Influenced by German philosopher Frederich Nietzsche, Jaime Bravo Gallegos has created Esh Hotel & Spa, a fire-inspired sanctuary in Costa Rica.

A member of Design Hotels, the resort – realised by FAMM Arquitectura and Sulkin Askenazi – is characterised by Brutalist-Wabi-sabi interiors that pair natural materials with a grounding colour palette.

“They are complete opposites and that’s what I wanted – a clash in styles to produce a radical balance,” says Bravo Gallegos. “The first has experience integrating beach houses in nature, with softness; the second brings a Brutalist rigour with high masculine energy.”

Forging a connection with the environment, light and the elements, the lobby sets the visual tone for the rest of the property. Wood and art lend warmth to concrete walls and floors; open doorways offer glimpses of lush, untamed greenery; and a palm tree grows through the soaring ceiling. The space also houses a boutique and a central firepit for the welcome ceremony, where guests set a personal intention, write it on a piece of paper, and throw it onto the flames.

Beyond the lobby, jungle-framed paths lead to the 20 minimalist suites and nine villas, all of which are intrinsically linked to their surroundings. Ground floor Selva suites have a semi-outdoor double rain shower that blurs the boundaries between outside and in, while the Canopy suites come with their own private balcony among the treetops. One-bedroom villas have either a sculptural outdoor bathtub or a refreshing plunge pool. Privacy is paramount: not a single room shares a wall with another, ensuring a sense of intimacy and retreat.

Tactile textures – smooth concrete built-in beds, sheer linen curtains, burnt wood accents – form a canvas of raw beauty, designed to still the mind. Earth and ash-like hues soothe the senses. And the majority of lighting is handcrafted by artisans from an NGO that employs women at risk of domestic violence. Some lamps are inspired by a volcano eruption; others by the nests of the oropendola bird or fishing nets.

Each room also features original artwork by Nosara-born artist Mael Victory, whose bold abstract marks painted with antique Japanese brushes add quiet depth. In the bathrooms, custom-scented toiletries by natural skincare brand Milu echo the hotel’s serene spirit.

Next to the curving main pool is the open-sided, palapa roof restaurant and bar. The menu at Almar, which translates to ‘the soul of the sea,’ is rooted in organic farm produce, locally caught fish, and flavours of the Pacific. At Ember & Ash bartenders shine the spotlight on mezcal and tequila through signature cocktails such as the Mezcalita Nicoya.

Just as wellness is integral to the essence of Nosara, so it is to the hotel itself. In the spa, treatments span restorative massages, rejuvenating beauty rituals and holistic therapies; a sauna and cold plunge stimulates circulation and resets the nervous system. This is complemented by a program of daily classes including yoga, breathwork, strength training and boxing.