4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

Wednesday newsletters all the time characteristic a lodge or flight assessment.

I just lately loved an incredible vacation in Miami & Costa Rica. You may learn my journey reviews right here:

• Evaluation: Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 Enterprise Class from Frankfurt to Miami
• Evaluation: Acqualina Resort on the Seashore, Miami, USA
• Evaluation: Nayara Tented Camp, Arenal Nationwide Park, Costa Rica
• Evaluation: Nayara Springs & Backyard, Arenal Nationwide Park, Costa Rica
• Evaluation: Lapa Rios Lodge, Corcovado Nationwide Park, Costa Rica
• Evaluation: Andaz Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
• Evaluation: 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo (right this moment)
• Evaluation: Los Altos Resort, Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park, Costa Rica
• Evaluation: Edelweiss Air Airbus A340 Enterprise Class from Liberia to Zurich

As we speak: Evaluation of 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

4 Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo is situated on the unique Peninsula Papagayo, a master-planned resort neighborhood encompassing 2,300 acres. The lodge’s 155 visitor rooms, suites and residences seize the unique character of Costa Rica, with comfy rattan and bamboo furnishings, native paintings and indigenous wooden and stone finishes. On the coronary heart of the property – proper between two beautiful seashores – await three swimming swimming pools, immersed in lush landscaping and surrounded by spacious pool decks with considerable chaises lounges. Different amenities embody three eating places, kids’s membership, and a world-class spa encompassing eight therapeutic massage rooms, seven moist therapy rooms with showers, and 4 facial therapy rooms. Designed by Arnold Palmer, the resort’s 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course was designed with the golfer in thoughts.

4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo options in my high 10 lists of the greatest inns in Costa Rica and the greatest seashore resorts in Central America.

Have you ever ever stayed at 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo? In that case, what was your expertise? Go away a remark.

On this assessment (extra data and photographs beneath my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo is positioned on Costa Rica’s northwest Pacific coast inside the province of Guanacaste. Typically dubbed Costa Rica’s “Gold Coast”, Guanacaste presents one of the best seashores within the nation. The world can also be house to Santa Rosa Nationwide Park, not solely a Costa Rican historic web site but additionally house to 10 totally different habitats together with mangroves, swamps and evergreen and dry forests. One other gem is Rincon de la Vieja Volcano Nationwide Park, a refuge for birds and wildlife, that includes spectacular vegetation, effervescent mud holes, refreshing river swimming pools and waterfalls. Guanacaste can also be house to considered one of Costa Rica’s two worldwide airports; situated in Liberia, the Guanacaste Worldwide Airport receives many continuous direct flights from main US and European cities. One other protected treasure of Guanacaste is the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano Nationwide Park, a refuge for birds and wildlife, that includes spectacular vegetation, effervescent mud holes, refreshing river swimming pools and waterfalls.

• The 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica is situated on the unique Peninsula Papagayo, a master-planned resort neighborhood encompassing 2,300 acres. This secluded pure sanctuary offers considerable alternatives to expertise eco-adventure on land and within the water. The peninsula possesses probably the most extraordinary landscapes on the planet: a dreamlike 1,400-acre canvas of coastal dry tropical forest surrounded by miles of uncrowded seashores teeming with uncommon and magical wildlife. Moreover the 4 Seasons, the gated resort neighborhood can also be house an Andaz resort (which I reviewed right here) and the personal 10 gap Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course, with a number of new inns and amenities underneath development, together with a model new sports activities mecca, aerial-adventure playground, and a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Friends of the 4 Seasons Resort have entry to the entire Peninsula Papagayo‘s amenities (free transfers by van and ebikes are offered).

• From the doorway gate of the Papagayo Peninsula, a 4.3 mi (7 ok)m majestic driveway winds alongside the undulating peninsula, snaking its approach alongside the golf course. The final stretch of the drive presents an exceptional view of the resort – which is situated on an isthmus, sandwiched between two seashores (extra on that beneath) – earlier than the driveway drops right down to the lodge’s primary foyer constructing. The latter is a dramatic crescent construction with some unique design touches, setting a softly curvilinear theme that’s discovered all through the property. Contained in the stylish foyer, a bamboo ceiling, earth tone decor and supplies like woven material and charred wooden evoke the pure parts of the resort’s environment. Some pops of black accent the house, a nod to Costa Rica’s volcanoes. To the rear, the open-air foyer’s opens to an incredible view of the resort grounds. A travertine staircase descends from the foyer to the primary bar and the pool space past.

