My visit to the Four Seasons Papagayo Resort in Guanacaste, Costa Rica could not have been more needed to for this weary working mother. I was fortunate enough to had been invited by the resort to spend Mother’s Day on the Papagayo Peninsula. I was escorted by my excellent DCR guide and driver on the curvy well manicured road that led to the tropical gem of the Four Seasons family.
I was met by a most pleasant staff and offered a cold towel for my very damp forehead. This would domino into a series of wet towels offered to me for the next 36 hours. They saw this Polish/German American gal melting like the wicked witch of Oz in the last scene of the movie. I had not been in Costa Rica since the previous May and my internal temperature had not yet adjusted to tropics. By the time I had put my purse down in my room I was on cold towel number 3. I went to have a late lunch at their outside pool venue and I was on towel number 6. I think a radio broadcast had been transmitted throughout the resort notifying all staff of my sweaty condition. “Mrs. Rakowski table 4 at Tico’s Grille – emergency perspiration situation!” This typifies the small details the staff at the Four Seasons Papagayo will attend to during your stay. They want to think of your needs before you do and act promptly.
After a delicious Ceviche and Gaspacho lunch, I went back to my room. I was booked in the Premium category which had a view of the ocean framed heavily by the natural trees and foliage. If I had some stones, I could have thrown them onto the beach sand. If I was a ball player, I might skip a few on the calm Pacific water though I am sure the resort would have objected as all the balconies are fully screened. There are 2 key items about the oversized richly earth colored room I would like to point out. The first one presented itself on the desk in 2 over sized glasses. The scent of fresh mint and rich sugar cane welcomed me to imbibe in a do-it-yourself Mojito. Clear instructions directed me to be my own Cuban bartender. The second item came to me when I sat in the deep Roman bath tub. The well designed bath has large plantation shutters that open at your shoulders. From there you look past the bed to the balcony where I had opened the floor to ceiling wooden doors. As I enjoyed my relaxing bath, I gazed at the bay and listened to birds sing as they flew in and out of view. Kudos to the architect and the room designers!
I had to spend Mother’s Day without my 2 darling girls and hubby, so I had to find a substitute for my day of personal worship and gratitude. The resort’s spa was just that place. I put on my fluffy robe and spa slippers and off I went to my aromatherapy massage. My gentle and kind masseuse gave me 4 oil scents from which to choose. I went with the orange ginger mixture. About half way through, I had a pang of guilt as I thought of my hubby holding down the fort of dirty diapers and math homework, but the ambience of my dimly lit treatment room, soothing music, fresh citrus scents and a professional masseuse seemed to make it all drift away for 60 minutes. After the massage I stumbled to a relaxing area where the staff served the best iced tea I have ever had. Considering I live in the iced tea state of North Carolina, it is an honor I give to the Four Seasons. I ate a few nuts and stared at a 2 story sculpture of series of jelly fish that seemed to be made of brown gauze. They floated in the air in front of the scenic backdrop of the green trees and sand. This was a pretty good afternoon.
Costa Rica offers so many exciting adventures that could lead up to your stay at the Four Seasons. Now as a veteran visitor to Costa Rica, I have zip-lined, white water rafted, hiked the cloud forests, kayaked the mangroves and stood on hanging bridges overlooking the rain forest canopy. I design tours for the individual traveler who may want to do the same or choose to find a new adventure in Costa Rica. Seeing the country side, meeting the warm Tico people and taking adventures unlike your home life is what this wonderful country is all about, but a nice cold towel, mojito and a fluffy robe is not too shabby either.
By Jennifer Rakowski
WTG Sales Manager