JW Marriott Costa Elena: The Next-Gen Luxury All-Inclusive

🚨 EDITORIAL UPDATE (Fall 2026)

JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa, All-Inclusive is officially OPEN! The resort welcomed its first guests on September 30, 2026, marking the global debut of JW Marriott’s first-ever luxury all-inclusive property. Cash bookings and Marriott Bonvoy award redemptions are now live.

This brand-new property, transformed from the former Dreams Las Mareas footprint along the pristine bay of Playa El Jobo in Northern Guanacaste, introduces a brand-new tier of mindful luxury to Costa Rica. Note that this property is distinct from the long-established JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa (which opened in 2009 in Hacienda Pinilla). While both share the signature JW Marriott service, Costa Elena offers a seamless, all-inclusive luxury model.

Guanacaste Luxury at a Glance

Is JW Marriott Costa Elena Adults-Only or Family-Friendly?

JW Marriott Costa Elena is a family-friendly luxury resort designed with distinct operational zones so both adults and families can enjoy their ideal vacation.

Dedicated Adults-Only & Tranquil Amenities

• The Griffin Club Enclave: A VIP “hotel-within-a-hotel” experience featuring 45 elite accommodations. Griffin Club guests enjoy a private VIP lounge, personalized butler service, top-shelf spirits, and exclusive, quiet pool and beach enclaves.
• Tranquil Pool Cabanas: Dedicated quiet pool zones with plush private cabanas, shaded daybeds, and swim-up bars designed for undisturbed adult relaxation.
• Spa by JW®: A full-service wellness sanctuary featuring restorative deep-tissue treatments, facials, hydrotherapy circuits, and private relaxation outdoor lounges.
• Elevated Evening Dining: Sophisticated à la carte venues offering romantic, intimate settings for adult diners.

Family-Friendly Highlights

• Family by JW Kids Club: A nature-inspired space offering supervised eco-discovery activities, Costa Rican cultural crafts, and interactive outdoor play.
• Dedicated Family Pools: Spacious swimming areas designed specifically for families and young swimmers.
• Non-Motorized Water Sports: Complimentary ocean kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling in the calm waters of El Jobo Bay.

Luxury Accommodations

The resort features 415 light-filled, all-suite accommodations equipped with organic textures, handcrafted local furniture, and private outdoor spaces.

• Junior Suites (Tropical, Resort, & Partial Ocean View): Ranging from 525 to 527 sq. ft., available with 1 King or 2 Queen beds, rainfall showers, and furnished terraces or balconies.
• Mindfulness Suites & Swim-Outs: Specially curated suites focused on wellness, complete with dedicated aromatherapy elements and direct terrace access to a swimming pool stream.
• Griffin Club Master Suites & Swim-Outs: Expansive 1,054+ sq. ft. suites featuring separate living rooms, personal butler service, exclusive lounge access, and private swim-out pools or sweeping ocean views.

Standout Room Feature: Every suite includes a signature private soaking tub on the balcony or terrace, allowing you to relax while taking in views of the tropical canopy or ocean bay.

Dining & Resort Amenities

JW Marriott Costa Elena abandons standard high-volume buffets in favor of elevated, chef-driven culinary concepts.

• Mercado Central: A vibrant venue inspired by traditional Costa Rican street markets, serving fresh, authentic local dishes and artisanal cooking stations.
• Casado: An open-flame dining experience celebrating Costa Rica’s ancestral fire cooking traditions with contemporary flair.
• Namuyaki: A serene culinary journey inspired by Japanese traditions, featuring fresh Gyotaku-style seafood, sushi, and teppanyaki artistry.
• Puerto Limón: A coastal seafood restaurant showcasing fresh catches and Caribbean-Pacific flavors.
• Santos: Contemporary Mexican cuisine highlighting regional recipes and locally sourced ingredients.
• Pool Complex: Over 44,000 square feet of interconnected swimming pools, swim-up cocktail bars, and direct access to Playa El Jobo.

What Makes JW Marriott Costa Elena Special?

1. JW Marriott’s First All-Inclusive: It sets a new benchmark for brand loyalty members, offering fine dining, top-shelf spirits, and high-touch service within a single transparent rate.
2. Untouched Natural Surroundings: Located in La Cruz on Playa El Jobo, the resort sits between coastal mangroves and dense dry-tropical forests, providing private beaches and regular wildlife sightings (like howler monkeys) away from overdeveloped tourist zones.
3. The Griffin Club Experience: Delivers an adults-oriented, ultra-luxurious sanctuary inside a multi-generational resort footprint.

🌴 The JW Marriott Resort Alternative

JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa

Best For: Golfers, surfers, and travelers who prefer the pacing of a grand, historic luxury estate with flexible dining options.

Quick Facts: 310 rooms & suites, one of the largest freeform infinity pools in Central America, 5 restaurants, access to the championship Hacienda Pinilla Golf Course, and direct access to quiet Playa Mansita.

Description: Serving as the timeless, original landmark of luxury in the region, this stunning property captures the elegant architecture of a grand Spanish Colonial hacienda. While it primarily operates as a traditional à la carte resort, it offers an optional “Experiential All Included” package for travelers who want a hybrid experience. Situated inside a secure, gated residential community, it provides direct proximity to elite biking trails, world-class tennis facilities, and legendary Pacific surfing breaks.

Insider Tip: Because this resort is highly expansive, booking a room in the central building puts you closest to the massive infinity pool and the breakfast terrace. If you are a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status holder or higher, your welcome breakfast benefits here are exceptionally high-quality and feature a massive, authentic spread of local Costa Rican gallo pinto and fresh tropical fruits.

👉 Find the Best Price at Expedia for Guanacaste Resort