When San José resident Mrs. Denise Montealegre began searching for a second home in Guanacaste’s Pacific coastal region, she had two non-negotiables: Her getaway spot had to have ocean views—and it had to be located within the idyllic and secluded Reserva Conchal Sustainable Community Resort.
The Costa Rican native had accrued a lifetime of fond memories inside the 2,300-acre resort located on the country’s northwestern edge—from childhood vacations to regular visits to see her parents, who have resided in Reserva Conchal for many years. After transitioning to running the family business remotely during COVID, Mrs. Montealegre spent longer stretches of time here, hosted by family and friends. With each day that passed, she grew accustomed to the verdant natural beauty of her surroundings, the exceptional amenities, and the vibrant international community.
Ready to seek out her own slice of paradise, she researched the 11 residential opportunities within Reserva Conchal and settled on W Residences Costa Rica. In April of 2023, Mrs. Montealegre moved into Treehouse 8, a beautiful four-bedroom home featuring panoramas of the Pacific Ocean peppered with treetop forest fringe.
“At first, the ocean view was the big selling point, and I didn’t really see the greater benefits of being part of the W Residences,” she recalls. “Now I am so grateful to be here because of the many valuable touches and services that make it such an interesting place.”
Designed by architect Ronald Zürcher and inspired by the grandiose Guanacaste tree, the W Residences are thoughtfully engineered to coexist in harmony with the natural landscape. Incorporating local materials and motifs, every detail has been crafted to reflect Costa Rica’s rich culture and biodiversity, while embracing the contemporary aesthetic for which the W brand is renowned. Mrs. Montealegre was able to work with the design team to customize several facets of her home to fit her lifestyle, adding a fenced-in garden, a sliding-door terrace, and a private swimming pool.
Beyond her personal sanctuary, she cherishes the natural splendor found within the expansive Reserva Conchal resort, including Playa Conchal, one of Costa Rica’s most iconic beaches, and a wildlife refuge spanning 96 acres of untouched habitat teeming with native flora and fauna. The amenity-rich grounds also integrate a wide assortment of activities to satisfy her adventurous side: hiking and biking trails, a skate park, an Audubon-certified 18-hole golf course, and easy access to ocean recreation.
“I start my days early, around 6 in the morning, usually with a swim in the ocean or walk on the beach,” she notes. “The gardens on the way down are gorgeous—I’ll often see monkeys, iguanas, many different birds, and the occasional deer.” She also enjoys paddleboarding, scuba diving, playing pickleball, and recently joined an open-water swimming group.
Another standout aspect of life at Reserva Conchal that Mrs. Montealegre appreciates is the skill and artistry behind the resort’s world-class cuisine, from the open-air restaurants with spectacular ocean views, to private chef services and in-home culinary journeys, to exquisitely catered holiday meals. She delights in the ever-changing array of international fare and innovative dishes inspired by the vibrant flavors of Costa Rica and paired with personalized service at every turn. “The staff knows me very well. They know my tastes and how I like my margarita,” she adds.
Mrs. Montealegre recounts how the teams at W Residences and Latitud 10° Norte—recently voted Costa Rica’s Best Restaurant at the World Culinary Awards—made her birthday especially memorable:
“Around lunchtime, Alberto, the W Residences Manager, knocked on my door and surprised me with a freshly baked birthday cake after reaching out to my daughter to find out my favorite flavor. Later that night, a group of us went out to dinner at Latitud 10° Norte, a more formal restaurant in the resort. Not only did they have a bottle of Prosecco ready, they had prepared a second delicious cake for the whole table!”
Each day the proud homeowner spends in her W Residences Treehouse, she feels a stronger connection to both the environment and the community, as well as a growing sense of home—so much so that she will soon make this coveted setting her full-time residence: Mrs. Montealegre plans to sell her house in San José in order to fully embrace a new chapter of life in Reserva Conchal.
“When I walk through the property—which I do often since the whole resort is absolutely beautiful—it’s a very personal experience,” she explains. “From the restaurants to the beach, everywhere I go, I’m greeted by name with a big smile. I am very, very happy here.”
Abundant amenities, exceptional gastronomy, and exclusive owner perks elevate W Residences Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal to the pinnacle of luxury living.Visit reservaconchal.com/wresidences for details on the three turnkey Treehouses currently available, all featuring unique attributes in tune with the essence of nature.
