Marriott International has announced the signing of an agreement with Mullen Real Estate Capital to bring the JW Marriott brand to the shores of Costa Elena, an exclusive resort-residential community located in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The hotel is expected to be one of the first JW Marriott all-inclusive resorts to open globally.
Situated approximately 49 miles from Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, the resort will offer an elevated luxury experience with 415 guestrooms, 11 food and beverage outlets, and 44,000 square feet of water amenities, including 17 swimming pools. Guests will also have access to a 16,000-square-foot spa and fitness center. Plans additionally call for 10,000 square feet of indoor meeting space.
Positioned within the exclusive Costa Elena resort-residential community, the property will have 885 feet of beach frontage. Additionally, future development plans include the potential introduction of JW Marriott-branded residences on an adjacent site.
In recent years, Costa Rica has attracted significant interest from luxury customers and investors. In February 2025, Marriott announced the opening of its 50th luxury hotel in the region, Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. That hotel marked the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Central and South America and the eighth addition to the brand’s portfolio. The country's development growth continues to rise, with the company signing 10 deals in 2024, representing 1,086 rooms. This brings the development pipeline in Costa Rica to 15 properties, totaling 1,776 rooms. As of year-end, Marriott has 22 open properties across 15 brands in Costa Rica, with more expected to open in 2025.
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