Hotel Review: Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

Four Seasons hotels are widely considered the cream of the crop when it comes to comfortable, luxurious stays. But little did I know that one in particular is committed to not just five-star amenities, but sustainability, too.

I recently spent a few nights at the Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo to see if the property was all it was cracked up to be. Spoilers: it did not disappoint.

Four Seasons hotels don’t offer the option to book with points and aren’t part of a family of hotel chains like IHG or Marriott.

However, you can still book using points from a handful of credit cards. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, for example, let you book a room via Chase's travel portal and Capital One let you to book via Capital One Travel.

Redeeming your Four Seasons Costa Rica stay in either travel portal will command a set number of points based on the cash price of the hotel room you wish to book. Since rooms are fairly expensive, expect to shell out a lot of points unless you find a good deal in the off-season. Otherwise, you may be better off saving your Chase points or Capital One miles for a partner redemption.

» Learn more: The guide to Chase's travel portal

The Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, as the name suggests, is located on Peninsula Papagayo, a narrow strip of land that juts out into the Pacific. In fact, guests can take a short walk across the Four Seasons property and travel from a beach on the ocean and a beach on Culebra Bay in just a few steps.

The peninsula is also home to the Andaz resort and a number of Four Seasons owner properties, plus several beaches and rainforest.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

I stayed in the Brisa room, which was not only comfortable, but expansive, and offered views of the Pacific just outside my screened balcony.

Most of the rooms on the property are essentially the same with views of the ocean, bay or the surrounding tropical landscapes. The names of the various rooms are simply based on the floor they are on.

In terms of sustainability, there was no single-use plastic to be found in the room:

• Toiletries were in full-size bottles.

• Coffee cups were made of porcelain instead of paper.

• Glass bottles were refilled with water each day.

• Trash and recycle bins offered a place to dispose of trash responsibly.

A king-size bed offered ample place to repose, as did the room's small lounge. There was also a table and chairs on the balcony and additional seating and table inside the room. For more privacy, a wooden louvered partition could be closed — or opened to offer views out the balcony.

The TV went unused. (There was too much else to do around the property.)

The room also included a walk-in shower and a spacious bathtub. Additional amenities included a robe and slippers and twice-daily housekeeping that replenished my supply of coffee, tea and water and made the bed. There was also free Wi-Fi.

Plenty of closet and storage space meant it was easy to stash bags out of sight and louvered doors on the balcony windows closed to block out light, but not sound. So if the song of the sea bothers you while you’re trying to go to sleep, make sure to bring earplugs. I found the sound intoxicating and relaxing.

For even more luxurious stays, there are other types of rooms:

• Suites.

• Private villas.

• Estates with up to six bedrooms, private pools, full kitchens and more for those traveling with large families or who are after an extra special retreat. 

It’ll cost you, though. A two-bedroom villa is about $5,000 per night.

Upon check-in, I was delighted to be handed a chilled young coconut with a paper straw, and even more delighted to take it down the stairs to on-site restaurant Añejo to grab a snack of sushi and guacamole at the open-air tapas bar.

Another restaurant on the property, Bahia, offered surprisingly impressive chef-prepared meals that accommodated some dietary restrictions, including a wide and delicious array of vegan options. In addition to a menu featuring locally-grown ingredients, I also got to experience the special five-course dinner presented by the chef, an absolute treat.

Bahia also offered a self-serve continental breakfast brimming with breads, fruits, veggies and more.

Other dining options include:

• Pesce for Italian food and seafood.

• La Reserva, a specialty cocktail bar where you can take a mixology class.

• Nemare, a steakhouse inside the golf club.

• Palapita for street food at the tennis center. 

You can also have food delivered to your room or cocktails on the beach, though I didn’t avail myself of the privilege.

» Learn more: The best way to use points for travel? Hotels.

Spa

The spa was as peaceful as I hoped. There, I indulged in a full-body massage with natural, plant-derived lotions. Services aren’t cheap, but your booking gets you access to the steam room, plunge pool and relaxation lounge, which offers warm beverages.

Pools

Of the four pools on the property, the Bahia pool is the main option and features freshwater. It was a great place to pull up a lounge chair, relax, and take a refreshing dip or sit in the whirlpool grotto, complete with waterfall.

The other pool options include the Blanca Pool, which offers views of Playa Blanca, and the Serena Pool, which is for adults only. A shallow pool for kids is located in the Kids For All Seasons facility.

Fitness

While I didn’t take time to visit the fitness center (preferring to hike around the property or snorkel for exercise), there is a two-level fitness center on the property where you can workout on your own or participate in a group fitness class and yoga. You can even sign up for time with a personal trainer if you like. There’s also an on-site golf course and tennis courts.

Guests can also borrow snorkel gear, paddle boards, and e-bikes. For a workout, climb the 1,000+ stair trail along the coast. There are guided hikes around the peninsula for wildlife spotting and mangrove forest exploring; you can also do these hikes solo.

» Learn more: Hotel review: El Mangroove Autograph Collection Costa Rica

The hotel offers the option to book private shuttles to and from the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia, including in a hydrogen-powered Toyota. The airport is just 40 minutes away by car.

» Learn more: The guide to Costa Rica travel insurance

The Four Seasons at Costa Rica Peninsula Papagayo stands up to its reputation as a premium luxury destination. You’ll pay for the privilege of staying there, but you’ll be hard pressed to find anything to complain about when you do.

(Top photo courtesy of Alisha McDarris)