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JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa

Traveler (3036)
360
Panoramas (93)
Pool & Beach (938)
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About

#1 of 1 resort in Playa Avellanas
Location
3.9
Cleanliness
4.7
Service
4.3
Value
3.8
2023 Travelers' Choice Best of the Best
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.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Wifi
Pool
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Beach
Bicycle rental
Books, DVDs, music for children
Valet parking
Paid wifi
Hot tub
Pool / beach towels
Swimming pool toys
Infinity pool
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Yoga classes
Fitness / spa locker 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
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 / closet
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
Green
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Hotel links
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Location

Hacienda Pinilla, Playa Avellanas, Tamarindo 50309 Costa Rica
JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa
Traveler Insights
This summary was created by AI, based on 49 recent English reviews.
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The JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste Resort & Spa, set in a serene yet remote location, is highly appreciated by some travelers for its tranquil atmosphere and array of amenities, including a large pool, spa, beach activities, and yoga classes. However, guests have called out issues with inconsistent room cleaning, outdated decor, and expensive food options. The rooms, while spacious and well-appointed, warrant more maintenance according to reviews. The service received mixed reviews, with some praising staff friendliness, but others noting slow service and inadequate staffing. Many travelers felt the hotel was overpriced, considering its location and the quality of services offered.
Location
Isolated
Atmosphere
Tranquil
Rooms
Spacious
Value
Overpriced
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Comprehensive
Location
Isolated
Many travelers describe the hotel's location as extremely remote and isolated, often resulting in inconvenience due to long travel times and limited dining options.
  • Tim
    Tim
    Jul 2023 4 contributions
    Although the location of the hotel and the property was beautiful, we experienced room maintenance issues throughout the entirety of our stay...
  • akatzmd
    akatzmd
    Mar 2023 3 contributions
    Beautiful location and great view from ocean front room... Very remote location requiring a shuttle costing $20 per person for a half hour ride to Tamarindo...
  • BW
    BW
    Mar 2023 7 contributions
    ...Hotel itself is on a great piece of property but aside from pool and quiet beachfront location I wouldn’t consider it to be at a luxury level...
  • aoshi0514
    aoshi0514
    Feb 2023 480 contributions
    ...Pros: the sunset every evening, the pool (one huge pool with bridges), Freddy at the kids club who my kids had a great time with and they think Freddy is at every kids club at all the resorts we were going to, the sunset cocktail hour Cons: the location is quite far from Tamarindo (30 mins each way), very expensive food, limited options, breakfast was buffet $35 per person and there were no other options We bought snacks and food in Tamarindo and ate our other meals in Tamarindo...
  • OHonoluluO
    OHonoluluO
    Feb 2023 161 contributions
    ...The location is isolated with the nearest town about 40 min away...
  • Globalseasonz
    Globalseasonz
    Feb 2023 39 contributions
    Let us start with the location, this is in the middle of nowhere...
  • tj303
    tj303
    Feb 2023 84 contributions
    ...The pool area did not seem to have enough attendants, and towels were only available at one location which required a long walk to obtain... Disturbing was returning to the room to discover housekeeping left the door open to the room, Due to its location, we had dinner in each of the dining rooms...
  • Lee Ann Murray
    Lee Ann Murray
    Feb 2023 396 contributions
    ...Pros -Beautiful location, hotel, and atmosphere...
  • David A
    David A
    Dec 2022 32 contributions
    ...The remote location ensures that you are forced to eat in their restaurants where the food is mediocre and vastly overpriced...
  • Angie L
    Angie L
    Dec 2022 21 contributions
    ...For families that plan to go on excursions, the hotel is not in an accessible location, and travel times back and forth will add up and is very tiring...
  • great travels
    great travels
    Dec 2022 143 contributions
    ...The location of the property is a bit remote, not walkable to anywhere, but we had a car with us...
  • Graham_Linda
    Graham_Linda
    Nov 2022 146 contributions
    ...The hotel location is beautiful, surrounded by forests and quiet beaches...
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Atmosphere
Tranquil
Travelers appreciate the tranquil and beautiful atmosphere of the hotel, although some find the decor a bit outdated and in need of a refresh.
  • no62019
    no62019
    May 2023 16 contributions
    ...The suite room has a sofa bed...
  • SPFam
    SPFam
    Mar 2023 3 contributions
    ...The rooms are dated and need of a refresh...
  • ylahey2016
    ylahey2016
    Feb 2023 68 contributions
    ...The decor is from the 70s, we had an old ratty mattress with a nice mattress cover...
  • Lee Ann Murray
    Lee Ann Murray
    Feb 2023 396 contributions
    ...Pros -Beautiful location, hotel, and atmosphere...
  • Sridhar J
    Sridhar J
    Jan 2023 14 contributions
    ...Ocean facing rooms are wonderful and appear as advertised...
  • Maria-Rosa K
    Maria-Rosa K
    Dec 2022 8 contributions
    ...The hotel offered a quiet environment. If you like loud music/partying/entertainment, you might be bored...
  • Angie L
    Angie L
    Dec 2022 21 contributions
    ...The room was clean and spacious, and the nice balcony offered lounge chairs that we could relax on if the ones by the pool were filled with people (which often happened)...
  • great travels
    great travels
    Dec 2022 143 contributions
    ...The pools were pretty and large, with bar/snack service to the pools, which made it convenient...
  • Expedition658289
    Expedition658289
    Dec 2022 34 contributions
    ...Our rooms were clean and well appointed...
