Our family recently stayed at W Costa Rica on Playa Conchal. Normally, we stay at smaller properties during our travels in Costa Rica but were curious about the W after hearing lots of good things about it. Here’s our take on the resort and what you can expect.
Note: This is an unbiased review based on our experience at W Costa Rica. We paid for our stay and received no compensation. We share our honest opinions to help you plan your trip. Read more of our hotel reviews for properties all around the country.
Overview
W Costa Rica is a large luxury resort on one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches, Playa Conchal. It’s located in Brasilito on the northern Pacific coast. The resort is part of Reserva Conchal, a development with a sister property, the Westin Conchal, a popular all-inclusive resort. Both properties are part of Marriott’s Bonvoy collection.
The W has 151 guest rooms, suites, and residences spread across three multi-story buildings. It’s a gorgeous property with a lovely adults-only pool and a smaller, but nice, family-friendly pool near the beach. The resort has good restaurants, lots of amenities onsite, and wonderful personalized service.
Location
The W is located in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province, a region well-known for its many beautiful beaches.
The closest airport is Guanacaste Airport in Liberia (LIR), about 1.5 hours away. Costa Rica’s largest airport in San Jose (SJO) is about a 5-hour drive.
Something important to know about Playa Conchal is that it isn’t a town per se, rather a beach. Backing Playa Conchal are hills covered in thick jungle. This area is a private development called Reserva Conchal, which has upscale homes and another high-end resort called the Westin Conchal. There is no town center or public commercial area within Reserva Conchal.
Brasilito is the closest town to Playa Conchal and the W. The small locals’ town sits just north of Conchal, about a 10-minute drive from the W. It’s a humble beach town, with a small center along Playa Brasilito with a soccer field. Several restaurants are within a five-minute drive from the main area, offering more affordable and authentic dining options. See our post Brasilito: An Authentic Beach Town in Guanacaste for more information.
Other major beach towns in the area are Playa Flamingo, famous for its high-end lodging, white sand beach, and marina, and Tamarindo, the largest beach town in Costa Rica.
If you’d like to explore the area, we’d recommend renting a car. Be sure to check out our rental car discount to save 10% and get free extras through one of Costa Rica’s most reputable rental companies.
Customer Service
We had a wonderful check-in experience. We were greeted by the valet when we pulled up to the hotel. He took our bags and brought our car to the parking area. Since there isn’t parking directly at the room, we would need to ask them to get our car whenever we wanted to leave the property. This was a bit of an inconvenience but fine for just a couple of days.
The friendly, personable front desk staff efficiently checked us in and provided a schedule of activities for the week. They also explained the resort’s amenities for families since we were traveling with our children.
We were served a refreshing welcome drink of tropical fruit juice with optional rum.
After, we met up with the valet who chauffeured us to our room in a golf cart.
Throughout our stay, we had excellent service in the restaurants, with attentive staff who were happy to help with special requests when needed.
Property Layout
The main reception is where you’ll find the front desk, bar, and main restaurant where breakfast is served. This entire area has gorgeous ocean views from up on the hill.
Just past this area is the adults-only pool.
The fine dining restaurant, Latitude Norte, is located downstairs.
The family pool is in a separate location near the beach. A golf cart can take you for the 2-3 minute ride or there’s a nice trail to walk on (about a 10-minute walk).
The resort’s third restaurant, Zona Azul Beach Club, the most casual option, is at the family pool area.
Beach Access
Steps from the family pool is the hotel’s beach access. The hotel is located on the quieter southern end of Playa Conchal.
Playa Conchal is a favorite among both visitors and locals because of its calm water for swimming and sand made of shells. Unless you’re staying at one of the resorts, you have to access the beach walking from Brasilito. Most people visiting for the day stay towards the northern end, closest to Brasilito, giving you more space at the beach near the W Conchal.
Room Options at W Costa Rica
The rooms at W Costa Rica are spread across three large buildings with 151 guest rooms, suites, and residences.
The main buildings are about a 5-10 minute walk from reception.
Rooms range from Standard with a garden view, Deluxe with a partial ocean view, Premier with a full ocean view, and various suites with ocean views and private plunge pools.
During our visit, our family stayed in a Premier room. It was spacious and nicely decorated. Since it was at a higher level in the building, we had a gorgeous ocean view from the balcony.
