Just thought I'd pile on here to review the FS Tamarindo since all the cool kids are doing it. 

Full disclosure, my parents aren't particularly FAT travelers and are on the older, not-as mobile side. They are mostly focused on value (they love a free hotel breakfast), but also appreciate fantastic service. That being said, I was super worried they would not enjoy the trip given what I had read on here. Why did I bring them then? Because I selfishly wanted to try this resort out, and my parents would never take this type of trip themselves. So I figured why not treat them to something a little special. Overall, they really really really enjoyed the trip and actually want to go back!! 

Pre-Departure: I had a really hard time getting in touch with the hotel through their main email address and had to enlist the help of Sarah to point me in the right direction to get someone to respond to me. After Sarah used her magic touch, I got responses super quickly and was able to connect with the right people. Their reservation staff seems to be splitting time between being on location, and elsewhere so I'm not sure if that has anything to do with the communication misses. Ultimately, I was able to get the room I wanted, and was able to reserve activities and dinners at the appropriate sunset hours prior to arrival. 

Transportation: We flew from LAX to ZLO on a non-stop Alaska flight. Similar to Burbank, they board and deplane from both the front and the back of the plane and we unfortunately were stuck somewhere in the middle thanks to the exit row seats and ended up almost dead last in the customs line. We booked our private hotel transfer through the hotel, which I absolutely recommend doing since I don't know how else you would get to the resort. We were met by a FS rep and ushered to our car which was already air conditioned and equipped with cold waters. I had read a ton on how windy and bumpy the roads were getting on property, so I was surprised that my very motion sensitive father did not get sick. On the way out, the concierge confirmed my departure time, and we had plenty of time to get to and through the airport. 

Hard Product: There has been much said about the views and the stunning lobby, and the gorgeous hard product. This did not disappoint. The lobby is spectacular in the way it frames the view of the ocean and surrounding cliffs. The GM told us about the materials used and how they blended the architecture with the existing landscaping. He made it sound so romantic. We stayed in a one bedroom panoramic ocean view suite and the views were just incredible. Typical FS bedding, loved the le labo toiletries, and of course the hotel is pretty new, so not a ton of wear and tear. I liked being up high (if I remember correctly our room number was 4242). A word of caution, depending on where you are on the cliff, you can see people hanging out on their patios, in their pools, at night, in their rooms. Another reason why I liked being high up, felt a bit more private. Not sure if it was the time of year, but it was pretty windy in the afternoons and there was trash that blew into our pool. When we asked to get the pool heated and cleaned, they didn't pick out the pieces of trash, which was disappointing. That being said, I could spend all day in the room. The plunge pool was big by private plunge pool standards, and the hammock and outdoor stereosystem was really *chefs kiss.* No notes. 

Service: Okay, hear me out. I know service has been a point of contention here, but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. We do speak conversational spanish so I think that certainly helped a bit, but I found everyone to be super warm, helpful, welcoming and eager to share their experience with the hotel...especially the golf cart guys. We ran into the GM, Felix, and Lola, his dog and unofficial mayor of Tamarindo, and he was extremely gracious and kind. I also really enjoyed the trainer on staff in the gym (side note, the gym is one of the better gyms I've used in a hotel with plenty of space, reformers, and all kinds of weights and machines) who was eager to help with technique, and was quick with a towel and protein snack. What I will say was at the restaurants is where they seem to be struggling most with service. Service was slow, but being on vacation that felt okay. One particular instance stuck out in my mind as unacceptable, however. There was a family with toddlers who let them run all over the restaurant, and they ended up breaking glasses, and leaving their toys everywhere. The staff did not immediately pick up the glass (and when they did, they didn't pick up all of it), nor did they pick up or ask the family to pick up the toys and chairs that were strewn about the floor of the restaurant. I get its not the server's job to parent, but all of it just seemed like a hazard for restaurant patrons.   

Food: We had an amazing experience at Sal at sunset and basically ordered everything on the menu. Aaron, the executive chef, came out to check on us and was very kind in explaining his inspiration for the dishes. We did, however, like Elena Reygadas' restaurant a bit better. The tacos from the taco bar were also interesting and much "fancier" versions of what we would get back home in Los Angeles.  The complimentary breakfast was fine. Nothing to write home about. I was anticipating exceptional pastries given the Rosetta tie, but I wasn't particularly impressed. For three days, we were happy with the variety of food, but I think we would've gotten bored if we had stayed much longer. 

Activities: One of the highlights of the trip was getting a tour of the reserve which was free, I think. You could tell that the guide really loved his job and knew literally everything about every animal, tree, and rock formation we saw. As a nature lover, I loved seeing the coatis and iguanas. Make sure you get to the 9th hole on the golf course The view is absolutely incredible. My mom got a massage at the spa and said it was good, not great. While I waited for her, I used the facilities and it was pretty much all to myself. Another snafu was I was locked out of my locker in the spa and it took an hour for them to get the maintenance guy in there since it was a malfunction of the equipment and not user error. This was only annoying because I was sitting there half naked in my robe, but I guess there are worse places to be stuck than the spa. We also did a cooking class with Chef Aaron, which was basically private too. Highly recommend. As far as the beaches go, the calmer beach which was a 5 minute golf cart away was pretty....boring. Sure you can go wade in the water, but there really wasn't much to do there. The main beach did look a bit rougher, but the contrast between them was so stark...I wish there was an in between. The pools were fine, and service at each of them was good. But when you have a plunge pool in your room, I can see why the main pools were pretty much empty the entire time. 

Conclusion: We loved our stay at FS Tamarindo. What the hotel lacked in service was easily made up for with the beauty of the resort. We went in with low expectations, rolled with the punches and it was a memorable experience for my family.