• Stretching over 250 acres of lush tropical grounds, the 4 Season Resort enjoys a spectacular setting on the tip of the Papagayo Peninsula. Surrounded by imposing hills and flanked by two magnificent seashores, the property occupies an isthmus barely 250 ft (80 m) extensive. On one aspect of the isthmus is lengthy and extensive grey sand seashore (Playa Blanca), that runs alongside the shore of Culebra Bay. On the opposite aspect of the isthmus is a gorgeous crescent of palm–shaded white sand (Playa Virador), lapped by the blue calm waters of the Pacific Ocean. There’s a 4 Seasons seashore membership with solar loungers on each seashores, however Playa Blanca – which faces the bay – is the busier seashore, because it includes a water sports activities middle the place company can lease tools (together with kayaks, paddleboats, and Hobie cats). Playa Virador, which lies in entrance of the adults-only pool (extra on that beneath), is extra tranquil and has the added bonus that it presents beautiful sundown views.

• Comprised of a sculptural cluster of earth-toned stucco pavilions, the 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo was designed by world-famous architect Ronald Zrcher Gurdián, whose agency relies within the nation’s capital, San José. Zürcher – who designed this resort about 20 years in the past – aimed for a luxurious resort with an genuine Costa Rican vibe immersed in native tradition fairly than a generic resort that could possibly be discovered wherever. The result’s a singular nature-inspired structure, which blends seamlessly into the encircling tropical dry forest and with no constructing taller than the bushes. Whereas masterplanning his creation, Zrcher was impressed by two of Costa Rica’s most beloved creatures, the turtle and the armadillo, each of which simply occur to make their properties on the slender peninsula. Following their lead, Zrcher gave a number of of the resort’s low-lying buildings the spherical form of a turtle’s shell and mimicked the armadillo’s arched, humped again for the roofline of lots of the lodge pavilions situated larger up the hill.

• The ethereal inside of the 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo matches its grandiose but understated structure. In 2018, the modern oceanfront property underwent a $35 million USD refurbishment from high to backside which was overseen from famend design studio Meyer Davis. The renovation included all rooms & suites, a redesigned foyer atrium, 4 new eating ideas, a re-imagined spa, a brand new personal concierge lounge and an enhanced pool space. The New York Metropolis based mostly design agency managed to seize sun-drenched luxurious in an uncontrived style, seamlessly mixing the Papagayo Peninsula’s lush tropical panorama with the 4 Season’s signature indoor-outdoor areas. The inside’s crisp but soothing shade palette is impressed by the wealthy deep colours of Costa Rica, just like the blue ocean, the white sand, and the inexperienced jungle. Regional fabricators and craftsmen made 90% of the furnishings, so the decor has an inherent connection to its location, which is additional enhanced by wealthy pure parts and indigenous paintings.

• 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo options 181 spacious rooms and suites, which had been all redesigned in 2018. The lodging are housed in a number of multi-story pavilions, whose curved roofs appears to drift within the bushes (the upper the ground, the higher the view). Throughout my vacation, I used to be upgraded to a ‘Brisa Room’, which was situated within the pavilion proper subsequent to the household pool, providing easy accessibility to all of the lodge amenities. The bed room, which featured an enormous kingsize mattress and a small sitting space, opened to a furnished patio with a partial view of Playa Virador. The ensuite toilet featured twin sinks, a deepsoaking tub, a bathe room, and a non-public WC room. The room featured new furnishing, wealthy textures and native parts like artisanan items and paintings that created a seamless visible connection to the ocean views on show past the room’s personal patio. Providing views of the encircling tropical forest or bay with the choice of furnished patios and adjoining infinity-edge swimming pools, the lodge’s suites supply appreciable extra space in contrast with the rooms.

• On the coronary heart of the resort – surrounded by the foyer, eating places and rooms and solely a brief stroll away from the 2 seashores – is an spectacular pool space, which includes 4 totally different swimming pools, each with its personal ambiance. With a floor of 1000 sq m (10765 sq ft); the Bahia freshwater pool is the resort’s primary pool, welcoming company of all ages with loads of room for enjoyable and train. Just a few steps down from the Bahia pool is Blanca pool; with views over full of life Playa Blanca, this pool is surrounded by dozens of comfy solar loungers and umbrellas, and can also be related to a whirlpool grotto. Not removed from Blance pool is the property’s children pool, whose shallow entrance and kid-sized loungers make it the proper playground for the little ones. On the opposite aspect of Bahia pool, down a staircase, is an adults-only pool, providing an environment of full tranquility for these in want of that; this pool was my favourite one, not solely due to its serene ambiance, but additionally as a result of it’s the one pool at seashore degree, providing nice views of and easy accessibility to Playa Virador.

