The usual comparison when planning a group trip is this: a luxury hotel with individual rooms, or a private villa with shared space. But there's a third option that's rarely considered — and that, for groups of ten or more, changes the experience completely: booking the whole estate. Two private villas, a dedicated team, one pool for every five bedrooms, and the beach to yourselves.
What's the problem with booking a block of suites?
Luxury resorts are wonderful for solo travelers or couples. For groups, though, they have a structural limitation: the common areas — bar, pool, restaurant — are shared with hundreds of other guests. Privacy disappears the moment you try to gather fifteen people in one place.
Check-in is at 3pm. Breakfast runs on a schedule. There's no private chef. The concierge is looking after another 200 rooms.
What changes with a private estate?
At Odisea, the estate is yours. The two villas — Diosa del Mar and Hermes — sit a few steps apart, connected by tropical gardens that melt into the beach. No other families in the pool. No breakfast schedule. The chef builds the menu around each guest's tastes.
When a group arrives at Odisea, the first few hours tell you everything: the kids vanish toward the pool, the adults spread out across the terraces, and someone — always — opens a bottle before six.
Why do families notice it first?
Groups with children are the first to understand the difference. At a resort, kids are tolerated. At a private estate, kids set the rhythm of the place. No lowering your voice in the hallway. No nighttime quiet rules. The pool doesn't close at 10pm.
Multigenerational families — grandparents, adult children, grandchildren — also value the separation of space: each group has its own villa, but everyone shares the same shoreline at sunset.
Does it cost more than a resort?
For groups of 12 to 27 people, the per-room cost of a private luxury estate in Junquillal tends to be comparable — and often lower — than a five-star resort in Tamarindo or Papagayo. The difference is that here, that price includes complete privacy, a dedicated team and an experience that can't be replicated in any hotel in the world.
Discover the estate
- Villa Hermes — architectural beachfront villa →
- Villa Diosa del Mar — beachfront art retreat →
- Book both villas together as Odisea Retreats →
Frequently asked questions
How many people does a private estate like Odisea hold?
Odisea is two villas with ten bedrooms that sleep up to 24 guests comfortably, with a maximum of 27. It's ideal for groups of 10 or more: families, multigenerational groups, weddings and retreats.
Is a private villa or a resort better for group travel?
For large groups, a private estate offers something a resort can't: total privacy. You don't share the pool, beach or team with other guests, there are no fixed schedules, and there's a private chef.
How much does it cost compared to a luxury resort?
For groups of 12 to 27 people, the per-room cost tends to be comparable to or lower than a five-star resort in Tamarindo or Papagayo, but it includes complete privacy and a dedicated team.
Is it a good option for families with children?
Yes. At a private estate there are no quiet rules or pool curfews, and kids can roam freely. It's especially comfortable for multigenerational families.
Where is Odisea located?
In Playa Junquillal, Guanacaste, Costa Rica — beachfront, in a quiet area just over an hour from Liberia airport (LIR).