  • Graham_Linda
    Graham_Linda
    Nov 2022 146 contributions
    ...The rooms are good sized and well designed and have plenty of wardrobe and cupboard space...
  • Brenda F
    Brenda F
    Nov 2022 12 contributions
    ...They upgraded us to a beautiful corner ocean - front suite...
  • nabeab
    nabeab
    Oct 2022 5409 contributions
    ...Great choice in hacienda pinilla...
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Rooms
Spacious
Travelers have mixed reviews about the rooms, noting them as spacious and well-appointed but also as needing more maintenance and cleaning.
  • no62019
    no62019
    May 2023 16 contributions
    We went there as a group staying in two connected rooms... The suite room has a sofa bed...
  • akatzmd
    akatzmd
    Mar 2023 3 contributions
    Beautiful location and great view from ocean front room... We have been told there are much better choices in hotels in the surrounding area...
  • Robyn S
    Robyn S
    Mar 2023 41 contributions
    ...The not so good: as others have said, the rooms are tired and a little worn...
  • SPFam
    SPFam
    Mar 2023 3 contributions
    ...The rooms are dated and need of a refresh...
  • globusat
    globusat
    Mar 2023 347 contributions
    Very nice hotel in a huge hacienda. Rooms are excellent, pool as well and the beach is much better than in some reviews written...
  • tj303
    tj303
    Feb 2023 84 contributions
    We stayed at the Marriott Guanacaste for 6 nights in February of 2023. Our room was very clean and serviced daily but the hotel seemed to be run down... We did pay for the room, my wife is at the Marriott, Ambassador level but there was no recognition of this... Disturbing was returning to the room to discover housekeeping left the door open to the room, Due to its location, we had dinner in each of the dining rooms...
  • ylahey2016
    ylahey2016
    Feb 2023 68 contributions
    We were given a room next to the sewage system, we couldn’t even use the patio... We were treated like liars and had to go through all the room charges... I recommend that you stay at another hotel...
  • marlboroman
    marlboroman
    Jan 2023 1 contribution
    ...As others have stated: the resort is beautiful, rooms nice size, extremely friendly and helpful staff (even though it seemed that 3/4 of them had "in training" on their nametag), well maintained, clean...
  • Sridhar J
    Sridhar J
    Jan 2023 14 contributions
    ...Very clean room, pool and entire resort. Ocean facing rooms are wonderful and appear as advertised...
  • Angie L
    Angie L
    Dec 2022 21 contributions
    ...We booked through Costco with their Black Friday deal, which was definitely worth it for a 6 night stay at a JW Marriott during their busy holiday season... The room was clean and spacious, and the nice balcony offered lounge chairs that we could relax on if the ones by the pool were filled with people (which often happened)...
  • David A
    David A
    Dec 2022 32 contributions
    ...The rooms are dusted rather than cleaned and the lack of maintenance is evident...
  • anonomuse
    anonomuse
    Dec 2022 206 contributions
    ...It is not inexpensive, expect to pay what you pay in Boston or other US cities... My fault but... My rooms A/C was broken on arrival...
  • Maria-Rosa K
    Maria-Rosa K
    Dec 2022 8 contributions
    ...We took a room facing the ocean and it was worth it!... The hotel offered a quiet environment...
  • Lynne
    Lynne
    Dec 2022 119 contributions
    ...Spacious rooms, good variety of food on offer and friendly staff...
  • Expedition658289
    Expedition658289
    Dec 2022 34 contributions
    ...Our rooms were clean and well appointed...
  • great travels
    great travels
    Dec 2022 143 contributions
    ...The rooms were nice and clean, with comfortable beds, showers with good pressure...
  • Graham_Linda
    Graham_Linda
    Nov 2022 146 contributions
    Stayed here for three nights at the end of a two week tour of Costa Rica... The rooms are good sized and well designed and have plenty of wardrobe and cupboard space... One person checks yours names against a hotel list and then takes you to a table, leaving the queue unattended... Getting more than one coffee capsule each in the rooms per day requires a visit to reception or the concierge desk and then a discussion is required instead of simply supplying the room with adequate supplies on a daily basis... The room at first appeared a very good standard, but on closer inspection revealed that it required a much deeper clean than it had seen for a long time... The staff were generally friendly although it seemed as though they were acting under management orders to say no to requests in order to save pennies for the hotel... One day our room was not cleaned and at 4:30pm I made the reception aware of this and told them that we were out for the evening and requested that the room be cleaned while we were out... At 10:30pm we returned to find the room had still not been cleaned and my complaint to reception was met with a promise to send a cleaner along to the room now, which was obviously inconvenient and we declined...
  • JWyatt
    JWyatt
    Nov 2022 6 contributions
    ...The rooms are large with plenty of amnesties—water, tea, toiletries...
  • Brenda F
    Brenda F
    Nov 2022 12 contributions
    ...We stayed six nights at this hotel. They upgraded us to a beautiful corner ocean - front suite... The resort was only 20% occupancy which has its pros and cons...
  • AZ
    AZ
    Nov 2022 3 contributions
    ...We really appreciated the complimentary room upgrade to an oceanfront room...
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Value
Overpriced
Travelers often found the hotel to be overpriced, especially considering the location, quality of food and service.
  • 654christar
    654christar
    Aug 2023 9 contributions
    ...I think if you stay here you have to rent a car so that you can explore... 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...
  • dmk112016
    dmk112016
    Jul 2023 10 contributions
    ...We had booked a smaller hotel in Tamarindo for a 5 night stay... The Marriott Resort was of course a huge upgrade in accommodations & the pricing reflected that... After a 10 minute drive through the upscale residential area we had to be called in at a gate for access, just to see if we would stay at the Marriott...
