JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa
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2023 Travellers' Choice Best of the Best
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Live an authentic Costa Rican experience in a luxury hacienda style resort in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa is surrounded by the splendors of Costa Rican rich biodiversity. This resort & spa sits oceanfront and is the only international branded hotel close to Tamarindo town. The resort is located right at Mansita beach and guests can choose from four other beaches within Hacienda Pinilla. Next to the resort you will find an equestrian center, tennis courts, and an 18-hole golf course with coastal layout. Enjoy surf beaches with excellent year-round waves and warm water, visit turtle nesting sanctuaries or observe a great variety of wildlife. All guestrooms have balconies either with garden, pool or ocean view. In-room amenities include LCD TVs, soundproof windows, alarm clock with mobile docks, streaming speed internet, total blackout curtains, plush pillow-top mattresses, rich woods, and marble bathtubs.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Wifi
Pool
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Beach
Bicycle rental
Books, DVDs, music for children
Valet parking
Paid wifi
Hot bath
Pool / beach towels
Swimming pool toys
Infinity pool
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Yoga classes
Fitness / spa changing rooms
Fitness classes
Sauna
Coffee shop
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Kids' meals
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Poolside bar
Bicycles available
Game room
Golf course
Hiking
Horseback riding
Bicycle tours
Entertainment staff
Patio
Tennis court offsite
Walking tours
Water park offsite
Children's playground
Children's television networks
Indoor play area for children
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Kids club
Kids pool
Kids' outdoor play equipment
Highchairs available
Car hire
Taxi service
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Body wrap
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot bath
Foot massage
Full body massage
Head massage
Neck massage
Salon
Steam room
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Convenience store
Currency exchange
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun umbrellas
ATM on site
First aid kit
Umbrella
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Blackout curtains
Soundproof rooms
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Coffee / tea maker
Cable / satellite TV
Walk-in shower
Bathrobes
Private balcony
Room service
Safe
Telephone
VIP room facilities
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Iron
Laptop safe
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Minibar
Flatscreen TV
Radio
iPod docking station
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Ocean view
Pool view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Hidden Gem
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Hotel links
Special Offer:Earn Marriott Bonvoy bonus points on each stay
Location
39Car recommended
Grade: 39 out of 100
251Restaurantswithin 10 km
59Attractionswithin 10 km
Hacienda Pinilla, Playa Avellanas, Tamarindo 50309 Costa Rica
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3382Reviews277Q+A100Room tips
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We spent 7 days at this property in August 2023, during the rainy season and hesitated booking for fear if it rained the entire time, we'd be stuck at the resort and had never stayed there before. Turns out, we only got rained in on two days and were able to enjoy ourselves at the property on those days too. This resort provides daily activities that are included in the room rate. Whether it was stretching beachside or water aerobics with Eli (who was amazing by the way), participating in the coffee class in Rum Bar with Miguel (who then on his own time, followed us to the gift shop and continued to teach us about the various coffees and provided us samples), enjoying the sunset cocktail hours at the Azul Pool Bar with Eder, Olger and Jean Carlo (who ensured our poolside stay was so very enjoyable), taking the cooking class with Cesar, Miguel & Luis or enjoying the bonfire & marshmallows at the beach, it was always a very good time with best of customer service. The restaurants on the property were very good too. Karen and Andres in the Pimento breakfast venue were so friendly. We actually looked forward to seeing them each day and felt sad to say good-bye on our final day. That same restaurant becomes their Italian venue in the evenings. We absolutely loved their food! Esteban is an amazing Chef! Andres, Gilmar, Vladamir, Marion and Jesus ensured our evenings spent there were very enjoyable. The best customer service from each of these gentlemen. Adilia at the Asian restaurant was such a doll too. Really, our only complaint with the resort was with Owen Vega, who is the onsite Costco representative. We booked our Buena Vista Rincon de la Vieja adventure tour through him and he misinformed us about many things. Said we had to be in our swim suits when boarding the bus in the morning because the water activities were the first ones we would be doing and that wasn't the case. The entire bus had to wait for us once we arrived at the park so we could change out of our bathing suits and be more appropriately dressed for the more rugged adventures. Also, he said the gratuity was included in the cost of the adventure and it wasn't. We brought minimal cash with us thinking the tip was paid and sacrificed being able to enjoy a smoothie beverage after the hot springs because if we would've bought them, we would not have been able to tip our tour guides. He also stated the hiking to the ziplines, water slide and water falls was easy. My husband had a quadruple bypass less than a year ago and we booked this adventure believing the hiking was easy and it wasn't. My husband struggled from the beginning and actually had to miss most of the activities we paid for because his recovery isn't well enough for a strenuous hike yet. This was very misleading and disappointing. All said and done, we would and have recommended this resort to friends and family and will return in the future to see our new found resort staff friends. …
