Small Distinctive Hotels (SDH):
Small Distinctive Hotels has been internationally recognized as one of the best hotelier groups in Costa Rica. Formed in 1997, Small Distinctive Hotels represents a group of eight luxury boutique hotels, located throughout the most diverse and beautiful areas of Costa Rica. Tourists have the opportunity to see the best of Costa Rica, while enjoying an authentic Tico experience at hotels committed to excellence in service, amenities and sustainability.
Small Distinctive Hotels unifies first-class properties of Costa Rica and promotes them through an integrated marketing strategy. In addition, the group increases its overall profitability through creating opportunities and tools for improvement in all areas of operation.
Our Mission:
To satisfy our members’ needs for marketing, human resource development, strategic alliances with providers, quality in facilities and service, sustainability and improvement in efficiency and profitability.
Our Vision Through 2015:
To position our members as the best “Boutique Hotels of Costa Rica,” characterized by their high standards in ethics, quality and personalized service. To increase the number of members to up to twelve properties through integrated marketing strategy, sustainable development, human resource training, and advantageous negotiations with suppliers.
Our Values:
- Ethics: Small Distinctive Hotels develops its functions honestly and does all its work based on the law.
- Respect: We respect all suggestions or ideas from our members, employees and guests.
- Equality: All the members have the same opportunities to do business, to get exposure and to contribute to the group.
- Quality: We are committed to providing excellence in service to members and guests.
- Integrity: We honor our commitment to contribute in all areas that members require.
- Solidarity: We provide continuous support to all members of the group and offer solutions when they are needed.
Membership standards:
- No geographical competition: each hotel has the exclusiveness in its area.
- 60 rooms maximum.
- To be working toward or certified with CST “Certification of Sustainable Tourism.”
- Have SPA on premises or at least offer massage services.
- To have “a la carte” restaurant.
- No involvement in real estate development.
- The minimum duration of prior operation has to be one year.
- Casinos and gambling are not allowed.
- The owner must be directly involved in the operation of the hotel.
- Member properties must offer high-class facilities and personalized service.
If you are interested in being a part of Small Distinctive Hotels of Costa Rica, please contact us and send the details about your property to: info@distinctivehotels.com.