  • Anne
    Anne
    Mar 2023 21 contributions
    ...Restaurants on property are closed without advance notice, long lines to get in that are more appropriate to a discount cruise ship line than a J.W... For the price, you can definitely find something better elsewhere...
  • BW
    BW
    Mar 2023 7 contributions
    Easy place to relax for the day, breakfast buffet was decent and more reasonably priced... We mostly used points to pay for the trip, would have been pretty upset paying the actual room rate... In all seriousness you’ll get a better genuine meal from the gas station/service plazas for 20% of the price, also check out restaurants that are within 20 min of the resort and head to those... You’ll get excellent ceviche and fish tacos for less money than cold nachos at the Marriott... So overall this resort is good and relaxing but the price tag is out of control for what is offered...
  • akatzmd
    akatzmd
    Mar 2023 3 contributions
    ...Very remote location requiring a shuttle costing $20 per person for a half hour ride to Tamarindo... Who would think that in a hotel costing about $800 per night there would not be pool towels?... The restaurants are of poor quality and way overpriced for what you get... We have been told there are much better choices in hotels in the surrounding area...
  • globusat
    globusat
    Mar 2023 347 contributions
    ...Unfortunately this is not a good idea because the food in the restaurants of the hotel was only average, in Tamarine Restaurant well below average, hardly and only partially eatable. Needless to say that the price tags were huge...
  • Globalseasonz
    Globalseasonz
    Feb 2023 39 contributions
    ...If you have to go and visit any activity around the rainforest, hiking, and tubing, you will end up taking 3 hour ride. Secondly, the hotel has no restaurants or taxi services nearby, so you end up getting ripped by on-site car rental company or Costco's very poor customer service agent... Food at the property is abysmal, to say the least, and it is overpriced since JW marriott knows you are stuck and have no choices... Worst of all, the beach at the property is terrible, with lots of rocks and heavy currents...
  • aoshi0514
    aoshi0514
    Feb 2023 480 contributions
    We stayed here on the first leg of our trip... Pros: the sunset every evening, the pool (one huge pool with bridges), Freddy at the kids club who my kids had a great time with and they think Freddy is at every kids club at all the resorts we were going to, the sunset cocktail hour Cons: the location is quite far from Tamarindo (30 mins each way), very expensive food, limited options, breakfast was buffet $35 per person and there were no other options We bought snacks and food in Tamarindo and ate our other meals in Tamarindo...
  • tj303
    tj303
    Feb 2023 84 contributions
    ...We did pay for the room, my wife is at the Marriott, Ambassador level but there was no recognition of this... Each was disappointing, Sabernos, the premium steak house had overpriced steaks that just didn't taste very good...
  • ylahey2016
    ylahey2016
    Feb 2023 68 contributions
    We were given a room next to the sewage system, we couldn’t even use the patio... We were overcharged at the pool, and at checkout we were charged for multiple overcharges, including spa and bar charges... We were treated like liars and had to go through all the room charges... I recommend that you stay at another hotel... Five star is way over reaching...
  • marlboroman
    marlboroman
    Jan 2023 1 contribution
    ...As a Marriott lifetime Platinum member, we had included breakfast in a separate restaurant which was delightful and relaxing. The main breakfast menu is a zoo, with a lovely young lady at the door who moves in only first gear, creating a needless long wait...
  • David A
    David A
    Dec 2022 32 contributions
    ...The remote location ensures that you are forced to eat in their restaurants where the food is mediocre and vastly overpriced... They insist on reservations for meals and will turn you away if you have none, despite the tables being only half filled... Having spent a fantastic week at the Westin, I was disappointed in this property and left with a feeling of being "ripped off."...
  • Angie L
    Angie L
    Dec 2022 21 contributions
    ...We booked through Costco with their Black Friday deal, which was definitely worth it for a 6 night stay at a JW Marriott during their busy holiday season. However, this resort is not worth the price booking directly... If we wanted to go to a supermarket or eat locally, we would either have to pay for a 30 min shuttle to Tamarindo or drive out ourselves using a rental car...
  • Ann N
    Ann N
    Dec 2022
    ...Of course everything costs money. If you don’t rent a car, just to go into town (Tamarindo) is $20 USD per person... Ice cream at the hotel is $3.50 for a very small single scoop, and I mean very small... For the money I will just go to Hawaii next time... We won’t come back to Costa Rica...
  • Expedition658289
    Expedition658289
    Dec 2022 34 contributions
    ...It's a minimum of 30 min and $20 per person to get into Tarmarindo and an extra 45-60 min was added to every excursion we did because we were so far out of town... While we very much enjoyed our trip and our time at the resort, we will probably look elsewhere for our next trip to Costa Rica...
  • Maria-Rosa K
    Maria-Rosa K
    Dec 2022 8 contributions
    ...We took a room facing the ocean and it was worth it!... We took the ALL inclusive (which is new at this hotel) and I believe we were among the first ones (and probable the only ones)... The staff was not trained at all regarding the all-inclusive formula; they kept charging us everywhere and we kept repeating that we took the "all-inclusive" option (we had the distinctive bracelet so they should have known simply by looking at it)... For the price, it didn't feel like a luxury hotel to us when we compare to other hotels in Guanacaste that we enjoyed more...