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
During our check-in we received some misinformation that the Club--an off-site pool and beach area where we spent time during the previous year--was no longer available to JW's guests. It was a bit disappointing. However, when we asked, Steven, in the the concierge office about it, it was a whole different story. Steven made the arrangements and we enjoyed a day there. We returned to talk to Steven several times and he always gave us good advice and went above and beyond especially when we mentioned that it was our granddaughter's birthday. We returned to our room to find "Happy Birthday" spelled out in flower peddles on her bed and balloons. That night a cake was brought to our table and the staff sang "Happy Birthday" (in Spanish, of course). Our granddaughter was thrilled! As a whole, the staff was welcoming, friendly and helpful. Alfredo was absolutely a standout, also. Thank you, JW Guanacaste, for a fabulous vacation!…
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
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Room Tip: Be sure to make reservation for the restaurants and let them know ahead of time if you want to...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
My wife and I have stayed here once before eight years ago. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. I'm not sure where to start, first simple stuff: there is one regular and on decaf coffee per room. I asked why, they said that's what we do. The shower head was spraying all over the place (you would think someone would have noticed). The worst part was getting stuck in the elevator for over 15 minuets and it was extremally hot. Thank God it wasn't my mom or a senior. I used the phone in the elevator and called for help. They couldn't figure out where it was 15 minuets later when i called a second time and rung the emergency bell over and over and over. Guess services called me and asked where i was eating dinner that night, i told them the steak house. We get there and they tell me they we're waiting for us in the Japanize restaurant.??? The people are nice but the facility is worn down badly. No one asked how our stay was or offered to pick up a dinner or anything. I'd never got back!…
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Although the location of the hotel and the property was beautiful, we experienced room maintenance issues throughout the entirety of our stay. The AC in the room did not function, which was reported daily. Maintenance was dispatched and alleged it was repaired each time, when it was not. AC never worked properly and the room was uncomfortable, particularly at night. Front desk staff continued to state a manager was not available. Full cost of room paid at check-in. At check out, we were lied to and told a manager would contact us to provide a discount to resolve the issues for a loyal Marriot Bonvoy member. One month later, despite numerous emails, a manager has never contacted us. Also, a hotel transportation vendor left us for over an hour in 90 plus degree heat and lied about the status of pickup. Hotel cleanliness was not up to par, including broken glass poolside. During credit card dispute process, the resort lied and stated that we never reported any maintenance issues. Service at the resort was poor, particularly at the price point and class rating.…
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Date of stay: July 2023
Rooms
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Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Get one with AC
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Resort was beautiful. Service was generally very good. Staff were very friendly and attentive, and there was no shortage of amenities like towels, etc. We did find a scorpion in our room, but that counts as part of the experience in a tropical destination. Beaches were great, pool was great. You are a bit isolated, but you can walk to the other beaches at low tide. We also hired a van to take us into town on occasion. Issues we had were very specific. The Tamarine asian fusion restaurant in the resort was a miss considering the prices. For example, the ramen; the broth was not a proper ramen broth, likely just a chicken stock with some seasoning. The chashu lacked the proper flavoring and searing. The ramen itself wasn't even ramen, it was udon noodles. The peking duck was cut too thick, the wrap was too thick, more a pita instead of a crepe thickness, and the sauce was just wrong. The yaki udon had way too much sauce to the point it was like a gravy. Someone reviewed the that mountain biking was great, with bikes provided by the resort. The trails were indeed good if you could find them. The map provided by the concierge has no landmarks or scale. It also does not indicate sections that are closed off for cattle grazing or something other reason. No one at the resort provided any kind of updates. In reality there are sections that are inaccessible; the gates are locked. The bikes themselves are complete garbage. Think department store bikes that have never been maintained. The first bike I used, the chain broke 3km in and I had to roll it back once I found my way back to the road. On nearly all the bikes, the QR skewers for wheels and seatposts are rusted solid so you can't adjust anything. Brake and derailleur cables were visibly rusty as were chains. On some bikes the fork was not installed tightly and there is play between the steerer and head tube. On others there is play in the rear wheel and it tracks/wobbles enough that it rubs against the seat stays. Most tires were bald, many were also installed backwards against the tread design. There was not one bike that changed gears or pedalled smoothly; all had some weird click or grating/rubbing as you pedalled. Most of the 9mile loop is just on the road so not much trail riding there. The good sections of single track are in the 25mile loop if you can find them. There is a bike shop near the golf course main entrance. I would recommend getting bikes there instead of the ones for free at the resort.…
