W Costa Rica Reserva Conchal: The Perfect Family-Friendly Guanacaste Beach Resort
By Kate Van Dell for Sebastian Luxe Travel
I wanted to start our Costa Rica trip with more time in the sun and on the beach, and I had been eyeing the W Costa Rica Reserva Conchal for a while. It is close to Tamarindo and some of the best surf beaches in Guanacaste, and I was very determined to finally squeeze in a little surfing. The beach at the W Costa Rica gets talked up a lot, and it absolutely deserves the praise.
Playa Conchal at the W hotel
This Guanacaste resort is about half the price of the Four Seasons or Nekajui, sometimes even a third, and it is usually much easier to book with Bonvoy points. I had hovered over the “reserve” button a few times in the past, so this felt like the right moment. I like saving the more exclusive properties for the end of a trip. Not because the W is not lovely, it is. I just like building toward the grand finale.
Arrival and Resort Vibe
The W Reserva Conchal Adult Pool
The hotel is about an hour and a half from Liberia Airport, and once you arrive, the entire property feels instantly nature-forward. The landscaping is incredible. Everything is lush and green and polished without being fussy. Our room was ready right away, which is always a small luxury, and a golf cart gave us a quick tour of the grounds before dropping us off at the room.
The room itself was huge. Two queen beds, a couch and seating area, and a balcony overlooking the water and the canopy of trees. Thanks to the time change, we were up at dawn, and the sunrise made the early wakeup feel almost intentional. The bathroom was great, the shower had real water pressure, and everything worked exactly as it should. The property has not been updated recently, but nothing felt worn. There is a soft renovation planned for next year and a larger one after that, and I would happily come back to see it.
Pools, Beach, and Wildlife Encounters
The W Reserva Conchal Family Pool
When you walk into the main lobby, you get the big W design moment and then an adults-only pool. It is pretty, but it is not close to the beach. The family pool near the water was much more our style. The walk looks long on the map, but it is not. About four minutes from the lobby and seven from our room. Very doable with kids, towels, sunscreen, all of it.
The family pool is beautiful. The blue tiles sparkle in the sun, and the whole pool overlooks the beach at Reserva Conchal. Horses wander by during the day. You occasionally hear an ATV somewhere in the distance. It is the right amount of movement without anywhere feeling crowded.
A friend visiting us at breakfast
In terms of Costa Rica wildlife, we might have seen the most here. So many birds. You can hear the howler monkeys before you see them, and then the actual monkeys swing through the trees around three in the afternoon like they are simply doing their daily rounds. It becomes part of the day in the nicest way.
Dining and Family Amenities
Zona Azul Beach Club
The service was great. Breakfast was great. The restaurants were genuinely good, and the servers were warm, friendly, and chatty in a way that felt natural. They remembered us. They talked about Costa Rica and the animals and what was happening around the resort. We loved the mocktails and the music around the family pool, which set the mood perfectly.
The W brand is not the first thing people picture when they think of a kid-friendly Costa Rica resort, but it worked so well. There is a kids club where my son did cookie decorating, a little baby pool, and plenty of beach toys to borrow. Always nice to discover right after buying your own.
There were other families around, and my son made a friend immediately. They played in the pool for hours on both days. I do not need to explain to any parent why that counts as a major vacation win.
Activities and Location
The view from our room at the W Reserva Conchal
You can access all the classic Costa Rica activities from here. Catamarans, boat tours, paddleboarding, kayaking, yoga, the gym, zip line excursions, and full-day trips. We did a jet ski tour. I booked the two-hour option, which was optimistic. My son hit the forty-five-minute wall and that was our sign to call it.
Tamarindo is about thirty minutes away and makes an easy day trip. The best surf beaches are also about thirty minutes away. We did not make it surfing this time, but that gives us a reason to come back. Not that we needed one.
There are some great suites and room combinations if you need more space. I would absolutely place clients here, especially families who want a beautiful Costa Rica beach resort without the Papagayo price tag. This was such a nice first stop. Easy, friendly, scenic, and relaxed. It set the tone for the rest of our Costa Rica itinerary in exactly the right way.
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Start your trip with sun and style! Book your stay at the W Costa Rica Reserva Conchal with Marriott Luminous/STARS benefits at no extra cost to you. This means you get complimentary daily breakfast for two and an upgrade (when available), ensuring the best value for your Bonvoy points.
If you’re mapping out your own Costa Rica trip and want help choosing the right resort for your style, you can start planning with me right here on my website. I book these properties all the time and can match you with the spot that actually fits how you travel. If you prefer to double check my credentials, you can peek at my Fora advisor page or Virtuoso profile and read my Testimonials. Either way, I’ll take care of the details so you can focus on the fun.