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Our Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo Review is from our 2024 site inspection stay in a Cliffside Ocean View One Bedroom Suite with Infinity Pool. This is one of Four Seasons' more unique seaside resorts, given its location nestled in over 3000 acres of a nature reserve in a more remote area of Mexico.
Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo Location and Getting There
The closest airport to Four Seasons Tamarindo is Manzanillo (ZLO), served with nonstop flights from Los Angeles (LAX) by Alaska Airlines 3 times a week from May-Thanksgiving, and four times a week between Thanksgiving and April. American Airlines flies from Dallas (DFW) twice a week from 11/9/24-4/2/25, and from Phoenix (PHX) twice a week from 11/23/24-4/2/25. United flies once a week from Houston (IAH) from 9/28/24-4/26/25, and there are twice a day flights from Mexico City (MEX) on Aeromexico. It's about a 55 minute drive from Manzanillo Airport to the resort.
For select stay dates until 11/15/24, Four Seasons Tamarindo is offering complimentary roundtrip flights from Puerto Vallarta (PVR) to the Chamela airstrip (~1 hour drive from the resort) for TravelSort Clients who reserve a Cliffside or Beachfront Suite for 4 or more nights.
It's also possible to drive to the resort from Puerto Vallarta, which is a little less than 4 hours. We did this for our arrival, after overnighting near the airport, and while doable, we don't recommend it if you get carsick, since there are some windy roads. Best to fly to/from ZLO (we departed from ZLO), take a flight from PVR, or fly private.
We were welcomed with cool oshibori towels, and offered refreshing pineapple-ginger welcome drinks as we completed our check-in in the open air lobby.
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Cliffside Ocean View One Bedroom Suite with Infinity Pool
We highly recommend a stay in either a Cliffside Suite, which is the type we stayed in, or a Beachfront Suite, for those wanting to be even closer to the ocean. All three types of Cliffside Suites offer 1593 square feet (142 sq. m.) of indoor and outdoor space, and only differ in their view. The entry level Cliffside Suite is at a lower level, so it has vegetation and no ocean view. We recommend reserving an Ocean View or Panoramic, so as to enjoy sea views from the expansive terrace and private infinity pool.
The entrance is into the suite's living area, where the sofa can convert into a bed for a third guest or children.
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In addition to fresh fruit, a whimsical set of chocolate truffles shaped as planets awaited our teen, with an artistic (and delicious) chocolate tamarindo tree and chilled sparkling wine for us.
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A sliding wooden door closes off the bedroom from the living area, which is great for parents who want to be able to watch a movie or read after putting kids to sleep. I hate when suites have a frosted glass door or similar where light from the bedroom seeps into the living area, as it defeats the whole purpose of having a one bedroom suite.
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There's another wooden sliding door separating the bedroom from the spacious bathroom, which has double sinks, a tall glass enclosed rain shower, and a sunken soaking tub. Bath products are Le Labo's Hinoki Macadamia, in large pump dispensers.
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There's also an outdoor shower:
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The sunken bath looks out to the terrace and infinity pool, where a hammock awaits to enjoy the view.
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Speaking of the ocean view, that's where your eye is drawn, since there are floor to ceiling glass windows in the living room, bedroom, and bathroom. The ocean view and private infinity pool reminded me of some of our favorite luxury resorts in the Maldives, such as Cheval Blanc Randheli, even though of course the vegetation and setting are completely different.
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See our Four Seasons Tamarindo video review.
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Four Seasons Tamarindo Pools and Beaches
While we primarily enjoyed our private infinity pool, there are three pools at different elevations on the cliffside, between the resort's open air lobby and Majahua Beach.
The first is the family pool, visible from the resort's main restaurant, Coyul. Kids can frolic and splash here to their heart's delight, since adults have their own quiet pools further down.
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Here's one of the adults only quiet pools, with a view of the ocean:
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And here's the one closest to Majahua Beach and Sal Restaurant:
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Majahua Beach by Sal Restaurant is a nice, broad walking beach, but isn't swimmable.
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Tamarindo Beach, a short buggy ride away, is swimmable and is also where kayaking and other water sports are available.
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Golf Course, Fitness Center, Spa, Kids' Club, Activities
The resort has the El Tamarindo Golf Course designed by David Fleming. Nine of the holes feature ocean views, and it's worth visiting some of them, such as Hole 9, for the views.
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The well-equipped Fitness Center is conveniently located near the lobby and Coyul Restaurant, and seemed to be popular, since each time I visited to try to take photos, there were other guests using the machines.
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The Spa is open 9am-7pm. In addition to facials, massages, and body treatments, it has a traditional temezcal “heat house” for a meditative heat ritual.
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As at other Four Seasons resorts, there's a complimentary Kids for All Seasons Kids' Club; it's located near Coyul restaurant.
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There's also Escondite, a teen hangout spot with a pool table, air hockey, foosball and video games, but it's so well hidden I'd be hard pressed to find it again. Unlike most of the rest of the resort, it's cavernous and almost devoid of natural light, so if you have teens that are bored with beaches and hikes and prefer gaming or pool sharking, they'll be right at home.
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Even if your teens opt out of hikes, it's worth taking advantage of the complimentary nature walks and tours of the nature reserve offered to explore the local flora and fauna. View our video for a preview of what you can look forward to.
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Another activity I recommend signing up for in advance are the complimentary cooking classes and wine tasting. We participated in an empanada class in the outdoor kitchen space near Coyul, as well as a guacamole class at Sal, and I enjoyed sampling Mexican wines in a wine tasting also hosted at Sal.
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Four Seasons Tamarindo Dining and Restaurants
Coyul is the Four Seasons Tamarindo's main restaurant, serving a buffet breakfast from 7am until 12 noon (perfect for late risers!), as well as dinner.
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Sal is the dramatic oceanfront restaurant, open for lunch and dinner on Wednesdays-Sundays. See our Sal and Nacho Taqueria restaurant reviews.
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Four Seasons Preferred Partner Benefits for TravelSort Clients
It's always better to reserve Four Seasons Tamarindo and other Four Seasons resorts with Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits, because FSPP upgrades are prioritized ahead of AMEX FHR, Virtuoso, and reserving directly with Four Seasons.
- Daily full American breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served through in-room dining or in the hotel restaurant, including buffets
- Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas). Note that sometimes there are exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner guaranteed upgrade offers, check with TravelSort
- Resort credit of $100 per stay for guest rooms, $200 per stay for suites, $200 per bedroom per stay for multi-bedroom Four Seasons Private Residences
- Early check-in and late check-out based on availability
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The Verdict
We were very impressed with our Cliffside Ocean View One Bedroom Suite with Infinity Pool at Four Seasons Tamarindo; it's a wonderfully spacious and well-designed retreat for either a couple or a family, and the private infinity pool with an ocean view reminded me a little of being in the Maldives, although of course the flora, fauna, beaches, and marine life are completely different. Highlights in addition to the fantastic suite, infinity pool, and views, were the beautiful (and delicious) chocolate welcome amenities; our dinners at Sal and Coyul; the nature walk and reserve tour; cooking classes and wine tasting; and the movie night under the stars. Something to be aware of is that, due to the resort's remote location and need to draw upon locals from Manzanillo, some staff have more limited English, so complicated requests may need to be addressed to a different team member. This was only an issue once for us, but guests who are used to the more fluent English of staff in more touristed spots such as Cabo or Puerto Vallarta should be aware.
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