Villa Alberti vs. Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Villa Alberti and Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, are two of the most talked-about luxury stays in Guanacaste, but they answer different questions. Nekajui is a five-star resort on Peninsula Papagayo with restaurants, a beach club, a spa, and golf on site. Villa Alberti is a fully staffed private estate in Las Catalinas where your group is the only one in residence.
For a couple or a small family who wants resort amenities, Nekajui is a strong choice. For a larger group that wants to stay together under one roof with its own team, Villa Alberti is usually the better fit.
Key Takeaways
Nekajui opened in 2025 as the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Central and South America, according to the resort's opening announcement.
Villa Alberti offers seven en-suite suites for up to 21 guests in approximately 12,500 square feet, according to the Villa Alberti accommodations page.
At Nekajui, groups that want to stay together typically look at its villas and residences, which range from 2 to 10 bedrooms.
The biggest difference is shared versus private space: resort guests share restaurants, pools, and the beach club, while Villa Alberti's common areas belong to one group.
Neither option is better for every traveler. Group size, how you like to dine, and how much resort activity you want should drive the choice.
Villa Alberti vs. Nekajui at a Glance
| Villa Alberti | Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of stay | Private, fully staffed estate | Five-star resort with rooms, suites, villas, and residences |
| Location | Las Catalinas, a car-free beach town | Peninsula Papagayo, a 1,400-acre resort community |
| Bedrooms | 7 en-suite suites for up to 21 guests | Rooms and suites; villas and residences from 2 to 10 bedrooms |
| Who else is there | Only your group | Other resort guests share restaurants, pools, and the beach club |
| Dining | Executive chef and bartenders at the villa | Multiple on-site restaurants and bars, plus a beach club |
| Liberia airport (LIR) | About 45 km; chauffeured SUV included | About 35 km; transfers arranged separately |
An open-air living area at Villa Alberti, with arched openings toward the Pacific and space reserved for one group.
The Core Difference: Resort Ecosystem or Private Estate
Nekajui sits within Peninsula Papagayo, a 1,400-acre resort community on Guanacaste's Pacific coast. The Ritz-Carlton overview page lists several restaurants and bars, the Niri Beach Club, a spa, children's recreation, and golf. Everything is designed so guests can spend a week without leaving the resort.
Villa Alberti works the other way around. The estate is the center of the stay, with a general manager, concierge, executive chef, bartenders, and housekeeping devoted to one group. Instead of a resort campus, the surrounding town of Las Catalinas provides beaches, restaurants, and trails within walking distance. We compare these two styles of luxury in more depth in our guide to villas versus five-star resorts in Costa Rica.
Which Works Better for a Large Group?
This is where the comparison gets practical. A family of four can book a single suite at almost any luxury resort. A group of 16 cannot.
At Nekajui, the rooms and suites page lists categories from Ocean Reserve Suites and two-bedroom Ocean Vista suites to the four-bedroom Nekajui Grand Villa, residences with two to five bedrooms, and Villa Guayacan, a 10-bedroom residence. A large group can either book several separate rooms, which often spreads people across the property, or reserve one of the larger villas or residences.
Villa Alberti is built for that larger group from the start. Its seven suites are each described as primary-standard rooms with marble en-suite bathrooms, including a dedicated Children's Suite, and a private elevator serves all six levels. Everyone shares the same pools, rooftop bar, and dinner table without coordinating across a resort.
When comparing costs, match like with like. A fair quote compares Villa Alberti with a Nekajui villa or residence of similar size for the same dates, including taxes, service charges, meals, and transfers. Published launch reporting from The Points Guy put entry-level 2025 room rates at about $1,600 per night, but that figure covers one room, not group accommodation, so request current quotes for your dates.
One of Villa Alberti's seven en-suite bedrooms, each designed as a primary-standard suite.
Service and Dining
Both properties are built around attentive service, but it is delivered differently. At a resort, a large team serves every guest, and dining happens across restaurants that keep their own hours and reservations. That variety is a genuine advantage for travelers who enjoy trying a new venue each night.
At Villa Alberti, the executive chef designs menus around your group's preferences, bartenders run the rooftop bar, and meals happen where and when your group wants them. When you do want to dine out, a private staircase from the villa's street leads to Sentido Norte at Casa Chameleon. Fully staffed does not automatically mean all-inclusive, so confirm which meals, beverages, and gratuities are covered in your booking terms.
A pedestrian street in Las Catalinas, the car-free beach town around Villa Alberti.
Setting and Getting Around
Nekajui is closer to Liberia International Airport (LIR), about 35 kilometers away according to the resort, and the Ritz-Carlton site notes that airport transportation is reserved separately. The resort is set on cliffs above the water, and its opening announcement describes a funicular down to the Niri Beach Club.
Villa Alberti is about 45 kilometers from Liberia, and a chauffeured SUV transfer is included with every stay, according to the Villa Alberti destination page. Once you arrive, Las Catalinas is car-free, so beaches, restaurants, and 42 kilometers of trails are reached on foot.
The 40-foot interior waterfall at the center of Villa Alberti.
Villa Alberti or Nekajui: Which Should You Choose?
Nekajui may suit you if you are a couple or small family, you want a branded resort with multiple restaurants, a beach club, a spa, and golf in one place, and you enjoy the energy of a resort.
Villa Alberti may suit you if you are traveling with a larger family or group, you want everyone under one roof with a dedicated team, and you prefer walking to the beach and town over moving around a resort campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nekajui all-inclusive?
The resort's website does not describe its rates as all-inclusive. Confirm meal plans and charges directly with the Ritz-Carlton when booking.
Can a large group stay together at Nekajui?
Yes, through its larger villas and residences, including the 10-bedroom Villa Guayacan. Standard rooms and suites suit smaller parties.
Which property is closer to the airport?
Nekajui is closer, about 35 kilometers from Liberia International Airport. Villa Alberti is about 45 kilometers away, with a chauffeured transfer included.
Plan Your Stay at Villa Alberti
If you are weighing a five-star resort against a private estate, the right choice depends on your group and how you want to spend your days together. Share your preferred dates and group details below, and the Villa Alberti team will follow up to discuss availability and the arrangements for your stay.
Villa Alberti published this comparison. Nekajui details come from the Ritz-Carlton website and published reporting reviewed in October 2026 and may change.
