WINNERS ANNOUNCED

 

Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

  • Prize
    Winner in Architectural Design Resort – Luxury
  • Company/Firm
    Gensler (Principal Interior Designer)
  • Lead Designer
    Jorey Friedman, Design Principal
  • Architect
    Design Architect - 10 Design (formerly SB Architects); Executive Architect - Gensler
  • Interior Designer
    Gensler and BAMO
  • Hospitality
    Ritz-Carlton
  • Photo Credit
    Andres Garcia
  • Location
    End of the 253 National Route, Peninsula Papagayo, Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica 50104
  • Project Date
    February 2025
  • Developer
    Gencom and The Athens Group

Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is a luxury resort and collection of branded residences set on 42 acres within Peninsula Papagayo, Guanacaste. The property features 107 guest rooms and suites, plus 36 estate homes, blending seamlessly into Costa Rica’s biodiverse landscape. Inspired by traditional haciendas and treehouses, the resort's design minimizes environmental impact and reflects the region's natural contours. Three distinct zones define the property: a “classic zone” with Spanish-influenced architecture, a “transitional zone” showcasing Guanacaste’s regional style, and an “organic zone” with treehouse-inspired lodging, beach club, and spa. Guests enter through a pavilion leading to La Casona and the Great Room, spaces that evoke Costa Rican elegance. Amenities include fine dining, pools, a wedding pavilion, and a hidden speakeasy. Residences, spanning 3,800–10,200 sq. ft., feature canopied terraces, open-air kitchens, and handcrafted local furnishings for a refined yet relaxed atmosphere. Designed with sustainability in mind, Nekajui uses locally sourced materials, preserves native habitats, and aligns with the “Papagayo 2025” initiative, connecting luxury and nature.




LIV Hospitality Design Awards 2025
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