Origins Astral luxury lodge, located nestled in the northern part of the volcano chain in Bijagua, Costa Rica, is slated to open its doors in November 2025. Representing a journey through the cosmos, it will highlight the wonders of nature and bespoke design. Origins Astral is the sister property of Origins Floral (formerly known as Origins Lodge), which opened nearby in 2018. It is nestled amid 111 acres of private rainforest, naturally designed around the earth, flora, and fauna elements.
The new Origins Astral lodge is made up of seven villas, with two to four guestrooms, and is ideal for wellness retreats, families, and groups of friends. It is the perfect complement to the current Origins Floral, which is more focused on couples and honeymooners.
Located between the Miravalles and Tenorio volcanoes, Origins Astral offers breathtaking views stretching all the way to Lake Nicaragua, which have greatly inspired the lodge’s aesthetic concept. Its unique design was conceived by renowned global design and architecture firm Gensler, with input from the Origins team and local architectural expertise from Mario Aviles.
This natural setting in Costa Rica is steeped in history, with the magical Río Celeste flowing through the land, a river that has been a part of the Maleku people, the native indigenous culture, for generations. The property, surrounded by majestic mountains and enriched by the history of the Maleku community, served as the perfect canvas for the design, which merges natural elements with cosmic inspiration. Origins Astral, situated 2,625 feet high in the mountains, showcases stunning 360-degree views, bringing guests closer to the sky and cosmos, embodying the property’s celestial name.
Locally, the spiritual dimension is essential, as it is a way for the Maleku tribe to connect with nature. As a result, design elements are focused on rounded edges, textured surfaces, and metal, which have been added to the natural wood structure. The colors and patterns are inspired by the planets within the solar system, and the lighting fixtures are evocative of constellations, made of sustainable materials.
Gensler envisioned the interior design as an intimate sanctuary where families and individuals can connect with the universe in profound ways. The lodge is designed to create a place of relaxation and rejuvenation, where the magic of the cosmos meets the wisdom of the earth.
The design embodies a playfulness that will appeal to guests of all ages, with many non-literal, artistic references to the planets, clouds, and constellations. Details include meteorites emerging from the walls and satellite ring-inspired patterns on room ceilings, as well as a spectacular cloud-shaped mesh mobile suspended in the reception that invites guests to look at the horizon. The Kids Club will also feature surprises related to the lodge’s astral and cosmic themes that intend to spark creativity.
At Origins Astral, the design is driven by three cosmic forces: Ephemeral Echoes, Luxury Unveiled, and Celestial Ancestry. These principles shape the hotel’s design experience, where immersive sensory environments, attention to local details, and the celebration of Maleku crafts come together to create a unique and enriching experience.
Ephemeral Echoes draws inspiration from the cosmos to create immersive, sensory experiences that transport guests into the vastness of the universe. Design elements evoke the fleeting beauty of celestial spaces, allowing guests to connect with the cosmic in a tangible way. The color palettes and shapes are inspired by the Origins Astral theme, which nods to inviting round shapes and playful artistic elements. The aerial design is inspired by the Origins hospitality ethos that is to lighten the spirits of families, couples, and friends to fully reconnect with nature and with themselves.
Luxury Unveiled redefines traditional notions of luxury by integrating locally sourced details and embracing the natural environment. Here, luxury is not about opulence but rather the abundance of nature. The surrounding landscape, with its beauty and natural sounds, becomes the ultimate expression of high-end relaxed luxury, providing guests with an experience deeply rooted in the earth and elevated by the stars.
During the design process, the Gensler team embarked on an immersive research journey to truly understand and experience the essence of the Maleku community. The team members spent time with the Maleku tribal members, learning about their way of life, their intricate crafts, and vibrant traditional colors. This connection allowed Gensler to infuse the Maleku cultural essence into what they now call Celestial Ancestry, a design philosophy that honors and integrates the Maleku heritage into the Astral Lodge design.
Committed to sustainability and local community involvement, the lodge relies mainly on furniture and equipment that have been crafted at the Origins workshop on the property by local artisans with wood predominantly sourced from trees that have naturally fallen during past storms or other natural events. Decorative objects throughout the lodge are handmade by various local artisans including the Maleku community, integrating authentic cultural elements into the design. Beautiful bespoke pieces have also been created by Gensler´s design team in collaboration with the Origins team to ensure that the skills and tools of internal artisans are used effectively.
The lodge’s commitment to its locale is also reflected in its workforce, as 90 percent of construction workers were hired from the nearby community. Once operational, Origins Astral will continue to employ staff members from the surrounding area. The hotel is also collaborating with government technical schools to develop a training program, ensuring a clear career path for residents and contributing to educational advancement.
In addition, Origins Astral offers a farm-to-table culinary experience at El Cosmo, where guests can visit the lodge’s garden as part of their dining experience, further enhancing the connection to local production, land, and sustainability. The on-site restaurant represents the spirit of fire, symbolizing warmth, family, and the unity of communities. Just as fire brought the Maleku together to share food, stories, and laughter, the team at Origins Astral seeks to ignite a sense of wonder and belonging in every guest, inviting them to experience the universe’s magnificence in each shared moment.
