JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort and Spa

The last stop on our Riviera Travel tour of Costa Rica, we stayed here for 3 nights. The place has a corporate feel with most guests being either USA or Canadian, but it is well designed so that no areas appear too crowded. There is a beautiful swimming pool which meanders and winds it's way through the garden, with loungers in small clusters rather than long lines. There are several restaurants and an excellent breakfast buffet selection. It is quite expensive but the quality is worth it.

The JW Marriott is an excellent property right on the ocean! We loved everything about our stay and can't wait to return! The room was spotless and we didn’t encounter any bugs or animals on the property. We had an awesome ocean-view room, a platinum elite welcome fruit platter, the infinity pool has an ocean and sunset view, and is large enough to accommodate everyone without crowding, the restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, activities vary daily and include cocktail-making and evening happy hour, s'mores on the beach, etc.

We just returned from a great week at this beautiful property. Pros - The hacienda style hotel is beautifully designed, easy to navigate and the property is directly on the beach. The staff were all courteous and friendly (shout out to Gabriel in reception). The hotel was clean. The pool is enormous and very kid friendly. The food was excellent, particularly the breakfast buffet. Cons - You definitely need a car unless you don’t want to see anything local. The hotel is a bit dated so don’t expect perfection. The beach wasn’t that nice (small and very rocky). Overall, I would say this is a great place for a family vacation. We rented a car and drove into Tamarindo several times to swim, surf, shop and eat. There are horse stables within 10 mins of hotel and we enjoyed a great ride through the land and on the beach. Each morning we walked or rode the free bikes to see the monkeys and other nature. For context, we traveled during the rainy season so the occupancy was quite low. When this hotel is fully booked the experience is likely less chill. Pura Vida!

Love this hotel. Great experience. The hotel property is amazing. To start with, the check in with Ariel and our bellman, Kevin was flawless. The room was so nice we took videos. The beach is terrific as is the pool. As a guest of the hotel, we were able to spend the day at the exclusive Hacienda Pinillas Beach Club. What a great vacation. Thanks to the warm Costa Ricans.

This is Pura Vida, this hotel is magnificent, not 100% perfect but who is looking for perfection when to begin with we are all far from being perfect. We had an awesome family vacation; it is a great property and the staff is outstanding; humble and always willing to attend your needs; all it takes is a little of grace from our side and rest assure you will receive an amazing service. It is a bit far from the airport but we rented a car and that way we drove anywhere we wanted to. Yes, a section of the road leading to the hotel is like a dirt road; so what; it adds to the experience; we were all excited and it was fun. If you are looking for a property where you can rest and disconnect; do not think twice; this it. Food, service, amenities were all great. Thank you to every and each of the staff members who made our stay so pleasant and wonderful.

Above and beyond at every moment. Our family enjoyed a week in beautiful Avellanas CR with the staff at JW Marriott. From the moment we were checked in we were blanketed in hospitality ensuring our stay was comfortable and memorable. When Adele (Reception) learned it was my son’s birthday, she had our room decorated with balloons and a personalized cake. She even gave him a lovely stuffed animal welcome gift. She had all the instincts of an experienced department lead. Breakfast is expertly curated with local and international favorites to appeal to any palate. Every meal has Sunday Brunch amenities. Poolside needs are always met with water, towels and refreshments. There are also daily activities to keep you busy. The property has so much space we never felt crowded. The grounds are immaculate. As a seasoned traveler this property stands up to the best of them. It starts with the staff! When you visit say hi to Adele, Karen and Gustavo in dining and Henry and Jonathan poolside.

Beautiful location on the beach. The food options are just okay.

Our room was disappointing because it had a strong musty, moldy smell. I have had a cough for months afterwards and blame it on the horrible AC. We were on the ground floor. Don’t eat the cooking class ceviche! We were both very sick the rest of the day.

Staff were AMAZING such lovely people I truly cannot express that enough. However, location a little inconvenient as there is a required dirt path that you need to take to leave and come in. The path is so raggedy and bumpy it’s almost painful. Other than that this resort is amazing

This was our second visit to the JW Marriott Guanacaste, and somehow it was even better than we remembered. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warm smiles and genuine hospitality that made us feel right at home. The food is absolutely phenomenal — every meal felt like a celebration of Costa Rican flavors, fresh ingredients, and thoughtful presentation. Whether it was breakfast with ocean views or dinner under the stars, the culinary team knocked it out of the park. The staff is truly what sets this resort apart. Every person we interacted with was kind, attentive, and went above and beyond to ensure we were comfortable and cared for. Their passion for what they do shines through in every detail. And the wildlife… wow. We got to watch monkeys swinging through the trees right from our balcony! It was like something out of a nature documentary — the kids (and let’s be honest, the adults too) were completely mesmerized. The entire experience is peaceful, luxurious, and deeply connected to nature. The sunsets are breathtaking, the beach is pristine, and the pool is perfect for both relaxation and play. This resort has officially become our go-to spot for family getaways and unforgettable escapes. We already can’t wait to come back again!