"Why book? Spread across a 3,000-acre peninsula on the Pacific coastline, Tamarindo pays homage to Mexico’s rich heritage and blur the lines between the resort and its surroundings through expansive, thoughtfully designed rooms and spaces. Although luxury echoes throughout every corner of the property’s restaurants, bars, spa, and golf course, its profound connection to nature and dedication to conserving local biodiversity are what truly set the hotel apart. Set the scene Located in the relatively undeveloped western state of Jalisco, Tamarindo is intentionally secluded. From the moment you pass through its tucked-away gates and steal a far-away glimpse of the bright-blue Pacific through miles of lush jungle, it becomes clear just what a hidden treasure the resort is. The outdoor lobby acts as a central home base for the property, where contemporary seating invites you to leave your worries behind and ornate wooden beams frame sweeping views of the coastline below. To the right sits Tamarindo’s Discovery Center, where guests can learn about the wildlife and vegetation that surround the property and how they change throughout the seasons, as well as the resort’s boutique, which is filled with unique crafts, fashion, and homeware made my local artisans alongside some signature Four Seasons merchandise. Just beneath the lobby’s main structure are several levels of eateries and bars, three infinity pools, the spa, and a state-of-the-art fitness center, all cascading down the cliffside and overlooking the beach. An 18-hole golf course and two additional beaches are just a short golf ride away, as is Rancho Ortega, a 35-acre farm which supplies the resort’s produce, meat, and eggs and will soon produce its own tequila. Because of Tamarindo’s private nature, the resort attracts all kinds of travelers, from honeymooners wanting nothing but pool and beach time to families with adventure-hungry younglings to solo travelers in search of memorable wellness experiences. The Four Seasons is a luxury resort group, and this property is no exception (in fact, its rates skew towards the pricier end, relatively speaking), so guests here tend to dress accordingly, in designer garb. While sitting in the lobby, preparing for a morning hike, I watched as a family from Los Angeles unpacked their collection of Rimowa luggage and Louis Vuitton duffels, the mother wearing a Chanel bag and Hermés sandals and both kids sporting Fendi t-shirts. For the most part, other guests kept their looks more casual and beachy, sticking to matching Lululemon sets and Alo hats, colorful bikinis, and woven sun hats likely procured from the hotel’s boutique. Of course, the type of travelers you’ll find at Tamarindo vary depending on the season; families will be ubiquitous in the summer months, at the holidays, and during any school breaks, but a mid-week visit in February or October will include more newlyweds, young couples, and solo travelers. Even at full capacity, however, Tamarindo is so large and spread out that you could easily go the whole day without encountering fellow travelers, if you really want—especially if you’re staying in one of the many rooms and suites that boast a private infinity pool. The backstory A new build for the Four Seasons, the Canada-based resort company with over 100 hotels around the world, the 3,000-acre land and idyllic location were what captured the attention of the brand’s design team over 14 years ago. While the Four Seasons announced the project in September 2020, roughly two years before its official opening, Tamarindo is actually owned by Paralelo 19 Desarrollos, a private real estate development company based in Mexico City. The rooms All of Tamarindo’s 157 rooms and suites is designed to feel like a home away from home. Camouflaged in the rocky terrain of its surroundings, each accommodation is housed in freestanding structures throughout the property and built into the curves of the cliffside to offer breathtaking views and total privacy. Every room is filled with nods to traditional Mexican culture, including folk-art sculptures, locally made woven baskets and stone tableware, and books about Mexican artists and artisans. Meanwhile, contemporary furnishings, wooden beams, sunken bathtubs, and outdoor showers maintain Tamarindo’s contemporary design. The true star of these rooms, however, is the vast patios that sit on the other side of sliding glass doors, which help to blur the lines between indoors and outdoors. With incredible views of the ocean or the Nature Reserve’s lush agriculture, depending on the room, you’ll want to spend every waking moment lounging in your patio’s hammock and taking it all in as a swift breeze passes by—especially if you’re lucky enough to have a private infinity pool, available in certain rooms. Food and drink Tamarindo boasts four food-and-beverage destinations in total, each offering a different approach to Mexican fare. Coyul, the hotel’s largest restaurant, is a partnership with celebrated Mexican chef Elena Reygadas, where local ingredients are paired with Italian and French cooking techniques to create a variety of modern Mexican dishes. At Sal, an open-air eatery located just steps from the ocean, barefoot living meets luxury, with a signature raw bar, fresh seafood, and artisan cocktails throughout. Book a table here at golden hour for the best sunset views in Tamarindo, and be sure to order Chef Nicolas Piatti’s famous guacamole. For guests in search of