Amavi – New Boutique Hotel to be Featured on HGTV

Amavi the New Hotel with its Own Reality show, Weekly Trivia night, and other Community Events

Hotel Amavi features a hip bar, many weekly activities, including trivia nights every Thursday.

Amavi, a boutique hotel where exquisite taste in architecture, nature, community, and fine cocktails blend seamlessly. This unique haven captures the attention of stylish people and has inspired an upcoming reality show. Luke Shantz and Steph Sitt always dreamed of moving south, and in 2021, they left Canada to embark on an adventure in a country entirely new to them: Costa Rica. With a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry, Steph always wanted to own her hotel, create a community space, and offer a venue that adapts to the seasons, being inclusive for both tourists and locals. Thanks to her vision and desire, life brought them to this part of Central America. They came, saw, and fell in love with the Pura Vida lifestyle, and under this mantra, Amavi was born.

An Asian Touch in Jacó

Amavi emerges as a design sanctuary with its funky soul and casual luxury vibes, inspired by feng shui thanks to Steph Asian roots, “we based our design on circular shapes, respecting flow and energy. The inspiration comes from retro and modern styles; we wanted to build something very much in the Costa Rican spirit, with abundant nature and lush greenery,ˮ says Steph, seated at the hotel bar surrounded by lush nature and just steps from the beach. The fusion of talents and styles from designer Monica Lopez and architect Marcos Villegas, both from Costa Rica, along with Steph’s Chinese heritage, ensures that every space at Amavi—private and shared rooms, tiny houses with bathtubs and kitchens, common areas, pool, and bar—is a vibrant explosion of colors, forms, and elements that flow in perfect harmony, making it visually captivating. Since April 2024, this corner of Jacó has transformed into a unique space in the area, growing into a community hub thanks to Luke and Steph’s creativity in organizing events and activities for locals and guests. Among the most popular activities are trivia Thursday nights, pool parties, Sunday fun days, women’s craft sessions, the silent book club, swapping shops, markets, surf lessons, a rooftop for private events -parties, weddings, yoga classes- retreats, a bikini store, souvenir shop, and being a community hub for local bands and singers. Their bar has become a city icon for cocktails, thanks to Oscar “the best cocktail guy in townˮ and Fofo, who have crafted perfect blends that capture the essence of Amavi in unique and delicious cocktails, accompanied by an exquisite snacks and brunch menu. This menu is expected to expand soon and become a food court during the high season.

Betting on Paradise: The TV Show

Luke and Steph made the move from Canada and now are living the dream.

Unexpectedly, what began as an adventure searching for a lifestyle change turned into its own reality show. “We had no prior experience in television when we decided to renovate what was formerly Cabinas Stefano. One of our neighbors/friends knew a TV producer in the USA and shared our story. He became interested in making a TV series based on our journey and what we were about to create,ˮ shares Luke with great enthusiasm. The brand-new show, featuring six episodes filled with nature and fun, stars the couple, their daughters, Rosy—a turquoise tuk-tuk unique in town— and with the complete transformation of a crumbling old motel into a design palace will be launched in early 2025. “The good thing about the show is that it presents Jacó in a nice light. The south side is nice and quiet; this town has a family-friendly community vibe. It has the best of both worlds: jungle, beach, mountains, and waterfalls. A great mix of locals and expatriates. We love Jacó,ˮ says Luke, extending an invitation to experience Amavi, where you can find everything in one place right by the beach in one of the most exclusive areas in Jacó.

Amavi is a great addition to Jaco, we are excited to see trendy, well-designed additions to town and encourage you to stop by.

You can check out Amaviʼs Instagram for upcoming events or book a room at their hotel site here