  • great travels
    great travels
    Dec 2022 143 contributions
    We stayed at this property for 2 nights at the beginning of our trip to Costa Rica, and it was our least favorite... For our package, only breakfast was included, so we were charged and overcharged for everything by the pool, including bottles of water (which are generally free at other resorts)... So we ended staying most of the time at the pool... which is a shame when you go to the beachfront property... We all loved our trip to Costa Rica, but all agreed we would not be returning to this property again...
  • JWyatt
    JWyatt
    Nov 2022 6 contributions
    ...I believe they are doing construction on a restaurant so places to eat were fairly limited and costly as you would expect...
  • Graham_Linda
    Graham_Linda
    Nov 2022 146 contributions
    ...The staff were generally friendly although it seemed as though they were acting under management orders to say no to requests in order to save pennies for the hotel... At 10:30pm we returned to find the room had still not been cleaned and my complaint to reception was met with a promise to send a cleaner along to the room now, which was obviously inconvenient and we declined... The sports bar had been turned into a buffet, $35 per person, plus tax and service resulted in $98 per couple for poor standard food with very little choice and one beer each... Overpriced, low standard and a clear attempt to get our group out of the restaurant as soon as possible so that could close at 10pm... The Asian fusion was a much nicer experience, better food and service and a much more value for money...
  • Brenda F
    Brenda F
    Nov 2022 12 contributions
    ...The resort was only 20% occupancy which has its pros and cons... Food was good and reasonably priced for a resort... We purchased the rate with breakfast included which was a great option... Breakfast buffet is $30 per person...
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Cleanliness
Immaculate
Many travelers appreciated the cleanliness of the rooms and resort, while some found room cleaning service to be inconsistent and the resort somewhat rundown.
  • cpasion8
    cpasion8
    Mar 2023 3 contributions
    ...Staff all around from housekeeping to food servers, bell hops and reception were all so helpful and the shining stars are of this place...
  • tj303
    tj303
    Feb 2023 84 contributions
    ...Our room was very clean and serviced daily but the hotel seemed to be run down...
  • BrewsterPug
    BrewsterPug
    Feb 2023 130 contributions
    ...Well maintained and clean facility...
  • Lee Ann Murray
    Lee Ann Murray
    Feb 2023 396 contributions
    My mom and I stayed here for 6 nights, I have stayed at numerous JW Marriott properties, but this one was stunning... We had great meals, everything tasted fresh...
  • OHonoluluO
    OHonoluluO
    Feb 2023 161 contributions
    ...The resort could use a refresh...
  • Sridhar J
    Sridhar J
    Jan 2023 14 contributions
    ...Very clean room, pool and entire resort...
  • marlboroman
    marlboroman
    Jan 2023 1 contribution
    ...As others have stated: the resort is beautiful, rooms nice size, extremely friendly and helpful staff (even though it seemed that 3/4 of them had "in training" on their nametag), well maintained, clean...
  • Angie L
    Angie L
    Dec 2022 21 contributions
    ...The room was clean and spacious, and the nice balcony offered lounge chairs that we could relax on if the ones by the pool were filled with people (which often happened)...
  • Expedition658289
    Expedition658289
    Dec 2022 34 contributions
    ...Our rooms were clean and well appointed...
  • Maria-Rosa K
    Maria-Rosa K
    Dec 2022 8 contributions
    The hotel is beautiful; clean room, nice gardens, great huge pool...
  • great travels
    great travels
    Dec 2022 143 contributions
    ...The rooms were nice and clean, with comfortable beds, showers with good pressure...
  • Graham_Linda
    Graham_Linda
    Nov 2022 146 contributions
    ...The bathrooms are good sized and offer all that you might expect from a 5 star hotel... The room at first appeared a very good standard, but on closer inspection revealed that it required a much deeper clean than it had seen for a long time... One day our room was not cleaned and at 4:30pm I made the reception aware of this and told them that we were out for the evening and requested that the room be cleaned while we were out... At 10:30pm we returned to find the room had still not been cleaned and my complaint to reception was met with a promise to send a cleaner along to the room now, which was obviously inconvenient and we declined...
  • Brenda F
    Brenda F
    Nov 2022 12 contributions
    ...The hotel grounds are beautiful and clean...
  • JWyatt
    JWyatt
    Nov 2022 6 contributions
    ...The rooms are large with plenty of amnesties—water, tea, toiletries. The pool is beautiful and you never have to scramble for a seat...
  • AZ
    AZ
    Nov 2022 3 contributions
    ...We also want to thank Andrés for ensuring that everything was safe and to our liking...
  • nabeab
    nabeab
    Oct 2022 5409 contributions
    ...The pool was super goid, everything!...
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Service
Inconsistent
The service at the hotel received variable feedback. Many guests praised the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, while others pointed out issues with slow service, inadequate staffing, and problems with organization and efficiency.
  • 654christar
    654christar
    Aug 2023 9 contributions
    I gave 5 stars for the staff, especially Daniela and Lidia, the pool and the walkout beach room... 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...
  • Mike N
    Mike N
    Aug 2023 3 contributions
    ...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.???...
  • dmk112016
    dmk112016
    Jul 2023 10 contributions
    ...After a 10 minute drive through the upscale residential area we had to be called in at a gate for access, just to see if we would stay at the Marriott... She took excellent care of us not just in our hour of need but throughout or entire stay... I've stayed at many resorts but this one was the absolute best experience... Within minutes, five people arrived & quickly corrected the problem!...
  • Anne
    Anne
    Mar 2023 21 contributions
    ...Service, unfortunately, leaves something to be desired. Restaurants on property are closed without advance notice, long lines to get in that are more appropriate to a discount cruise ship line than a J.W... The property hosts a number of large groups and events, so the experience for guests suffers because staff are clearly overwhelmed, although they may be trying their best...