a casual lunch or dinner by the pool, Nacho offers a laidback taqueria experience, using ingredients sourced from the property’s farm at Rancho Ortega. Finally, perched atop the ninth hole of the resort’s golf course is Nueve, the quintessential mid-game stop for a quick bite or refreshing margarita. The spa Tucked beneath the hotel’s restaurants and pools, the Spa at Four Seasons Tamarindo is easy to miss—but you certainly wouldn’t want to. Inspired by the natural elements found in the surrounding reserve, the spa seeks to balance mind, body, and spirit within its eight treatment rooms, plunge pools, and indoor and outdoor relaxation areas. Guests can choose from a variety of massages, facials, and body treatments that marry ancient Mexican healing rituals and ingredients with contemporary techniques. Although some of the spa’s features were not yet complete during my stay, the 31,215-square-foot space will also soon include a temazcal, or “house of heat,” and a full-service boutique nail and hair salon. The nearby fitness center offers all the bells and whistles, with state-of-the-art cardio and weight equipment, pilates reformers, and Peloton bikes. Guests can schedule one-on-one sessions with a trainer, take part in one of many group classes, or even go for a jog on one of the property’s many trails with a running concierge. The neighborhood/area Tamarindo’s 3,000-acre private nature reserve is located between La Manzanilla and Barra de Navidad, just a few hours south of Puerto Vallarta. Although the larger region of Jalisco has seen substantial development in recent years, Tamarindo’s peninsula remains quite secluded. While en route to the property, a roughly 35-minute drive from the Manzanillo airport, you’ll encounter miles of soaring palm trees, amongst other agriculture and a small handful of local eateries but not much else. But Tamarindo’s seclusion is arguably its strongest selling point—and indeed why many visitors pick it over other Mexican resorts. The hotel is designed to be all-encompassing with its amenities, activities, and offerings so that guests can experience everything without ever needing to leave the property. The service Before even arriving on property, I was welcomed into Tamarindo’s Puro Talento Mexicano community, which celebrates Mexican talent across all design disciplines, with a hat created by Mexico City-based designer Kris Goyri. The warmth and generosity only continued at the resort, where employees went above and beyond to ensure my every need was met (often before I even knew I needed something). The staff presents as a united front, wearing different iterations of its artisan uniforms every day, but this doesn’t come at all at the expense of individuality. From the bartending and waiting staff to the farming and activities teams, everyone working at Tamarindo seems to have a lovely relationship to the property and its region, and they’re more than happy to share that connection with guests. By the end of my few days at the resort, I not only knew many of the employees by name, but I also knew their backgrounds, interests, and sometimes even who was dating whom. They were no longer just kind strangers but were instead like neighbors and friends. For families The Four Seasons Tamarindo really does have every base covered, including for the little ones. Caramelo, an all-seasons activity space for kids ages 5-12, offers learning, exploration, and fun through nature explorations, art workshops, cooking classes, and more. Plus, it’s located right next to Coyul, so parents can enjoy a quiet drink after a family dinner while their kids do their own thing. There’s also Escondite, a program designed for teens, ages 13-17, that combines nature, technology, freedom, and adventure with a variety of activities. Tamarindo has several rooms and residences that are ideal for families, with private dining spaces, dedicated staff, and as many as five bedrooms. Eco effort Sustainability is a core principle at the Four Seasons Tamarindo. In addition to the resort’s efforts to preserve and regenerate the biodiversity and environment of its nature reserve, a sustainable food and beverage program is made possible by Rancho Ortega, the low-impact, 35-acre farm on property. There, responsible cultivation and animal-breeding practices shape the resort’s culinary philosophy—and guests can even take a tour of the farm to learn about the process and interact with some of the livestock. Accessibility The property is incredibly spread out, meaning getting around can be a challenge. A fleet of golf carts are available to transport guests to and from their rooms and around the resort. Stairs are also ubiquitous to the multi-level property, but they are accompanied at every turn by an elevator. Anything left to mention? Often, it feels wrong to travel somewhere and never leave the hotel, but at the Four Seasons Tamarindo, there’s no need to feel guilty because everything you’d ever want to do is available on property. If anything, there’s perhaps too much to choose from, so be sure to get a full run-down of activities and goings on when you first arrive to ensure you don’t miss a thing. I promise, there’s truly no such thing as too many questions—the staff will be thrilled to see guests interested in learning about the reserve, local culture, and more. The resort is also dog-friendly (to four-legged family members of all sizes), so there’s no need to leave Fido at home." - Gabby Shacknai
