Suite Sojourn: Mr. Martin, can you tell our readers about your journey into the world of hospitality? What inspired you to pursue this career?

Brent Martin, General Manager at Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo:  I grew up in a family small-business environment — from a bowling alley and Christmas tree farm to a pizza shop and ice cream parlor. What I absorbed early on was that running a business, whatever it is, is really about people, service, adaptability, and community. 

Those lessons primed me for hospitality. After graduating from Harvard (AB in Economics, then an MBA), I initially spent time in investment banking in New York and London, but I found it wasn’t satisfying in the way I needed: I missed the personal connection, the excitement of running one’s own business, the sense of creating something for guests.

I joined Four Seasons in 2007, starting at Beverly Wilshire. From there I’ve held leadership roles at Four Seasons properties in Koh Samui, Philadelphia, Marrakech, and Vail, as well as roles outside the company in asset management and private equity. But what has always drawn me back is the hospitality world — the ability to lead teams, build culture, connect with people, and curate meaningful experiences. 

Suite Sojourn: You’ve worked in some of the world’s most iconic destinations, including Thailand, a personal favorite of mine. How does your experience in Costa Rica compare?

Brent Martin, General Manager at Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo: Costa Rica — and specifically Peninsula Papagayo — offers something similar with its natural beauty, sense of place, and environmental richness.  In Thailand, the rich culture is layered in with a focus on its extensive culinary history and the importance of religion in daily life. 

But most importantly, the strong sense of in-grained hospitality exists in Costa Rica and Thailand.  The sense of caring is evident in each interaction.

Suite Sojourn: What have been some defining moments in your career that shaped your leadership style? What’s one leadership lesson you’ve learned that you wish you knew earlier?

Brent Martin, General Manager at Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo: Some defining moments:

• Early in my career, working as Hotel Manager in Beverly Wilshire, where you see how the small details, the frontline service, the organizational culture — all those small “seams” — make the big difference.
• Working across very different cultures, languages and religions (Thailand, Morocco, New Zealand) taught me that we all want basically the same thing – to be respected and cared for.
• Working for ownership groups reinforced that we are all small-business and can impact our success with each decision we make every day.
• Coming back to Four Seasons at the GM of Peninsula Papagayo, reminds me of the positive impact we can make on our staff, our guests and community.
• A leadership lesson I wish I’d learned earlier was that business is about relationships not just about the numbers.

Suite Sojourn: For those who’ve never been, how would you describe the essence of Four Seasons Peninsula  Papagayo in three words?

Brent Martin, General Manager at Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo: If I had to pick three: Nature. Warmth. Elevation.

• Nature — because the property lives in its natural setting: sea, forest, wildlife, coastline.
• Warmth — service, people, experience, Costa Rican hospitality.
• Elevation — both literally (views, design) and figuratively (elevated experiences, luxury, wellness).

Suite Sojourn: What makes the resort stand out compared to other luxury properties in the region?

Brent Martin, General Manager at Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo: 

• Scale and design : The resort is set over a large peninsula, between two pristine beaches, with a property that can feel grand yet intimate. Its recent redesigns have leaned into indoor/outdoor harmony, use of local materials, art, craftsmanship.
• Multi-generational appeal: It’s not just about luxury for couples or honeymooners; the resort works hard to serve families, kids, wellness seekers, adventure travelers. Spaces like Kids for All Seasons have been reimagined.
• Sustainability and environmental stewardship: The property is deeply rooted in Costa Rica’s emphasis on sustainability. The golf course is an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary; water usage is being optimized; landscaping uses native species; there’s energy efficiency etc. 

Suite Sojourn: Can you share a bit about the design and natural setting of the property? How does it blend with Costa Rica’s unique environment?

Brent Martin, General Manager at Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo: 

• Recent renovations (November 2023) added new features such as Virador Beach Club and Wellness Shala with bio-architecture, sustainable principles. Designed by Ronald Zürcher of Zürcher Arquitectos, the resort harmonizes with Costa Rica’s tropical dry forest. Its rounded stucco pavilions take cues from turtles; the roofs mimic armadillos. Built in earth-tones matched to Papagayo soil, it emphasizes organic forms, low profiles, and seamless integration with the land and ocean
• Materials: use of local woods, artisan-crafted furniture, regional fabrics, indigenous artwork; a design palette inspired by ocean, sand, forest, wildlife.
• Landscaping: preserving flora and fauna; adding native vegetation; blending in with the natural contours; respecting protected/natural areas like mangroves. 

