W Costa Rica - Reserva Conchal offers an elevated resort experience within a 2,400-acre protected nature reserve on the western coast of Costa Rica, a location that directly influences the hotel’s design, culinary program and guest experience.
Part of Marriott’s luxury portfolio, W Hotels is known for delivering “unexpected experiences,” and the 151-room W Costa Rica - Reserva Conchal is no exception. Upon arriving at the bright red circular porte-cochere (dubbed “Wheels”), I discovered nearly every detail has a deeper meaning.
The bright red circular porte-cochere honors the Costa Rican bullfighting tradition of Toros a la Tica.
Credit: 2026 W Costa Rica
Intentional Design
While Wheels’ bold red paint and perfectly round footprint are certainly interesting, its color and shape also pays tribute to the Costa Rican bullfighting tradition of Toros a la Tica, rodeo-style events across the country where participants evade the bull rather than kill it.
Design elements mimic bird’s nests, bee hives and umbrella-shaped Guanacaste trees.
Credit: 2026 W Costa RicaThe focal point of the hotel’s entrance, La Marimba, is a water feature and wall sculpture representing the Central American percussion instrument that’s similar to a xylophone. Furnishings, light fixtures and design elements throughout the hotel mimic bird’s nests, bee hives and the area’s umbrella-shaped Guanacaste trees. In the lobby — known at W hotels as the Living Room — a statement elevator represents a pineapple, one of Costa Rica’s most important crops, and a large chandelier made of 8,304 recycled beer bottles draws inspiration from a hummingbird tail.
The Living Room chandelier was inspired by a hummingbird tail.
Credit: 2026 W Costa RicaGuest Rooms and Suites
My premier-category guest room was located in one of three towers at the top of the property, a perch that offered not only unobstructed ocean views, but also opportunities to spot birds, butterflies and monkeys in the treetops below. I was also able to watch the clouds and rain, and even see a rainbow from the comfort of my bed; however, I’d be remiss not to mention that the massive walk-in shower (with two rain shower heads) also had a floor-to-ceiling window with an ocean view.
Guest rooms in the towers offer ocean views and opportunities to spot birds, butterflies and monkeys in the treetops below.
Credit: 2026 Samantha Davis-FriedmanRecently-renovated one- and two-bedroom suites with ocean or forest views (nicknamed “treehouses”) feature private plunge pools. The hotel’s three-, four- and five-bedroom W residences are ocean- and reserve-view villas with private swimming pools and dedicated staff.
Beginning this November, guest rooms in the towers will undergo a phased renovation expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2027.
Dining
Bars and restaurants include the open-market concept Cocina de Mercado, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner; the Zona Azul Beach Club at the family pool by the ocean and Wet Deck at the adults-only pool (both serving lunch and dinner) and the bar in the Living Room, which is open all day.
The hotel’s fine-dining restaurant, Latitud 10° Norte, was named best restaurant in Costa Rica and features a fusion of Costa Rican and Thai flavors and culinary techniques. The restaurant’s name is the latitude shared by both destinations.
Latitud 10° Norte features a fusion of Costa Rican and Thai cuisine.
Credit: 2026 Samantha Davis-Friedman
I experienced the seven-course tasting menu, which included a watermelon and papaya salad with caramelized peanuts, almond curd, lychees and tamarind chutney; a seafood soup with tomato broth, panameño chili, coconut milk and red curry; and seabass cooked in plantain leaves with fried rice, tomato pebre salsa and crispy green plantain. Each course was perfectly paired with a signature cocktail created by mixologist Fabian Alvarado. Five-course tasting, a la carte and vegan menus are also available. Latitud 10° Norte is open for dinner only and closed on Mondays.
While not an all-inclusive resort, clients can opt for an "all-in" plan, which includes dining at any of the hotel's bars, restaurants (including Latitud 10° Norte) and in-room dining, as well as unlimited soft and alcoholic beverages. An all-in premium add-on is also available.
Reserva Conchal is about an hour and a half from Liberia Guanacaste Airport (LIR); the drive from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) can be up to five hours.
