JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa
16 people are viewing this hotel
Hotel direct offer!Unlock Member Rates!
$653
$653
$653
$622
Booking.com$653
Hotels.com$653
Travelocity$653
View all 16 deals
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Full view
View all photos (3,532)3,532
360
Panoramas (93) 
Pool & Beach (932)
Travel safe during COVID-19
Visit our Travel Safe hub to see how we're helping you make more informed travel decisions during COVID-19.
What you can expect during your stay
- All linens sanitized in high-temperature wash
- Face masks required for guests in public areas
- Face masks required for staff in public areas
- Floors marked for social distancing
- Hand sanitizer available to guests & staff
- Stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Read more
Updated 02/11/22 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
A note from JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa
Updated 02/11/22 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
About
Location
3.9
Cleanliness
4.7
Service
4.3
Value
3.8
GreenLeaders GreenPartner
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.
Read more
Property amenities
Free parking
Wifi
Pool
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Beach
Bicycle rental
Babysitting
Valet parking
Paid wifi
Hot tub
Pool / beach towels
Infinity pool
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Yoga classes
Fitness / spa locker rooms
Sauna
Coffee shop
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary welcome drink
Kids' meals
Outdoor dining area
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Poolside bar
Bicycles available
Golf course
Hiking
Horseback riding
Bicycle tours
Entertainment staff
Evening entertainment
Patio
Walking tours
Water park offsite
Board games / puzzles
Video game console
Children's playground
Indoor play area for children
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Kids club
Kids' outdoor play equipment
Highchairs available
Car hire
Taxi service
Business Center with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Photo copier / fax In business center
Spa
Body wrap
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot bath
Foot massage
Full body massage
Head massage
Manicure
Massage
Neck massage
Pedicure
Salon
Steam room
Waxing services
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Convenience store
Currency exchange
Gift shop
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Shops
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun umbrellas
ATM on site
First aid kit
Umbrella
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Express check-in / check-out
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
Show more
Room features
Allergy-free room
Blackout curtains
Air conditioning
Desk
Dining area
Coffee / tea maker
Cable / satellite TV
Bath / shower
Soundproof rooms
Bathrobes
Housekeeping
Interconnected rooms available
Private balcony
Room service
Safe
Seating area
Separate dining area
Separate living room
Sofa
Telephone
VIP room facilities
Wardrobe / closet
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Iron
Laptop safe
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Minibar
Electric kettle
Flatscreen TV
Radio
iPod docking station
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Show more
Room types
Ocean view
Pool view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Full view
Contact
Hacienda Pinilla, Playa Avellanas, Tamarindo 50309 Costa Rica
Getting there
Rental CarsSee all Playa Avellanas rental cars
3282Reviews264Q+A100Room tips
Reviews
Traveler rating
- 1,931
- 783
- 321
- 153
- 94
Time of year
Traveler type
Language
More
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
Sort by:
Most Recent
The resort is as pictured and described. Would be five stars except it’s understaffed & facilities are not fully available. I’m not sure if it’s due to Covid or because it was off-season. Value - amazing. The Costco deal is the BEST. Pro tip: prices listed for some things like cooking classes do not apply. They are included in the daily resort fee. Rooms - beautiful. The ocean front is worth the cost. We were in an ocean view the first night when Costco forgot to call our reservation in (JW says it’s a first; I've had only good experiences so I feel this was an anomaly). Food - the food was good but limited. It’s worth a walk to Lola’s or a trip to Tamarindo for some variety. Bar service at the pool was limited and some restaurants were not open for the hours listed on the site/at all. Staff - friendly. But, they were not attentive. We also had an issue with the staff not communicating with one another. Spa - excellent Thai massage! Recommend.…
Read more
Date of stay: June 2022
Helpful
+1