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Marriott pushes this "bonvoy" lifestyle as perfection, magic, amazingness in every detail - so when things like their worn out/unsafe bicycles for the bicycle tour, or the multiple lounge chairs that have broken parts, moldy cushions - or so on - the lifestyle pitch falls a little flat. But the truth is - they have an amazing staff, they have an amazing resort, they have an amazing amazing pool, they have an amazing spot oceanfront - such a wonderful vacation! Honestly, it's going to be very hard not to come back to this resort again in the future.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: If you're here more than 3 days - suggest renting a car - will give you way more flexibility in...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
+1
I gave 5 stars for the staff, especially Daniela and Lidia, the pool and the walkout beach room. As others have mentioned, the resort is a little remote. It takes over 10 minutes once you get past the gate to get to the resort. We enjoyed the beach although it is rocky especially during low tide but you just swim to the right where the buoys are and it's fine. We enjoyed exploring the sealife in the rock pools and loved swimming here. While the tide is low, you can cross the rocks on the left and right and explore the beaches to either side. I think if you stay here you have to rent a car so that you can explore. The restaurants are very understaffed and it's hard to get good service and their wine selection was not acceptable. The wine by the glass is not drinkable and we ordered a bottle of pinot noir the first night at Sabanero and told they were out but had a different one which we ordered and enjoyed. The following night we were told they were completely out of all bottles of pinot noir and offered us a glass of the house pinot which was terrible. The breakfast buffet was nice and we loved the tropical fruits. Their pool is amazing and the people really work hard. Rent a car and explore. Playa Flamingo, Las Catalinas and Tamarindo were our favorites.…
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: August is supposed to be the rainy season. We were there for 6 days from 8/6-11 and it only...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
+1
Paradise has been found! This resort is truly beautiful and the staff is fantastic. The food is very good and the spa treatments were exceptional. There are only a few things I would fix: Do not ride their bikes. Mine had breaks that were not working well. They are old and cheap. Does not seem safe. Hire a local driver instead of using their transportation service. Their service wanted $300 for a one way trip. The driver we found charged $120. There is a big savings there for the same ride! Definitely sign up for their classes, cooking, mixology and dance was fun. Overall, I would highly recommend this hotel and their wonderful staff.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
+1
The resort grounds, the infinity pool, the spa, and the rooms were all top notch. Only drawbacks were the restaurant service was slow at times and the ride from the airport to the resort was about 90 minutes. Overall we left relaxed and had a great time!
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Deluxe Room with Ocean view was amazing!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
The resort is beautiful with an amazing staff! Rooms were large and comfortable! The Sabanero restaurant is excellent! While portions of the beach are rocky, there was enough beach that is not. We met the new general manager Manrique Rodriquez and his wife and we are sure that the resort is going to get even better under his management.
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
US$604 - US$887 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
jw marriott guanacaste resort & spa costa rica hotel santa cruz, jw marriott guanacaste resort and spa costa rica, jw marriott santa cruz, marriott santa cruz
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of GuanacasteTamarindoPlaya Avellanas
NUMBER OF ROOMS
310
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Frequently Asked Questions about JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa
Which popular attractions are close to JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa?
Nearby attractions include Papaya Con Leche (5.7 km), Black Stallion Eco Park & Estates (7.9 km), and Spa Maya (5.6 km).
What are some of the property amenities at JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and a poolside bar during their stay.
Is parking available at JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa?
Yes, free parking and valet parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa?
Conveniently located restaurants include La Oveja Surf House, The Bake Yard, and HiR Fine Dining.
Are there opportunities to exercise at JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa?
Yes, guests have access to a pool, a fitness centre, and a sauna during their stay.
Is JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.8 km away from the centre of Playa Avellanas.
Are any cleaning services offered at JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers meeting rooms, a banquet room, and conference facilities.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.