Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa, is perfect for wildlife-loving travelers who want the freedom of an all-inclusive vacation. In fact, soon after arriving, I stepped out of an elevator and came face-to-face with a coati (Koh-AH-tee), a long-nosed ring-tailed relative of the raccoon.
Located within the 2,400-acre Reserva Conchal in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province, the 406-room Westin Reserva Conchal (part of Marriott's premier collection) was the first all-inclusive property in Starwood’s global portfolio as well as Marriott’s first luxury all-inclusive property after Starwood Hotels & Resorts was acquired by Marriott International.
Guestrooms
The resort’s overall aesthetic is beach chic, with spacious guestrooms offering views of the reserve’s lush landscaping, complete with regular visits from birds and monkeys in the branches. The bathroom’s extra-large soaking tub was also a welcome luxury.
Guests receive visits from birds and monkeys in the branches outside their windows.
Credit: 2026 Westin Reserva ConchalFamily suites include a king-size bed, a sofa bed and bunk beds for kids ages 12 and under. Guestrooms in the resort's adults-only Westin Club area include access to an exclusive pool and lounge with a dedicated staff and self-service coffee, beverages, light bites and a full bar.
All-Inclusive Dining
In addition to 24-hour room service, the resort’s international restaurants include an extensive breakfast buffet at Mitra Market, where I sampled the Costa Rican rice-and-bean dish, gallo pinto, alongside my scrambled eggs, crisp bacon and the sweetest pineapple I've ever tasted.
The extensive buffet at Mitra Market features local dishes alongside classic breakfast fare.
Credit: 2026 Westin Reserva ConchalFor dinner at Faisanella, an Italian seafood restaurant, I chose fresh grilled sea bass served over ratatouille and saffron risotto; at the Asian-inspired Bamboo, I ordered crispy vegetable spring rolls and udon noodles stir-fried with vegetables and shrimp. As an ice cream lover, house-made sorbets and ice creams are always my dessert choice (the only challenge was deciding on the flavor).
A Focus on Wellness
As a result of its position in one of the world’s five blue zones — areas where residents enjoy a high quality of life into old age (often over 100 years) — the resort encourages wellness-focused activities and a connection with the destination. I began my first day with a sound bath experience where the singing bowls were joined by a chorus of birds and howler monkeys; that afternoon, a thunderstorm coincided with my massage at the Heavenly Spa by Westin providing another perfect soundtrack. After the rain, I walked along Playa Conchal, the only beach in Costa Rica with “sand” made up of millions of tiny shells.
The resort encourages wellness-focused activities and a connection with the destination.
Credit: 2026 Westin Reserva ConchalPrioritizing wellness also extends to the kitchen, where health-focused menus include “sleep well” featuring foods high in amino acids, vitamins and minerals that promote rest and recovery; an “eat well” menu specifically for kids, features dishes that are just as delicious as they are nutritious. Clients can also find fresh-pressed juices across the resort.
Sustainability
The Westin participates in a reserve-wide sustainability program, with initiatives such as the Nakui Garden, which produces fruits, vegetables and flowers for resort chefs and mixologists. A multifaceted refuse and recycling program — including a facility that converts food waste into compost — sends only 4% of refuse from the reserve's two hotels to landfills, resulting in its boast-worthy “carbon plus” status.
The reserve’s sustainability program includes a garden that produces fruits, vegetables and flowers for chefs and mixologists.
© 2026 Samantha Davis-FriedmanAn apiary is home to more than 2.5 million stingless Melipona bees that pollinate thousands of hectares of forests, preserving the reserve’s diverse ecosystems. Honey produced onsite, characterized by unique acidity derived from mangrove pollen, has earned awards at the London International Honey Quality Competition for the last two years.
Day Tour to Palo Verde National Park
The resort works with Swiss Travel as its preferred tour operator. During my stay, I embarked on a fun and educational half-day tour to the 145-year-old Hacienda El Viejo, a designated National Heritage site in Palo Verde National Park.
A day tour to the 145-year-old Hacienda El Viejo can be booked through the resort.
© 2026 Samantha Davis-FriedmanAt the Hacienda, I sampled locally made rum, learned to press juice from sugar cane (with the help of an ox named Frijolito), made traditional corn tortillas by hand, and enjoyed a lunch of casado, which means “married” because rice, beans, vegetables, meat, sweet plantains and salad are all served together on one plate.
The tour also included a “wildlife safari” on the nearby Tempisque River, a real-life Jungle Cruise during which our eagle-eyed boat captain pointed out iguanas, many different birds, adorable capuchin monkeys and not-so-adorable crocodiles (though newly hatched baby crocs are considerably cuter than their moms)
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.
