Nestled in the lush landscapes of the Guanacaste region, W Costa Rica is a luxurious escape that combines the beauty of the tropics with the modern flair of the W brand. With Pacific Ocean views on one side and rainforest on the other, this eco-chic resort is worth a visit. In this W Costa Rica review, I’ll break down what my stay was like, what it costs (in cash and points), and whether it’s the right fit for your Costa Rican getaway.
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Why I Booked W Costa Rica
The W brand usually means city energy and nightlife, so I was curious how it would translate to a nature reserve on the Pacific coast. I was hoping that the nightlife wouldn’t over take my goals when visiting Costa Rica of seeing national parks and relaxing at the beach. Cash rates were well outside my budget, but Marriott Bonvoy points made it possible, and I wanted to see whether the hotel lived up to its reputation.
Location & Getting to W Costa RicA
W Costa Rica is about an hour and a half from Liberia International Airport. I highly recommend renting a car so you can come and go and reach activities more easily. The drive is pretty smooth, but just be aware that the insurance on cars can be crazy expensive. If you plan on using your credit card as rental insurance make sure you bring a copy that they cover the country you are visiting (I learned my lesson the hard way).
If you don’t want to drive, or you’re nervous about renting a car in Costa Rica, there are plenty of shuttles. One example is Liberia Airport Shuttle, which serves many properties across Guanacaste. They offer private transfers, or a cheaper group option if you want to save money.
While I do love using public transportation when I can, I don’t recommend it for the W Costa Rica. There isn’t very good routing and it would take a large portion of the day.
Booking W Costa Rica: Cash vs. Points
W Costa Rica does not come cheap. Base rooms start around $600 USD per night in low season and can top $1,000 USD per night in peak season. There’s also a $35 USD nightly resort fee on top.
That was out of my price range, so I booked with Marriott Bonvoy points at 50,000 points per night.
During booking, I used a Nightly Upgrade Award from earning Titanium Elite status this year, hoping to land a suite. I didn’t have high hopes for a two-night stay, but I selected the Sunset Tree House Suite for my upgrade request.
Check-In & First Impressions
I spent most of the day in Guanacaste National Park, so I didn’t arrive until about 6:00 PM. At the entrance gate, a guard checked my reservation and opened the gate. It’s about a 5-minute drive from the gate to the lobby.
Valet is complimentary at W Costa Rica, and the valet was quick to help as I pulled in. Check-in is in a beautiful open-concept area overlooking the pool and ocean. I was given a welcome drink (delicious) while they collected my passport and other details.
While the upgrade hadn’t shown in my Marriott app beforehand, I got lucky and was upgraded to the suite I requested. Check-in took about 10 minutes, including a walkthrough of the property layout and instructions to download the resort’s app, which lets you book dinner reservations and activities.
The Sunset Tree House Suite
Room type: Sunset Tree House Suite (villa) | Size: 1,300 sq ft | View: Pacific Ocean and plunge pool
Some rooms at W Costa Rica are in towers reached by staff-driven golf carts. My suite was a villa, which means walking. It’s a little awkward, since the path goes through the restaurant’s outdoor seating or the pool area.
Walking in, I was blown away by how gorgeous it is. The 1,300 sq ft suite opens into a living room with a funky couch and a foosball table that doubles as a dining table.
Right outside the window is a plunge pool overlooking the ocean, and you enter it through the window beside it. The water was cool, which felt great after a long sunny day
Off the living room are a small half bath and a stocked minibar with a standard hotel selection. There’s a coffee maker in the room, but I found the restaurant’s coffee to be much fresher.
In the bedroom, the bed sits in the middle of the room with a walk-in closet behind it and gorgeous windows with a view. The TV hangs from an arm that swivels freely. It only has a few channels, but it’s a smart TV, so you can stream Netflix and other services.
The bathroom was probably my favorite part of the suite. A few steps in, you reach a his-and-hers vanity, brightly lit. On one side is a small room with the toilet. On the other is a rainfall shower. The floor-to-ceiling window is wide open, so be a little cautious: there’s less privacy than you might expect.
Restaurants & Bars
W Costa Rica has 5 restaurants and bars, plus in-room dining:
- WET Deck, The Living Room, and Zona Azul Beach Club: casual, finger-food style
- Cocina de Mercado: all-day dining
- Latitude 10 Norte: fine dining
Breakfast: As a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium member, I could choose a welcome amenity that differs by brand, and I picked free breakfast for me plus a guest. It’s a large, inviting buffet with an egg station and fresh-squeezed juices. The options didn’t change much over my two days, but there’s plenty of variety.
The one small issue: dinner reservations. The resort recommends booking dinner through its app. When I arrived that evening, everything was already booked and I couldn’t make reservations. I still got a table at Cocina de Mercado, but I never got to try the fine dining restaurant. Tip: reserve dinners as soon as you can, ideally before you arrive.
The Westin Reserva Conchal is on the same reserve and offers shuttles to its restaurants for W guests. It looks like you can even room charge at the Westin to your W folio. There isn’t much right outside the property, but I stopped at Big Momma’s Kitchen on my departure day, and it was pretty good. Tamarindo, about 30 minutes away, has lots of restaurants.
Pools, Beach, Spa & Other Amenities
W Costa Rica has two pools, and they’re built for two different moods. The adult-only pool, right by reception, has a swim-up bar built into it and is a great place to relax without kids splashing around you. The family pool sits down by the beach, and you can reach it on foot, by golf cart, or by zipline. The zipline was closed during low season, so I didn’t get to try it, but it has to be the coolest way ever to get to a pool.
The spa and gym sit next to each other. I didn’t end up using the spa myself; services were on-demand only at the time, so it may not be very busy if you want to book something last-minute. The gym was decent, with everything I needed, though the equipment felt a bit dated.
The beach: While all beaches in Costa Rica are public, that didn’t make this one any less relaxing. A few people tried selling things, but they were very respectful when I said no. The property is far enough out that vendors mostly don’t bother.
Final Thoughts: Would I Stay at W Costa Rica Again?
The W brand usually feels like a city and nightlife hotel, so I’m so glad W Costa Rica exists. Its vibrant style is a perfect fit for this nature reserve. Returning is not even a question for me. The next time I’m in Costa Rica and want to relax, I know exactly where I’m heading.
