JW Marriott Opens Its First All-Inclusive Property in Costa Rica
The JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa has opened in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, as the brand's first all-inclusive property. The 415-room resort includes a Griffin Club, a 44,000-square-foot pool area, a 9,000-square-foot spa, and family amenities. It was developed by transforming the former Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica site with Costa Rican and Indigenous design influences.
The property in Guanacaste replaces the former Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica, reworked by Mullen Real Estate Capital. Its design draws on Costa Rican traditions and Bribri and Cabécar Indigenous architecture. There are 415 rooms, plus the Griffin Club, a more private section with butler service, its own pool and beach access, and a round-the-clock lounge.
Guests can use a 44,000-square-foot pool area, a 9,000-square-foot Spa by JW, a fitness center, a kids club, and Family by JW programming. Dining and drinking options number 15, with a cooking school and the brand’s first standalone root beer stand. Rates start at $656 nightly for two, or 110,000 Bonvoy points.
The opening may broaden Costa Rica’s upscale all-inclusive market, giving travelers a new points-friendly option in Guanacaste. Local hospitality workers and nearby tour, food, and transport businesses could see added demand, while the resort’s use of Indigenous design motifs may raise visitor awareness of Bribri and Cabécar cultures. It could also intensify competition among regional resorts, potentially affecting pricing and expectations around service, sustainability, and community engagement. How those effects unfold may depend on hiring, sourcing, and guest behavior.