  • Robyn S
    Robyn S
    Mar 2023 41 contributions
    ...Servers and host at breakfast were not friendly, waiters at pool would walk right on by without acknowledging me (even with me staring right at them as they passed), employees don’t smile or greet you when you pass them in the hallways, etc... We used Bonvoy points to pay for most of this stay, and it was a perfectly fine experience for the small amount we paid...
  • Larry R
    Larry R
    Mar 2023 5 contributions
    ...The staff are so friendly and are definitely what makes this place feel like home! Jesus at the pool bar is the best server ever!... You want to make sure you are in his section of the pool every day as he is by far the best server ever!... Jonathon and Miguel at the Sabenaro Steakhouse we are favorite restaurant servers!... There are plenty of chairs and you never feel crowded when in the pool because it is so big!... Also, the last day we were there the pool bar ran out of cold beer... Finally, when more beer arrived it was not placed in the coolers right away so all afternoon/evening we had to go to another restaurant on the property to get beer...
  • akatzmd
    akatzmd
    Mar 2023 3 contributions
    ...Very remote location requiring a shuttle costing $20 per person for a half hour ride to Tamarindo. Car rental is available on premises... Service is friendly but lacking in many ways... Can’t find anyone to serve you drinks or food poolside... Towel availability is hit or miss... Who would think that in a hotel costing about $800 per night there would not be pool towels?...
  • tj303
    tj303
    Feb 2023 84 contributions
    ...Our room was very clean and serviced daily but the hotel seemed to be run down... The pool area did not seem to have enough attendants, and towels were only available at one location which required a long walk to obtain... The Asian Fusion restaurant was great one night, the second night we visited, the service was terrible, and the food was so-so...
  • Globalseasonz
    Globalseasonz
    Feb 2023 39 contributions
    ...Secondly, the hotel has no restaurants or taxi services nearby, so you end up getting ripped by on-site car rental company or Costco's very poor customer service agent... Property may have been amazing in its youth but now wears a dated look, with poor customer service and lackadaisical response in everything...
  • ylahey2016
    ylahey2016
    Feb 2023 68 contributions
    ...The service at the restaurants was terrible, we had to wait 20 minutes to order and 1 hour for food... We were overcharged at the pool, and at checkout we were charged for multiple overcharges, including spa and bar charges...
  • marlboroman
    marlboroman
    Jan 2023 1 contribution
    Had a wonderful relaxing stay for a week at this resort/spa including massages, walks on the beach and lounging by the pool... As others have stated: the resort is beautiful, rooms nice size, extremely friendly and helpful staff (even though it seemed that 3/4 of them had "in training" on their nametag), well maintained, clean... We used the hotel shuttle and it was fine, but of course you are bound by their schedule going and coming... Great spa experience ... wonderful massage in a beautiful facility although inexplicably they have female attendants working the men's locker room... Special shoutout to supervisor Adriana, server German, and pool attendant Bryan, whose big smiles, greeting us by name and eagerness to help in any way made our stay extra special and reminded us of what true hospitality is...
  • Angie L
    Angie L
    Dec 2022 21 contributions
    ...We booked through Costco with their Black Friday deal, which was definitely worth it for a 6 night stay at a JW Marriott during their busy holiday season... The hotel is situated on a private property 1 hr 30 minutes from the Liberia airport... If we wanted to go to a supermarket or eat locally, we would either have to pay for a 30 min shuttle to Tamarindo or drive out ourselves using a rental car... The room was clean and spacious, and the nice balcony offered lounge chairs that we could relax on if the ones by the pool were filled with people (which often happened)... The staff are all very kind but some services, like the front desk and the concierge, can be slow from the rush of travelers during the busy season and the little number of desks available...
  • Maria-Rosa K
    Maria-Rosa K
    Dec 2022 8 contributions
    ...We took the ALL inclusive (which is new at this hotel) and I believe we were among the first ones (and probable the only ones). The staff was not trained at all regarding the all-inclusive formula; they kept charging us everywhere and we kept repeating that we took the "all-inclusive" option (we had the distinctive bracelet so they should have known simply by looking at it)... The waiting time at the restaurants is absolutely unacceptable... Sometimes, we had to wait between 40 minutes and 1 hour to get our food...
  • great travels
    great travels
    Dec 2022 143 contributions
    ...The check-in process takes a while, but only because there are lots of people checking in and you have to wait for the next available person at the desk. The rooms were nice and clean, with comfortable beds, showers with good pressure... The pools were pretty and large, with bar/snack service to the pools, which made it convenient... For our package, only breakfast was included, so we were charged and overcharged for everything by the pool, including bottles of water (which are generally free at other resorts)...
  • David A
    David A
    Dec 2022 32 contributions
    ...They insist on reservations for meals and will turn you away if you have none, despite the tables being only half filled...
  • Graham_Linda
    Graham_Linda
    Nov 2022 146 contributions
    ...The bathrooms are good sized and offer all that you might expect from a 5 star hotel... Checking in at breakfast for instance means that there is always a queue of people waiting to be seated... One person checks yours names against a hotel list and then takes you to a table, leaving the queue unattended... Getting more than one coffee capsule each in the rooms per day requires a visit to reception or the concierge desk and then a discussion is required instead of simply supplying the room with adequate supplies on a daily basis... The staff were generally friendly although it seemed as though they were acting under management orders to say no to requests in order to save pennies for the hotel... One day our room was not cleaned and at 4:30pm I made the reception aware of this and told them that we were out for the evening and requested that the room be cleaned while we were out...
