Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

I originally posted this review earlier but was forced to update it and strongly considered deducting a star based on what transpired on our final day: This was our first time to CR and rather than choosing San Jose, I wanted a "resort feel" with upscale accommodations and great service. Four Seasons CR delivers all three in spades. We chose a 2 bedroom villa which included 3 bathrooms (with FOUR showers), a private infinity pool, washer and dryer, full kitchen and outdoor patio deck with fantastic views is the peninsula. We saw monkeys, deer, and iguanas during our daily golf cart commutes around the hotel and surrounding areas and I highly recommend visits to the nearby water park if you have kids in tow and a visit to Nemare steak house is a must if you're a carnivore. Staff is incredibly friendly and responsive and being able to text message a team member with any requests or questions via WhatsApp is a lifesaver. All of the food we ate was very good and the breakfast buffet is a great way to start the day with an impressive spread. The ONLY possible downside is there are very limited options for souvenirs on site but we found a few vendors on Playa Blanco beach which is footsteps from the hotel lobby and one of the restaurants. When we had a very minor issue about service at the spa, it was an addressed quickly and appropriately by management. Again, customer service is often overlooked at many upscale and "high end" resorts and hotels as they rely on the name prestige alone to justify the fees and price. Four Seasons CR does NOT and it shows. If you visit Costa Rica with family and especially a large family and are seeking a relaxing experience in resort environment then Four Seasons should be your first and only option. Pura Vida! UPDATE: I deducted a star from my original review based on what happened during our final night. We returned from our dinner expecting our rooms to be ready to go for our final night of rest and relaxation before our journey home. When I opened the door to the secondary bedroom I immediately got that dreadful feeling in the pit of my stomach that I have experienced far too often in other stays, albeit MUCH less expensive ones at that. Right away I noticed pillows and dirty towels all over the room and floor that had clearly not been removed and the sofa bed and not been set up. One might think this is a "small and minor issue" but we have 6 kids and getting them bed with a regular routine is not a small thing and the hotel had in fact followed up numerous times with me via email prior to our arrival to confirm the exact times we needed turn down service and the rooms prepped each night. When I opened the door to the main room/bedroom I noticed that all of the dirty dishes and half eaten food from earlier was still on our table as well. It looked as if housekeeping had done 80% of the cleaning for the main room and then checked out and called it a day, entirely ignoring the second room. This was all the more disappointing considering how great and thorough the housekeeping team had been the previous 2 nights. Again I understand that the sentiment is everyone is entitled to an "off day" but with the prices Four Seasons is charging its guests for these type of villas, that convenient excuse or justification would seem to be waived in perpetuity. Just a very disappointing end to an otherwise incredible stay. However on check out I met with a manager who provided a generous credit to our bill and genuine apology which was appreciated. Because of this effort and the great level of service provided prior to our final night, I decided to keep my initial rating at 5 stars.

The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo exceeded every expectation and delivered one of the best family vacations we've ever had. The setting is simply spectacular. The property is beautifully integrated into the natural landscape, with breathtaking ocean views, lush tropical surroundings, and wildlife everywhere. Every day we saw monkeys, coatis, iguanas, colorful birds, and other wildlife right outside our villa. The service was exceptional from beginning to end. Every team member genuinely seemed to care about making our stay memorable. The hospitality felt warm, personal, and effortless—exactly what you hope for from a Four Seasons. One of the biggest surprises was how much there was to do. Between the beaches, Beach Club, marina, golf, tennis, water sports, hiking trails, kids' activities, and numerous dining options, there was never a shortage of things to enjoy. Traveling with our son, we especially appreciated how family-friendly the resort is without sacrificing the luxury experience. The golf carts make getting around the peninsula incredibly easy, and every area of the resort has its own unique personality. Whether we wanted a quiet morning by the beach, an afternoon at the pool, or dinner overlooking the ocean, everything felt thoughtfully designed. The dining was consistently excellent, and every meal was accompanied by spectacular views. We also appreciated how well the resort balances luxury with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere—you never feel rushed or overly formal. After spending time elsewhere in Costa Rica, we came to appreciate even more what makes Four Seasons Papagayo special. The attention to detail, level of service, quality of the facilities, and overall guest experience truly set it apart. This is one of those rare destinations that lives up to the hype. It is expensive, but if you're looking for a luxury resort that delivers exceptional service, world-class amenities, and an unforgettable experience for both couples and families, it's worth every penny. We left already talking about when we can come back, and that's probably the best compliment we can give.

