Located on a hilltop above the city of Alajuela just 20-minutes from the airport, Xandari commands magnificent views of nearby coffee farms and the Central Valley below. It was founded by artists Sherrill and Charlene Broudy, and their original works and inventive design touches abound (though the hotel is now owned by India's Muthoot Group). The villas are huge private affairs with stained-glass windows, high ceilings, living rooms with rattan chairs and sofas, and small kitchenettes. All come with an outdoor patio with a view and a private covered palapa, as well as an interior terrace with seating. The adjacent spa has a series of private thatched-roof treatment rooms; a wide range of fitness classes are offered, too. The grounds contain several miles of trails that pass by jungle waterfalls, orchards, and gardens. The restaurant serves decent Tico-Mediterranean cuisine.