Sorry for the panic, but as this trip is the week before Christmas, lots of lodgings are full/filling up. Relevant info for feedback from you exerienced CR-goin' Fodorites: Son and dtr-in-law need some R&R away from three little kids. (Yours truly baby-sitting!) They want to relax, be near beach for at least part of the trip, see some of the beauty of the country, and get a sense of if they might want to live there someday. They don't want to be in one place the entire time, but not on the road constantly either. They do want to rent a car. They are not major outdoor people--i.e. moderate trails, nice hotel, not backpackers.
They land in SJO after an overnight flight from SFO via Houston.
Ideas: Start with one or two nights at Xandari (this hotel will pick up at airport--an advantage for travelers after red-eye long plane rides). Have rental car delivered to the hotel, then--drive to Paradisus Playa Conchal for 4 nights (assuming there is still availablity) . Then...???? Trip to Manuel Antonio area for a night or two?? Or head back to San Jose area, with two nights at Peace Lodge (since it is nr San jose) at the La Paz Gardens, before they depart CR.
So... first two nights Xandari, 4 nights PPC, two nights Peace Lodge? Or first night Xandari, then 4 nights PPC, then Manuel Antonio area 2 nights, then one night back nr San jose (Xandari again) before departure????
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE for advice/suggestions.

How many nights altogether will they be in CR? What types of hotels do they like (large resorts with lots of activities, smaller boutique hotels or B&Bs)?

Xandari is a lovely, relaxing place. Starting the trip there is a great idea. The drive from Xandari to Playa Conchal is around 5 hours. From Playa Conchal to Manuel Antonio it is probably around 6 hours. Not sure if so much driving will really be what your kids want.

I think they should just focus on one beach area and maybe add Arenal for a couple of nights. It sounds like they would enjoy the hot springs at Tabacon.

So maybe something like this would work:
Xandari 1 night
drive to Playa Conchal and stay 4 nights
drive to Arenal and stay 2 nights
Xandari or Peace lodge for last night

Or save Arenal for next time and just do 1 night at Xandari, 5 nights at Playa Conchal or Manuel Antonio and 2 nights at Peace Lodge. I think they would really enjoy that.

Dear Iza, thank you for your suggestions, which I liked very much and checked out. Alas, Peace Lodge was booked full on the two nights before the kids' flight from San Jose. So, I ended up booking first night at Xandari, then two nights at Manuel Antonio Park area (stay at Si Como No) then 4 nights at Paradisus Playa Conchal, then back to Xandari for the night before they leave Costa Rica. How does that sound for an eight day trip? Thought it'd be nice to start and end in the same place--coming ful circle with hopefully lots of wonderful memories of all they did and enjoyed since they were there the first day of their trip.
Thank you for info on driving time from point to point. Oh my--this itinerary may be a bit much! They say they WANT to drive!
Mostly, thanks for the encouraging words they will enjoy themselves.

Hi, CaliNurse, if you are sure they will not mind the driving, your plan sounds like a good one, except that I would make it 3 nights at Si Como No and 3 nights at Playa Conchal. There is tons to do in the Manuel Antonio area so 3 nights there is not long at all. And Si Como No is a fun place to stay. As to Playa Conchal, the beach there is one of the prettiest in Costa Rica. The resort gets very good reviews, although it is not my cup of tea (I prefer smaller places).

Have their rental car delivered to Xandari and picked up at the end of their trip. It saves both time and money as you avoid the airport tax. Xandari also has a lovely spa so a spa treatment at the beginning or the end of their trip would be great.

All in all, sounds like a great trip for your son and his wife. Enjoy babysitting!

Having stayed at SCN and PPC, I think they will love both. Xandari sounds wonderful, too. I think it will be a trip to remember! What a wonderful mom, mom-in-law, and grandmother you are!

Thank you again Iza, and Shillmac!! An honor to "meet" you both!
Thanks for the nice things you said. It is totally worth the energy and money for a wonderful son and dtr-in-law!! Besides, they can check out a bit of the country and make recommendations to me for possibly next year. I love traveling to Hawaii from the Bay Area, but am definitely open to another destination!!
ALSO--it sounds as if you both live in CR. Can you possibly--if you are willing-- recommend a good real estate agency ??? The kids want to see a bit of the country with the intention not just of R& R, but also to get some sense of if they want to live there with their children in the future.
Incidentally, I felt VERY fortunate to get rooms where and when I did for this trip. Shillmac, you are right in your Fodor advice posts--all you travelers book NOW. Starting with approx'lly December 22, it was REALLY hard to come by rooms. Peace Lodge, another wonderful-sounding place, is totally booked then, and PPC was booked from December 22
Pura vida, and gracias to you both, for sharing your knowledge and opinions.