  • Carl B
    Carl B
    Nov 2022
    ...The staff were some of the friendliest I’ve ever encountered... I want to especially mention the yoga teacher Adrianna, she was so good at welcoming everyone and making the class accessible to all the participants...
  • AZ
    AZ
    Nov 2022 3 contributions
    ...We really appreciated the complimentary room upgrade to an oceanfront room. We remember the names of many of the wonderful staff and want to thank them for their friendly and caring service... We want to start with the executive chef Miguel Pulache for thoughtfully planning and creating a customized family-style dinner menu that accommodated all of our family’s food allergies... We loved the meals and we would come back for them... Miguel and team made it possible for us to be on vacation... We also want to thank Andrés for ensuring that everything was safe and to our liking... Juan also always came to check on us... Breakfast at Mansita was wonderful, todos nos atendieron súper bien también, especially Lidia, Montse and Adan, even the person making the tortillas... We really appreciated the fresh fruit, sage made to order gallo pinto, the juices, rosquillas and pastel de elote... At Sabanero, we thank Jason and Jeffrey who were particularly helpful... At the pool bar, Olger and Yeison were super attentive and we enjoyed their conversation...
  • John M
    John M
    Nov 2022 6 contributions
    ...From the second we arrived we were treated like royalty by the friendliest people we have ever encountered... Gabriel checked us in and out and was extremely helpful... Michelle, Greddy and Astrid in the Concierge office were absolutely the most knowledgeable and helpful people my wife and I ever met... They are patient, sincere and the kindness group you could ever know and talk to... We walked into their office at least once a day and each time we were greeted with big smiles and a sincere willingness to help us...
  • Get out there and live
    Get out there and live
    Sep 2022 4 contributions
    ...Visiting during low season gave us the staff all to ourselves and they were remarkable. If you need assistance in booking activities, Owen Vega with Costco travel can help you out... He is on site at the Hotel and is extremely helpful and eager to see you have a great time in whatever you do...
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Amenities
Comprehensive
The resort offers a variety of amenities like a large pool, spa services, beach activities, yoga classes, and dining options. However, some guests felt the pool service was lacking and food options were expensive.
  • dmk112016
    dmk112016
    Jul 2023 10 contributions
    ...The Marriott Resort was of course a huge upgrade in accommodations & the pricing reflected that... After a 10 minute drive through the upscale residential area we had to be called in at a gate for access, just to see if we would stay at the Marriott... She took excellent care of us not just in our hour of need but throughout or entire stay... The grounds, pool areas & beach were all absolutely gorgeous... Much of the adventures have very basic amenities, i.e... Take my advice, if you are going to spend time in the Tamarindo area treat yourself to a safe haven, luxurious place to come home to after a day of exploring... Stay at the JW Marriott Resort!...
  • Robyn S
    Robyn S
    Mar 2023 41 contributions
    The good: property is gorgeous and the pool is amazing... Some of the best mojitos I’ve ever tasted at the pool bar... Servers and host at breakfast were not friendly, waiters at pool would walk right on by without acknowledging me (even with me staring right at them as they passed), employees don’t smile or greet you when you pass them in the hallways, etc... There are some wonderful restaurants about 15-20 minutes from the property, but that would’ve been an expensive cab ride... We also ate at the breakfast buffet ($32 per person) and weren’t that impressed...
  • akatzmd
    akatzmd
    Mar 2023 3 contributions
    Beautiful location and great view from ocean front room... Car rental is available on premises... Hotel is older but kept up well... Can’t find anyone to serve you drinks or food poolside... Who would think that in a hotel costing about $800 per night there would not be pool towels?... Poolside restaurant is good as well as the breakfast buffet... Tamarindo is wonderful and next time we will stay there...
  • Larry R
    Larry R
    Mar 2023 5 contributions
    We had the most relaxing vacation at the JW Marriott Resort!... Jesus at the pool bar is the best server ever!... This is the best pool experience we’ve ever had!... There are plenty of chairs and you never feel crowded when in the pool because it is so big!... Also, the last day we were there the pool bar ran out of cold beer... Overall, if you’re looking to kick back and relax and maybe take a few excursions this is the place for you!...
  • tj303
    tj303
    Feb 2023 84 contributions
    ...Our room was very clean and serviced daily but the hotel seemed to be run down... The pool area did not seem to have enough attendants, and towels were only available at one location which required a long walk to obtain... We did pay for the room, my wife is at the Marriott, Ambassador level but there was no recognition of this...
  • Globalseasonz
    Globalseasonz
    Feb 2023 39 contributions
    ...Secondly, the hotel has no restaurants or taxi services nearby, so you end up getting ripped by on-site car rental company or Costco's very poor customer service agent... You are kind of being hostage and waiting to find an activity or tour that can take you away every morning...
  • aoshi0514
    aoshi0514
    Feb 2023 480 contributions
    ...Pros: the sunset every evening, the pool (one huge pool with bridges), Freddy at the kids club who my kids had a great time with and they think Freddy is at every kids club at all the resorts we were going to, the sunset cocktail hour Cons: the location is quite far from Tamarindo (30 mins each way), very expensive food, limited options, breakfast was buffet $35 per person and there were no other options We bought snacks and food in Tamarindo and ate our other meals in Tamarindo...
  • ylahey2016
    ylahey2016
    Feb 2023 68 contributions
    ...We were overcharged at the pool, and at checkout we were charged for multiple overcharges, including spa and bar charges...
