each year. Everything we do is guided by our mission: to create a better world through the power of design. Visit Gensler.com

10 Design

10 Design (previous SB Architects) is a dynamic and innovative architecture and master planning practice renowned for creating spaces that capture the history, culture, and context of each location. Strategically located with three regional headquarters in San Francisco, London, and Hong Kong, as well as six additional studios – Dallas, Miami, Dubai, Edinburgh, Shenzhen, and Singapore.

The firm’s diverse portfolio is a testament to its versatility and creativity, featuring a range of projects including mixed-use developments, retail spaces, offices, residential buildings, hospitality projects, transport hubs, educational institutions, cultural venues, and civic buildings.

Since its beginnings, 10 Design has prioritized creating soulful and inspiring destinations that connect people to their surroundings, enhance the human experience, foster a sense of community, and exceed expectations, resulting in legacy projects such as Calistoga Ranch, an Auberge Resort that immerses guests in the natural rhythms and solace of nature; Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Puerto Rico, the first purpose-built Ritz-Carlton Reserve; and the new PGA Headquarters, Omni PGA Frisco Resort. Visit 10design.co

Photos: Andres Garcia

Resort building designs

Gensler Architects

10 Design Architects

Nekajui Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica property images / information received 151125 from Architects

Location: Nekajui Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica, Central America.