Luxury Villa Inclusions: What to Expect Beyond the Price Tag in Costa Rica
When planning a luxury group trip, the initial rate of a private villa is often compared to the nightly rate of a hotel room. But luxury travel isn’t about the cost per night; it’s about the value per experience.
At Villa Punto de Vista, we often hear guests say, “We didn’t realize how much was included until we arrived.” Unlike a resort where every juice, towel, and private space comes with a surcharge or a reservation line, a private estate offers an all encompassing sanctuary.
What makes a luxury villa rental in Costa Rica worth the investment? Beyond the ocean view suites, a rental at Villa Punto de Vista includes a full time dedicated staff (concierge, housekeeping, breakfast chefs, security), exclusive use of 2.5 acres of rainforest reserve, private transport logistics, and total privacy that hotels simply cannot match. When you break down the inclusions per person, the value proposition often surpasses that of a comparable 5 star resort where amenities are shared and billed separately.
The Invisible Value of Privacy
In a 5 star hotel, you pay for a room, but you share the pool, the lobby, and the dining room with hundreds of strangers. You wake up early to reserve a lounge chair. You whisper in the hallways to avoid disturbing neighbors.
- The Villa Value: The entire estate is yours. No fighting for lounge chairs at 7 AM. No splashing from strangers’ kids. No closing times at the pool.
- The ROI: For high profile guests or intimate family reunions, the value of true privacy is priceless. Whether you want to have a karaoke session in the ballroom at 2 AM or a quiet yoga session at sunrise, the space adapts to your rhythm, not hotel policies.
Staff: Your Private Team vs. Hotel Staff
At a resort, the staff serves 500 guests. At our villa, a team of ~8 dedicated professionals serves only your group. This creates a hyper personalized service loop where preferences are remembered instantly.
| Amenity | Luxury Resort | Villa Punto de Vista |
| Concierge | Desk in the lobby (9 5) | Dedicated Pre Arrival & On Site Team |
| Housekeeping | Once a day (knock on door) | Invisible, intuitive service twice daily |
| Bartender | Shared Swim up Bar | Private Mixologist on your terrace |
| Security | General Hotel Security | 24/7 Gated & Private Guard |
| Culinary | Set Buffet Hours | Breakfast Chefs (Vera & Steven) cooking to order |
“The real differentiator at Punta de Vista is the level of service… Every touchpoint we had with Raoul, Erick, Jackson, Harold, Francisco and Jossue was lovely, and we could tell that they approach their jobs with pride.”
Timothy and Tracy Chi, Founders of THE KNOT and WEDDING WIRE
The Pre Arrival Concierge: Saving You 40+ Hours
One of the most overlooked inclusions is the time you save. Planning a trip for 20 people involves hundreds of emails: coordinating transfers, dietary restrictions, tour bookings, and room assignments.
Our Pre Arrival Concierge handles this entire logistical burden before you even step on the plane, offering a seamless arrival into Costa Rica.
- Itinerary Design: We don’t just book tours; we curate a flow based on your group’s energy levels, ensuring grandmothers and toddlers alike have appropriate activities.
- Dietary Matrix: We collect allergies and preferences for every single guest and coordinate with the chefs weeks in advance.
- Supplier Management: We vet every guide and driver, ensuring you never get a tourist trap experience.
The All Inclusive Misconception
Many travelers confuse All Inclusive Resorts (unlimited low quality buffet/alcohol) with Full Service Villas.
We don’t offer generic buffets. We offer Curated Inclusions:
1. Complimentary Gourmet Breakfast
This isn’t a continental tray. It is a daily event designed to start your adventure right.
- The Menu: Changes daily, featuring local specialties like Gallo Pinto, fresh tropical fruits, eggs to order, and yes unlimited Mimosas.
- The Service: Served by our staff at your preferred time. No rushing to make the 10:00 AM cutoff.
2. Pre Stocking Service
Instead of paying a premium for a beer at a hotel bar, you enjoy beverages at retail prices.
