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| One-Bedroom Residence Villa With Plunge Pool is set amid trees and offers views of the Pacific Ocean. |
With summer winding down, travelers will soon be on the lookout for a spot to soak in that last ray of sunshine or an exotic hideaway to avoid the chilly temperatures. Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo provides a colorful backdrop for travelers looking to keep those winter blues at bay.
The resort just upgraded its main lobby, expanded its spa, and refreshed its 181 guest rooms, suites and villas, all with private screened-in balconies. Dallas-based design firm Paul Duesing Partners infused existing luxury accommodations with bright, colorful patterns inspired by Costa Rica’s rainforests and beaches. In its prior look, the resort featured deep wood tones.
In addition to the decor, there are also three new dining options. Cena Sociale Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar offers an exclusive “chef’s table” experience. Chef Dario Montelvere takes guests directly into the kitchen where they help design a custom five-course menu based on personal preferences. There is also the Sol y Sombra Latin Kitchen and Seafood Grill, serving fresh, seasonal seafood and traditional South American cuisine, as well as Tico’s Lounge, which offers light bites and cocktails in a relaxed, open-air setting.
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| Brisa Room has been given a colorful new look. |
When it’s time to explore the outdoors, there is a variety of options to choose from. The resort’s “Taste the Stars” experience integrates astronomy with gastronomy. Created by Executive Chef Mario Alcocer alongside Costa Rican-born NASA veteran astronaut Franklin Chang Díaz, guests enjoy a five-course meal inspired by the stars, while viewing the southern sky through a powerful GPS-guided telescope.
Looking to get up close with the local wildlife? Play a round of nocturnal golf alongside howler monkeys, iguanas and other creatures (night vision goggles included). Families or couples looking to spend quality time together should also try out the resort’s “Disconnect to Reconnect” program, where participating guests can turn in their smart phones for 24 hours, and in turn receive a list of 24 technology-free activities to enjoy on property, such as kayaking, Latin dance classes, bird watching, zip lining, surfing and paddle boarding.
Good to know: Costa Rica’s seasons are reversed from those in the U.S. and Canada, with the “green season” lasting from May to November; and the “gold season” from December through April. According to Pascal Forotti, general manager of Four Seasons Costa Rica, guests will always discover something new at this destination, no matter the weather.
“During the ‘gold season’, [travelers] are able to see more wildlife, like the howler monkeys in the trees, because there are fewer leaves,” says Forotti, adding that even during the rainy season, there are plenty of options available on the property to while away an afternoon shower.