4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

By Admin

September 21, 2022

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

I lately loved an important vacation in Miami & Costa Rica. You’ll be able to learn my journey experiences right here:

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

At this time: Overview of 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

4 Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo is positioned on the unique Peninsula Papagayo, a master-planned resort group encompassing 2,300 acres. The resort’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 gorgeous seashores – await three swimming swimming pools, immersed in lush landscaping and surrounded by spacious pool decks with plentiful chaises lounges. Different services embody three eating places, youngsters’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 prime 10 lists of the greatest motels in Costa Rica and the greatest seaside 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 images 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 throughout the province of Guanacaste. Typically dubbed Costa Rica’s “Gold Coast”, Guanacaste affords the perfect seashores within the nation. The realm can also be house to Santa Rosa Nationwide Park, not solely a Costa Rican historic website but additionally house to 10 completely 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; positioned 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 positioned on the unique Peninsula Papagayo, a master-planned resort group encompassing 2,300 acres. This secluded pure sanctuary offers plentiful alternatives to expertise eco-adventure on land and within the water. The peninsula possesses one of the crucial 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. In addition to the 4 Seasons, the gated resort group can also be house an Andaz resort (which I reviewed right here) and the non-public 10 gap Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course, with a number of new motels and services below 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 all the Peninsula Papagayo‘s services (free transfers by van and ebikes are offered).

From the doorway gate of the Papagayo Peninsula, a 4.3 mi (7 okay)m majestic driveway winds alongside the undulating peninsula, snaking its means alongside the golf course. The final stretch of the drive affords an exceptional view of the resort – which is positioned on an isthmus, sandwiched between two seashores (extra on that beneath) – earlier than the driveway drops all the way down to the resort’s major 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 cloth and charred wooden evoke the pure components 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 important 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) vast. On one facet of the isthmus is lengthy and vast grey sand seaside (Playa Blanca), that runs alongside the shore of Culebra Bay. On the opposite facet of the isthmus is a fantastic crescent of palm–shaded white sand (Playa Virador), lapped by the blue calm waters of the Pacific Ocean. There’s a 4 Seasons seaside membership with solar loungers on each seashores, however Playa Blanca – which faces the bay – is the busier seaside, because it includes a water sports activities heart the place friends 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 affords gorgeous 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 is predicated 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 relatively than a generic resort that may very well be discovered anyplace. The result’s a novel 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 resort pavilions positioned 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 prime 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 non-public concierge lounge and an enhanced pool space. The New York Metropolis based mostly design agency managed to seize sun-drenched luxurious in an uncontrived trend, 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 components and indigenous paintings.

4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo options 181 spacious rooms and suites, which have 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 positioned within the pavilion proper subsequent to the household pool, providing easy accessibility to all of the resort services. The bed room, which featured a large kingsize mattress and a small sitting space, opened to a furnished patio with a partial view of Playa Virador. The ensuite rest room featured twin sinks, a deepsoaking tub, a bathe room, and a non-public WC room. The room featured new furnishing, wealthy textures and native components like artisanan items and paintings that created a seamless visible connection to the ocean views on show past the room’s non-public patio. Providing views of the encircling tropical forest or bay with the choice of furnished patios and adjoining infinity-edge swimming pools, the resort’s suites provide appreciable more room 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 contains 4 completely 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 major pool, welcoming friends of all ages with loads of room for enjoyable and train. A number of 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 linked to a whirlpool grotto. Not removed from Blance pool is the property’s youngsters pool, whose shallow entrance and kid-sized loungers make it the proper playground for the little ones. On the opposite facet 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 seaside 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 website:
- Bahia, positioned 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 elements from grilled prawns to café chorreado are domestically sourced. Bahia additionally affords a breakfast buffet within the morning and includes a juice bar serving refreshing seasonal juices and smoothies.
- Positioned one flooring beneath the foyer, Pesce is the resort’s signature restaurant, serving basic Italian delicacies and native seafood, with an in depth wine checklist amid panoramic ocean views.
- Positioned on the elegant Peninusla Papagayo golf clubhouse, Nemare is a classy Latin steakhouse that gives a inventive culinary expertise. The restaurant’s title and domestically 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 positioned on the peninsula’s tennis heart. Right here friends can take pleasure in quite a lot of Costa Rican road meals and domestically crafted beer by Papagayo Brewery.
- Within the evenings, full of life Añejo – positioned beneath the foyer – turns into the guts of the resort, with a DJ spinning, inventive aperitifs flowing and tapas being shared. Every morning, Añejo affords breakfast bites which are made to go, resembling an acai bowl or inexperienced juice.
- At La Reserva, positioned subsequent to Añejo, friends can select from a protracted checklist 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 heart, which affords a serene expertise from the second of arrival. The spa’s impartial shade palette and wealthy pure textures together with wooden and stone lengthen the tranquility throughout key areas together with a pre-treatment leisure lounge and post-treatment indoor cabana. The elevated males’s and ladies’s locker rooms characteristic steam rooms and personal showers, in addition to outside terraces with scorching and funky hydrotherapy swimming pools. There are 18 spa therapy rooms that are geared up with waterfall showers, non-public 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 heart with state-of-the-art Technogym tools and an exterior house for ocean-view yoga and spin courses framed by the encircling tropical panorama.

