Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

When most of us think of Costa Rica we immediately think of some little eco-lodge deep in the jungle — but the idea of a high-end luxury resort, like the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, is less strange than it sounds.

For one thing, those little jungle camps rarely come with Arnold Palmer–designed golf courses. And you don’t have to make any sacrifices in the way of location — the Four Seasons is strategically placed on a scenic hilltop looking over the deep blue Pacific. A local architect designed it to complement the landscape, with rose-colored stucco buildings and thatched-roof pavilions open to the sea breezes. Natural materials, including bamboo, rattan, smooth stone, and wood grown in the region’s forests, fill the airy interiors.

It’s not an eco-resort per se, but the Four Seasons has made some attempts at going green — some water is recycled here, and Audubon International certified the eco-friendly golf course. And then there are the details that remind guests that the hotel is part of an international luxury chain: several gourmet restaurants and a slick lobby bar, a series of oversized swimming pools (one freshwater, one for adults only, one “whirlpool grotto”), L’Occitane bath products, a bilevel fitness center where the elliptical machines are outfitted with personal TV screens, a children’s recreation center, a sprawling indoor-outdoor spa.

With so many resort services, the decor in the 155 guest rooms and suites seems almost beside the point. But the grand Canopy suites are impressive, and certainly depart from the Four Seasons norm: slightly removed from the bustle of the resort, these rooms are set on stilts, high up in the treetops, and feature private infinity pools. Local charm or not, it’s good to be a guest at the Four Seasons, where even the standard rooms come with DVD players, high-speed internet access, individual terraces or balconies, and inviting marble bathrooms with large soaking tubs.