JW Marriott officially opened its first all-inclusive resort, the Costa Elena Resort & Spa, in early October 2026. The property is located on Costa Rica’s northwest coast in the Guanacaste region and was developed by Mullen Real Estate Capital through a major redesign of the former Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica hotel.
Resort Features and Design
The Costa Elena Resort & Spa houses 415 guest rooms, including a hotel-within-a-hotel option called the Griffin Club. Griffin Club offers enhanced privacy, butler services, dedicated pool and beach access, and a 24/7 lounge. The resort’s design blends traditional Costa Rican architectural elements with influences from the Bribri
and Cabécar Indigenous peoples.
Amenities and Wellness Offerings
The resort includes what Marriott describes as “the largest resort poolscape in Costa Rica,” covering 44,000 square feet. Additional amenities include poolside cabanas, a large garden, a modern fitness center, and a kids club supporting the Family by JW program. Spa by JW spans over 9,000 square feet and provides full-body treatments, massages, and services tailored for children. The property also features JW Marriott’s first Mindfulness House, a sanctuary for reflection situated alongside an untouched forest and shaded by a native Guanacaste tree.
Dining and Guest Experiences
Costa Elena offers 15 bars, restaurants, and culinary options including an international buffet,
Japanese, seafood, Italian, and Costa Rican cuisines. Guests can participate in interactive cooking classes at the on-site culinary school focused on local dishes. The resort also launched JW Marriott’s inaugural standalone root beer stand, honoring the original business of founder J.W. Marriott Sr. Activities available to guests include weekly local shopping markets and guided kayaking excursions. The Family by JW Club provides enrichment and wellness programs designed for children.
Room rates for stays through the end of 2026 start at $656 per night for two guests. Members of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program can book accommodations starting at 110,000 points
per night.