The bathroom was large, with a double vanity sink, and a walk-in shower with two shower heads. We appreciated the small details of having nice complimentary bath products for both the kids and adults.
Everyone agreed that the beds were very comfortable. We also found the room to be extremely clean.
Other amenities included a mini bar (paid), TV, A/C, and blackout curtains. There was a water-bottle refilling station and ice maker in the hallway outside our room.
Pricing
The W is a luxury, five-star hotel. Prices vary seasonally, with the rainy season (May to November) offering the best rates. Rates start around $500-600 per night in the rainy season and $750-850 per night in the dry season (December through April). We stayed in September during low season and got a fairly good rate.
The rates above include breakfast. Although there is a lower rate without breakfast, there’s nothing nearby so most people get breakfast at the resort. The hotel charges a resort fee of $35/day.
Check Rates and Availability at W Costa Rica.
As with most hotels in Costa Rica, peak season pricing applies during Christmas/New Year’s and Easter Week, when rates increase significantly.
Pools at W Costa Rica
Pools are a big highlight of the property. The resort has two pool areas: one is adults only and one is for everyone, including families.
Adults-only Pool
Called the WET Deck, this posh area a short walk from the reception has many loungers and umbrellas, cabanas with comfy seating and more privacy (additional charge), and a full bar. There’s a lovely ocean view from this area.
Towels are available. Sunscreen is not provided.
Family Pool
The Zona Azul Beach Club has a smaller, narrow pool with open cabanas and several chairs backing it.
It has a good location right at beach level – you can look through the wispy trees at the ocean. The trees also provide some shade for the kids at certain times of day.
It wasn’t busy during our visit in September (low season), but we can imagine it gets busy during the high season months (December-April).
Towels and showers are available for after the beach, which were great for getting the sand off.
Mature trees surround the area, creating a tropical feel.
One downside is that this pool is not right at the main building or close to the rooms. From reception, you have to walk 10 minutes or they can take you by golf cart. Sometimes there is a short wait for a golf cart.
Main Restaurant
Overview
The resort’s main restaurant, Cocina de Mercado, has international cuisine and a brick oven for pizza.
On the lunch menu, you’ll find things like salads, burgers, sandwiches, tacos, Costa Rican casados (traditional plates with a protein, rice and beans, and side salads), and some entrees as well. Mains are priced around $22-30.
The dinner menu has classic choices like crispy pork belly, sea bass, grilled octopus, and short ribs. Entrees are around $36-50+.
Dining Experience
We ate at the main restaurant for dinner one night. The food was fairly good but not outstanding. The server we had was wonderful, friendly and helpful. The main dishes came out quickly, but we did wait a long time for dessert due to a mix-up in the kitchen. Overall, we felt like the restaurant was a bit overpriced, but it was convenient to eat right there.
The other night that we were at the resort, we ate in town in Brasilito, which was much more affordable. See our Brasilito destination guide for restaurant recommendations.
Both indoor (with A/C) and outdoor dining is available.
Hours: 6:30-10:30 a.m.; 12:00-3:00 p.m., 6:00-10:00 p.m.
Pool Bar/Restaurant
We really liked the Zona Azul Beach Club located at the family pool. It had a very relaxed atmosphere and was outside. The staff was friendly and the food was good. We loved the plant-based burger, fish tacos, and shrimp patacones.
There are separate lunch and dinner menus. For lunch, you’ll find salads, ceviche, many taco options, burgers, and a few mains. Dinner choices include seared snapper, pepper encrusted tuna, seafood stew, and chicken. Lunch mains are $22-30. Dinner entrees are $34-50.
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Fine Dining Restaurant – Latitude Norte
We didn’t eat at Latitude Norte because our kids were younger but talked to the staff about the dining experience.
This is a small, intimate setting. The concept is a tasting menu, but they also have an a la carte menu. The 5-course tasting option takes about 1.5 hours to complete and the 7-course option takes about 2 hours. The cuisine is Thai-Costa Rican fusion. A vegan tasting menu is available.
Cost: Around $75-100 per person
Hours: Open for dinner on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday only from 6:00-9:30 p.m. Be sure to make reservations in advance through their website.
The restaurant is open to the public. There is a dress code.