We absolutely loved this resort. With our Marriott status, on check in they upgraded our room and gave our kids sloth puppets that they loved, along with free breakfast buffet (which was awesome). We had just come from the rainforest La Fortuna so it was nice to dry out and relax in luxury. The room was spacious with a great poolside balcony. We stopped at the Walmart in Liberia and brought our own snacks and beverages and they gladly emptied the mini bar out so we could utilize the refrigerator, which saved us quite a bit of money. The pool was huge with ample chair availability all day, with tons of free pool floats and sand buckets available for the kids. The beach water was rough when we were there but the kids loved all the sea life in the tide pools and chasing the waves. One night we drove to town and had dinner at Lolas..it is a really bumpy drive and someone hit our rental car while it was parked..in hindsight there was really no reason to leave the resort..so many restaurant options and I thought the prices were very reasonable, especially for a high end resort…but if you do go to town Il Rustico Italian and Lolas were two good options. Parking was free and easy. Overall we were very happy with the few days we spent here and highly recommend!…
Read more
Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Traveled
Helpful
We stayed at the property for our anniversary and had a great time. we found the accommodations at the hotel to be excellent. The best part of our stay was the friendly efficient staff everyone we met was courteous and friendly. We enjoyed the restaurants, and found the food choices excellent. We used the hotels concierge services daily and Mr. Arandu to be knowledgeable able to make arrangements in a timely manner with outside providers for transport and activities. Bell men were very accommodating our primary service provider Julio was attentive and a joy to work with a great vvacation.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2022
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Helpful
Recently stayed at this “luxury” Marriott hotel with family. The worst experience I’ve had traveling. The road getting to the hotel is a washed out potholed disaster. Many of the restaurants inside the hotel were closed and actually the ones that were opened, the food was subpar, Even the free breakfast was overpriced. The one exception was the Asian fusion restaurant which was very good. Both hot tubs were broken, the beach was unkempt and the Suite rooms were small. The staff did a good job, keeping the main hotel areas clean but no so much for the breakfast area, where the birds eat better than we did.. A table was unbussed for over an hour while the birds had breakfast. I was told by Marriott corporate that I should have expected this because I am in a tropical area. I’ve stayed at many Hyatt hotels in tropical areas and the tables are immediately cleaned as is the beach. I expected more from Marriott. If you want to be disappointed, stay here, if not, find another hotel…
Read more
Date of stay: June 2022
Location
Sleep Quality
1 Repost
Helpful
I got a great deal off Travelzoo for a garden view balcony room with a $100 a day food and drink credit. Low season meant the one steak house restaurant was closed but I was told I could order a steak dinner at the Tamarine restaurant so was happy with that meal, except the steak was $49, ouch! Resort occupancy was low so plenty of pool chairs, no need to make restaurant reservations and my choice of times at the spa. Dennia there was the only masseuse I had four treatments with and she is excellent. US prices, but I was there to relax. The spa itself was beautiful with a plunge pool and sauna available after a massage. Adriana is a supervisor there and a great rep for the resort. My deal also included the massive breakfast buffet with indoor and outdoor seating. The staff was always smiling, eager to please and the pool attendants remembered my name, room number and food and drink preferences. Monserrath was especially upbeat and helpful. I didn’t venture outside for any excursions but was content to be pampered for five nights. The resort contracted with a local lab to do an in-room Covid test, though now I guess that’s a mute point with the US rescinding that order. Workers all wore a cloth mask provided by Marriott.…
Read more
Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Helpful
+1
Lovely classic hotel, used Marriott points and was upgraded to an oceanfront room. The pool is MASSIVE but the water was heated (I prefer cooler water in hot/humid places). Hotel is pretty remote, but it’s good for a R&R type of trip. We took the shuttle to Tamarindo a few times - cute surf town about 30 minutes away with a nice beach and cute shops (shuttle provided by a 3rd party company, $20 per person roundtrip).
