This New Costa Rican Hotel Has 7 Villas, 139 Acres of Rainforest, and Volcanic Landscapes—and We Were the First to Stay

Origins Astral

• The seven villas, ranging from two- to four-bedrooms, have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the rainforest, private plunge pools, and kitchens that can be fully stocked prior to arrival.   

• Staff-led experiences on and off property—like my visit to a local finca by horseback or a nature night walk through the 128-acre grounds—were the best part of my stay.

• The entire design evokes a sense of place, with terracotta walls, green accents to match the surrounding rainforest, and the wooden furniture, most of which is sourced and crafted locally.

• Origins Astral is extremely family friendly, with a kids' club, spacious accommodations, and experiences like a tree-planting ceremony upon departure that will keep all ages entertained.

From my balcony, all I could see was green: massive banana leaves, moss-covered tree trunks, and green-throated birds soaring overhead. I had just arrived at Origins Astral , a new luxury lodge located in Costa Rica's northern Bijagua region, set between two inactive volcanoes. While the vibrant colors were intriguing, it was the sounds at sunset—squaks of a toucan, deep yells of howler monkeys migrating from east to west—that kept me outside each evening.

The surrounding 139 acres of rainforest—shared between Origins Astral and its sibling property Origins Floral, which opened in 2018 less than a mile down the road—is noticeable in the design. Local architect Mario Aviles and U.S.-based architecture firm Gensler partnered together to ensure Origins Astral paid homage to the land, its history, and its people, the Indigenous Maleku community. More than 80 percent of the furniture is crafted and sourced locally, like the massive trunks holding up the roof of the restaurant, El Cosmo. (The pieces are made from wood that has naturally fallen in the surrounding forest.) In honor of the Maleku tribe, celestial motifs are found throughout: the map of the property etched onto the wall in the reception area is in the shape of a constellation; and each of the seven villas is named for a planet.

On our visit, my brother and I stayed in Mercury, a massive two-bedroom villa clad in a striking blend of caramel-colored wood and stainless steel. The private plunge pool, open-air kitchen, and living room with floor-to-ceiling windows connects the two bedrooms. While I could see two other villas in the distance to the left, the rainforest acted as the perfect cover of privacy.

Wildlife is everywhere. On a guided hike to a nearby waterfall, after spotting a bright-blue hummingbird, a guide told us that there are 255 species of birds found on the property alone.

By the end of my stay, while taking in the view from the spa's Jacuzzi after the signature cuatro plumas cacique massage, I found myself naming parts of the landscape I was unaware of just three days earlier. There was a Sassafras (or "root beer") tree directly next to the spa deck; a white hawk flying just below the clouds; the leaves of a Cecropia tree, where sloths typically sleep, peeking into my periphery. I learned all of this from the staff, who grew up in the area and guided my excursions—yet it barely scratched the surface of what the forest has to teach.

Here, my full review of Origins Astral in Upala, Costa Rica.

The Rooms

There are just seven villas at Origins Astral, each with their own pool, open-air common spaces, and expansive windows that look out directly to the rainforest. Mercury, where my brother and I stayed, is one of four two-bedroom accommodations. The primary bedroom featured a whimsical four-poster bed, rainfall showerhead in the bathroom, and a private balcony with a hammock that I spent hours lounging in during my stay. There are also two three-bedroom villas and one large four-bedroom, which is perfect for multigenerational families or groups of friends. For those traveling solo or who don't need a kitchen, rooms can be divided up with a clever wooden bookshelf insert that was handmade for each villa.  

Food and Drink

El Cosmo is the one restaurant at Origins Astral, which also fuels the poolside bar. No matter the time of day, all of the meals we had here were made with the freshest ingredients. The tuna tartare was my favorite (I had it three times), and I loved the homemade pastries served every morning. That said, it felt like the restaurant lacked a cohesive theme. French chef Julien Marseault just took over as executive chef, as of February 2026, and plans to craft a new menu. 

The hotel can also shuttle guests to the restaurant at Origins Floral down the street. Here, the French roots of Origins owner Thierry Le Goascoz are clearly on display. When my brother and I visited, the amuse-bouche was a sumptuous ham-and-cheese croquette followed by onion soup.

The Spa

Guests of Origins Astral can book treatments at the spa located at Origins Floral. The spa is housed in one small building that overlooks the rainforest and Lake Nicaragua, just 25 miles away. While there are more than a dozen options to choose from, I opted for the signature cuatro plumas cacique massage, which uses an oil with sugarcane and liquor to stimulate blood circulation. It was lovely, and made even better by the 20 minutes at the end in which I used the steam room and outdoor jacuzzi. 

Wellness is found in other ways, too. During our stay, my brother and I took part in a sound bath and yoga class—the latter of which is included for all guests. I also loved the fact that all of the products in the villas are made on site, from ingredients in the rainforest. Yellow flowers from the ylang-ylang tree are used regularly—which you may recognize as the Chanel No. 5 scent.

Accessibility

The resort has one dedicated villa for those with disabilities, and it's closest to the restaurant and pool. While staff can take guests around the property on a golf cart, it's worth noting that the landscape has some steep hills.

How to Book

Origins Floral is a Mr & Mrs Smith property included in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As such, guests can use Hyatt points to book. As of publishing, this offer is not yet available for Origins Astral.

Nightly rates at Origins Astral Lodge start at $800 a night.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values .

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