Suite Sojourn: How does sustainability play a role in the resort’s operations or guest experience?

Brent Martin, General Manager at Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo:  Sustainability is front and center. Some of the initiatives include the following: 

• The Ocean Course is an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary; its renovation includes a precision irrigation system projected to reduce water use by ~20%. Also reintroducing native vegetation, reducing bunkering to improve natural habitat.
• Water-use conscious landscaping and selection of plants adapted to local climate.
• WINNOW technology has been installed within our kitchens (3 kitchens) to help minimize food waste, to support sustainability, and reflect our commitment to a thriving, greener Costa Rica. 

Suite Sojourn: What does the seasonality look like at Papagayo? Are there specific months that offer unique experiences or quieter moments?

Brent Martin, General Manager at Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo: 

• From November to April we experience beautiful sunny days without any rain allowing us to enjoy the beaches and activities.  
• In the remaining months, the occasional late afternoon showers highlights the lush landscapes but also this time brings rich wildlife activity: marine life, bird migration, dolphins, whales off the Pacific coast. 

Suite Sojourn: Have you noticed any evolving travel trends among your guests post-pandemic or even in the last year?

Brent Martin, General Manager at Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo: 

• Greater demand for wellness, privacy, immersive natural experiences rather than just luxury for its own sake.
• Families traveling more together with multigenerational demand — grandparents, children, etc. — so resorts are adapting spaces and programming accordingly. Papagayo’s updates to family/public spaces like Kids for All Seasons reflect this.
• Guests are more conscious of sustainability, wanting transparency in how resorts affect the environment and wildlife.
• Flexibility in booking/travel — more guests seeking “slow travel” or less packed itineraries, wanting to linger, to do fewer things but deeply.
• Culinary exploration: local flavors, farm-to-table, mixology and guest involvement 

Suite Sojourn: Four Seasons is known for crafting memorable experiences. Are there any signature experiences at Papagayo that guests rave about? Personally, what’s your favorite activity or experience to enjoy on the property or in the surrounding region?

Brent Martin, General Manager at Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo: Although I would be remiss to mention the opportunity to experience both sunrises and sunsets from our beaches, the sound healing sessions in our Yoga Shala perched on the hill overlooking the bay is one-of-a-kind and life changing.

Suite Sojourn: If you had just one day to spend as a guest at your own resort, how would you spend it?

Brent Martin, General Manager at Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo:  Here’s how I might design “the perfect day”:

• Early rise and straight to the Gym for a workout 
• A breakfast overlooking the ocean, something fresh, local fruits, good coffee
• Mid-morning: snorkel or kayak or stand-up paddleboarding; or a short guided hike through the dry forest or mangroves
• Lunch at the Virador Beach Club, barefoot style, relaxing by the beach 
• Afternoon: Rum tasting at La Reserva 
• Sunset: catch the sunset from Virador Beach Club with a glass of wine in one hand 
• Dinner: a memorable meal at Nemare alongside with great company. 

Suite Sojourn: Let’s talk about food — what’s your favorite dish on the menu right now, and why?

Brent Martin, General Manager at Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo:  Most likely, it’s something that brings together local ingredients, fresh seafood or local produce, and a twist — perhaps a wood-fired Latin American seafood dish…Something fresh, vibrant, with texture and flavor, tied to place.  Or when I am not avoiding carbs, I cannot stop eating the incredible Israeli bagel with our delicious hummus.

Suite Sojourn: Are there any upcoming projects, renovations, or concepts that you’re excited to share with our readers? (Or perhaps when the last refurbish was if none in the pipeline at the moment.)

Brent Martin, General Manager at Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo:  Yes — there have been major recent enhancements: in 2023, the resort reopened with substantial redesigns: the Virador Beach Club, the Wellness Shala, the transformation of Kids for All Seasons, sustainable improvements to the golf course.
We are always innovating and elevating our offerings.