Dark Angel star Alba finds Costa Rica cool
HOLLYWOOD HOLIDAYS
Dark Angel star Jessica Alba, whose new movie Into The Blue opens this month, thought the experience of staying at El Remanso Rainforest Wildlife Lodge in Costa Rica “ extraordinary.” The environmentally conscious resort is on 56 hectares of tropical rainforest on the Osa Peninsula in the southwest corner of Costa Rica, 22 kilometres from Puerto Jimenez and a one- hour flight from San Jose. The lodge was created with care to reduce environmental impact. Fallen wood was used to build El Remanso’s roomy cabins, so no rare hardwood trees were logged. Each unit is surrounded by a moat of moving water that keeps ants out of the rooms, eliminating the need for pesticides. Cabins are fully screened against flying insects, have a private bath with hot water as well as electricity.
Until Nov. 30, a deluxe cabana for two is $ 110 U. S. per person, per night ( includes all meals, alcohol extra), and a one- room cabana is $90 U. S. single, per night. For information, visit www. elremanso. or www. visitcostarica. com
Heidi and Seal’s Mexican wedding
When supermodel Heidi Klum and singer Seal got married on the beach at Careyes, Mexico in May, guests stayed at the luxurious El Careyes Beach Resort, a popular spot for the rich and famous who want to escape crowds.
Seal has a villa nearby in the exclusive community of Cuixmala and stops into the resort regularly. The hotel bar is a hangout for jetsetters. Located about an hour’s drive north of Manzanillo, El Careyes is surrounded by a subtropical rainforest nestled in a secluded cove on the Pacific Ocean. The tranquil, easy elegance of the resort is reminiscent of a quiet Mediterranean village and is reflected in its extremely comfortable 48 rooms and suites. Room rates are from $ 219 U. S. per room, per night including breakfast. Visit www. starwoodhotels. com/ luxury
Britney Spears finds sanctuary in Arizona
Mom- to- be Britney Spears and hubby Kevin Federline enjoy the pampered surroundings of the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, the hillside, 21hectare resort near Scottsdale, Ariz. The boutique resort offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valley below. Terraced high on Camelback Mountain, this tranquil setting is secluded, yet close to upscale shopping, dining and worldclass golf. During their visit in May, Spears had in- room massages and did yoga, while Federline played golf. The Asian- inspired Sanctuary Spa provides a relaxed, luxurious retreat with indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, a fitness centre with movement studio, meditation garden, a therapeutic Watsu pool and a shaded, outdoor lap pool. The resort also offers Arizona’s largest infinityedge resort pool, tennis courts and hiking and biking trails.
Fall rates are from $347 U. S. per room, per night. See www. sanctuaryoncamelback. com or call 1- 800- 245- 2051. Cathy Stapells is a Toronto-based writer.