The resort is beautiful, The Peninsula Papagayo area is stunning, but it's mainly made up of luxury resorts, so if you're looking to experience more of the local culture, we definitely recommend visiting Playas del Coco for local restaurants, shopping, and a more authentic Costa Rican vibe. A special thank you to Gabriel, nomad tours Costa Rica, whom we met at Virador Beach. He recommended the Rainforest Experience, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. He also took some wonderful family photos that we'll always treasure. His recommendations and friendly.. Thank you, Costa Rica! We can't wait to come back.

My favorite part of any Four Seasons Hotel is the service, and our stay at the Four Seasons Costa Rica was no different. This hotel embodies everything there is to love about the Four Seasons brand, and it absolutely jumped to the top of our list of favorite stays after a wonderful anniversary weekend here. The hotel is expansive -- with three different pools (the infinity pool facing the beach always seemed to be the most popular, despite being the smallest!), several different restaurants, and two different beaches. Even the room selections are expansive, and we were lucky enough to get upgraded to the most unreal treehouse-like suite set up in the hills that felt like we were truly experiencing every bit of magic this hotel has to offer. The food wasn't necessarily anything to write home about and after not loving the Italian restaurant and finding many of the restaurants were closed due to private events, we ended up mostly eating at other neighboring resorts. But the sprawling layout of the Four Seasons meant we had many encounters with monkeys and lizards and other wildlife, and the service was what made our stay truly special. Jorge and Dixon really went above and beyond for us -- tracking down our coats after we'd already checked out and left them in the room, fetching us with a golf cart when we didn't want to walk, and overall always making us feel seen and cared for during our stay. The team at the breakfast restaurant also helped us out with some speedy food to take with us to the airport. The only downsides: there are definitely parts of this hotel that feel a bit dated (particularly compared to the more modern Andaz and the brand new Ritz Carlton Reserve), and any visit to Peninsula Papagayo as a whole should be approached knowing this isn't the "real" Costa Rica -- the Four Seasons is a nicely groomed, resort version of what the country has to offer. BUT we absolutely loved it for what it is. We spent one night at a neighboring hotel within Peninsula Papagayo and were really wishing we'd just stayed at the Four Seasons the entire time. If you're traveling with a family or it's your first time to Costa Rica, would absolutely recommend staying here. There's something for everyone, and the service and sprawling resort layout are unmatched on the peninsula.

Our stay at the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo was absolutely incredible. The resort offers stunning ocean views, luxurious accommodations, and exceptional service. The beautiful beaches, amazing restaurants, and peaceful atmosphere made this one of the best vacations we’ve ever had. The property is widely known for its luxury experience and unique location surrounded by nature and adventure. We also booked our transportation and tours with Issys Tours CR⁠, and everything was perfectly organized from start to finish. The Palo Verde River Tour was fantastic, allowing us to see crocodiles, monkeys, exotic birds, and beautiful scenery. The Sloths Tour was another highlight, giving us the opportunity to observe these amazing animals up close in their natural habitat. A special thank you to our guide, Norberto, who was professional, friendly, knowledgeable, and made every excursion enjoyable. His passion for Costa Rica and attention to detail made our experience even more memorable. We highly recommend the Four Seasons Costa Rica, Issys Tours CR, the Palo Verde Tour, and the Sloths Tour to anyone visiting Costa Rica. Five-star service, unforgettable adventures, and wonderful memories!