JW Marriott Debuts Its First All-Inclusive Resort with the Opening of JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa

Nestled along Costa Rica's northern Pacific coast, the resort reimagines the all-inclusive experience through an all-immersive approach rooted in well-being, meaningful connection, and a sense of place.

BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- JW Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, today announced the highly anticipated opening of JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa, marking a significant milestone as the brand's first-ever all-inclusive resort worldwide. More than a traditional all-inclusive getaway, the resort introduces JW Marriott's all-immersive approach to luxury hospitality, creating the space and freedom for guests to enjoy each moment fully, without distraction. Rooted in the brand's commitment to well-being, the experience encourages guests to reconnect with intention through enriching culinary experiences, curated wellness rituals, and a profound sense of place along Costa Rica's pristine northern Pacific coast.

Perched above the secluded bay of Playa de El Jobo, JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa introduces a new expression of all-inclusive luxury, bringing Costa Rica's rich heritage, natural beauty, and culture of connection to life through immersive dining, wellness, and cultural experiences. Inspired by the enduring legend of Sibü, a symbol of creation and harmony in Costa Rica's Bribri and and Cabécar Indigenous traditions, and the natural rhythms of Guanacaste, the resort features the brand's first-ever next-generation Griffin Club, an elevated resort set within the larger resort, alongside a dedicated Mindfulness House wellness sanctuary, the largest poolscape in Costa Rica, and 15 inspired culinary venues, creating opportunities for guests to slow down, be present, and cultivate a deeper connection to themselves, one another, and the destination.

"The opening of JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa represents more than our entry into the all-inclusive category, it introduces a new expression of the JW Marriott brand," said Bruce Rohr, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, JW Marriott. "From the beginning, our vision was not simply to create an all-inclusive resort, but an all-immersive experience rooted in well-being, presence, and meaningful connection. At JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa, we saw an opportunity to reimagine what an all-inclusive experience can be through the lens of JW Marriott, where thoughtful design, enriching experiences, and intuitive service come together to create a more intentional way to travel. The result is a resort that invites guests to slow down, embrace the beauty of the present moment, and leave feeling renewed by both the destination and the experiences they shared while there."

A New Way to Stay

Featuring 415 rooms, JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa is designed with a residential, villa-inspired feel, with generously scaled guest rooms, suites, and terraces, including separate living areas in the Presidential Suites. The resort will also feature a collection of the brand's signature Mindful Rooms and Suites, thoughtfully designed for travelers seeking a more intentional and personalized stay. Serving as calming sanctuaries for the senses, these accommodations inspire rest, reflection, and overall well-being. Select ground-floor suites offer direct access to semi-private swim-out pool areas, fostering a seamless connection to the surrounding landscape and a greater sense of ease throughout the stay.

JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa also debuts the brand's next-generation Griffin Club, a private resort-within-a-resort experience designed for guests seeking a heightened level of personalization, privacy, and well-being. Surrounded by vibrant greenery, the experience begins before arrival with a dedicated well-being concierge consultation that thoughtfully curates dining, wellness, activities, and in-room preferences. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed through a private arrival lounge and enjoy exclusive access to a personal assistant and well-being guides throughout their stay. Select Griffin Club accommodations feature swim-out access, while the Griffin Club Presidential Suite offers expansive indoor and outdoor living spaces, creating an environment for relaxation, connection, and reflection against sweeping coastal views.

The Griffin Club includes an exclusive lounge open 24/7 for socializing and dining, a dedicated Griffin Club pool with concierge service, and a private beach area reserved for Griffin Club guests. Personalized touches continue throughout the stay, from a Yámi Companion who assists with unpacking, laundry, and turndown service to dedicated family programming and curated amenities designed to help guests feel cared for, present, and fully engaged with their time together. Guests also receive priority access to dining reservations and pool cabanas, creating a seamless and thoughtfully tailored retreat experience.

Designed By Nature

At JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa, design serves as a reflection of place, connecting guests to the landscapes and traditions of Guanacaste. Led by architecture firm Phiba by DCM, and developed in collaboration with local architects, artists, and artisans alongside international design partners, the resort's design narrative begins with the handcrafted walnut Lobby Oculus, conceived as the "aura of Sibú."

