The St. Regis Papagayo Residences launch in Costa Rica with 143 turnkey homes, including a £30M oceanfront mansion.
The first St. Regis-branded residences in Central America have arrived on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. And they’re bringing something the region hasn’t quite seen before: a £30 million mansion with six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and 21,161 square feet of living space that sits right on the ocean. The Astor Mansion isn’t just the flagship property. It’s a statement about where this market is heading.
SOLANA’s development along the Gulf of Papagayo comprises 143 turnkey residences, scheduled for completion in December 2026. The location, 25 minutes from Guanacaste International Airport, solves the accessibility problem that plagues many luxury developments in remote tropical destinations. You can land and be at your property within the hour. That matters when you’re splitting time between continents.
Architecture That Understands Its Setting
Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos designed the development. The Mexican firm knows Latin American luxury, and more importantly, they understand how buildings should respond to their environment rather than dominate it. In Costa Rica, where biodiversity laws protect nearly a third of the country, this sensitivity isn’t optional. It’s required.
Gensler handled interiors. The global design house doesn’t need introduction, but their work here focuses on something specific: making internal spaces feel like extensions of the landscape outside. Floor-to-ceiling glass. Natural materials. Sight lines that pull the Pacific into your living room.
Maat Handasa’s landscape design continues this logic outdoors. The grounds aren’t separate from the architecture. They’re part of the same conversation. And Kala’s wellness-focused design approach runs through everything, from material selection to spatial flow. This isn’t wellness as marketing speak. It’s embedded in how these properties function.
“We’re very excited to create this new resort on one of the most desired oceanfront sites in Papagayo. The opportunity to bring in the iconic St. Regis brand to the region will attract real estate purchasers and hotel guests from around the world. With The St. Regis Mexico City also in our portfolio, [Solana] understands how to uphold the standards of the renowned brand,” said Alberto Halabe, Partner.
“We also have experience developing resort properties in Guanacaste, so we realise what an amazing opportunity this is. We look forward to bringing our vision to life on one of the most beautiful beaches in the happiest country on earth. Both luxury and Pura Vida will truly come to life at the St. Regis Papagayo, and the amazing team that was brought together to make sure of it.”
SOLANA already operates The St. Regis Mexico City. They know the brand’s standards and, more critically, the expectations of buyers at this level. Experience matters when you’re delivering properties that must satisfy individuals accustomed to the world’s best.
The Residential Portfolio
The 143 residences range from two-bedroom units to the Astor Mansion’s sprawling six-bedroom configuration. Two and three-bedroom options suit buyers seeking a luxury retreat rather than a primary residence. The four and five-bedroom estates work for families or those who entertain regularly.
Every unit offers ocean views. Non-negotiable. The turnkey delivery model addresses a practical concern for international buyers: you can complete purchase and move in without spending months on finishes and furnishing. Everything’s handled.
But the Astor Mansion occupies its own category. At approximately 21,000 square feet and £30 million, this oceanfront estate includes a wine cellar, private gym, and entertainment spaces designed for hosting at the highest level. Six bedrooms. Eight bathrooms. Panoramic Pacific views from virtually every room.
This price point positions the property amongst Central America’s most exclusive residential offerings. Los Cabos and the Caribbean’s premier addresses offer competition, but Costa Rica brings something different: political stability, robust infrastructure, environmental commitment, and that Pura Vida philosophy that’s become increasingly attractive to buyers re-evaluating their priorities post-pandemic.
The mansion isn’t just the development’s crown jewel. It signals where the luxury residential market in Central America can go when you combine prime positioning, world-class design, and a brand synonymous with service excellence.
Culinary Programming Through Talentchef
SOLANA partnered with Talentchef to develop the culinary programme. This isn’t about having a restaurant on-site. It’s about making gastronomy a defining element of residence ownership.
The Beach Bar and Grill offers a fusion of African and Costa Rican cuisine. Unexpected pairing. Refined meals during the day, sophisticated cocktails at night. The international sensibility remains rooted in local culinary traditions and ingredients.
The development includes the St. Regis Bar, continuing the brand’s association with the Bloody Mary, which was invented at the original St. Regis New York. Heritage matters in luxury hospitality. This connection to that history resonates.
The Cliff serves as the flagship dining venue. Curated private-chef menus and immersive culinary events celebrate Costa Rican gastronomy whilst incorporating international influences. For residents, this means destination-level dining without leaving the property. For the venue, it ensures a steady stream of culinary innovation.
