Outdoor pool, open 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM, pool umbrellas, sun loungers
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Reviews of JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort and Spa

5 out of 5
JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort and Spa
Playa Mansita, Hacienda Pinilla, Tamarindo, Guanacaste

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 456 out of 678 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 150 out of 678 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 43 out of 678 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 21 out of 678 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 8 out of 678 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

9.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Ellis

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Spent a full week at the JW Marriott and had a really great time with my family (wife and 2 girls 10&11). The hotel was really great when it comes to the pool, beach, staff, parking, and rooms. But really the only downside, is that even for a guy who does pretty darn good for himself, the food prices are just plain crazy, and the selection is very mediocre. $24 for a ham sandwich people, $26 burgers, $22 chicken strips, and if you want to eat at the italian buffet $50 a person for mediocre pasta and pizza...I heard the country can be expensive but its just kind of ridiculous.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

fabian, Winnetka

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful property right on the beach. Many things to do within the property. Variety of live music every evening in the central plaza.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Theodore J

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff were awesome. Karen and Juan were two of the amazing employees we will remember from the restaurants.
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Rosalia

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
For the price point it was a bit of a disappointment. Food and service on the resort was mediocre at best with the Italian restaurant being the worst. Would have expected more from a JW Marriott.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We just got back from a week at the JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort and Spa and we had a such a great time. We flew in to the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (Liberia Airport), used the recommended transport ( Go CR Vision ) on the JW Marriott web site for our transportation to and from the JW. and made the reservation on line. They were ontime both times and had great service! The entire stay was wonderful at the JW Marriott. We visited all restaurants and used room service and had great service and food was amazing. The other thing that was a pleasant surprise was that every time we pointed out our youngest daughters allergies (dairy and gluten) they could always remake something on all menus that would accommodate her as well as me as I am a vegan. The Tamarine was my personal favorite and we ate there a few times. The coffee/ice cream shop was great for coffee in the morning. I honestly have nothing to complain about. The property was beautiful and clean, the service was wonderful and we just had a great time. We took one excursion, a catamaran / snorkeling trip and made the reservation via the tour office at the JW and that was lovely as well. We didn't have any safety concerns but also didn't go into any cities on the whole trip and generally stayed with recommended tour groups or transportation services. There are iguanas and geckos everywhere! Also didn't have any mosquito problems on the property at all!
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Darrell

Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Florence, San Diego

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful property right on the beach. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. Many activities offered at the resort which is included in your stay, We really enjoyed the cooking class and mountain biking tour. There are also activities around the property in Hacienda Pinilla. We loved the horseback riding tour. The concierge and the transportation staff were very helpful and always made sure we were taken care of, especially if we had a schedule change. The property is 30 minutes from Tamarindo so we were able to do some shopping. We loved staying here and plan on coming back again.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Pratod

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

4/10 Poor

Tamara

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shannon

Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Jennifer

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bartlomiej

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

david

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff and grounds are impeccable. Highly recommended.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

joseph

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
it was absolutely beautiful

10/10 Excellent

Eric

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful property
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anna

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Food and beverage could definitely use some help. The food was not up to par with Marriott anywhere else and the drinks were watered down
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2023

6/10 Okay

David, Boulder

Traveled with family
Pricey is ok, but only if you provide excellent service and food. This resort keeps the high prices but does not offer great service or even good food. There are times during the day when many restaurants are not even open. The quality of the food and preparation was not great.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2023

4/10 Poor

ron

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very nice and unique property with every suite unique in this top rated stay. Staff very kind and friendly
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brooklynn

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

Courtney, Melbourne

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
This property looks aged and the food options on site are bad; it's a bit far from any other options as well. We were thankful to have a car to go off site for meals. Service wants to do well but they fall a bit short; bored and over worked maybe? The infinity edge pool view to the ocean is beautiful and the large pool is quite nice. However, many other resorts have a pool. Room AC was cold and we slept well. We would not likely return. Costa Rica is so beautiful and this hotel feels like a lonely island away from the authentic beauty of the country.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tim

Stayed 1 night in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

nelson

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Z
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

Gaurav

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice hotel for a family vacation. Pool and beach were great! Excursions were wonderful but expensive. The restaurants on property were not great and not of the quality you would expect in such a nice hotel.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

Amirali, Lafayette

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Ocean access was great.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

ROBIN

Stayed 9 nights in Feb 2023

8/10 Good

Christine

Traveled with family and small children, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Remote property and quiet. Staff is the star of this resort.

