Villa Alberti vs. Casa Habibi
Villa Alberti and Casa Habibi are both large private villas on the same stretch of Guanacaste coast, only a few kilometers apart, but they offer very different stays. Casa Habibi is a six-bedroom home in the hills above Playa Potrero, near Flamingo, with an optional guesthouse, daily maid service, and 24-hour security. Villa Alberti is a fully staffed seven-suite estate in Las Catalinas, a car-free beach town, for up to 21 guests.
For groups who plan to cook some meals, drive to nearby beaches, and keep costs predictable, Casa Habibi is a practical option. For groups who want a full team on property and a walkable town outside the door, Villa Alberti is usually the stronger fit.
Key Takeaways
Casa Habibi's rental listing describes six air-conditioned bedrooms, a listed capacity of 12 with groups of up to 16 welcome, and an optional three-bedroom guesthouse for an extra fee.
Villa Alberti offers seven primary-standard suites for up to 21 guests, according to the Villa Alberti accommodations page.
Casa Habibi includes daily maid service, 24-hour security, and an in-house cook who prepares dinner. Villa Alberti is fully staffed with a general manager, concierge, executive chef, and bartenders.
Both sit about an hour from Liberia International Airport. The biggest day-to-day difference is walkability.
Villa Alberti vs. Casa Habibi at a Glance
| Villa Alberti | Casa Habibi | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Las Catalinas, a car-free beach town | Hills above Playa Potrero, near Flamingo |
| Bedrooms | 7 primary-standard en-suite suites | 6 bedrooms; optional 3-bedroom guesthouse |
| Stated capacity | Up to 21 guests | 12 listed, groups up to 16; up to 23 with guesthouse |
| Staff | General manager, concierge, executive chef, bartenders, housekeeping | Daily maid, 24-hour security, in-house cook for dinner |
| Pools | Two pools, including an infinity pool, plus a jacuzzi | Infinity-edge pool with attached jacuzzi |
| Getting around | Walk to beach, restaurants, and trails | About 5 minutes by car to downtown Potrero |
| Published rates | Quoted by date and group | $5,350 to $7,740 per week, plus taxes; guesthouse extra |
Same Coast, Different Beach Towns
Playa Potrero and Las Catalinas are neighbors. Las Catalinas lies about 4 kilometers north of Potrero along Camino Las Catalinas, according to Frommer's, and Playa Flamingo sits just to the south. Group activities like sport fishing, sunset sails, and dive trips to the Catalinas Islands are within easy reach of either villa.
The towns feel different, though. Potrero is a relaxed, local beach town where most visitors get around by car. Las Catalinas is a planned, car-free town where beaches, restaurants, and trails are reached on foot. Our guide to where to stay in Guanacaste compares Flamingo, Las Catalinas, and other bases in more detail.
A sunset sail off the Guanacaste coast, easy to arrange from Las Catalinas or Potrero.
How Do the Properties Compare on Space?
Casa Habibi's listing describes six bedrooms, including a primary suite and a junior suite, with six full bathrooms and two half baths. Shared spaces include an infinity-edge pool with an attached jacuzzi, a game room with pool, ping-pong, and foosball tables, a media room with stadium seating, an upstairs bar, and a dining room set for 12. The optional guesthouse adds three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms, bringing capacity to as many as 23.
Villa Alberti spans about 12,500 square feet across six levels connected by a private elevator. Every room is designed as a primary suite with a marble en-suite, and six suites have private ocean-facing terraces. Shared spaces include two pools, a rooftop bar, a media room, and a 40-foot interior waterfall, described on the amenities page.
For a group of 12 to 16, both work well. For larger groups, Casa Habibi relies on the separate guesthouse, while Villa Alberti keeps up to 21 guests under one roof.
A primary-standard suite at Villa Alberti, where housekeeping and turndown are handled by the on-site team.
Service: Daily Help or a Full Team?
Casa Habibi's listing includes daily maid service, 24-hour security, and an in-house cooking service that prepares dinner. The listing mentions dinner service only, so ask how breakfast and lunch are handled; the gourmet kitchen and outdoor grill make self-catering easy. That model suits groups who enjoy cooking together or eating out in Potrero and Flamingo.
Villa Alberti is fully staffed, with a general manager, concierge, executive chef, bartenders, and housekeeping on property, so meals, drinks, and daily logistics are handled in-house. A private staircase from the villa's street also leads to Casa Chameleon and its cliffside restaurant, Sentido Norte. Fully staffed does not automatically mean all-inclusive, so at either villa, confirm which meals, beverages, and gratuities are covered.
Open-air dining in Las Catalinas, a short walk from Villa Alberti.
Getting Around and Getting There
Casa Habibi sits in the hills, about five minutes by car from downtown Potrero, so a rental car or driver is useful for beach days and dinners. Villa Alberti includes a chauffeured SUV transfer from Liberia, about an hour to an hour and twenty minutes away, according to the Villa Alberti destination page. Once guests arrive, Playa Danta, restaurants, and trails are all a short walk away, which matters for groups with grandparents, teenagers, or anyone who would rather not coordinate drivers each day.
Questions to Ask Before Booking Either Villa
Large-villa listings can look similar online, so a few specific questions help you compare like with like:
How many guests sleep in real beds, and which rooms use bunks or sofa beds?
If a guesthouse is part of the plan, how far is it from the main house, and does it share the pool?
Which meals are prepared by staff, and how are groceries and beverages billed?
Are airport transfers and daily transportation included, or arranged separately?
What are the house rules for visitors, events, and quiet hours?
A suite at Villa Alberti, one of seven designed to the same primary-suite standard.
Villa Alberti or Casa Habibi: Which Should You Choose?
Casa Habibi may suit you if your group is 12 to 16 people, you are happy to cook some meals and drive to beaches and restaurants, and you want published weekly rates to plan around.
Villa Alberti may suit you if you want a full team on property, equal primary-standard suites for up to 21 guests under one roof, and a walkable beach town with an airport transfer included.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can Casa Habibi sleep?
Its listing gives a capacity of 12 and says groups of up to 16 are welcome. With the optional guesthouse, the property can host up to 23 people. Confirm sleeping arrangements directly with the rental company.
How do the rates compare?
Casa Habibi's listing publishes weekly rates from $5,350 in low season to $7,740 in high season, plus local taxes, with the guesthouse priced separately. Villa Alberti quotes by date and group. Compare total cost, including meals, staff, transfers, and taxes.
Can guests at either villa visit Flamingo and Las Catalinas?
Yes. The two areas are minutes apart by car, so guests at either villa can enjoy both beach towns during their stay.
Plan Your Stay at Villa Alberti
If a fully staffed, walkable stay fits your group, share your preferred dates and group details below. The Villa Alberti team will follow up to discuss availability and the arrangements for your stay.
Villa Alberti published this comparison. Casa Habibi details come from its public rental listing reviewed in October 2026 and may change.
