Showing posts with label Manuel Antonio Activities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manuel Antonio Activities. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Parador Honors Its Own: Employee Achievements Are Recognized At Quarterly Party

With twelve acres, 129 rooms and suites, stringent sustainability practices, 158 employees in seven departments and a constant influx of esteemed guests for whom to care, the Parador family is a busy one indeed. But we still take time out every three months to honor our hard working and loyal staff with a no-holds-barred party! Hosted each quarter by a different department that has free reign to stage the event as it sees fit, the most recent fete was helmed by the Food & Beverage Group. This time they pulled out all the stops to create an afternoon of tongue-in-cheek performance theater and hilarious Chippendales-inspired vid-clips before we all got down to the more serious business of recognizing individual employees for their superlative work and commitment.

Just one element of Parador’s “We Share” employee benefits program (for more information on that check our website www.hotelparador.com), these staff parties provide an opportunity for the Parador team to mingle in a casual non-work environment, while creating a forum in which management can also commemorate its own. Potential honorees are nominated by each department head after which awards – which include pins and/or certificates and monetary gifts – are presented to one winner per month from each department in such categories as “Most Helpful Employee” and “Smile of the Month.” Further, those staffers who have been with Parador for a year or more receive bonuses while those boasting at least ten years of service receive all expense paid vacations for two.

Parador takes great pride in the fact that so many of our employees have long term tenure here. We are delighted to be able to show our appreciation and party with the troops every few months!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Soaring The Rainforest Canopy Is a Thrill a Minute

As we strive to ensure that our guests’ experience in Costa Rica is nothing less than extraordinary and safe, we would never recommend a tour or activity without sampling – and in this case, re-sampling -- it ourselves. And so it was that we ventured deep into the rainforest recently with Canopy Safari to verify that the zip lining excitement quotient is as high (no pun intended!) as we remembered. And we’re pleased to report that this half-day excursion was not only an adrenalin-pumping thrill-ride, but a highly educational outing, as well.

From the moment we hit the road en route to our final destination in Paso Real, about 45 minutes outside Quepos, our quick-witted, bilingual guide Jorge regaled us with his superb knowledge of the area’s history and environment, illustrating various usages of ubiquitous plants we see every day, but perhaps don’t notice, giving us facts and figures that were both interesting and vital.

Coffee, soft drinks and fresh fruit greeted us upon our arrival and an informative tour of the facility’s butterfly garden and serpentarium preceded our gear-prep for the main event. Suited up and rigged up in our un-chic harnesses and helmets, we were divided into two groups of about ten each for both safety and comfort purposes.

Featuring 18 platforms, 10 zip and 2 rappel lines,, 1 suspension bridge and “tarzan swing,” our troop – which included a Parador executive and her 5 year old daughter alongside our resident writer – sailed through the lush jungle with the ease and grace of circus acrobats, securely fastened to cables that allowed us to explore our inner gymnast while imbibing the breathtaking scenery in which we were enveloped.

Piloted by a posse of fast-quipping, highly-skilled English-speaking guides who seemed to be having as much fun as us, we soared for more than an hour, traversing the treetops and dropping to the depths of the jungle in a heart-racing rush. Only one of our group succumbed to her momentary fear of heights and was deftly and patiently tandem-carried across the ravine by one of our guides. Our intrepid toddler, however, navigated the course with gleeful abandon.

A delicious lunch awaited us upon our return, highlighting traditional cuisine which included rice and beans, fried plantains and chicken. All in all, a great day and a recommended excursion for all visitors to our area.
Canopy Safari is the pioneering canopy tour operator in the Southern area of Costa Rica. The company built its first canopy course in 1997 with the help of a team of experts who build high ropes courses in the United States and in Europe.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Amazing Dolphin tour in front of Parador´s coastline last week

Words cannot describe the feeling of seeing the curious and friendly dolphins up close. We launch from Quepos Oceanfront. We sail along the coast to where the Punta Quepos meets the Pacific Ocean (a favorite dolphin playground). We linger in that area and wait for the Dolphins to come by.

Familia Cortés y Familia Acuña wrote:
The dolphin trip was cool. I never imagined that we would see as many dolphins as we did or that they would swim as close to our boats as they did."


Saturday, July 3, 2010

Another wonderful wedding at the Parador


Jun 30, 2010
We traveled to Hotel Parador as a group (approx. 30) to attend a wedding. We were greeted by warm smiles, cool towels and cold beverages. After the bus ride from the airport, all were appreciative of the great reception. Enough cannot be said about the road one must take to get to Hotel Parador - it is an adventure all by itself. I can't believe they leave the road in such a state, but, it lends to the overall "charm" of the location.

Hotel Parador is a great place to stay - the grounds are impeccably maintained, the pool areas are kept very clean, and all interior spaces appeared to be spotless. Each person encountered on the staff was very friendly. The front desk staff was extremely helpful in arranging transportation and excursions.

The food served at Hotel Parador is excellent. Everything from the breakfast buffet, to lunch and dinners is presented beautifully and expertly prepared. The dinners are all a real treat. Sushi lovers - you MUST try the sushi offerings of Sushi Fune - just wonderful. One mustn't be in a hurry when dining, however. Again, this lends to the laid back charm of the overall atmosphere - trust me, it's worth the wait.

Our group was treated very well throughout our stay and the wedding reception was no exception. Attentive waitstaff made sure everyone was well served and always had a fresh beverage.

As an added bonus, the ability to see monkeys, sloths, iguanas and exotic birds was a real treat.

Since we were there for the wedding, and all of the goings on surrounding that event, we were not able to take in some of the hotel's spa services - I guess we'll just have to go back.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

15 Anniversary.


This month the Parador Resort & Spa is happy to announce the celebration of its 15th. Anniversary. As Director and Vice-President of Hotel Parador, I would like to congratulate the staff for a job well done and the owners for giving their support and placing their trust in us, making the Parador a better place to stay each and every day. With pride we stand behind our slogan:
“EUROPEAN REFINEMENT…..WARM TROPICAL TOUCH!’’

Regards
Diego Fco. Gonzalez