Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo is located on the isthmus at the tip of the Peninsula Papagayo, an exclusive hideaway in northwest Guanacaste that's home to 15 miles of coastline, tropical forests, and diverse wildlife. And since it's on an isthmus, sandwiched between two beaches, the views are phenomenal: Most rooms at the resort have at least a partial view of the ocean or bay.

The location is beautiful, but it's also remote. Though the concierge can arrange any number of outdoor excursions -- horseback riding, zip-lining, volcano hikes -- some guests are content to never leave the property. The resort underwent extensive renovations in late 2017 and is visually stunning, with huge windows that bring the outdoors in and an elegant mix of natural building materials, clean lines, and sophisticated decor inspired by the surrounding tropical forest. It is a sprawling property and some rooms and suites are quite a trek from the central part of the resort. However, golf carts are readily available for those who prefer not to walk, and the expansive grounds allow for a high level of privacy, especially in suites, which are perched in the hills amid the trees.

The location and the design would be enough, in itself, to make the Four Seasons noteworthy, but it's the addition of the brand's typical doting service that truly makes it luxurious. At both beaches, for example, the hotel provides water, towel and sunscreen stations, Evian spritzes, and afternoon popsicles.

The Four Seasons is located on Peninsula Papagayo in Guanacaste, a dry, sparsely populated area of the country that's known for its beautiful beaches (including ones where sea turtles nest), surfing, snorkeling, deep sea fishing, and its string of large resorts. The region is home to seven national parks, including Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, where visitors can hike past boiling mud pots and smoking fissures. Guanacaste has a lower elevation than other areas of the country and an arid climate, so there are no rainforests here, but the dry tropical forests are still wildlife rich: Visitors can spot howler monkeys, sloths, white-faced capuchin monkeys, and iguanas.

• 45-minute drive from Liberia International Airport
• 20-minute drive to Witch's Rock, where zip-line canopy tours take place
• Two-hour drive to Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park
• Two-hour drive to Palo Verde National Park
• Two-hour drive to Guachipelin Canyon and La Chorrera Waterfall
• 3.5-hour drive to Monteverde Cloud Forest
• 3.5-hour drive to Arenal Volcano
• Four- to 4.5-hour to San Jose International Airport (40-minute flights available from San Jose to Liberia)

Fully renovated in late 2017, the Four Seasons’ 182 rooms are sophisticated and elegant across the board, with huge windows that in most units open to furnished terraces with at least partial ocean views. All rooms and suites have polished wooden floors, a soothing neutral palette, and clean lines that help keep the focus on the gorgeous outdoors. Touches such as sliding shutters and backlit headboards create stylish spaces that also incorporate local elements, including native woods, ornaments by local artists, and natural fibers. The hotel also features a number of villas and residences, all of which have fully equipped kitchens, dining areas, and ample terraces -- most with infinity pools. These units range from one-bedroom villas to four-bedroom residences for up to 10 adults and four kids.

Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and safes. Minibars are restocked daily free of charge, and standard Wi-Fi is provided free of charge throughout the resort; upgrades to faster internet service are available for a fee. Bathrooms are spacious and elegant, with marble counters, soaking tubs, separate glass showers, and double sinks. Terry robes, locally sourced toiletries, and slippers are available in all room types. Nightly turndown service is provided in all categories.

The resort's three pools are located behind the main building, surrounded by plenty of cushioned loungers and umbrellas, and flanked by beaches on either side. The largest pool is for families, while the smallest is tucked away in a serene spot overlooking Playa Virador. The hotel’s elegant spa offers body treatments, salon services, and massages using local ingredients such as rainforest muds, and there are treatments for couples, kids, and teens.

The fitness center has numerous cardio machines equipped with TVs and iPod hookups, as well as free weights, weight-training machines, spinner bikes, exercise balls, stretching mats, and an outdoor terrace (where classes are sometimes held) overlooking the ocean. Personal trainers and classes such as yoga, HIIT, and boot camp are available for a fee. Four tennis courts offer clinics, private lessons, and player match-ups. The resort also offers a wide array of free daily activities, including hiking, snorkeling, and beach volleyball. Free parking is available on-site.

The hotel also features 14,400 square feet of meeting space, including a range of indoor venues and several outdoor spaces, most with stunning views.

Playa Virador faces the Pacific Ocean and tends to be quieter than Playa Blanca. Expect beautiful white (and some gray) sand, and, in the evening, gorgeous sunsets. The waves are gentle enough for safe swimming, although jellyfish can occasionally be a problem. There's drink service, but no food service -- you'll have to sit at a table behind the beach if you want to eat.

Playa Blanca faces the bay and is the busier beach, with food and drink service directly to the lounge chairs and an activities desk where guests can rent water-sports equipment (including kayaks, paddleboats, and Hobie cats).

Between October and February guests can watch leatherback turtles laying their eggs at protected nesting sites on the peninsula shoreline.

The Four Seasons' par-72 championship course, designed by pro golfer Arnold Palmer, has panoramic ocean views from several of its holes, and the surrounding forests are rich with wildlife (including both howler and white-faced capuchin monkeys). It's a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, meaning its construction was, and its operation is, more environmentally sensitive than your typical golf course.

• Ocean views from holes 3, 5, 6, and 17
• Shoe and club rentals available
• Locker rooms, pro shop, and Nemare steakhouse located at the Clubhouse
• Driving range, sand bunker practice area, putting and chipping greens

The Kids For All Seasons kids' club, for children ages 4 to 12, is equipped with numerous toys, games, puzzles, a TV and video game controllers, computers, and -- in an outdoor area – ping-pong, foosball, air hockey, and a kiddy pool. Four Seasons staff supervise the play area and the excursions, which include sand-castle building and soccer.

The Teen Center is equipped with a long row of computers and video game consoles, a large flat-screen TV and DVDs, foosball, a pool table, and an outdoor court where basketball or volleyball can be played.

• Kids 17 and younger stay free when sharing a room with their parents.
• The kids' and teens’ centers can be used free of charge.
• Babysitting is available as long as you book 24 hours in advance.
• Kids' and teens’ menus available for room service and at all of the restaurants.
• Cribs available free of charge in all room types; sofa beds available in king-bedded units only.

The hotel offers four excellent dining options, ranging from vast buffets to casual poolside lounges. Bahia is the hotel’s all-day restaurant, serving buffet and a la carte breakfast, plus a Central American menu for lunch and dinner that includes tacos, sandwiches, fish, ceviches, and meat from the wood-fire grill. Another casual option for all-day dining is Añejo, which offers breakfast to-go, tapas, plates to share, and sushi. DJ sessions make this a lively spot in the evening. Pesce serves Italian cuisine and seafood dishes for dinner in a fine-dining atmosphere. An outdoor seating area overlooks Playa Virador and the Pacific Ocean. Nemare is a sophisticated steakhouse set overlooking the golf course and the ocean. Dinner items include USDA choice cuts of steak with various crusts, such as truffle butter or Costa Rican coffee; pan-seared Pacific red snapper; and spice-rubbed local pork ribs. The steakhouse is open for lunch and dinner.

Personal chefs are available for guests staying in villas and residences. Room service is offered 24/7.