Premium wines, gourmet snacks, and artisanal pastries remain available throughout the day. All-day dining that transforms routine refreshment into genuine moments of pleasure. And for residents with children or guests who want variety, the programming ensures no one grows tired of limited options.
The World’s First Wellness Golf® Course
Golf typically anchors luxury resort developments. But Pizá Golf’s collaboration here produces something different: the world’s first Wellness Golf® course. Nine holes. Nature-integrated design. Barefoot play.
The concept invites players to connect with nature, play at their own pace, create personalised challenges. That barefoot element might seem minor. It isn’t. Playing without shoes fundamentally shifts the experience from formal sport to mindful recreation. You’re more present. More connected to the environment.
This aligns with Costa Rica’s Pura Vida philosophy. Presence over competition. Enjoyment over convention. For golf enthusiasts weary of traditional courses that prioritise difficulty, this offers an alternative. For non-golfers who’ve felt excluded from golf-centric communities, the approachable, wellness-focused design might actually appeal.
Comprehensive Wellness Facilities
The SPA features nature-inspired treatments and rejuvenating heat and cold pools. Thermal experiences have significant health benefits, and their inclusion shows sophisticated understanding of wellness trends beyond massage and facials.
The Fitness Club takes advantage of spectacular views, keeping residents connected to their surroundings during workouts. Exercise motivation correlates directly with environmental appeal. Training with Pacific views beats windowless basement gyms, regardless of equipment quality.
These aren’t token amenities. They’re central to the development’s identity. Buyers at this level increasingly prioritise health and vitality. The facilities acknowledge that shift.
Family Programming
The Children’s Club provides adventures across treehouses, creative arts spaces, and a farm. Outdoor exploration and hands-on learning rather than screen-based entertainment. This programming philosophy aligns with many families’ desires to provide their children with nature-connected experiences.
The Teens Club acknowledges that adolescents need different engagement. Listening room, screening room, arcade games. Media consumption and social gaming in a supervised environment. Young people feel autonomous whilst parents maintain peace of mind.
Ultra-high-net-worth families need genuinely engaging offerings for younger members. These facilities deliver that without feeling like childcare masquerading as amenity.
St. Regis Service Standards
The St. Regis brand distinguishes itself through service. Specifically, the legendary Butler Service that’s defined the brand since inception. Residence owners access this bespoke service, bringing white-glove hospitality into their daily lives.
The signature Beach Club and Volcano Club provide dedicated spaces for residents to gather and socialise. These venues create community amongst owners whilst maintaining the privacy and exclusivity that drew them to gated resort living initially. Important balance to strike.
Access to the resort’s full amenity portfolio means residents can enjoy hotel-quality services with the ease of in-house guests but the privileges of owners. From spa treatments to dining reservations to activity coordination. Everything’s handled.
Market Positioning and Investment Perspective
Completion in December 2026 allows prospective buyers to enter whilst construction remains underway. Traditionally, this period offers the most favourable pricing before completion and occupancy drive values higher. Early buyers typically benefit.
The turnkey delivery model addresses international buyers’ frequent concern about remote property finishing. SOLANA handles all design, construction, and furnishing. Buyers transition seamlessly from purchase to occupancy without the typical stress and time investment.
Costa Rica’s stable political environment, robust legal framework for foreign property ownership, and absence of capital gains taxes for non-residents create favourable investment climate. The country’s commitment to environmental protection (nearly 30 per cent of its territory enjoys protected status) ensures that natural assets driving property values face meaningful safeguards.
The St. Regis brand association carries weight in luxury real estate markets. Brand-affiliated properties consistently command premium valuations and demonstrate stronger resale performance compared to non-branded equivalents. For buyers prioritising investment security alongside lifestyle benefits, this provides reassurance.
Costa Rica’s Competitive Advantages
Costa Rica has been positioning itself in the luxury market for years. But this development accelerates that positioning significantly. The country offers several advantages over competing tropical luxury destinations.
Political stability in a region that’s historically experienced volatility. A democratic tradition that spans over a century. No standing army since 1948, which creates a different national psychology around governance and civil society.
Environmental commitment that goes beyond greenwashing. Real protections with legal teeth. Buyers increasingly care about this. Not just for ethical reasons, though that matters. But because environmental degradation destroys property values faster than almost anything else.