  • marlboroman
    marlboroman
    Jan 2023 1 contribution
    Had a wonderful relaxing stay for a week at this resort/spa including massages, walks on the beach and lounging by the pool... As others have stated: the resort is beautiful, rooms nice size, extremely friendly and helpful staff (even though it seemed that 3/4 of them had "in training" on their nametag), well maintained, clean... But it is 1.5 hours from the airport and 30 minutes from Tamarindo, the closest town with restaurants/shops... As a Marriott lifetime Platinum member, we had included breakfast in a separate restaurant which was delightful and relaxing... Great spa experience ... wonderful massage in a beautiful facility although inexplicably they have female attendants working the men's locker room...
  • Happy s
    Happy s
    Jan 2023 26 contributions
    ...Only best part is you can enjoy sunset sitting in your balcony, if you have west sided ocean front room...
  • Angie L
    Angie L
    Dec 2022 21 contributions
    ...The hotel is situated on a private property 1 hr 30 minutes from the Liberia airport... If we wanted to go to a supermarket or eat locally, we would either have to pay for a 30 min shuttle to Tamarindo or drive out ourselves using a rental car... The asian-fusion restaurant and the steakhouse were okay, and the Italian restaurant was pretty average... For families planning to stay inside the resort most of their stay, the resort is pretty nice and offers many activities... The pool is one of the highlights of the resort, and there's a schedule of different events, like a bike tour and yoga session, offered by the resort... The room was clean and spacious, and the nice balcony offered lounge chairs that we could relax on if the ones by the pool were filled with people (which often happened)... The views around the resort and outside on the property were the best part of the hotel...
  • Ann N
    Ann N
    Dec 2022
    ...Not too many food options at the hotel, and the quality of food is just mediocre, from the bar, pool to the restaurants. Ice cream at the hotel is $3.50 for a very small single scoop, and I mean very small...
  • Vipin S
    Vipin S
    Dec 2022 22 contributions
    Beautiful Hacienda style property with lots of activities for everyone in the family. The pool is large allowing space for everyone... We also participated in Yoga on the beach, Water aerobics, Latin Dance lessons, mountain bike riding, mixology class, marshmallows at sunset, cocktails on the beach and so much more... Spa services were also excellent and staff like Adriana who is also the yoga instructor made it memorable for us...
  • Lynne
    Lynne
    Dec 2022 119 contributions
    ...This hotel has everything, set in beautiful surroundings, lots of pools and hot tubs, the beach is stunning and has spectacular sunsets. Spacious rooms, good variety of food on offer and friendly staff... There is a daily programme of activities and a spa...
  • great travels
    great travels
    Dec 2022 143 contributions
    ...The property itself is large and pretty grand... The rooms were nice and clean, with comfortable beds, showers with good pressure... The pools were pretty and large, with bar/snack service to the pools, which made it convenient... For our package, only breakfast was included, so we were charged and overcharged for everything by the pool, including bottles of water (which are generally free at other resorts)... So we ended staying most of the time at the pool... which is a shame when you go to the beachfront property...
  • Carl B
    Carl B
    Nov 2022
    ...We took part in some resort activities like cooking, mixology, evening bonfire marshmallow roasts... I want to especially mention the yoga teacher Adrianna, she was so good at welcoming everyone and making the class accessible to all the participants...
  • Graham_Linda
    Graham_Linda
    Nov 2022 146 contributions
    Stayed here for three nights at the end of a two week tour of Costa Rica. I'll start with the positives about the resort... The hotel location is beautiful, surrounded by forests and quiet beaches... The rooms are good sized and well designed and have plenty of wardrobe and cupboard space... The bathrooms are good sized and offer all that you might expect from a 5 star hotel... Checking in at breakfast for instance means that there is always a queue of people waiting to be seated... Breakfast offers a good variety and is of good standard... Getting more than one coffee capsule each in the rooms per day requires a visit to reception or the concierge desk and then a discussion is required instead of simply supplying the room with adequate supplies on a daily basis... We ate in two of the restaurants in the hotel, the "sports bar" and the "Asian fusion" ... The Asian fusion was a much nicer experience, better food and service and a much more value for money...
  • AZ
    AZ
    Nov 2022 3 contributions
    ...We really appreciated the complimentary room upgrade to an oceanfront room... Miguel and team made it possible for us to be on vacation... Breakfast at Mansita was wonderful, todos nos atendieron súper bien también, especially Lidia, Montse and Adan, even the person making the tortillas... We really appreciated the fresh fruit, sage made to order gallo pinto, the juices, rosquillas and pastel de elote... At the pool bar, Olger and Yeison were super attentive and we enjoyed their conversation...
  • John M
    John M
    Nov 2022 6 contributions
    ...We normally would stay at an inexpensive hotel but with the credit we decided on the incredible JW Marriott. From the second we arrived we were treated like royalty by the friendliest people we have ever encountered... Gabriel checked us in and out and was extremely helpful... Michelle, Greddy and Astrid in the Concierge office were absolutely the most knowledgeable and helpful people my wife and I ever met... We walked into their office at least once a day and each time we were greeted with big smiles and a sincere willingness to help us...
  • Brenda F
    Brenda F
    Nov 2022 12 contributions
    ...They upgraded us to a beautiful corner ocean - front suite... We had a great massage and relax time... The staff went out of their way to serve us though... Food was good and reasonably priced for a resort... We purchased the rate with breakfast included which was a great option... Breakfast buffet is $30 per person... The beach is very safe and walkable since the whole area is within a gated community... The hotel grounds are beautiful and clean... Long Beach walks, relaxing by the pool, working out in the well-equipped gym... There are daily activities like yoga, nature walk, Latin dance, etc... We did enjoy the people, food, drinks and sunset...