Note: A hotel concierge will share an app before your visit with access to the restaurants’ menus and events.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options
There are good vegetarian and vegan options at all three W restaurants, including some interesting choices like a seitan casado, sweet potato gnocchi, and no meat meatloaf. The fine dining restaurant has a dedicated vegan tasting menu.
Breakfast
There’s an excellent breakfast buffet with a wide variety of choices. You’ll find scrambled eggs, pancakes, waffles, bacon, lots of fresh fruits, and a salad bar. They also incorporate some traditional Costa Rican foods like gallo pinto (rice and beans) and cassava. There’s an egg station for omelets.
The resort offers a huge selection of breads and pastries. I think our family tried one of everything over the course of our two mornings!
Fresh juices are made with Costa Rican tropical fruits.
Activities On-site
Beach Access and Snorkeling
The resort has amazing beach access. It sits right on Playa Conchal, one of Costa Rica’s most famous beaches with sand made of tiny shells. Water is usually calm for swimming – it’s one of our recommended beaches for families traveling to Costa Rica.
You can also snorkel along the rocks on the very northern end of the beach (about a 10-minute walk along the sand). We have been several times and have always seen a decent amount of fish, including puffer fish and parrot fish.
This area of the beach is also the best place to see the tiny crushed shells for which Playa Conchal (Shell Beach) was named. They tend to collect along this northern end.
Important: Although the beach shells are gorgeous, it’s best not to take them home to keep this amazing ecosystem intact. It’s also illegal to take shells in Costa Rica. Every year, airport officials confiscate literally tons of shells from visitors’ bags.
Just in front of the hotel property are lounge chairs for guests and there’s a staff member to help you. They can also serve drinks and food from the pool restaurant.
As we mentioned, you can access the beach from the family pool area. It’s about a 2 or 3-minute golf cart ride from reception or an 8-10 minute walk.
Ocean Activities
Since the water at Playa Conchal is calmer, it’s possible to kayak or SUP. Jet ski tours are also available right from the beach through some outside vendors that are set up.
Golf Course
Reserva Conchal has an 18-hole golf course that guests can access.
Hiking
Hiking trails are located throughout Reserva Conchal, which was a highlight for us. You can get a trail map from the front desk to see the options.
We explored the Cangrejo Trail one afternoon and it was really nice. The trail was rustic and it felt like we were deep in the jungle even though the resort was only a mile (1.6 km) or so away.
The hotel brought us to the trailhead in a shuttle van and picked us up after.
Resort Events
The resort offers many different activities during the week. When we were there, they had a special Taste of Guanacaste menu at one of the restaurants, coffee tasting, and cocktail-making class.
Fitness classes are also offered several times a day. These include cross circuit, beach yoga, boot camp, a bike tour, etc.
Information is available through the app after you book, and they will provide a schedule at check-in.
Off-Site Activities
One of the most popular activities in the area is catamaran or sailing tours. These leave from the Flamingo Marina, about 20 minutes away, and take you up the scenic coastline. They include a meal and some time to snorkel. Round-trip transportation is typically included for guests at the W. Sunset tours are popular during dry season (December-April).
Horseback riding is another popular activity.
Read our Brasilito and Flamingo destination guides for lots more recommendations, including other area beaches to explore.
Spa
Located in the same building as the fitness center, the spa is a beautiful space. The spa offers massages for around $200 for 50 minutes, facials for around $200, and various body treatments.
Fitness Center
The resort has a spacious air-conditioned fitness center with 3 ellipticals, 2 treadmills, 2 recumbent bikes, 2 upright bikes, and free weights. Key card access is available 24/7.
Kids Club
The kids club is in a separate building near the family pool.
Our kids went one day for a couple of hours and the staff was really nice. They have some toys and PlayStation game consoles, and also do various activities like slime making, yoga, movie night, painting, dance, Spanish lessons, etc. There’s a schedule that you will receive at check in.
If you’re traveling with kids, be sure to check out our comprehensive Costa Rica with Kids page for lots of family travel tips.
Wi-Fi
The free Wi-Fi was fast in our room and throughout the property.
Sustainability
W Reserva Conchal has achieved Costa Rica’s Certification of Sustainable Tourism and was the first Carbon Plus all-inclusive resort in Latin America (it offsets 20% more carbon than it emits). Reserva Conchal has preserved 98 acres (39.75 hectares) of forest next to the property as the Conchal Mixed National Wildlife Refuge.
