JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort. Photo: Marriott JW Marriott has opened its first all-inclusive resort in the world, bringing the brand to Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast with a 415-room property designed around dining, wellness, and experiences tied to the destination.
JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa is located above Playa El Jobo in Guanacaste. The resort features 15 restaurants and bars, a 16,000-square-foot wellness area, 17 pools and more than 9,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space.
The opening marks JW Marriott’s entry into the global all-inclusive resort market. The property is designed around an “all-immersive” concept that combines the convenience of an all-inclusive stay with wellness activities, cultural experiences and local cuisine.
JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort. Photo: MarriottAccommodation ranges from guest rooms and suites to the brand’s new-generation Griffin Club, a resort-within-a-resort offering additional privacy and personalized services. Griffin Club guests have access to a private lounge, dedicated pool and beach area, as well as a personal assistant and wellness guides.
Some ground-floor suites include swim-out access, while the Griffin Club Presidential Suite has separate indoor and outdoor living areas overlooking the coast.
The resort’s design draws on the landscapes and traditions of Guanacaste, with architecture and artwork incorporating local materials and references to Costa Rica’s Indigenous cultures. A central lobby feature inspired by Sibú, a figure associated with creation and harmony in Bribri and Cabécar traditions, is among the property's design elements.
JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort. Photo: MarriottFood is a major part of the resort, with 15 dining and beverage venues offering Costa Rican, Italian, Mexican and Japanese-inspired cuisine. Restaurants include Leal, a culinary venue focused on Guanacaste traditions; Casado, a wood-fired coastal grill; Puerto Limón, inspired by Costa Rica’s Afro-Caribbean heritage; and Luciano, which combines Italian pasta-making with local ingredients.
The resort also features Namuyaki, offering chef-led teppanyaki, and Boga, which focuses on seafood and other coastal dishes. LaGloria is a nine-seat root beer stand inspired by the first business launched by Marriott founder J. Willard Marriott in Washington, D.C., in 1927.
Wellness facilities include the Spa by JW, a fitness center and the brand’s first Mindfulness House. The 16,000-square-foot wellness complex offers treatments using ingredients such as volcanic clay and cacao, along with sound baths, cacao ceremonies, Reiki and other activities.
Families can use the Family by JW Club, which offers nature walks, creative activities, children's yoga, meditation and evening programs. Adults can choose from activities including water sports, guided meditation and sound healing.
Outside the resort, guests can book activities including kayaking, yacht charters, deep-sea fishing, nature excursions and diving. The property also has a weekly night market featuring local food, artisans, music and storytelling.
The resort offers more than 9,000 square feet of event space, including an oceanfront ballroom and open-air venues. It can host meetings, retreats, weddings and other gatherings.
Rates start at $900 per person, per night, based on double occupancy.
The opening gives JW Marriott a new position in Costa Rica’s luxury resort market while adding the brand's first all-inclusive property to Marriott International’s portfolio.