Over the past ten years I have sent numerous couples and families to the Four Seasons Costa Rica and have had always received great feedback, now I can see why. There are many room categories from which to choose, the dining options and amenities are diverse and the staff are very accommodating.
The resort is situated on the Papagayo Peninsula and is an easy 45 minute drive from the Liberia airport. In true Four Seasons style the resort has nailed every aspect of customer service. With a staff to guest ratio of approximately 1:1 there is always someone to carry your bag, get you a margarita, cart you to your room, push your chair in as you are being seated etc, etc. The locals could not be nicer and you never feel like you are putting them out with your requests. Service is visible throughout the resort.
We stayed in a Canopy Suite which was a one bedroom suite with a living room and huge outdoor patio with dinning and lounging area with a hammock that overlooked the ocean. Lots of closet and bathroom space included. The entry level rooms are located in low rise buildings along the water. While many of the rooms are just a few yards from the water depending on the time of year you travel depends on if you can see the water due to the fauna. These are pretty much entry level size rooms with either one king or two double beds. However, each room has an enormous size balcony with day bed and sitting area which added a lot to the overall feel of the room. Almost all of these rooms offer interconnecting which is great for families traveling together.
We ate at the bar one night which was busy with good energy. There were lots of good food choices including sushi, steaks, burgers, fish and a number of other more casual dining options. The second night we ate at their Italian restaurant and were very happy with the food and wine selections. Lunches around the pool were probably the best meals with some very tasty and healthy (and organic) options. The large salads are definitely hungry man meal worthy with a lot of local food to try as well as Pizza, burgers and other standard American menu options.
The hotel has two very large family pools and one Adult Only pool. The hotel has two significant beaches, one on a more sheltered bay area and the other with more direct waves off the Pacific. Additionally the Four Seasons shares a beach club with the Andaz Hotel and Exclusive Resorts that has an additional 2 pools (one lap only) and an expansive beach that has a selection of water sports. If you are a beach oriented person, there are lots of options at the Four Seasons. We played the golf course one afternoon taking advantage of the twilight deal and were able to play about 13 holes. The course is very well maintained, has lots of elevation change, a great layout and is well maintained. If you don’t take your own gear the pro-shop has it all. Oh ya, you are likely to see 20 or 30 monkeys and a host of other wildlife while on course and in and around the hotel. The concierge desk had a pretty extensive list of activities to get involved in both on and off the property. If you are looking for an active vacation refer to their web site and/or reach out to their concierge desk for a list of nearby activities. The area is well regarded for eco-tourism.
You could find quiet beach spots that are very uncontested or busier areas with more actives for families. One afternoon my husband and I along with our 7 year old son hiked in the lava rocks on the oceans edge to a remote beach. The property is large (but not too big) and has a lot to offer for everyone.