Marriott International signed an agreement with Mullen Real Estate Capital to bring the JW Marriott brand to 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. The property is scheduled to begin conversion in July 2025.
"We are thrilled to expand our presence in Costa Rica with the introduction of one of the first JW Marriott All-Inclusive Resorts," Uriel Burak, Marriott International vice president, development, Caribbean and Latin America, said in a statement. "This project marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration with Mullen Real Estate Capital, a pioneer in the all-inclusive sector, within the CALA region.”
Located approximately 49 miles from Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, the resort will have an elevated luxury experience with 415 elegantly designed guestrooms, 11 diverse food and beverage outlets, and a 44,000 square feet of water amenities, including 17 swimming pools. Guests will also have access to 10,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, a 16,000 square foot spa designed to reflect the brand’s wellness philosophy, and a fitness center.
Positioned within the exclusive Costa Elena resort-residential community, the property has 885 feet of beach frontage. Additionally, future development plans include the potential introduction of JW Marriott branded residences on an adjacent site.
“MREC is thrilled to embark on this exciting collaboration with Marriott International and JW Marriott, a brand synonymous with excellence and world-class service. Together, we look forward to unlocking new opportunities, setting new benchmarks, and creating a future filled with limitless potential," said Jeff Mullen, president at Mullen Real Estate Capital.
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 in Costa Rica. 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.