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Kimberly M wrote a review Nov 2023
3 contributions
We stayed at the JW Marriott Guanacaste for 4 nights before Thanksgiving and had an incredible experience. We had three rooms which were spacious, clean, with wonderful amenities and either oceanfront view or pool view. The staff was so friendly and welcoming and always thanking us for staying there. Two of our travelers had many food allergies and were able to eat the breakfast buffet which had labels for food allergens, and they had no issues at any of the restaurants with many options to accommodate them. The SPA massages were enjoyed as well. The pool is expansive and always had chairs and umbrellas available. The beach was beautiful but very rocky in some areas with riptides. Some people were swimming. Since the resort is remote, a trip toTamarindo for dinner at Nogui's on the beach which was a nice adventure on the shuttle. We also enjoyed the mixology class, welcome cocktails and sunset cocktails (all complimentary). We booked our trip using Costco Travel and would highly recommend doing that.
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Date of stay: November 2023
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Trip type: Traveled 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.
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Misler wrote a review Nov 2023
Boulder, Colorado59 contributions
+1
There are very good things about this resort, but it is not a five star luxury hotel. Let me give you some of the pros. There is a nice selection of activities and several on-site restaurants, although we did not eat at any of them other than the pool restaurant one time. The pool area is beautiful, and there was more than enough seating during our visit the week of Thanksgiving. Marco, who is the activities Instructor, is outstanding and we enjoyed the stretching class, aqua aerobics class, and Latin dance. He seems to be the hardest working employee there. Despite being a titanium elite Marriott member, we did not receive an upgrade for either of the two rooms that we reserved very far in advance, but we did receive complementary buffet breakfast each morning for the four of us, which was outstanding. There is a large selection of both American and Costa Rican, breakfast items, including a beautiful fresh fruit selection and omelette station. The beach area is lovely and the far right side is quite Swimmable. We rented a car which we found to be very useful so that we could drive to dinner each night. We loved going to Lola‘s and la Purrada. Ask for Omar if you do surf lessons at Lola‘s or want to do some local fishing. One of the negatives is that our room with a king size bed was on the other side of the resort from our kids’ room with two double beds. It was a good five minute walk between the two rooms which was not a big deal because our children are older, but I am not sure how that would work if you were trying to be closer to younger children or other family members. The food at the pool was expensive ($25 for 2 fish tacos). The service is a bit off at checkin and checkout.
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip: Bring refillable water bottles and use the water fillers. Take advantage of the activities with...
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Jessie C wrote a review Nov 2023
2 contributions
The resort is lovely and clean, but a little run down. Very secluded with few entertainment options. You have to pay $45 for 2 to shuttle R/T to Tamarindo. Pool wasn’t picked up in the morning. Breakfast and the steakhouse were Fantastic, Italian was terrible and the Asian one was average. We did the waterfall excursion, which was lovely. Recommend Dragonfly and Pangas in Tamarindo for dinner.
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Date of stay: November 2023
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: Book meal reservations right away. Rum bar serves a small menu on nights steakhouse is open if...
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sandy b wrote a review Nov 2023
2 contributions
We enjoyed 5 days at the resort. Stayed in a lovely suite with a plunge pool. The staff was amazing learning our names! Very Personalized service. They couldn’t do enough for us. The breakfast was so good and the final night the Tamarine restaurant was closed and we were disappointed so the chef asked us to dine at the steak house and still prepared food from the Tamerine menu!
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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James B wrote a review Nov 2023
1 contribution
Beautiful ocean front room with walk-out to dreamy beach for hiking, swimming and viewing marine life and water birds. The food was also wonderful with three restaurants to choose from. We especially enjoyed the gracious service at many of our meals provided by Santiago. His professional service, and kind, warm manner made us feel very welcome in his Costa Rican home.
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Date of stay: April 2023
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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.
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Cam wrote a review Nov 2023
Raleigh, North Carolina13 contributions
+1
We found our stay here to be average. We had a king suite with separate living room + 1/2 bath. The room was very large. Yes, the staff is incredibly friendly in that Costa Rican way. That is always worth a premium. It’s very clean, too, and they seem to be on top of maintenance. The pool has tons of seating options, and it was always easy to find a chair. And the spa offered a great massage. But the furnishings and fixtures are worn out. The restaurants didn’t impress us considering every meal for 2 was >$100 ($70 for breakfast), and we don’t drink alcohol. Quite simply, I expected more for a resort that charges ~$1,300 per night, but clearly they get away with it.
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: I echo what others have said: renting a car will afford flexibility. The resort is remote, and...
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356ScottB356 wrote a review Sep 2023
Tucson, Arizona3 contributions
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 2023
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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
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Ted W wrote a review Sep 2023
1 contribution
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 2023
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Trip type: Traveled with family
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.
1 Helpful vote
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Mike N wrote a review Sep 2023
Fremont, California3 contributions
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 2023
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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.
3 Helpful votes
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Tim wrote a review Aug 2023
Denville, New Jersey4 contributions
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
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Room Tip: Get one with AC
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4 Helpful votes
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PRICE RANGE
$678 - $1,031 (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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JW MARRIOTT HOTEL GUANACASTE RESORT & SPA - Updated 2023 Prices & Reviews (Costa Rica/Playa Avellanas)

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 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 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 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.