It also operates the country’s first seawater desalination plant, along with waste recovery and wastewater treatment systems, uses solar energy, and maintains an electric vehicle fleet. W Conchal supports the local community through educational programs, and a voluntary $1 per room per night donation program has helped fund community infrastructure including a police station and health center equipment.
Value for Money
While expensive, we found W Costa Rica to be a fairly good value for the money, considering the location on the amazing Playa Conchal, the pools, and convenience of having multiple restaurants onsite, a kids club, and other amenities. The service was excellent throughout our stay and the rooms were comfortable and well-appointed. Having beach access to one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches right from the resort made it feel special.
Best For
W Costa Rica is best for:
- Travelers seeking a luxury beach resort experience with modern amenities
- People who are looking for an R&R-type vacation where they mostly stay at the resort
- Families wanting family-friendly pool areas
- Beach lovers who want direct access to Playa Conchal
- Those who appreciate the W brand’s modern design and personalized service
- Marriott members who have points to use towards their hotel stay
The resort is less ideal for:
- Budget travelers (rates are high)
- Those seeking an authentic cultural experience
- Visitors wanting to be within walking distance of restaurants and shops
- People wanting many activities nearby
- Those who prefer smaller, boutique properties (it’s a large resort with 151 rooms)
Pros and Cons of W Costa Rica
Pros:
- Stunning location on Playa Conchal, one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches
- Spacious rooms
- Two pool areas (adults-only and family-friendly)
- Wonderful, personalized service
- Multiple dining options onsite
- Excellent breakfast buffet
- Good amenities for families including kids club and babysitting
- Beautiful hiking trails through the jungle
- Great snorkeling right at the beach
Cons:
- High price point
- No local culture
- Fairly isolated with no walkable town close by
- Property is more spread out
- Beach and family pool area require golf cart or 10-minute walk from main building
- Can’t park your car at your room
- Restaurants are expensive
- Breakfast is an expensive add-on with no nearby alternatives
Getting to W Costa Rica
Guanacaste Airport in Liberia (LIR) is the best option to fly into when visiting W Costa Rica. This airport is only about 1.5 hours away.
Since you don’t really need a car to get around once at the resort, a good option is to take a private shuttle van. These vans have a professional driver and will take you door to door from the airport to the hotel. If you’d like any help arranging your shuttle, feel free to reach out through our Private Shuttle Transfers page.
San Jose International Airport (SJO) is about 5 hours from the W.
If you’d like to explore the area, a rental car is nice to have. You can rent one directly from the airport or have one delivered to the W. To save 10% through one of Costa Rica’s most reputable rental companies, check out our Rental Car Discount.
Best Times to Visit
The Guanacaste region has two distinct seasons. The dry season runs from December through April, with sunny skies and little rain. This is peak tourist season, especially mid-December through March.
The rainy season is from May through late November. Mornings are typically sunny, with afternoon showers. September and October tend to be the rainiest months.
One thing to note about Guanacaste is that it gets very hot and dry later in the dry season. March and April can see temperatures in the high 90s °F (35-37 °C) with little vegetation and a brown, dusty landscape. The lush scenery in our pictures will be noticeably less green during dry season due to a lack of water.
We visited in September during the rainy season and had great weather. It rained a bit one afternoon, but otherwise we had sunny days perfect for the beach and pool.
Our post on the Weather in Costa Rica has more information.
Conclusion
W Costa Rica offers a luxury beach experience on one of Costa Rica’s most stunning beaches. During our stay, we really enjoyed the beautiful pools, direct beach access to Playa Conchal, and excellent service. The modern design and amenities made for a comfortable stay, and having multiple restaurants onsite was convenient.
While the resort is expensive and isolated from local culture, those looking for a high-end beach resort with great facilities will appreciate what W Costa Rica has to offer. If you’re seeking a relaxing beach vacation with modern luxury and don’t mind the higher price point, W Costa Rica is a great choice.
Our Review Policy
This review is based on our family’s personal experience at W Costa Rica. We paid for our own accommodations and received no compensation or special treatment in exchange for this review. Our goal is to provide honest, unbiased information to help travelers make informed decisions about their Costa Rica accommodations.