• 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo has six eating places & bars on web site:
  • Bahia, situated subsequent to the household pool, is the resort’s all day eating restaurant. A wood-fired open kitchen is the centerpiece for this subtle venue, the place substances from grilled prawns to café chorreado are regionally sourced. Bahia additionally presents a breakfast buffet within the morning and includes a juice bar serving refreshing seasonal juices and smoothies.
  • Positioned one ground beneath the foyer, Pesce is the resort’s signature restaurant, serving basic Italian delicacies and native seafood, with an in depth wine listing amid panoramic ocean views.
  • Positioned on the elegant Peninusla Papagayo golf clubhouse, Nemare is a classy Latin steakhouse that provides a inventive culinary expertise. The restaurant’s identify and regionally infused eating idea is drawn from the Chorotega phrase for “smoke,” celebrated throughout the menu in its craft cocktails and flavourful dishes.
  • Palapita Faucet Home is a relaxed new venue situated on the peninsula’s tennis middle. Right here company can take pleasure in a wide range of Costa Rican avenue meals and regionally crafted beer by Papagayo Brewery.
  • Within the evenings, full of life Añejo – situated beneath the foyer – turns into the center of the lodge, with a DJ spinning, inventive aperitifs flowing and tapas being shared. Every morning, Añejo presents breakfast bites which might be made to go, reminiscent of an acai bowl or inexperienced juice.
  • At La Reserva, situated subsequent to Añejo, company can select from a protracted listing of premium rums and have the chance to create their very own rum bland and infusions.

• Positioned subsequent to the foyer is the resort’s glorious wellness middle, which presents a serene expertise from the second of arrival. The spa’s impartial shade palette and wealthy pure textures together with wooden and stone prolong the tranquility throughout key areas together with a pre-treatment leisure lounge and post-treatment indoor cabana. The elevated males’s and girls’s locker rooms characteristic steam rooms and personal showers, in addition to out of doors terraces with sizzling and funky hydrotherapy swimming pools. There are 18 spa therapy rooms that are outfitted with waterfall showers, personal sauna and steam rooms, and whirlpool tubs. There’s additionally a particular hammam room for distinctive Turkish bathtub experiences. All kinds of therapies is obtainable, together with Ayurvedic and sound therapeutic spa therapies, a two-hour conventional hammam ritual, 90-minute sense of India rituals, and 60-minute or 90-minute Abhyanga therapeutic massage. Subsequent to the spa is health middle with state-of-the-art Technogym tools and an exterior house for ocean-view yoga and spin courses framed by the encircling tropical panorama.

• Moreover stress-free on the seashore, close to the swimming pools, and within the spa, company on the 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo may also take pleasure in a bevy of complimentary actions. This contains guided hikes, cooking courses, sundown browsing, Latin dance courses, and chocolate rum tastings (a every day schedule of complimentary actions is offered at check-in)). When that’s not sufficient, lodge company even have entry to the Papagayo Explorers Membership. Right here, adventurists have the chance to go on an astounding number of adrenaline-inducing excursions, all led by knowledgeable guides. Assume outrigger canoeing, biking volcanic slopes, river rafting, coral gardening, exploring mango forests, night time walks, and birdwatching. It doesn’t matter what exercise you select, there’s all the time a superb probability you’ll spot monkeys, coatis and splendid birds, like parakeets and woodpeckers,.

• The property is managed by 4 Seasons, in all probability one of the best identified luxurious lodge model on the earth. The Toronto-based firm has reworked the hospitality business in a story of continuous innovation, outstanding growth and a single-minded dedication to the very best of requirements. 4 Seasons was based in 1960 by the younger architect Isadore Sharp, however the actual breakthrough of the model got here within the seventies with the opening of the 4 Seasons London. Though the corporate went public in 1986, the Sharp household – together with a bunch of like-minded traders reminiscent of Invoice Gates and Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal – took the corporate personal once more in 2007 to guard the integrity of the model effectively into the longer term.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

