St. Regis Papagayo: Costa Rica’s New Benchmark in Luxury Travel
St. Regis Papagayo Resort Moves Toward 2027 Opening in Costa Rica
Updated August 30, 2026
Introduction
The St. Regis Papagayo Resort is moving forward in Guanacaste as one of Costa Rica’s most significant new luxury hotel developments. Construction is underway on the Gulf of Papagayo following the project’s September 2025 groundbreaking, bringing the St. Regis brand to Costa Rica for the first time.
Plans call for 120 hotel rooms and suites, 143 branded residences, six dining concepts, multiple pools, a spa, beach club and extensive indoor-outdoor spaces overlooking the Pacific.
The project continues to target a 2027 opening. The developer previously said completion was expected during the first quarter of 2027, while a more recent Costa Rica tourism investment report lists May 2027 as the projected start of operations. Travelers should therefore consider 2027 the confirmed target year rather than rely on a specific opening day until Marriott or the developer announces one. (srresidencespapagayo.com)
Quick Answer
The St. Regis Papagayo Resort is currently under construction in the Gulf of Papagayo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. It will be the country's first St. Regis property and is planned with 120 ocean-oriented hotel rooms and suites plus 143 branded residences.
The resort is expected to open in 2027 and will be located approximately 25 minutes from Guanacaste Airport (LIR) according to Marriott's original project announcement. (PR Newswire)
Key Facts
Property: The St. Regis Papagayo Resort
Location: Gulf of Papagayo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Status: Under construction
Groundbreaking: September 15, 2025
Expected opening: 2027
Latest ICT projected opening: May 2027
Hotel inventory: 120 rooms and suites
Branded residences: 143
Dining: Six planned culinary concepts
Beachfront: Approximately 634 linear yards, or about 580 meters
Nearest international airport: Guanacaste Airport (LIR)
Airport proximity: Approximately 25 minutes according to Marriott
Architecture: Sordo Madaleno
Interior design: Chapi Design
Space planning and layouts: Gensler
Landscape design: Maat Handasa
Reported investment: Approximately US$106 million in the Costa Rica tourism investment pipeline
Marriott originally announced the development in May 2025, while Solana confirmed the start of construction with the September 2025 groundbreaking. Costa Rica's tourism investment documentation continues to list the 120-room project as active. (PR Newswire)
Construction Is Underway in Guanacaste
Marriott International first announced its agreement with Solana PA, S.R.L. in May 2025. The original schedule anticipated construction beginning that July, but the project's formal groundbreaking was subsequently announced on September 15, 2025.
That milestone moved St. Regis Papagayo from an announced hospitality project into active development.
The groundbreaking announcement indicated that completion was expected in Q1 2027. More recently, tourism investment information prepared with data from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) has listed May 2027 as the expected start of operations.
Because hotel construction schedules can change, visitors planning a 2027 trip should wait for a confirmed opening date and bookable inventory before arranging travel specifically around the resort. (srresidencespapagayo.com)
120 Hotel Rooms and 143 Branded Residences
The hotel component is planned with 120 rooms and suites, positioning St. Regis Papagayo as a comparatively intimate high-end resort rather than a large-scale conventional beachfront property.
The project will also include 143 private branded residences, with plans ranging from two to five bedrooms. The developer has described residences with ocean views, expansive indoor-outdoor living areas and private plunge pools.
At the top of the residential collection is the planned Astor Mansion, a six-bedroom estate measuring more than 21,000 square feet. (srresidencespapagayo.com)
Dining, Spa and Resort Amenities
Food and beverage will be a major component of the new resort, with six distinct dining concepts planned.
Among the concepts previously announced are Casa Club, designed for casual gourmet dining; The Cliff, influenced by Japanese and Costa Rican cuisine; a Beach Club & Grill; and the brand's signature St. Regis Bar & Speakeasy.
Additional plans include the St. Regis Library, multiple infinity-edge swimming pools, a nature-inspired spa and an exclusive beach club.
The development is also expected to provide more than 10,000 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, expanding Papagayo's options for luxury weddings, celebrations, corporate retreats and other private events. (PR Newswire)
Updated St. Regis Papagayo Design Team
The design team has evolved since Marriott's original announcement.
Sordo Madaleno remains responsible for the project's architecture, with the development designed to connect buildings with the tropical landscape and Pacific coastline.
Marriott's 2025 announcement originally identified Gensler Mexico City as the principal interior design firm. A subsequent 2026 project update announced Chapi Design as the interior designer, while describing Gensler's role as focusing on space planning and layouts.
Maat Handasa is responsible for landscape design.
The newer design information is important because it supersedes descriptions that identify Gensler alone as the resort's interior designer. (PR Newswire)
Location on the Gulf of Papagayo
St. Regis Papagayo is being developed along the Gulf of Papagayo in Guanacaste, between Panama Bay and Culebra Bay.
