The Westin Golf Resort & Spa, Playa Conchal – All-Inclusive

The Westin
is set amid 2,400 acres of tropical greenery, with coatis, iguanas, and howler
monkeys often spotted on the grounds. The property, however, has virtually no
ocean views, with almost all guest rooms, restaurants, and other facilities
overlooking the grounds. The rambling terrain can also be challenging to
explore on foot, and most guests opt to hitch rides on the biodiesel shuttles
that circle the property.

From the breezy
lobby with its wooden ceiling fans and rattan furniture to the Asian-inspired
spa, the resort’s decor is modern. The restaurants, however, are fairly
average and -- not surprisingly -- the large property lacks a certain intimacy.

The resort
does an excellent job of catering to couples and families with its Royal Beach
Club and Family Club options. Rooms at the Royal Beach Club are restricted to
guests over the age of 18, effectively making the Royal Beach Club facilities
an adult-only area of the property. Similarly, there’s a special section of
the main pool, and certain groups of rooms are designated for Family Club
guests. As might be expected for such an upscale property, even the Royal Beach
Club area isn’t particularly party-hardy. The atmosphere can get buzzy, but
it’s relatively tame and family-friendly by resort standards.

The Westin
is one of only a handful of properties located on Playa Conchal, which
regularly ranks among Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches. The beach takes its
name from the “conchas” (seashells) that have washed up on the beach and
gradually broken down to form its coarse white sands. Its superb turquoise
waters are wonderful for snorkeling and swimming.

The Westin
is a five-minute drive to the town of Brasilito, a distinctively tico town
and a good place to see what Guanacaste looks like beyond the resort. The
neighboring beach of Playa Brasilito can be reached in about a 15-minute walk,
and Playa Flamingo is a 15-minute drive away. Liberia’s airport is a little over an
hour’s drive away.

The 326 rooms
at the Westin Golf Resort & Spa have neutral color schemes, and a mix of dark- and oak-hued wood
furniture. Subtle green and blue pillows in the living areas, along with vivid
red pieces of artwork in the bedrooms add tasteful pops of color. Standard Rooms
have a split-level layout, which separates bedrooms from living areas. All
rooms include flat-screen TVs, iHome radios, and free Wi-Fi. Living areas have comfy sofa beds, along with work desks. Rooms also have kitchenette areas with sinks, coffeemakers, minibars, and high-top dining tables.

Marble bathrooms have the chain’s white tea aloe-scented Heavenly
Bath products. Water closets as well as showers with rainfall heads are
set behind pairs of frosted glass doors. Rooms also have furnished balconies or
terraces, some of which are fully enclosed, making them more like additional
sitting areas. Most rooms have views of the property’s green grounds, with few
ocean-view rooms available.

Royal Beach Club Rooms have a more traditional layout, but they still feature small sitting areas with sofa beds. These rooms
include concierge services, minibars with premium liquors, and other perks. Family Suites offer kid-friendly extras like small bathrobes and
slippers, and kids’ bath products. Luxury Villa Suites include bathrooms with
whirlpools, in addition to separate dining and living areas.

The
Westin’s main pool is a sprawling, lagoon-shaped oasis, surrounded by a stone
deck and lush greenery. This free-form pool includes a swim-up bar with
submerged seating, as well as little plant “islands” dotted throughout its
waters. The pool is surrounded by beige lounge chairs shaded by beach
umbrellas. There’s also a special seating area for Family Club guests.
An activity tent alongside the pool features a life-size chess set, a ping-pong table, and billiards.

The resort’s
second pool is reserved for Royal Beach Club guests, and therefore serves as an
adult-only pool. The lagoon-shaped design and blossoming surroundings are
similar to the main pool, with zero-entry edges creating a beachy effect. An
attractive wooden bridge arches across the center of the pool, and there’s a
swim-up bar with submerged seating. In addition to the same lounge chairs and
umbrellas found at the main pool, the Royal Beach Club also features
Bali beds with thatched roofs.

The resort
backs onto a wide stretch of Playa Conchal, which is bordered by a tangle of
forest. The beach sand is comprised of crushed seashells, and stretches for
two-and-a-half miles. The Westin is one of only a few hotels located on the
beach, leaving ample space for guests to lounge.

The swish spa has a dramatic entryway with a long pond at
its center, as well as a gorgeous open-air whirlpool. The spa’s zen-style
interior also features couples’ rooms, men’s and women’s relaxation areas, as
well as a hair salon.

Along with meals and drinks, the Westin’s all-inclusive packages includes daily activities and nightly entertainment, ranging from dance lessons to ping-pong tournaments. There’s a
cute kids’ club adjacent to the Family Club check-in, which houses a plastic
outdoor play area in addition to some craft tables and video game consoles
inside. The 24-hour fitness center has bright, floor-to-ceiling windows and a
good range of equipment. Fitness classes such as yoga and spinning regularly take
place here.

There’s a compact shopping area with a few different shops,
most of which are focused on beachwear, jewelry and souvenirs. The resort also
has a Robert Trent Jones II-designed 18-hole par 72 championship golf course
and pro shop, as well as four lighted tennis courts.

Free parking is offered on-site, and there’s free Wi-Fi
throughout. Nine meeting rooms of varying sizes are available, or events can
also be hosted outside in the gardens or on the beach. The resort offers
wedding planning services as well.

The Westin has 11 restaurants, with cuisines ranging from Latin American to Asian. Many of the restaurants, such as Manglar, have a contemporary, romantic atmosphere, but there are also casual, poolside dining possibilities. The main buffet restaurant, Mitra, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant is quite lovely, with white pillars and wooden ceilings, as well as pretty surrounding ponds. In addition to a mix of international and local choices, Mitra has themed buffets and a live grilling station.

Other notable restaurants include the airy lobby bar and bistro, Cauri, which has impressive views over the surrounding golf course and countryside. The Italian restaurant, Faisanela, has a rounded layout and a vaulted ceiling with a glittering chandelier as its striking centerpiece. The food quality is average across the board, and most restaurants require reservations to be made days in advance. We noticed during our visit (and many guests have also noted) that, oddly, the restaurants are often only half full with diners.

The resort also has five bars, including a theater bar where evening performances take place; and a nightclub with a big outdoor deck that features an eye-catching water fountain and great views of the resort’s landscaped grounds. Room service is included in the resort’s all-inclusive package.