Read more
Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Traveled
Helpful
We loved staying at this resort vs one in Tamarindo. It is located in a nature preserve so the beach around it is empty and perfect for long walks and sunsets, just beautiful! All of the staff were wonderful, in particular Cristin and Egar at the pool were super attentive and kind. Also the pool is one of the best I've been at, we never had to worry about not getting a chair. We had complimentary breakfast each morning due to BonVoy gold status (you can go to the buffet or more of a sit down at the steakhouse). There is a shuttle that can take you into Tamarindo that leaves a few times a day ($20ish round trip per person). The yoga with Paz on the beach was the perfect way to start the day (mats provided, I recommend grabbing a towel too from the pool). We also walked down to Lola's - it's about a 40 min. walk down the beach from the hotel. We didn't visit the beach club but that was many a 5 min walk down the beach from the hotel.…
Read more
Date of stay: May 2022
Helpful
My hubby and I went for a celebratory birthday weekend. We were only there for 3 days and 2 nights but there is no question that we will be back. The staff was incredibly friendly and service oriented. They make incredible drinks (thanks Franky at the bar!). The room was impeccable. We are both Titanium Elite and we were upgraded to a beachfront room. The garden view rooms are in the same building but face the courtyard which is also beautiful. The Titanium breakfast was in the steakhouse in the mornings but the regular breakfast buffet downstairs also looked amazing. Several restaurants onsite, amazing Lola's beach restaurant 5 minutes away. Not everything was amazing at every restaurant but there was more good than poor. It's not a big dessert place, we thought the desserts at each restaurant were only okay but the entrees were quite good. Not a ton of kids there at all. There was an event on the beach each day, once it blocked the view. The infiniti pool overlooks the pristene beach.…
Read more
Date of stay: May 2022
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip: Garden view rooms are in the same building as Oceanfront rooms, so a great location at a much...
See more room tips
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
+1
We had a wonderful time at the JW Marriott Guanacaste. Throughout our 6 day stay, the service remained impeccable, starting with the warm, personal welcome we received. We felt treated like kings. Upon arrival you are invited to enter a nice air conditioned room where you take a seat on a sofa at one of the three private desks and do your private check-in with the receptionist. We were offered welcome gifts for the adults and special gifts the kids, which they adored. My husband had mentioned by email earlier that it was our daughter’s 12th birthday the day of our arrival, so our room was decorated with balloons and a banner, and there was a beautifully decorated cake with macaroons and lots of fruits! The room was spacious and elegantly decorated with Costa Rica’s signature wood furniture! The site is beautiful, very clean and well maintained. Lots of vegetation, Iguanas walking around, the pool area is superb. The food at the pool was very good, very tasty and always well presented. Again the staff in the pool area are very friendly. The ambiance is very elegant, no loud music at the pool or entertainment. There was music at the beach on specials days when they had the beach party with fire pit and marshmallows for the kids. The beach is nothing like the Caribbean, it has rocks and can be a little dangerous to swim in right in front of the hotel, however there was an area right next to it where we could safely swim. There is nothing for what looked like miles on each side of our hotel on the beach so our family would go for adventure walks everyday on the beach, walking on the rocks and seeing caves and nature, with no one in sight! We didn’t really try the restaurants at the hotel because we liked to take the car and go try the nearby restaurants, and walk in Tamarindo. Every outing was an adventure! Cows in the street, iguana crossing, monkeys in the trees, we’d stop to pick mangoes in the trees! Just a beautiful experience! I highly recommend this hotel for a real 5 star experience!!!…
Read more
Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Traveled
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