Set along the secluded shores of Playa El Jobo, the resort embraces its surroundings through open-air spaces, thoughtfully framed views, and an art collection curated by Indiewalls that celebrates Costa Rica's Pacific coast through locally inspired materials and handcrafted works. Throughout the resort, architecture, art, and nature come together to create a sense of discovery, connection, and mindful living.

A Taste of Costa Rica

Inspired by Costa Rica's rich culinary heritage, the resort is home to 15 dining and bar venues rooted in the spirit of Pura Vida, celebrating nourishing cuisine, artisanal craftsmanship, and thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Designed to foster connection through shared experiences and a deep appreciation for place, the culinary programming brings together local traditions and global influences, inviting guests to discover Costa Rica through every meal. From casual, all-day culinary offerings to elevated dining experiences, guests can enjoy globally inspired, locally sourced cuisine tailored to every palate and occasion. From a JW Marriott-first root beer stand to Costa Rican, Italian, Mexican, and Japanese-inspired cuisine, each culinary experience is designed to showcase the destination through a connection to local culture, ingredients, and storytelling.

Signature venues include Leal, an immersive culinary hub inspired by the traditions of Guanacaste, where guests can roast their own coffee and embark on a seven-course tasting journey inspired by Costa Rica's provinces. Casado is a wood-fired coastal grill built around the balance of fire and sea, while Puerto Limón celebrates the Afro-Caribbean heritage and bold flavors of Costa Rica's coast.

Luciano brings Italian pasta-making traditions together with Costa Rican craftsmanship, while Santos honors the soul of Mexican cuisine through techniques such as nixtamalization and wood-fire roasting. Borbón offers a botanical-driven mixology program, while Namuyaki and Boga blend Japanese techniques with local ingredients, from chef-led teppanyaki at Namuyaki to raw, coastal-inspired dishes at Boga.

LaGloria pays tribute to J. Willard Marriott's first business venture, honoring the spirit of hospitality and entrepreneurial curiosity that continues to shape the company's legacy today. The nine-seat root beer stand first opened in Washington, D.C. in 1927, inspiring a menu of artisanal root beer, craft sodas, and classic comfort food. The brand's signature JW Garden program comes to life through an expansive on-property garden, where seasonal herbs, edible flowers, fruits, and vegetables are incorporated into menu items, chef tables dinners, private dining experiences, and handcrafted cocktails.  

Well-Being, Rooted in Place

At the heart of the resort, a 16,000-square-foot wellness destination invites guests to reconnect with themselves and the natural spirit of Guanacaste. Encompassing the brand's first-ever Mindfulness House, the brand's signature Spa by JW, and a state-of-the-art fitness center, the experience is all inspired by the legend of Sibú and the four guardians of earth, water, fire, and air, creating a holistic approach to well-being that is deeply connected to the destination. Drawing further inspiration from the nearby Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone, one of the world's regions recognized for exceptional longevity, the resort embraces the timeless principals of balance, vitality, and purposeful living.

Designed to foster restoration and presence, the Spa by JW offers treatments that honor local traditions and natural ingredients, incorporating volcanic clay, native cacao, and healing elements rooted in Costa Rican culture. Signature experiences include a four-element Sibú ritual, hydrotherapy journeys, a sunset sound bath, and immersive cacao ceremonies, each thoughtfully crafted to inspire renewal and connection.

Complementing the spa experience, the Mindfulness House is a dedicated sanctuary for reflection and well-being, set beside untouched forest and shaded by a native Guanacaste tree. Designed to blur the boundaries between indoors and out, the space invites guests to connect with nature through open-air gathering areas, natural textures, and calming surroundings. Guided by JW Marriott's commitment to mindful living, guests can engage in daily rituals and experiences including sound healing, Reiki, cacao ceremonies, and self-guided practices designed to foster balance, presence, and intention long after their stay.

Adventure & Discovery for Every Generation

At JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa, thoughtfully designed experiences invite guests of every age to explore, connect, and recharge. Family programming balances discovery with reflection, creating meaningful moments that bring generations together while honoring individual interests.

At the Family by JW Club, younger guests engage with Costa Rica's natural beauty and culture nature walks, creative exploration, and hands-on discovery. Mindful experiences, including children's yoga, story time, guided meditation, and mandala-inspired art, are woven throughout the program, while evening storytelling and family movie nights provide a gentle transition to rest.

