The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa
The Westin Reserva Conchal is a Marriott all-inclusive on one of the most beautiful beaches in Central America, with a championship golf course, free-roaming wildlife and the kind of jungle setting that makes you feel you are really in Costa Rica rather than at a generic resort. Howler monkeys wake you in the morning, coatis wander the paths, and Playa Conchal's crushed-shell beach delivers on every postcard promise. A split design separates the family areas from the adults-only Westin Club, with its own pool, swim-up bar and renovated lounge, so it works for couples and families alike.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Playa Conchal is one of Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches: crushed white shells instead of sand give it a distinctive texture and brilliant turquoise water
- +Wildlife roams freely across the sprawling Reserva Conchal grounds: howler monkeys, coatis, iguanas and tropical birds are regular sightings on morning walks
- +La Sabana (Costa Rican cuisine) and Manglar (beachside seafood) are the standouts of a broad line-up that also includes Bamboo, Spirula Trattoria, Faisanella, Mitra Market and Caracola, all included
- +Par-71 Robert Trent Jones II championship course on site, open only to resort guests and Reserva Conchal members, with views of ocean, forest and wildlife
- +Two pools with swim-up bars, including the adults-only Westin Club pool with its own Nautilus swim-up bar, so couples can escape the family crowd
- +Kayaks and snorkel gear, bikes, daily yoga, the gym and daytime tennis are all included, and the free Westin Kids Club takes ages 4 to 14 from 9AM to 5PM
- +Marriott Bonvoy members can redeem points here, and because awards are priced per room it is especially strong value for families
- +The Heavenly Spa, Faisanella restaurant and the adults-only Westin Club lounge, rooms and suites have all been renovated, and the spa has hydrotherapy rooms and hot and cold whirlpools
Cons
- −The beach is public, so jet ski operators and vendors approach guests near the waterline
- −No room category has a true ocean view: accommodation is bungalow-style buildings in a jungle setting, and you walk to the water
- −Dinner at every a la carte restaurant needs a reservation through the resort app, and the popular ones fill fast in high season; the theme-night buffets are hit-or-miss
- −Golf is not included: green fees ran about $180 for 18 holes in high season and $160 in low season as of March 2026, plus club rental, unless you book Marriott's Golf Experience package with two rounds per stay
- −Pricier than most Guanacaste all-inclusives, and premium spirits are reserved for Westin Club and top-tier elite guests
- −Only the Westin Club rooms and suites have been renovated, and some standard rooms still feel dated
- −Wi-Fi is included, but signal can be uneven in the farther bungalow buildings of such a spread-out property
- −The resort is 75 to 90 minutes from Liberia airport and not walkable to a town, so you rely on resort transport or taxis to explore
Dining is broader and better than its old reputation. The line-up includes Manglar for beachside seafood, La Sabana for Costa Rican cuisine, Bamboo for Asian dishes, Spirula Trattoria for pasta and wood-fired pizza, the renovated Faisanella for international food, the Mitra Market food hall with six stations, and poolside spots VIDA and Caracola, plus Bar Imperial, a sports bar with a DJ at night, and 24-hour room service. Recent 2026 reviews single out La Sabana and Manglar as genuinely good rather than good for an all-inclusive, while the buffet is serviceable. Every a la carte dinner needs a reservation through the resort app, and that system is the most common frustration. Rooms are bungalow-style with no true ocean views; the Westin Club rooms and suites have been renovated, while some standard rooms still feel dated. The Heavenly Spa, also renovated, has six treatment rooms, hydrotherapy and hot and cold whirlpools.
This resort is best for golfers, Marriott Bonvoy points collectors and families who want Costa Rica's nature on the doorstep with a comfortable home base. It sits at the upper end of Guanacaste pricing and competes most directly with Dreams Las Mareas and Andaz Peninsula Papagayo; the Andaz beats it on design but lacks the golf and the wildlife on the grounds. Rio Celeste Waterfall, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and Palo Verde National Park are all day trips, and Tamarindo and Las Baulas National Park are close by.
