We, [50ish professioal couple ]just returned from 7 days at this wonderful Four Seasons Resort. January is the beginning of the dry season and the temperatures were in the high 90's and much of the vegetation is brown and dormant, so you won't see a green jungle outside your door if you stay on the coast at this time of year. We did see white faced monkeys and howler monkeys in the trees just off our balcony [which is screened to keep monkeys from visiting you in your room].The resort is designed to fit into the surrounding hillside and draws it's colours and shapes from nature. The buildings housing the rooms are designed with a roof that looks like a leatherback turtle, the roof of the suites look like an armadillo and the main lobby a butterfly. Wood is allowed to weather and colours are muted so don't expect a lot of flash.
This resort has a maximum capacity of about 400 guests and a staff of 800, so service will never be a problem. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful, as was every Costa Rican[Tico] that we met.The resort is somewhat isolated and unless you rent a car and prepare to drive a lot, you probably won't leave the resort. We played golf [GREAT course] 3 times, took the kayak trip offered by the hotel, snorkeled and did a wonderful canopy tour off the property.Unlike so many resorts who charge you for every acivity you do [$50 for a nature walk at The Boulders in Arizona, which I reviewed in October]the Four Seasons has a list of free activities that can keep you amused for a week.I also did a cooking class;they offered 3 while I was there.
The food was very good and the Spa is lovely. Beaches are volcanic sand so don't expect the white sugary kind that you see in the Caribbean and the ocean is warm and clean.I never used the pool and the hot tub was usually full of children,even though the sign states that no one under 12 should be using it with supervision.This is my only complaint with all the Four Seasons Resorts -sometimes you feel as if you are staying at a Kids Club. The hotel caters to families but some families are inconsiderate of other guests and allow their children to snorkel in the hot tub and bring a naked 3 year old into the Spa to play. 'Nuff said.
Rooms are spacious and beautifully appointed and overlook either the bay or the ocean.All rooms are the same but you pay extra for a better view; the premier rooms are on the top [4th] floor.The suites, which resemble tree houses looked delightful.This resort is a good introduction to Costa Rica.
