JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort and Spa

Very large resort with enormous pool! Easy to stay on the grounds for our entire stay, but I am glad we walked to an adorable cafe down the beach (Lola's) and took the transportation into town one day. We also did the resort's horseback riding outing, which was fun, especially riding on the beach. Our favorite restaurant was the Asian restaurant on the resort premises. Reservations are recommended. The breakfast buffet is huge and delicious.

Every employee, supervisor and manager of this hotel is as kind and helpful as can possibly be! I don’t recall a stay recently where I felt my business was appreciated so much! There is something special here! The property is beautiful. There is constant cleaning all day long. Plenty of staff by the pool to take care of everyone. There were a couple of minor negatives that I won’t mention because the positives far outweigh them. The one issue that must be dealt with is the raccoons. They should be trapped humanely and removed far from the property to be released. It is disappointing to have to be on guard on balconies all of the time so the raccoons don’t break into the rooms to raid the minibars or eat food on the balcony. It is not possible to sleep with the doors open to hear the ocean.

We just came back from resort where we spent our vacation and celebrate our 50 Th anniversary. This is the second time we are coming here. We are so happy to choose to do so. The resort is spotless, resort staff is very friendly. We liked all restaurants, food and service. There is restaurant by the pool Azul where we had lunch one time and I had Tempura salad which was wonderful. I told to our server Susana Araico who was very nice and attentive. I complimented the salad and, chef’s beautiful job who prepared it and Susana brought him to talk to us, his name is Hansel Ortega. I also want to say thank you Josue for his help and advice. We were surprised when we came to our room in day of our anniversary and room was beautifully decorated for our special day. Very thankful to all stuff. Thank you very much.

The steak house at JW was beyond terrible I have no words The service was terrible The food was too expensive The food was not cooked enough The wait staff was not trained to JW’s high standards The dining experience was a painful 3 hours long I will have a hard time going to another JW property Enough said :(

From the moment we arrived at the JW Marriott Guanacaste, it felt like stepping into a moment you never want to forget. Katerina and the entire staff set the tone from day one. They didn’t just check us in, they welcomed us, remembered our names, and treated us as if we were longtime friends coming home. There’s a real sense of Costa Rican hospitality here, not the scripted kind, but the genuine warmth that comes from people who truly care. Every “Pura Vida” feels sincere. Every interaction feels intentional. The sunsets were unreal. The kind that makes you stop mid-sentence and just soak it in. Golden sky, ocean breeze, a horizon that looks almost painted. I don’t care how many sunsets you’ve seen, these hit different. The food was a standout. Fresh, flavorful, and honestly some of the best resort dining I’ve experienced. Every meal had that local Costa Rican soul to it, thoughtful, not overdone. All the waiters were so amazing. The architecture blends into nature, not the other way around. You wake up to ocean views, birds, and a calm that resets your entire nervous system. Those walks on the beach were so grounding and peaceful. Katerina, thank you. You made us feel seen, cared for, and celebrated. The staff, every smile, every detail made this trip unforgettable. I can't wait to come back with my family!

The tequila experience with Louis was amazing. He did a great job educating us on the different tequilas and pairings. I could not be more impressed :)

An amazing stay with beautiful ocean views! The white sand beach made us feel as if we had it to ourselves! Cocktails and a relaxing stroll on the beach before a fabulous dinner at Sabanero Steak House. The hotel and amenities did not disappoint!

We stayed at the JW Marriott during a quieter time at the resort, and it was the perfect peaceful escape. Although we had a few passing rain showers, our five-day stay was filled with relaxing, sun-filled moments -- lounging by the pool, wading in the ocean, and enjoying delicious meals at the on-site restaurants. Our room was spotless, spacious, and beautifully appointed, with a large bathroom that felt like a private spa. The ocean view from our balcony was absolutely breathtaking — sunsets were a nightly highlight. Breakfast was a standout highlight. As a Marriott Titanium and Lifetime Elite member, the complimentary breakfast was exceptional, one of the best I’ve experienced at any Marriott property. The spread was generous, with both local and international options, plus mimosas and specialty coffee each day. Karan, the hostess, greeted us each morning with a warm smile and made us feel truly welcome. Elian at the pool bar and poolside service brought incredible energy and attentiveness that elevated our experience. I also really enjoyed an 80-minute massage at the spa, which was both deeply relaxing and therapeutic -- one of the best I’ve had. Take advantage of the lovely sauna, steam room, and private outdoor plunge pool and lounge chairs with spa treatment! The gym was also spacious and included all the free weights and equipment you could need -- great for any hotel. One thing I appreciated was the transparent pricing. Most menus included the standard 10% service charge, and prices were clearly listed in USD, which made things simple and clear. Do note that the resort is a bit remote. It takes about 10–15 minutes to reach the highway and around 25–30 minutes to get to Tamarindo, depending on traffic and road conditions (hello, potholes!). Overall, the JW Marriott offered a luxurious and tranquil getaway, with standout service and amenities that made our stay unforgettable. We’ll definitely be back!

My wife and I just spent a week at the JW Marriott at Guanacaste. It was an amazing experience from the arrival and our (sad) departure. The hotel is located in a secluded area about 15 minutes south of Tamirindo. The hacienda-style hotel is very spacious, and it maintains the architectural style in a very modern (updated) property. The gardens are beautiful, the pool is one of the largest in the country, and it looks out directly on to the beach (which is immediately adjacent to the pool). The restaurants are all excellent choices for dinner, especially the Italian and Asian ones (we tried all three), and the breakfast buffet was spectacular. The restaurants aren’t very themed for Costa Rican food, but there are CR items to try. The staff was the shining star of the hotel. The check-in process was easy, and the staff is there to help you at every moment. Guiermo, the lead concierge, was especially gracious and helped arrange several excursions we took advantage of through the hotel. The horseback riding is a must-do and has an excellent pathway to the beach. With every interaction with the staff, we were treated like family and greeted with smiles. The rooms are in excellent condition, and comparable to hotels of this class. Our (ocean view) room had a clear view of the ocean and the sunsets. Our furniture, mattress, and fixtures were all well maintained and comfortable.

Great stay at this resort. The resort is beautiful. It’s about an hour away from the airport and we hired transportation prior to arriving which was great. The resort offers restaurants on property and spectacular sunset views. The breakfast buffet is delicious and the Costa Rican Coffee delicious. Try the homemade tortillas they are amazing! Staff at breakfast is the best! The rooms are comfortable and spacious. You can go into town, which we arranged a ride through the hotel which is not too far away and reasonbly priced. I would definitely recommend this resort for vacation.