Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo 5.0

Gulf of Papagayo, Province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Easily among the most luxurious resorts in Central America, The Four Seasons is as close to perfection as it gets. With two beautiful beaches, ocean views from each one of the sumptuous rooms -- decorated in materials including wood, bamboo, and stone -- and an 18-hole golf course, the resort makes it possible for guests to spend their whole vacation on-site. This is especially true thanks to the three pools the hotel offers, surrounded by plenty of brown cushioned loungers and umbrellas and flanked by beaches on either side.

Costa Rica's Best Pools(3 of 12)

 Easily among the most luxurious resorts in Central America, The Four Seasons is as close to perfection as it gets. With two beautiful beaches, ocean views from each one of the sumptuous rooms -- decorated in materials including wood, bamboo, and stone -- and an 18-hole golf course, the resort makes it possible for guests to spend their whole vacation on-site. This is especially true thanks to the three pools the hotel offers, surrounded by plenty of brown cushioned loungers and umbrellas and flanked by beaches on either side.
This small Central American country is home to hundreds of diverse habitats, making it easy to enjoy beach days, eco-tourism, and outdoor adventures in the same trip and without having to travel long distances — and that also means never being parted from these gorgeous pools for very long. Taking a dip at the end of the day never felt (or looked) so good. This ultra-remote, rustic luxe hideaway is worth the bumpy, two-and-a-half hour drive from Liberia Airport — if only for this stunning infinity pool. The property also features unparalleled views and a ruggedly beautiful (if rocky) beach. Plus, this is a hotel with a heart: Punta Islita is environmentally friendly, and gives back to the local community. For a small hotel, this 54-room boutique has a lot to offer, most notably this beautiful hot springs pool complex with natural thermal waters and great views of the Arenal volcano. There is also a lovely spa, a bar with an outdoor terrace, and an on-site restaurant. Contemporary rooms all have volcano views, but the property feels more developed, and less lush, than others in the area. Easily among the most luxurious resorts in Central America, The Four Seasons is as close to perfection as it gets. With two beautiful beaches, ocean views from each one of the sumptuous rooms -- decorated in materials including wood, bamboo, and stone -- and an 18-hole golf course, the resort makes it possible for guests to spend their whole vacation on-site. This is especially true thanks to the three pools the hotel offers, surrounded by plenty of brown cushioned loungers and umbrellas and flanked by beaches on either side. The upper-middle-range Asclepios bills itself as a wellness center rather than a hotel, though it successfully incorporates elements of both. Located in the hills near the Central Valley town of Alajuela, it’s conveniently close to the airport but worlds away from the hustle and bustle of downtown San Jose. A full spa, fitness center, organic restaurant, and lovely outdoor pool all lie on spacious grounds amidst a lush landscape, overlooking hillsides planted with coffee and sugarcane. Guests will feel truly pampered at this adults-only, 29-room luxury hotel. Tucked into the hillside of a 14-acre nature reserve, Gaia feels appropriately exclusive and private, and has the attentive, personalized service to match. The pool complex and the spa are the hotel's main features. Built into the hillside, a series of small pools cascade into one another. Only the top pool is really large enough to swim in, but the whole area -- complete with several small decks -- is very attractive, and it overlooks the nature reserve below and the ocean in the distance. The JW Marriott is one of the top luxury properties in Guanacaste, with beautiful, hacienda-style architecture (think: lots of wood and stone, romantic white hammocks, wrought iron light fixtures and indigenous art). The stunning free-form pool is the largest in Central America. Arenal Kioro Suites and Spa takes full advantage of its natural setting: The rooms, restaurants, and pool all offer stunning views of the Arenal Volcano. In addition to the pool (seen here), the on-site hot springs flow into each other in seven small waterfall-connected pools, each with different minerals and massaging jets. Lapa Rios, located in the remote coastal rainforests of the Osa Peninsula, is Costa Rica’s original luxury eco lodge. This is the opposite of a Cancun-style beach resort -- guests come to the upscale Lapa Rios to enjoy the spectacular surroundings, learn about sustainable tourism, and re-connect with nature. The 16-bungalow lodge sits amid 1,000 acres of rainforest filled with wildlife, but it's far from a no-frills jungle camp. There are many comforts here, including this gorgeous pool overlooking the ocean. The 701-room Riu Guanacaste is a lot like a Riu anywhere, with a good beach, a huge, raucous pool, an energetic entertainment staff, and a party-hearty, booze-fueled atmosphere. If you're after a convenient, typical all-inclusive experience, this is it; if you're looking to experience local charm, not so much — but the pool is sure to entertain regardless. Arenas del Mar is proof that staying at an eco-resort doesn't mean roughing it: Its 38 contemporary rooms are among the nicest in Manuel Antonio, its restaurant is excellent, and its public spaces embody rustic luxury. The property's lush rainforest, two beautiful white-sand beaches on site -- a rarity in the area -- and diverse wildlife allow guests to truly connect with the nature that the resort's design so painstakingly preserved. And the two swimming pools, both with great ocean views, never disappoint. This 169-room all-inclusive beach resort offers plenty of bang for the buck, with a big pool, outdoor massage huts, a poolside lunch buffet, multiple bars and upscale restaurants, and a slice of Costa Rican sand. Families abound here, though the hotel is also popular with couples and honeymooners. Perched high above the Pacific Ocean, the highlight of the 60-room La Mariposa is the breathtaking coastal views from the restaurant, pool deck, and guest rooms. The beautiful, curved infinity-edge pool is the hotel's main feature. There's also a large, circular whirlpool, around which most of the deck chairs are arranged.
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