On Costa Rica’s north Pacific Coast, the tranquil, 150-room W Reserva Conchal is located in a 2,300-acre, government-protected wildlife preserve encapsulating much of the country’s incredible eco-diversity. Habitats include mangroves, estuaries and a tropical dry forest; these places are home to howler monkeys, coatis, iguanas, magpie-jays, and perhaps a jaguar… if you can tear yourself from your room, that is. My Spectacular Ocean Escape was exactly that, decked out in vibrant hues to mirror the expansive views of lush foliage and tropical flowers (and ocean beyond), while incorporating indigenous patterns of tico culture. Design details included a green leather headboard and free-form leather sofa, a blue and orange mural, and tropical hardwood furnishings and paneling. A surfboard was reimagined into a shelf for the coffee station in a clever nod to the region’s surfing culture. The massive bathroom’s oversized shower looks out onto the vegetation, and my balcony was the perfect nook to sip wine with a side of sunset.

© Kelly Magyarics

The nearby beach is mostly sandy and generally quiet, and attendants are on hand to set up chairs and umbrellas. Since all beaches in Costa Rica are public, you may be approached by friendly vendors selling crafts, offering oceanfront massages or promoting excursions.

The adults-only WET Deck is billed as the “outdoor living room,” with a large pool with multitiered lounge seating, inflatable floats, a swim-up bar and a “dry Jacuzzi” that’s basically a round sunken sofa. It sounds great in theory, but whenever I popped by it was sleepy — and since it’s not at sea level, it feels a bit removed. Way more inviting is Zona Azul, the W’s vibey yet chill beach club, accessible via a five-minute walk down a paved path or quick ride on the golf cart shuttle. The long, narrow infinity pool offers killer views of the waves, and a row of loungers is joined by free Bali beds, where I noshed on a tuna poke bowl with mango. One lazy day, I sipped my way through the cocktail list; highlights included a tamarind margarita and the delicate Rosa Coral, with coconut rum, red vermouth, watermelon, hibiscus and lime.

© Kelly Magyarics

Inside, the bar in the Living Room is topped with repurposed beer bottles, with its own menu of libations including the refreshing Italian Flower, with grapefruit gin, lime, honey and bubbles. Adjacent to the lobby, Cocina de Mercado serves a breakfast buffet, including local specialties like gallo pinto, and an à la carte menu for lunch and dinner.

© Kelly Magyarics

But, by far, the resort’s most ambitious dining concept is Latitud 10° Norte, named for the latitude shared by Costa Rica and Thailand. It might sound a bit risky for a boutique Central American beach resort to go all in on southeast Asian cuisine, but the gamble more than pays off. Diners can select from the à la carte menu, but way more fun is the seven-course tasting menu with optional wine and cocktail beverage pairings. I kept returning to the scotch, ginger, honey and cardamom sip served with adorable shrimp- and lemongrass-filled croquettes — and the opaque white and orange coupe was as stunning as the liquid inside. Equally impressive was a fragrant green curry that arrived with an orange-infused gin and tonic served in an open-sided glass terrarium. The whole experience was inventive and playful.

The chill beach town of Tamarindo is a short drive, where you can stroll the boutiques and enjoy drinks on the beach at sunset; excursions to hike the rainforest and waterfalls of Costa Rica’s interior are two–four hours away.

W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal

Reserva Conchal, Guanacaste Province
Santa Cruz, Costa Rica 50208
tel 506 2654 3600