Common Questions
Is Playa Conchal actually as beautiful as it looks in photos?
Is the golf course worth playing, and is it included in the all-inclusive rate?
How does redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points work here?
What wildlife can I actually expect to see on the property?
What day trips are worth doing from the resort?
How good is the food?
Restaurants (9)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Italian | Spirula Trattoria |
| Asian | Bamboo |
| Seafood | Manglar Seafood |
| Mediterranean & Spanish | Cauri Lobby Bar & Bistro |
| American & grill | VIDA |
| International & fusion | La Sabana, Faisanella, Mitra Market, Caracola Poolside Restaurant |
From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.
What's nearby
Playa Conchal20 min drive · 3.6 mi
Playa Grande35 min drive · 10 mi
More things to do (28)
- Tamarindo estuary mangrove boat tour · excursion35 min drive · 11 mi
- Playas del Coco · beach60 min drive · 22 mi
- Playa Hermosa · beach60 min drive · 23 mi
- Playa Brasilito · beach7 min drive · 1.7 mi
- Playa Flamingo · beach14 min drive · 4.4 mi
- Sunset catamaran sail from Playa Flamingo · excursion14 min drive · 4.4 mi
- Marina Flamingo · marina20 min drive · 5.2 mi
- Catalina Islands dive trip · excursion20 min drive · 5.2 mi
- Sportfishing charter from Marina Flamingo · excursion20 min drive · 5.2 mi
- Playa Real · beach20 min drive · 4.0 mi
- Playa Potrero · beach20 min drive · 6.0 mi
- Playa Penca · beach20 min drive · 6.8 mi
- Monkey Park Wildlife Center · wildlife25 min drive · 7.5 mi
- Apami Wildlife Rescue Center · wildlife25 min drive · 7.7 mi
- Playa Pan de Azúcar · beach30 min drive · 8.3 mi
- Las Baulas National Marine Park · nature30 min drive · 8.9 mi
- Leatherback turtle night tour at Playa Grande (October to March) · excursion30 min drive · 8.9 mi
- Playa Danta · beach30 min drive · 8.9 mi
- Playa Tamarindo · beach35 min drive · 11 mi
- Sunset catamaran sail from Tamarindo · excursion35 min drive · 11 mi
- Playa Langosta · beach40 min drive · 13 mi
- Pinilla Canopy Tour · adventure park45 min drive · 13 mi
- Hacienda Pinilla Golf Club · golf50 min drive · 14 mi
- Diamante Eco Adventure Park · adventure park50 min drive · 15 mi
- Playa Avellanas · beach55 min drive · 16 mi
- Gulf of Papagayo catamaran and snorkel trip · excursion60 min drive · 22 mi
- Bat Islands bull shark dive (May to November) · excursion60 min drive · 22 mi
- Witch's Rock and Ollie's Point surf boat trip · excursion60 min drive · 22 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Seaweed & sargassum
Costa Rica gets sargassum, typically worst March through August on the Caribbean coast only; the Pacific coast is clear every month.See the month-by-month guide →Google Reviews★ 4.5 · 3,896 reviews
“We had the best time at The Westin Reserva Conchal in Costa Rica! Services were great! The food was the best we’ve had at any all inclusive! Shout out to the Costa Rican people who were the friendliest, kindest and nicest people ever. The pools were...”
“We loved our stay! Food was fantastic.. we loved bamboo, seafood, & Italian. Probably the nicest employees we have ever had at any resort, we loved getting the know them! Beach/pool was great. Didn’t golf but it looked beautiful. Lots of monkeys & ig...”
“We stayed here just for 2 nights at the end of our time in Costa Rica to wind down before heading home to Canada. The resort was great - the first day we had an issue with our room check in but they dealt with it promptly and professionally. There wa...”
