Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica: The Ultimate Family Luxury on Peninsula Papagayo
By Kate Van Dell for Sebastian Luxe Travel
Arriving at the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica is beautiful. You come around the bend, get this breathtaking view of the water, drive down, and walk straight into a big open-air lobby with tons of staff. You immediately feel taken care of. They have you sit down and bring you refreshments. My son received a welcome backpack with a stuffy. The whole arrival is very polished. Nobody is confused about what they are doing or where you are going. They already know.
Accommodations and Location
Our room was ready on arrival. It was beautiful and clean. The resort is a very manageable size but not small. Our room was right above the pool, which I appreciated with my son. It overlooked the beach, just not on both sides the way some suites do. There was also a screen on the balcony to prevent animals from coming into the room, which I appreciated.
The location is spectacular. Four Seasons Costa Rica feels like the perfect all-purpose luxury resort. It reminded me a bit of White Lotus Hawaii in terms of the level of care and attention. There were tons of families there and everything about the property makes family travel feel easy.
No shortage of beautiful places to relax at the Four Seasons Costa Rica
World-Class Service
The service is amazing. They are personable and attentive without hovering. They remember you, they learn your names, and they are very accommodating. You are never waiting long for anything.
One thing I really loved was the no-reservations-needed restaurant. You simply go when you are hungry, sit on the comfy sofas or loungers, and order. We brought card games and played while we waited, and it turned into a really nice family moment for us. The sushi was absolutely delicious, and the pad thai and coconut curry shrimp we had the next night were great too. They also had excellent mocktails.
A moment that showed how good the service is happened one evening at the pool. A group of kids, including my son, were playing with the little color-changing lanterns. One child dropped one and it cracked. Another accidentally dropped a glass water bottle and it shattered. Security came over calmly. The parent lightly scolded their child, but there was no drama. No dirty looks. No shaming. They placed a chair over the area, someone stood there so no one walked through the glass, the server cleaned it up, and everyone continued their night. Nobody stressed or felt bad. That is the Four Seasons vibe.
Activities and Family Amenities
We also went on the ziplining and ropes course excursion, which we loved. It was easy to set up, well run, and great for kids who like some adventure. This is one of the most popular activities in Papagayo and it lived up to the hype.
Ziplining and Ropes Course at Papagayo
I do not know when the rooms were last redone. They do not have the same wow factor as some newer properties, but they are extremely clean. Nothing looked dingy or tired. (The resort did complete a multi-million-dollar enhancement project in late 2023, which is likely why everything feels so spotless!)
I toured some of the suites. They are beautiful with views on both sides. Very comfortable and great for families.
The Kids For All Seasons Club is big and organized. They have a nap corner, a movie station, a science and space center, and a kids pool where children can go in and out under supervision. Kids under four can join with a babysitter. There is also a teen center with video games and activities. They have kids menus everywhere and the kids pizza option was helpful.
The kids club at the Four Seasons Costa Rica
With my son, we spent most of our time at the pool with short beach walks mixed in. The entire property is very easy to move around, which I liked.
The Main Pool at the Four Seasons Costa Rica
I did not get a chance to see Andaz but I have heard good things. And everywhere in the Papagayo Peninsula, you can book dinner at the other resorts, which gives you nice flexibility.
Overall, the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica is polished, comfortable, family friendly, and very well run. It is beautiful without being complicated, and everything works exactly the way you want it to.
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Want this level of flawless service for your family? As a luxury travel advisor, I can book your stay at the Four Seasons Papagayo with Preferred Partner perks at no extra cost to you. You'll receive complimentary daily breakfast, a $100 resort credit, and priority room upgrade (when available). Skip the complicated booking and let Sebastian Luxe Travel plan your entire Costa Rica itinerary, complete with exclusive benefits and VIP status.
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