Four Seasons Costa Rica: clay...grass

[ollinger]

Just got back from 8 days at this terrific hotel on the Papagayo Peninsula of Costa Rica, would recommend it as a luxurious tennis destination. Four cushy and perfectly maintained Har-Tru courts and one perfect grass court, the only one at any hotel in central and South America, they told me, and the best teaching pro I've ever taken some lessons from. Spectacularly gorgeous setting, ridiculously attentive luxurious service, simply the loveliest place I've ever been to for a vacation. Would heartily recommend it as a winter destination.

 

[sureshs]

I will be settling for hard courts in Honolulu during my break in a couple of weeks

 

[Thud and blunder]

Thanks for the heads-up, Ollinger; that looks ridiculously nice.

 

[sureshs]

Thanks for the heads-up, Ollinger; that looks ridiculously nice.

And expensive.

Go there if you are a rich doctor.

 

[Thud and blunder]

Thanks for the heads-up; I reckon if I post less and work more, it might become attainable.

 

[sureshs]

I tried to book a room for a week (to check the rates) and there were no vacancies even in February. So I tried for May, and the cost is "from USD 425 a night."

 

[ollinger]

We payed a little less than that but a Four Seasons will always be on the pricey side. You're paying for a beautiful and exquisite setting and a level of service I've never seen anywhere. Go take a whiz in the beach bathroom and there's sure to be a guy waiting to do the "tap" of the last few drops for you.

 

[sureshs]

We payed a little less than that but a Four Seasons will always be on the pricey side. You're paying for a beautiful and exquisite setting and a level of service I've never seen anywhere. Go take a whiz in the beach bathroom and there's sure to be a guy waiting to do the "tap" of the last few drops for you.

Then you have to tip for the service, no?

 

[ollinger]

^^ No, actually. We were told the first day by one of the staff that tipping is not expected here as the staff are well compensated. The only exception is in the hotel restaurants where a 10 percent service charge is added to the bill.

 

[sureshs]

That is how the cruise lines are going these days. All inclusive.

 

[Thud and blunder]

We payed a little less than that but a Four Seasons will always be on the pricey side. You're paying for a beautiful and exquisite setting and a level of service I've never seen anywhere. Go take a whiz in the beach bathroom and there's sure to be a guy waiting to do the "tap" of the last few drops for you.

Think I'll avail of the $500 a night 'no-tap' package...

In general, high end hotel accommodation has been subject to raging inflation...blame The Bernank...to cite an extreme example, Ritz-Carlton just opened a place in Puerto Rico, hardly the centre of the luxury universe...rack rates start at a farcical $1500 a night. So actually, this place sounds very reasonable for a high-end resort.

Also, in general, it's very rare to have the small luxury hotel / good tennis combo, so Ollinger's heads-up is very welcome.

 

[jaggy]

im not sure I want to be tapped or tipped in the restroom.

 

[sureshs]

The rip-off is when an attendant stands outside the restroom and offers you a towel. Now, the towels and soaps and shampoos can all be kept in plain view for people to use as is the custom in many clubs, but when a guy hands it to you, you have to tip.