The Pura Vida lifestyle isn’t marketing fabrication. It’s a genuine cultural approach that emphasises wellbeing, simplicity, and appreciation for life’s authentic pleasures. Costa Ricans consistently rank amongst the world’s happiest populations. That’s not coincidence.
And practical matters: good infrastructure, reliable utilities, quality healthcare, established expatriate communities, straightforward property ownership laws for foreigners. These fundamentals support luxury living in ways that spectacular beaches alone cannot.
The Post-Pandemic Luxury Buyer
The luxury real estate market shifted after the pandemic. Many high-net-worth individuals re-evaluated their priorities. More emphasis on wellbeing. More focus on family time. More desire for connection to nature. Less tolerance for purely urban living.
The Residences at The St. Regis Papagayo Resort speak directly to these shifted priorities. The development isn’t just acknowledging these changes. It’s architected around them.
Buyers at this level can afford multiple properties. The question becomes: where do you want to spend time? What kind of life do you want when you’re there? How do you want to feel?
Costa Rica’s combination of world-class design, comprehensive amenities, legendary service, and spectacular natural setting creates a compelling answer to these questions. You’re not just purchasing property. You’re accessing a different way of living.
What Sets This Development Apart
Several elements distinguish this development in a competitive luxury market. First, the St. Regis brand itself. The service standards and global recognition matter. Second, the location’s accessibility without sacrificing seclusion. Third, the comprehensive nature of the amenity programme.
But there’s something else. The Wellness Golf® course, the culinary programming through Talentchef, the spa’s thermal experiences, the family programming. These aren’t standard luxury development features. They show specificity in understanding what today’s buyers actually want.
The turnkey delivery addresses a real pain point. International buyers often face nightmares with remote property finishing. Delays, cost overruns, quality issues, miscommunication. SOLANA eliminates that entirely.
And the Astor Mansion provides a genuine flagship property that can compete with anything in the Americas. At £30 million, it’s priced appropriately for what it offers. The square footage, positioning, and specifications justify the price point.
The Central American Luxury Market
This development arrives as Central America’s luxury market matures. Mexico’s established luxury destinations (Los Cabos, Riviera Maya, Punta Mita) have proven the market exists. Now other countries are developing sophisticated offerings.
Costa Rica has natural advantages. But natural beauty alone doesn’t create luxury real estate success.
You need infrastructure, stability, accessible luxury services, quality construction, and developers who understand the market. SOLANA’s experience with The St. Regis Mexico City demonstrates they understand these requirements.
The development also benefits from Costa Rica’s growing reputation as a wellness destination. The country’s emphasis on environmental protection and outdoor living aligns with wellness tourism trends. Buyers seeking properties in wellness-focused destinations now consider Costa Rica alongside Thailand, Bali, and Portugal.
Looking Ahead
The December 2026 completion timeline means buyers have roughly two years to make purchase decisions. Early buyers typically secure the best unit selections and pricing. As construction progresses and units sell, pricing and availability tighten.
The development’s success will likely influence Costa Rica’s luxury real estate market more broadly. If SOLANA delivers on the vision, other developers will take notice. More luxury projects will follow. The region’s positioning in the global luxury market will strengthen.
For buyers, the question becomes whether this development matches their lifestyle priorities and investment criteria. The fundamentals look strong. Costa Rica’s trajectory appears positive. The St. Regis brand brings credibility. SOLANA has relevant experience. The design team includes respected firms.
The Pura Vida proposition resonates particularly strongly right now. But trends shift. The developers are betting that wellbeing-focused, nature-connected luxury living has staying power beyond current fashion. That bet seems reasonable.
The Bottom Line
The Residences at The St. Regis Papagayo Resort represent a significant development in Central America’s luxury property market. The combination of brand, location, design, amenities, and service creates a compelling proposition for buyers seeking tropical luxury with substance.
The Astor Mansion’s £30 million price tag positions it amongst the region’s most exclusive properties. But the development offers range, from two-bedroom units to that flagship estate. Different buyers can enter at different levels.
Costa Rica’s advantages (stability, environmental commitment, Pura Vida culture) support long-term value. The St. Regis brand association provides reassurance. SOLANA’s experience delivers confidence. And the December 2026 completion timeline allows buyers to enter before final values crystallise.
This isn’t just another luxury development on a tropical beach. It’s a sophisticated response to how high-net-worth buyers’ priorities have evolved. And it’s positioned in a country that seems increasingly attractive as a luxury destination.
*Images: The Residence at The St. Regis Papagayo Resort
