Airplane Hotel in Costa Rica

If you have fantasies of living like the Swiss Family Robinson or even the characters in Lost, this rainforest resort near Quepos, may be just the ticket. Situated on the edge of the Manuel Antonio National Park, the Costa Verde Resort features an incredible hotel suite set inside a 1965 Boeing 727 airplane. In its former life the airplane transported globetrotters on South Africa Air and Avianca Airlines, and it now serves as a two bedroom suite perched on the edge of the rainforest overlooking the beach and ocean.

The airplane was transported piece by piece from the San Jose airport to its current resting place on a pedestal 50 feet above the beach. It looks a bit like a model airplane on a stand, and we can only imagine the spectacular views from the balcony and the airplane windows. Five big trucks were needed to get the plane out to the resort, and while the transportation certainly had a negative ecological impact, the finished project is a stunning example of adaptive reuse.

Seen at inhabitat. More images after the break.

Cite: Jordana , Sebastian. "Airplane Hotel in Costa Rica" 16 Apr 2009. ArchDaily. Accessed 18 Jun 2013. <http://www.archdaily.com/19953>

21 comments

  1. Thumb up Thumb down 0

    as if it wouldn’t be enought to live up in the trees, with this amazing view on the bay ;) …. I think the contrast between the plane and the traditional house is very funny though.

  2. Thumb up Thumb down 0

    Kind of kitch. Why not just design a structure that fits this site ? The whole airplane idea for the excitement of travelling is lost with this timber interior. I know these fuselages can be bought for like $2500. Why not do something with the fuselage itself instead of adapting the interior to a fake Disney-appearance. It looks way to clean. Check out http://www.LOT-EK.com : “students pavilion” and “new jalisco library”

  3. Thumb up Thumb down 0

    One of the most horrible human “creations” I´ve ever seen.
    A bad joke for a beautiful landscape.

  4. Thumb up Thumb down 0

    I just dont understand why there is no love for Robert Venturi. Why is there so much hostility against the man? Please explain.

  5. Thumb up Thumb down 0

    I guess the most of us are way TOO MUCH into the “architecture” spread out in books and magazines. Here’s a quote for a more open mind:” …. picture yourself planting radishes and seed potatoes on the fifteenth green of a forgotten golf course. You’ll hunt elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center, and dig clams next to the skeleton of the Space Needle leaning at a forty-five degree angle.” Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club, Chapter 16

  6. Thumb up Thumb down 0

    This isn’t award winning design by any means but brings a smile to those that see it. Sometimes humor and a little bit of kitschy fun is fantastic.

  7. Thumb up Thumb down 0

    ABSOLUTELY!!! LUVIT LUVIT..I could certainly live there! The only thing I would change would be the exterior color of the plane to make it blend into the terrain, since I wouldn’t want a lot of sightseers hanging around.

  8. Thumb up Thumb down 0

    Who ever designed this is GREAT, it is a very cool idea and for those who don’t like it, I guess you don’t know what nature is or camping in it, one with nature. Totally love this idea.

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