The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, headquartered in Maryland, U.S.A.,  announced the opening in November 2024 of a new luxury hotel in  Papagayo Peninsula in Guanacaste Province. According to the company, the first Ritz-Carlton Hotel in the U.S. opened in New York City in 1911. Currently, the company has over 100 hotels and resorts in 30 countries. The Costa Rica resort will feature a mix of traditional and modern Spanish architectural styles, stated the SB Architects, in charge of the design of the Nekajui hotel, which is the first Ritz-Carlton branded hotel in Costa Rica.  The resort's name, Nekajui, aptly means garden in Chorotegan, the language of an indigenous nation that once populated the area.  "Today's discerning travelers and buyers are seeking the most beautiful, remote landscapes to relax, explore, and deepen their connection to nature," said Scott Lee, SB Architects president. "With immersive hospitality concepts informed by research into the traditions and architecture of the Guanacaste region, our team designed Nekajui as a place to soak up the local culture, satiate a thirst for outdoor adventure, and experience the peninsula's natural wonders through the Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand." An understated arrival pavilion will nod to local design traditions and be oriented by a central open-air courtyard. At the heart of the resort, a classic zone will draw upon traditional hacienda-style architecture in homage to Spanish influences, while a transitional zone will be distinguished by new interpretations of the local vernacular in guestrooms, suites, and branded residences. The central zone, known as La Casona, will be home to a range of amenities like a lobby, event space, marketplace, coffee bar, all-day restaurant, a hidden rum cave, as well as the main pool and pool bar. An organic zone will comprise guest lodging, a beach club, and a wellness spa characterized by treehouse-style architecture as well. A whimsical yet rustic identity will be evoked by the beach club, which will include natural lagoons, three F&B options, a pool, and a funicular that will frame bird's-eye views of the setting from 200 feet above the coast.