JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa officially opened in October 2026, marking JW Marriott’s first all-inclusive resort worldwide. The property is located in the Costa Elena region on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast, above the secluded bay of Playa de El Jobo.
The resort includes 415 guest rooms featuring a residential, villa-inspired design. It introduces the brand’s first next-generation Griffin Club, a private resort-within-a-resort experience offering personalized concierge services, a private lounge, pool, beach access, family programming, and exclusive Griffin Club accommodations like swim-out access and a Presidential Suite with coastal views.
The resort design and service are inspired
by the indigenous Costa Rican legend of Sibü, symbolizing harmony and creation. Architectural design was led by Phiba by DCM in partnership with local architects, artists, and artisans. Indiewalls curated an art collection celebrating Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, integrating regional culture into the resort experience.
Dining venues number 15, including Leal, Casado, Puerto Limón, Luciano, Santos, Borbón, Namuyaki, Boga, and LaGloria, offering a balance of local Costa Rican cuisine and global influences. The 16,000-square-foot wellness destination includes JW Marriott’s first Mindfulness House and Spa by JW, with treatments using native ingredients such as volcanic clay and cacao. The JW Garden
program provides seasonal herbs, fruits, and vegetables integrated into meals and cocktails.
Family programming features nature walks, children’s yoga, story time, guided meditation, mandala art, evening storytelling, and movie nights. Adults and families can engage in curated experiences such as meditation, sound healing, cacao ceremonies, and a weekly night market with local artisans. Outdoor activities available include sunset hikes, kayaking, private yacht charters, deep-sea fishing, guided nature treks, and diving in Costa Rica’s natural surroundings.
Bruce Rohr, Vice President and Global Brand Leader at JW Marriott, said, “The opening of JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa represents more than
our entry into the all-inclusive category, it introduces a new expression of the JW Marriott brand.” He emphasized the resort’s all-immersive approach prioritizing well-being, presence, and meaningful connection for guests.