Please note that if you book a stay at the W Costa Rica using one of our links to booking.com above, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read our Privacy Policy for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is W Costa Rica on the beach?
Yes, W Costa Rica has direct beach access to Playa Conchal. The beach is steps away from the family pool area.
What are the closest towns to W Costa Rica?
Brasilito is the closest town, about a 10-minute drive from the resort. This small locals’ town has a few restaurants and basic amenities.
Playa Flamingo is about 15 minutes away and has a marina, restaurants, and a white-sand beach.
Tamarindo, the largest beach town in the area, is about 30 minutes south with many restaurants, shops, and nightlife.
How can I get to Brasilito or nearby towns?
Driving is the best way to get to nearby towns. If you won’t have a rental car, the resort can arrange taxis for you.
Is there a grocery store nearby?
The closest grocery store is in Brasilito, about 10 minutes away by car. It’s a small store with basic supplies. Larger stores are located in Tamarindo and Liberia.
Is there a resort charge?
Yes, W Costa Rica has a $35/day resort charge.
Can you see wildlife on the property?
We saw a little bit of wildlife on the hotel grounds, including a howler monkey near the beach, iguanas, parrots, and other birds. The hiking trails through Reserva Conchal offer more opportunities to see wildlife.
If you’re interested in seeing wildlife, we recommend visiting another destination in Costa Rica as well that’s good for wildlife viewing. Some good options include La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano and Manuel Antonio.
What should I pack for a stay at W Costa Rica?
We recommend packing multiple swimsuits, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, sunglasses, light clothing for the hot weather, sandals for the beach, and comfortable shoes for walking. If you’re visiting during rainy season (May-November), bring a light rain jacket. For hiking, closed-toe shoes are recommended.
For a complete list, check out our Costa Rica Packing List.
Is parking free?
Yes, parking is free using the valet service.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is at 3:00 p.m. and check-out is at 12:00 p.m.
Do I need a rental car?
No, if you plan on staying on the property. The resort has everything you need, including restaurants and beach access. However, a rental car is nice to have if you want to explore area restaurants in Brasilito or nearby beach towns, or do activities off-property. Here’s the link to our Rental Car Discount page to save 10% and get free extras.
Does the resort have a shuttle to nearby towns?
No, at this time, W Costa Rica doesn’t offer a free shuttle service to nearby towns. You’ll need to arrange taxis or have a rental car.
Is the hotel family-friendly?
Yes! With amenities like a kids club, family pool, beach access, and kid-friendly menu options, W Costa Rica caters well to families with children.
Are pool towels provided?
Yes, pool and beach towels are provided at both pool areas.
Do the staff speak English?
Yes, the staff at W Costa Rica speak very good English.
Is smoking permitted?
Per Costa Rican law, there is no smoking in the rooms or pool areas, but the resort has designated outdoor smoking areas.
Can I snorkel at Playa Conchal?
Yes, the northern end of Playa Conchal has rocks and reef where you can snorkel. We’ve seen puffer fish, eels, and lots of other tropical fish. Conditions vary, but at lower tides, the water is typically calm, making it good for snorkeling.
How far is W Costa Rica from the airport?
W Costa Rica is about 1.5 hours from Guanacaste Airport in Liberia (LIR) and about 5 hours from San Jose Airport (SJO).
Is W Costa Rica an all-inclusive resort?
No, W Costa Rica is not an all-inclusive resort. Room rates do not include meals or drinks – everything is charged separately, including breakfast. The sister property, Westin Conchal, is an all-inclusive option if that’s what you’re looking for.
Does the resort allow pets?
Yes, W Costa Rica allows 2 pets of 22 kg (48.5 lbs) max per room. They charge a $100 cleaning fee plus $25/night, a non-refundable pet fee per stay of $100, and a non-refundable pet fee of $20/night.
Have a question about staying at the W Costa Rica? Ask us below.
Looking for more information to plan your trip? Check out these posts:
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Parador Resort and Spa Review: Read about our stay at this Manuel Antonio resort set on 130 acres of rainforest with multiple pools and great wildlife viewing.
Hotel Guides and Reviews: Browse our complete collection of hotel recommendations for destinations throughout Costa Rica, from beach towns to mountain retreats.
Practical Travel: Essential guides covering everything from Costa Rican currency and tipping to weather patterns and what to pack for your trip.