In addition to enjoyable on the seaside, close to the swimming pools, and within the spa, friends on the 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo can even take pleasure in a bevy of complimentary actions. This contains guided hikes, cooking courses, sundown browsing, Latin dance courses, and chocolate rum tastings (a each day schedule of complimentary actions is offered at check-in)). When that’s not sufficient, resort friends 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 professional guides. Assume outrigger canoeing, biking volcanic slopes, river rafting, coral gardening, exploring mango forests, evening walks, and birdwatching. It doesn’t matter what exercise you select, there’s all the time a great probability you’ll spot monkeys, coatis and splendid birds, like parakeets and woodpeckers,.

The property is managed by 4 Seasons, in all probability the perfect recognized luxurious resort model on this planet. The Toronto-based firm has remodeled the hospitality business in a story of continuous innovation, exceptional enlargement and a single-minded dedication to the best of requirements. 4 Seasons was based in 1960 by the younger architect Isadore Sharp, however the true 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 gaggle of like-minded buyers resembling Invoice Gates and Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal – took the corporate non-public 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 resort, the general decor is stylish, basic and timeless. Though the resort underwent an entire refurbishment in 2018, the room decor would possibly really feel somewhat dated nonetheless because of the usage of a darkish wood flooring, darkish furnishings (within the room), and yellow marble (within the rest room). I consider a impartial and soothing shade palette would have labored higher, though I perceive that the architects opted for a shade scheme consistent with the vacation spot. As well as, the room terrace includes a form of display screen to guard from mosquitos, nevertheless it can’t be eliminated, which could depart friends somewhat disconnected from the gorgeous outdoor when contained in the room. Additionally needless to say solely the rooms on the upper flooring take pleasure in unobstructed views of the seaside 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 occasions of excessive occupancy. The solar loungers across the swimming pools are organized very shut to one another, which is likely to be annoying when the property is working at full capability (which was the case throughout my go to). Nevertheless, when the pool space feels too crowded, you may 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 could be very fashionable amongst households with youngsters, and so they might overtake all the pool space, particularly through the North American faculty holidays. There’s all the time the adults-only pool to retreat to, nevertheless it’s a small pool positioned immediately beneath the primary pool (so you’ll nonetheless hear youngsters taking part in and screaming). if you’re searching for an adults-only resort or a romantic getaway, this may not be the perfect place for you (until you journey outdoors the varsity holidays).

The clientele on the 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica is usually comprised of North American friends, and the resort creates an ambiance that’s clearly geared in direction of them. For instance, in the primary bar of Bahia Restaurant close to the pool, there are a number 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 friends would possibly like that after all (because it actually contributes to a full of life ambiance) though it may not be to the liking of these vacationers in the hunt for tranquility and serenity.

4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica is the most costly 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). In fact, it’s 4 Seasons (and a great one) and the gorgeous location is unmatched, so that you’re paying for the model title and the setting (which is ok, so long as you understand that stepping into).

Though the secluded location of 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica on the Peninsula Papagayo is a part of the enchantment for many friends, it’s vital to emphasise that the resort is faraway from virtually the whole lot, so that you received’t discover any eating places, outlets or evening life inside an hour drive of the resort. Nevertheless, friends of the 4 Seasons do have entry to all of the services 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
Total expertise: superb 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 by way of Virtuoso (e.g. improve, each day breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD meals & beverage credit score).

Get monetary savings: learn right here my suggestions for getting the perfect deal at a luxurious resort like 4 Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo (and/or obtain many free perks).

Learn my suggestions 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 occasions 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 typically rains within the afternoons and evenings. That mentioned, it does rain – and may pour for a complete afternoon and even days in a row. In the event you’re enthusiastic about scuba diving and snorkeling, know that these rainier months are the perfect occasions 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 generally known as 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

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