Marriott has described the property as occupying approximately 20 hectares and offering about 634 linear yards of beachfront, with extensive views across the Gulf of Papagayo.
The location places the project within one of Costa Rica's strongest luxury tourism corridors, a region already associated with international resorts, private residences, marinas, beaches, golf and high-end vacation experiences. (PR Newswire)
How Far Is St. Regis Papagayo From Guanacaste Airport?
Marriott has described St. Regis Papagayo as approximately 25 minutes from Guanacaste Airport (LIR), commonly known as Liberia Airport.
Actual transportation time will depend on traffic, the final resort entrance, security procedures and road conditions.
Travelers arriving through LIR can arrange Liberia Airport to St. Regis Papagayo private transportation for a direct airport transfer once their stay and resort access details are confirmed.
The airport's proximity is one of the project's major advantages. Visitors arriving in Guanacaste can reach the Papagayo region without first traveling through San José or taking a domestic flight. (PR Newswire)
Why St. Regis Papagayo Matters for Costa Rica Tourism
The development represents more than the arrival of another luxury hotel.
It marks the first St. Regis property in Costa Rica, expanding Marriott International's luxury presence while further concentrating high-end hospitality investment in Guanacaste.
Costa Rica tourism investment data lists the St. Regis Papagayo Resort with approximately US$106 million in investment and 120 hotel rooms, reinforcing the scale of the project within the country's current hotel development pipeline. (Investuramerica.com)
The project also strengthens the broader Papagayo area's position in international luxury tourism, where travelers increasingly combine beachfront resorts with wellness, nature, private residences, golf, boating and personalized transportation.
What Travelers Should Know Before Booking
As of August 30, 2026, St. Regis Papagayo remains under construction.
Travelers considering the resort for a 2027 vacation should distinguish between a projected completion date and a confirmed guest opening date. The developer previously indicated Q1 2027 completion, while Costa Rica tourism investment data currently points to May 2027.
Until Marriott publishes confirmed bookable dates, travelers should avoid arranging nonrefundable flights or other services solely around an assumed early-2027 opening.
Once reservations become available, Guanacaste Airport will be the most convenient international gateway for most visitors headed directly to the resort. (srresidencespapagayo.com)
Frequently Asked Questions
When will St. Regis Papagayo open?
The resort is targeting 2027. The developer previously expected completion in Q1 2027, while the latest Costa Rica tourism investment information reviewed lists May 2027 as the projected start of operations. A final guest opening date should be confirmed directly by Marriott or the resort before booking travel. (srresidencespapagayo.com)
Is St. Regis Papagayo already open?
No. As of August 30, 2026, the resort is still under development following its September 2025 groundbreaking. (srresidencespapagayo.com)
Will this be the first St. Regis in Costa Rica?
Yes. Marriott announced St. Regis Papagayo as the first hotel and residential development carrying the St. Regis brand in Costa Rica. (PR Newswire)
How many rooms will St. Regis Papagayo have?
The resort is planned with 120 hotel rooms and suites plus 143 branded private residences. (PR Newswire)
What restaurants are planned?
Six dining concepts are planned, including Casa Club, The Cliff, a Beach Club & Grill and the St. Regis Bar & Speakeasy. (PR Newswire)
What is the nearest airport to St. Regis Papagayo?
Guanacaste Airport (LIR) near Liberia is the nearest major international airport. Marriott has described the resort as approximately 25 minutes from the airport. (PR Newswire)
Can travelers arrange transportation from Liberia Airport?
Yes. Travelers can pre-arrange private transportation from Liberia Airport to St. Regis Papagayo, providing direct airport pickup and transportation toward the Papagayo area. Exact resort access procedures should be confirmed once the property opens.
Conclusion
The St. Regis Papagayo Resort is positioned to become one of the most important additions to Costa Rica's luxury hospitality market when it opens in 2027.
With 120 rooms and suites, 143 branded residences, six dining concepts, a spa, beach club, pools and a major Gulf of Papagayo location near Guanacaste Airport, the project adds another globally recognized luxury brand to Guanacaste's expanding tourism portfolio.
For travelers, the most important detail is timing: construction is underway, but the precise opening date remains subject to the development schedule. The current evidence supports a 2027 debut, with Costa Rica tourism data presently listing May 2027 as the projected opening period. (srresidencespapagayo.com)
Sources
The principal references used for this update are Marriott International's original May 2025 announcement, Solana's September 2025 groundbreaking update, the 2026 interior-design announcement and the latest Costa Rica tourism investment documentation. (PR Newswire)
I can also track the project and alert you when Marriott confirms the exact opening date or begins accepting hotel reservations.