To be clear, we are Marriott people, so we start with a high degree of familiarity and satisfaction with the hotel chain. With that said, this was a first-rate destination for our first trip to Costa Rica. PEOPLE: The staff is very professional and downright friendly. We had more good "chats" with staff who were knowledgeable and seemed eager to teach and showcase their beloved Costa Rica, it made the stay all that more enjoyable. Cristian at the pool explained the green coconuts are eaten differently and called "pipas." Maria showed us where the biggest iguana on the property lives (he's 3 feet long!) and explained that the critters are indigenous, plentiful, and beloved features of the property -- the biggest ones get names. Yolanda explained that the delicious hot sauce we kept getting with our breakfast eggs was a local specialty and a house recipe. AMENITIES: We took advantage of some of the amenities, including free use of mountain bikes to explore the property. On one day we took a free guided bike tour and saw howler monkeys, deer, and a huge blue crab hilariously trying to hide from us by tucking itself under the parked wheel of one bike. We also got massages in the spa and they were some of the best we've ever experienced. SERVICE: Pool service is good, as is restaurant food. The quality of the service is excellent -- several of the staff said they love working there and love engaging guests. So don't be afraid to strike up a conversation. COVID TESTING: You will be required to produce a negative COVID finding from a proctored (witnessed) COVID test administered no more than 24 hours prior to your return flight's departure. Marriott provides these, and their team comes to your room to administer them. They are $65 apiece, but well worth it. WILDLIFE: Critters are everywhere. We were in a suite with a plunge pool, which attracted all sorts of little guys -- lots of insects, crabs and geckos that would come to eat them, an *enormous* flying water bug that we learned is nicknamed a "toe biter" that we did not enjoy seeing, and iguanas, who seem to frequent it in the middle of the night and poop on the deck! BEACH: The immediate beach is ... okay. The sand quickly gives way to a rocky shore, but there is't much in the way of life in the tide pools at low tide. If you walk south (left from hotel) down the beach, just past a bluff you will find a beautiful beach, deep with shallow water, that goes on for miles. It's not visible from the hotel and therefore easy to miss. Don't miss it! Decent shell collecting and crab watching. GETTING THERE: Getting to Guanacoste was a bit of a pain -- it's a 5-hour drive from San José, so if you can fly into Liberia, do so. We didn't and sorta regretted it, because the drive there was harrowing. We got in midday and after clearing customs, renting a car (watch for the dirty trick there -- stories of attempted swindles were all around us, and we have our own), we hit the road just in time for the afternoon (torrential) rains to start. Between that, the local driving customs, and impending darkness at the other end of the trip, we were stressed out and exhausted when we came dragging in at around 7 pm, well past the 6 pm sunset. They drive on the right side of the road there, which is good, but the standard speed limits are lower (max of 80 kph, which is about 48 mph), and the road is shared with cars, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, and the occasional domesticated animal. Motorists pass in harrowing acts that we would never do in the US -- but it works, even though it takes much adjusting. Be patient and vigilant behind the wheel. Gas is expensive. The last mile of road before you hit Marriott property is a bone-jarring mile and a half of dirt road that is in such terrible shape you can't just say it's a washboard road with big potholes. It can take 10-15 minutes to drive that mile and a half. We learned that the Marriott and local governments each contend that the other is accountable for this road maintenance, so neither tends it. As a result, tour drivers refer to the "car massage" one gets with every crossing of this stretch of road. NEARBY: The JW is outside of the beach town of Tamarindo, which is a 15-30 minute drive from the property, depending on the condition of that dirt road. It's a cute beach town, but a little junky and kitschy to some people's tastes. It does have a beautiful beach, with lots of waterfront establishments ideal for watching sunsets, and lots of great souvenir shopping. Along with the standard gifts for our kids, we got ourselves a beautiful mango wood bowl for a very reasonable price. This is a great property!…
Read more
Date of stay: May 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Ocean views are great, but so are pool views. It's a beautiful property.
See more room tips
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
$382 - $762 (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
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Listing 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 (3.6 miles), Black Stallion Eco Park & Estates (4.9 miles), and Spa Maya (3.5 miles).
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 HiR Fine Dining, Black Stallion Ranch Style BBQ, and Cactus Restaurant.
Are there opportunities to exercise at JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa?
Yes, guests have access to a pool, a fitness center, and a sauna during their stay.
Is JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.5 miles away from the center 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 a business center, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.