• As you would possibly anticipate from a 4 Seasons lodge, the general decor is stylish, basic and timeless. Though the resort underwent a whole refurbishment in 2018, the room decor would possibly really feel slightly dated nonetheless as a result of using a darkish wood ground, darkish furnishings (within the room), and yellow marble (within the toilet). I consider a impartial and soothing shade palette would have labored higher, though I perceive that the architects opted for a shade scheme in step with the vacation spot. As well as, the room terrace includes a type of display screen to guard from mosquitos, however it can’t be eliminated, which could depart company slightly disconnected from the beautiful open air when contained in the room. Additionally understand that solely the rooms on the upper flooring take pleasure in unobstructed views of the seashore and/or ocean

• The property’s public space is principally simply in a single location and centered across the swimming pools, so this space would possibly really feel very busy throughout instances of excessive occupancy. The solar loungers across the swimming pools are organized very shut to one another, which could be annoying when the property is working at full capability (which was the case throughout my go to). Nonetheless, when the pool space feels too crowded, you’ll be able to all the time hit the close by seashores, the place there’s loads of house to take pleasure in a day in whole privateness and tranquility.

• The resort may be very common amongst households with kids, they usually might overtake your entire pool space, particularly throughout the North American college holidays. There’s all the time the adults-only pool to retreat to, however it’s a small pool situated straight beneath the primary pool (so you’ll nonetheless hear kids taking part in and screaming).  in case you are searching for an adults-only resort or a romantic getaway, this won’t be one of the best place for you (except you journey outdoors the varsity holidays).

• The clientele on the 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica is usually comprised of North American company, and the resort creates an ambiance that’s clearly geared in the direction of them. For instance, in the primary bar of Bahia Restaurant close to the pool, there are a couple of massive TV screens that broadcast American sport video games. Additionally, throughout sure days, loud music is performed by a resident DJ close to Playa Virador till the early night. Some company would possibly like that in fact (because it definitely contributes to a full of life ambiance) though it won’t be to the liking of these vacationers in the hunt for tranquility and serenity.

• 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica is the costliest resort in Costa Rica. Throughout excessive season, the room charges are $1400 USD an evening on common (though IMHO, the room decor falls in need of expectations based mostly on the value charged). Drinks, meals and excursions at very costly as effectively (for instance, breakfast – when not included within the room charge – will set you again $50 to $70 USD per individual). After all, it’s 4 Seasons (and a superb one) and the beautiful location is unmatched, so that you’re paying for the model identify and the setting (which is ok, so long as that moving into).

• Though the secluded location of 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica on the Peninsula Papagayo  is a part of the attraction for many company, it’s vital to emphasise that the resort is faraway from virtually every thing, so that you gained’t discover any eating places, retailers or night time life inside an hour drive of the lodge. Nonetheless, company of the 4 Seasons do have entry to all of the amenities on the Peninsula Papagayo, which features a good number of eating places and bars unfold all around the peninsula (such because the eating places of the close by Andaz Costa Rica Resort).

MY VERDICT

• Location: 9/10
• Design: 8/10
• Pool: 9/10
• Rooms: 8/10
• Meals: 8/10
• Breakfast: 8/10
• Spa: 9/10
• Service: 9/10
• Worth for cash: 8/10
• General expertise: excellent 8,8/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Get monetary savings: get complimentary VIP perks at 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo when reserving through Virtuoso (e.g. improve, every day breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD meals & beverage credit score).

• Get monetary savings: learn right here my ideas for getting one of the best deal at a luxurious lodge like 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo (and/or obtain many free perks).

• Learn my ideas for making ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The Guanacaste area has a number of the greatest climate within the nation year-round.  On common, it rains 4 instances lower than in different areas of the nation. This implies, first, the Peninsula Papagayo is extraordinarily dry throughout dry season (from finish of December till finish of April) and, second, the wet season (Might to November) continues to be comparatively dry. Throughout wet season, days normally have sunny morning and it usually rains within the afternoons and evenings. That mentioned, it does rain – and might pour for a complete afternoon  and even days in a row. When you’re enthusiastic about scuba diving and snorkeling, know that these rainier months are one of the best instances to go to.

HOW TO GET THERE

To go to the Peninsula Papagayo, it’s endorsed that you simply fly out and in of Guanacaste Airport, beforehand often called Daniel Oduber Quirós Worldwide Airport. From this airport, it is just a 40 min drive to the Peninsula Papagayo (the resort can arange transfers). Click on right here for a listing of airways that supply direct flights to Guanacaste Airport.

PHOTOS

Under is a choice of my photographs of 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo. To view extra photographs of the resort (together with breakfast and dinner), click on right here.

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