For adults, a curated calendar of daily experiences encourages both adventure and renewal. Guests can choose from movement-based activities and water sports or restorative offerings such as guided meditation and sound healing. A weekly night market deepens the connection to the destination, bringing together local artisans, traditional cuisine, live music, dance, and storytelling that celebrate Guanacaste's rich culture.

Beyond the resort, guests can explore the region through sunset hikes, guided kayaking excursions, private yacht charters, deep-sea fishing, guided nature treks, and diving experiences along Costa Rica's coastline. Together, these experiences create opportunities for adventure, connection, and renewal, complemented by Costa Rica's largest poolscape, featuring 17 pools, including a sweeping oceanfront infinity pool.

Gather With Purpose

JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa offers more than 9,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, including an oceanfront ballroom and open-air venues framed by the natural beauty of Playa El Jobo. Designed for meetings, retreats, celebrations, and special occasions, each setting balances thoughtful functionality with a profound sense of place. Supported by highly personalized service and carefully considered details, guests can be fully present for the occasion, gathering with intention in inspiring spaces that foster connection, reflection, and shared experiences.

True to the resort's philosophy of connection and well-being, gatherings extend beyond the meeting room through curated experiences that foster inspiration, creativity, and meaningful engagement. From guided wellness sessions and private chef-led dinners to artistic and cultural experiences inspired by the destination, programs are thoughtfully designed to bring people together in memorable ways.

Among the resort's signature offerings is the Sacred Fire Soiree, a reflective experience rooted in intention and renewal, where guests gather at sunset to share a collective moment of connection inspired by Costa Rica's natural elements.

"Costa Rica has become one of the most compelling luxury destinations in Latin America, making it the ideal setting for such a significant milestone for JW Marriott," said Federico Greppi, President of Marriott International, Caribbean and Latin America. "The opening of JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa, the brand's first all-inclusive resort worldwide, strengthens our presence in the region and reflects the evolving preferences of today's luxury travelers, who are seeking more immersive and meaningful experiences."

"JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa represents a defining moment for both Mullen Hospitality Management and the continued evolution of luxury all-inclusive travel," said Javier Coll, President of Mullen Hospitality Management. "The category has evolved tremendously, and today's luxury traveler expects far more than the convenience traditionally associated with all-inclusive. They want exceptional culinary, wellness, and hospitality experiences with a genuine connection to Costa Rica's culture and natural beauty. We are proud to bring Mullen Hospitality's decades of all-inclusive expertise to this milestone opening and help shape what the next generation of the category can look like."

Starting rates begin at $900 per person, per night, based on double occupancy. For reservations or more information, please visit: JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa.

ABOUT JW MARRIOTT

JW Marriott is part of Marriott International's luxury portfolio of brands and consists of beautiful properties and distinctive resort locations around the world. JW Marriott is a tribute to the founder of Marriott International, J. Willard "J.W." Marriott, who prioritized his own well-being so that he could take better care of others. Inspired by his approach to life and rooted in holistic well-being, JW Marriott properties offer a haven designed to allow guests to focus on feeling whole – present in mind, nourished in body, and revitalized in spirit – through programs and offerings that encourage them to come together and experience every moment to the fullest. Today there are more than 130 JW Marriott hotels in 41 countries and territories worldwide that cater to sophisticated, mindful travelers who come seeking experiences that help them be fully present, foster meaningful connections and feed the soul. Visit JW Marriott online, and on Instagram and Facebook. JW Marriott is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including complimentary nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com. 

ABOUT MARRIOTT BONVOY

Marriott Bonvoy's® extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with more than 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. From The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels and more, Marriott Bonvoy has more luxury offerings than any other travel program. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques®. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com.

ABOUT MULLEN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

Mullen Hospitality Management ("MHM") is an owner-minded hospitality company specializing in luxury and all-inclusive resort operations. Founded by Jeff Mullen, MHM combines disciplined financial oversight with the art of hospitality to deliver exceptional guest experiences and sustainable results for owners. Led by a team of seasoned hospitality professionals with decades of experience across global luxury and all-inclusive brands, MHM provides the expertise, insight, and leadership needed to bring world-class resort developments to life.

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.