- How it works: You send us a shopping list. We stock the villa. You pay the grocery receipt + a small stocking fee.
- The Value: You drink your preferred vintage wine or premium scotch without the typical 400% hotel markup.
Infrastructure: Reliability & Exclusivity
When booking a hotel block, you often get hit with hidden fees for using common areas for private events. At Villa Punto de Vista, the infrastructure is yours.
- Private Reserve Access: Unlike hotels where you share the grounds, our guests have exclusive access to our 2.5 acre tropical reserve. Spot monkeys, sloths, and toucans on private trails without ever leaving the safety of the estate.
- Private Event Spaces: Use the ballroom or rooftop deck for a dinner party without a venue rental fee perfect for corporate retreats or celebrations.
- Operational Reliability: In the tropics, infrastructure matters. The Villa is equipped with industrial grade backup generators and water reserves. If the local grid goes down (common in beach towns), your A/C, WiFi, and party keep running seamlessly.
- Business Ready WiFi: With fiber optic speeds and mesh networks, digital nomads can work from the pool while others stream movies, with no bandwidth caps.
- Accessibility: Unlike many hillside rentals in Costa Rica, our estate features an elevator, making it fully accessible for multi generational groups with seniors or strollers.
Logistics: The Ultimate Luxury is Time
How much is your vacation time worth? In a typical group trip, hours are wasted waiting for taxis or coordinating meet up spots.
- No Check In Lines: Walk straight into your villa with a cold towel and a welcome cocktail.
- Private Driver: Our driver service means no waiting for taxis or figuring out GPS on winding roads. The driver and van stay with your group, acting as a personal shuttle to the beach or Marina Pez Vela.
- Activity Coordination: Our concierge books the best guides directly. The van for your Manuel Antonio Park tour picks you up at the door.
When comparing the cost of a luxury villa vs. a hotel for groups, the per person value of a villa often exceeds that of a resort due to included amenities like private event spaces (ballrooms) and exclusive logistics that hotels typically charge as premium add ons.
The Verdict: Value Over Cost
If you are looking for a place to sleep, a hotel is fine. If you are looking for a private world created just for your group, where the staff knows your coffee order by Day 2 and the pool is always open, then the value of a private villa is unmatched.
Ready to experience true luxury? View our rates and inclusions to plan your group getaway.
FAQs About Villa Inclusions
Are groceries included in the rental price?
No, groceries for lunch and dinner are not included. However, our complimentary breakfast is included daily. For other meals, you pay for the groceries at cost (retail price) plus a service fee, and our chefs prepare them. This is often significantly cheaper than dining out for every meal.
How does tipping work for the private staff?
Gratuity is not included in the rental rate. We recommend a tip pool based on satisfaction, typically ranging between 5 10% of the rental cost, which is distributed among the entire team (housekeeping, concierge, chefs, maintenance) at the end of your stay.
Is the villa shared with other guests?
Never. When you book Villa Punto de Vista, you are booking the entire estate. You have exclusive access to all amenities, pools, and social areas. The only people on the property are your group and our discreet staff.
Is laundry service included?
We offer a daily light housekeeping service that keeps the villa pristine. Personal laundry services can be arranged by the staff for a small fee or as part of a custom package, allowing you to pack lighter for your trip.
Christien Johnson is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Villa Punto de Vista Estate, an award-winning private resort in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. With nearly 20 years in luxury hospitality, he has helped make the estate a benchmark for private villa experiences, earning 700+ five-star reviews, 13 consecutive WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards (an achievement only secured by the top 3% of venues worldwide) and a vote as the #1 wedding venue in Costa Rica, as well as recognition from Architectural Digest, Condé Nast Johansens, and the Global Choice Awards as the Best Villa in Central America.
Christien also founded and manages Vista Destinations Luxury Travel Agency, Costa Rica Weddings, and Costa Rica Chefs, and advises brands worldwide on automation and AI in luxury hospitality, shaping the next era of high-touch, personalized travel as a trusted voice in private-estate and transformational travel.