8/10 Good

Ralph, Wayne

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Many of the restaurants were just ok. Also, their menus didn’t change at all while we were there. Could use some variety. Salads weren’t on the menu. Had to make a special request to get one.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Erik

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

4/10 Poor

Marian

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Online room reservations are deceiving. Reserving a ocean view room may give you a peak of the ocean from your terrace . It is not clear that to really see a view of the ocean you need to reserve an ocean front room. Also if you have any difficulty walking be aware of this property being very large and walking around the pool to access the steps into the pool can be a long walk.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

8/10 Good

Robert, Maple Ridge

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful resort. Always chairs available at pool Walkable beach.Staff so friendly and helpful Downside Very rocky in front of resort. 30 minutes away from Tamarindo
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Paula Marie

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Grounds are beautiful, beach breath taking, staff is so attentive to your needs, dress is very casual at all restaurants and activities, it’s 1.5 hours from hotel but so worth it…. Wouldn’t leave resort next time… no need.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

David

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent staff! Great pool, beach, restaurants, food!

6/10 Okay

Olga

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

10/10 Excellent

Edward

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Simply beautiful.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Elenilson

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
hotel is a top 5 in Costa Rica. Staff was amazing. Every single person that worked at the hotel was outstanding. Can't wait to go back.
Stayed 11 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Randall Eugene

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff and service was amazing.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Angelo

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was a pleasure to stay at resort! The staff was kind ,assertive and quick to assist with any needs!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Thank you. It was great
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

4/10 Poor

Michael, Kirkland

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
Massive resort with no shade and a strange, unthoughtful layout. Refrigerator was broken the whole time despite calls to maintenance for repair. Food was bland and incredibly expensive. There are many great restaurants in Avellanas and Playa Negra, but if you don’t have a car, it will be a $50 cab ride each way. The pool bar closed the kitchen early and would not serve late afternoon snacks despite it’s posted open ours which extend to 5pm. “Ocean view” room was a peek a boo view through palm trees. Housekeeping was awesome (loved the extra touches) and overall cleanliness is amazing (par for the course for CR).
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michele

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property and the pool are beautiful! All of the staff was amazingly nice and everything is kept so perfect and clean.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kapil

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Awesome place
Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tiesong, Syosset

Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

John

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was very friendly. Everyone genuinely seemed to want to make the stay pleasant. The beach was awesome.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Franck, Fort Collins

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Awesome sunsets, the pool was fantastic
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022

8/10 Good

Ram

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Food options are significantly limited Visual beach experience varies widely with high tide and low tide .
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022

4/10 Poor

Wendy

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
Unfortunately, this property has gone way downhill. From the landscaping to the waitstaff to the food. As a matter of fact, you’re basically trapped an hour away from everything with the inability to get anywhere for less than a $96 cab ride. I have traveled all over the world and quite honestly I’ve never been more disappointed in my decision to stay at a JW. Typically, JW is one of the best chain resorts you can find at a relatively reasonable upscale price. Save your effort and energy and book at the W or Westin. It’s much closer to things and the properties are far superior than JW. I stayed at JW for 9 days and didn’t have one decent meal. Not one….and I can assure you, I’m not a food snob. The food was always over cooked or undercooked but mostly undercooked. When you order a steak or a burger, at medium well it would come bleeding. At one point I ordered room service in the morning and received fruit from another room that had already been eaten along with jam that was already opened and used. It was really quite disgusting especially considering Covid. I did voice my complaints several times but it basically fell on deaf ears. The staff is simply doing the very bare minimum job that they can do. No longer do they meet or exceed expectations. Which quite honestly is some thing that you would expect from a JW. While I loved Costa Rica, I would not stay at the JW property ever again. I am beyond disappointed.
Stayed 9 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Such a lovely experience here at JW Marriott in Costa Rica! The service was top notch - they were so accommodating! The rooms were updated and clean, the food was delicious, and the pool was sparkling! Will definitely stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

carl

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good property
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2022