There’s an exciting new Waldorf Astoria slated to open in early 2025, which will no doubt prove to be a popular getaway for Hilton Honors members from the United States. This property is now bookable, and points redemptions are an especially good value, if you can find availability.
Basics of the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Cacique
The Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Cacique is now accepting reservations for stays as of February 1, 2024. The property will feature 190 accommodations plus 41 residences. It will be located in Guanacaste, on a peninsula with unobstructed ocean views, just a short drive from Liberia International Airport (LIR).
The resort will have all the amenities you’d expect, from a large, multi-level pool, to a spa and gym, to a variety of dining outlets. Exact details are limited, though, so I’ll be sure to post an update once we know more.
I’m excited about the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica. Costa Rica is gorgeous, and this part of the country has beautiful nature, and lots to do if you’re looking for an active vacation.
This is in the same general area as the Peninsula Papagayo development, where you’ll find the Andaz and Four Seasons. It’s nice to see plans for the Waldorf Astoria, as this should be the most luxurious points property in the region.
Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Cacique rates & points requirements
Now that the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Cacique is bookable, what are rates like? Rates start at around $3,000 per night including taxes and fees. I can’t imagine the property will be able to sustain these kinds of rates. I mean, we’re not talking about a luxury safari lodge here with a handful of rooms, but rather a 190-room luxury factory (nice as it might be).
The leisure hotel rate inflation we’ve seen in recent years is nothing short of shocking. Back in the day, many true luxury properties were well under $1,000 per night, while nowadays, the concept of a $3,000 per night hotel isn’t even surprising anymore.
The good news is that you’re able to redeem Hilton Honors points at the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica. Rates start at 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night, and elite members get a fifth night free, lowering the average cost to 76,000 points per night. It goes without saying that redeeming points is a phenomenal value.
Unfortunately actually finding availability at that cost is a whole different story, despite the hotel having just opened for bookings.
The “no blackout dates” policy on hotel redemptions used to mean something back in the day, when all standard rooms were actually made available for award redemptions. However, with hotels increasingly creating new sub-categories of standard rooms for the purposes of gaming redemptions, that greatly limits the usefulness (and this is something Hilton Honors is especially guilty of).
It appears to me that this property has one or two standard rooms, and the rest are considered premium rooms.
Bottom line
The Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica is expected to open in early 2025, and will be a great new option for those looking for an easy luxury getaway from the United States. The resort looks gorgeous, and will probably be significantly nicer than the Andaz.
The hotel is now bookable, and rates start at around $3,000 per night, which is rough. While being able to redeem just 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night is a great value, availability is hard to come by.
What do you make of the new Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica?