October 7, 2026 Team Contributor
JW Marriott has opened its first all-inclusive resort worldwide in Guanacaste, placing 415 rooms, 17 pools and 15 dining venues on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast.
JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa sits above the secluded bay of Playa El Jobo. The opening signifies the brand’s debut in the all-inclusive category and adds another Marriott property to the growing list of destination escapes, including its earlier look at Marriott’s all-inclusive wellness resorts.
A New JW Marriott All-Inclusive
The resort combines accommodation, dining, wellness and activities under one roof, with prices starting at US$900 per person per night, based on double occupancy.
Bruce Rohr, vice president and global brand leader, JW Marriott, said the resort was designed to offer “a new expression of the JW Marriott brand” through our customers’ well-being, design and service. He also added, “At JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa, we saw an opportunity to reimagine what an all-inclusive experience can be through the lens of JW Marriott, where thoughtful design, enriching experiences, and intuitive service come together to create a more intentional way to travel. The result is a resort that invites guests to slow down, embrace the beauty of the present moment, and leave feeling renewed by both the destination and the experiences they shared while there.”
Its setting also plays a central role. The resort’s architecture incorporates local materials and handcrafted work, with design inspired by the natural rhythms and Indigenous traditions of Guanacaste.
415 Rooms and a Private Resort Within the Resort
The 415 rooms and suites have a residential feel, with open-air terraces and select ground-floor suites offering access to semi-private swim-out pools.
The Griffin Club is a private resort-within-the-resort, with its own arrival lounge, dedicated pool, private beach access and personalised service. Guests staying in the club also have access to a pre-arrival well-being concierge and personal assistants.
15 Places to Eat and Drink
Dining spans 15 restaurants and bars serving Costa Rican, Italian, Mexican and Japanese-inspired food.
Leal focuses on Guanacaste traditions, while Casado offers a wood-fired coastal grill. Other venues include Luciano for Italian pasta, Santos for Mexican cuisine and Namuyaki for teppanyaki.
The resort also has a JW Garden supplying herbs, edible flowers, fruits and vegetables for its kitchens and bars. LaGloria, meanwhile, pays tribute to Marriott’s first business, a nine-seat root beer stand opened in Washington, D.C., in 1927.
A 16000 Square-Foot Wellness Centre
Wellness facilities cover 16,000 square feet and include Spa by JW, a fitness centre and the brand’s first Mindfulness House.
Treatments incorporate volcanic clay and native cacao, while programming includes sound healing, Reiki, cacao ceremonies and meditation. The resort’s proximity to the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world’s recognised Blue Zones, also complements its wellness offers.
Families can use the Family by JW Club, while adults can take part in wellness activity sessions, water sports and guided activities. Excursions include kayaking, sunset hikes, yacht charters, deep-sea fishing and nature treks.
The opening also adds to Marriott’s wider portfolio developments, including its City Express expansion in Canada. You can read the news here.
For Canadian travel advisors, JW Marriott Costa Elena gives clients another all-inclusive resort to consider when planning a Costa Rica holiday, particularly for travellers seeking a combination of dining, wellness and activities in one stay. Advisors can join the travel advisors’ directory to reach travellers who are looking for professional help with their travel plans.
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