Hilton is adding a high-end flag to Costa Rica’s Pacific coast with Marave Manuel Antonio, a planned LXR Hotels & Resorts property targeting a 2029 opening. The signed project calls for 173 accommodations on about 40 acres, including 650 feet of beach, plus 116 branded residences.
The location and renderings make it easy to imagine a future stay, but this is still a development announcement. Sales of the residences are expected to begin in fall 2026 and construction is projected for late 2028. Hotel guests should wait for a firm opening date, operating details and public reservations before building a vacation around it.
- Brand: Marave Manuel Antonio will join Hilton’s LXR Hotels & Resorts collection.
- Planned opening: Hilton is targeting 2029.
- Scale: 173 hotel accommodations on roughly 40 acres with 650 feet of beach.
- Residences: The plan includes 116 branded residences, with sales expected in fall 2026.
- Booking status: Hotel rooms are not yet on sale and the final operating details can change.
What Hilton has announced
Hilton’s official signing announcement describes Marave Manuel Antonio as a future LXR resort and residential project. The plan combines 173 accommodations with pools, dining, wellness and access to a 650-foot stretch of beach.
The 2029 target places the hotel several years from operation. Independent hotel coverage confirms the same project scope. A brand signing establishes intent and partners, but design, construction and opening milestones still have to follow.
Why Manuel Antonio is a significant location
Manuel Antonio pairs a famous national park with Pacific beaches, wildlife and a mature tourism economy. A luxury resort in this market can appeal to travelers who want a polished base without giving up access to rainforest and coastal experiences.
The name does not mean the property sits inside Manuel Antonio National Park. Travelers should wait for final access information, transport times and beach conditions before assuming a particular relationship with park entrances. Deep Arrival’s Manuel Antonio beaches guide explains why exact location matters along this coast.
What the LXR brand signals and does not guarantee
LXR is Hilton’s collection of independent luxury properties, so Marave is expected to emphasize local identity more than a standardized full-service Hilton. Hilton Honors participation can also matter to members, although the exact earning, redemption and elite-benefit treatment should be checked when reservations open.
A luxury flag does not guarantee an all-inclusive plan, free airport transfer or a particular beach service. Those are property-level decisions. Travelers comparing packaged stays can use Deep Arrival’s Costa Rica all-inclusive guide, but should not assume Marave will operate under that model.
How the residences fit into the project
The 116 branded residences are a separate ownership product connected to the resort. Hilton says sales are expected to begin in fall 2026, and owners are slated to receive Hilton Honors Diamond status while they own a residence, subject to the program terms.
A residence purchase is fundamentally different from booking a hotel room. Buyers must evaluate title, homeowner costs, rental rules, taxes, developer obligations and construction risk with qualified local advisers. The hotel brand and loyalty benefit may add value, but they should not substitute for legal and financial due diligence.
Why the construction timing deserves caution
Hilton’s announcement points to construction beginning in late 2028 and an opening in 2029. That is a compressed interval for a complex resort, so travelers should expect the schedule to mature as permits, site work and vertical construction progress.
A target year is useful for monitoring, not for buying nonrefundable airfare. The strongest future proof will be visible construction, an official reservation page and a dated opening announcement. Until those appear, existing Manuel Antonio hotels remain the only responsible base for confirmed travel.
What the beach promise means for trip planning
A 650-foot beach frontage is a meaningful physical feature, but not every Pacific beach behaves like a calm swimming cove. Seasonal surf, tides, access points and lifeguard arrangements will shape how guests can use it. Renderings cannot answer those operating questions.
When the hotel opens, compare room position, walking distance, shade and the resort’s actual beach service. Travelers should also preserve time for public beaches and the national park rather than treating private resort grounds as the whole destination. Manuel Antonio rewards movement between forest and coast.
How Hilton Honors travelers should think about the project
Loyalty members may eventually gain a new high-end redemption option in Costa Rica, but no points pricing or award calendar exists yet. Luxury collection properties can carry high cash rates and variable award demand, so speculative point estimates would not help current planning.
Once reservations open, compare cash, standard awards, fifth-night-free eligibility and resort fees for the exact dates. Also verify whether the property offers any transportation from San Jose or Quepos. A beautiful redemption can still be poor value if reaching the resort requires an expensive last-minute transfer.
What to watch between now and 2029
The most useful milestones are permits, the announced start of construction, a named leadership team and an official Hilton booking page. Residence sales may reveal additional plans, but buyer marketing should not be treated as a substitute for hotel opening evidence.
Travelers should also watch how the project handles environmental impact and local access on a sensitive coastline. Hilton’s current announcement describes ambition and scale; the finished operating model will show how that promise fits Manuel Antonio’s ecology and community.
How to plan Manuel Antonio without waiting for Marave
A traveler interested in 2027 or 2028 should choose among existing properties based on the actual park route, beach access and transportation available for those dates. Waiting for a hotel with a 2029 target would sacrifice real travel options without creating more certainty.
The future resort can still inform a long-range watchlist. Save the Hilton announcement, but make current reservations from current inventory. If Marave later opens on time, travelers can compare it with the market then rather than treating the signing as a reason to postpone a Costa Rica trip.
Questions the final hotel page must answer
The eventual booking page should clarify room categories, family occupancy, resort charges, dining plans, accessibility, beach operation, parking and transfers. It should also show whether residences and hotel guests share all amenities or use distinct areas. Those details determine the lived experience more than the project acreage.
Travelers should also look for cancellation rules during the first operating months. A flexible booking gives the property time to confirm readiness and gives the guest a path out if the opening slips. An announced target year alone is not enough protection for airfare, tours or a destination wedding.
| If you… | What to do |
|---|---|
| Planning Costa Rica before 2029 | Book an existing property; Marave is not open. |
| Watching Hilton redemptions | Wait for an official reservation and award calendar. |
| Considering a residence | Use independent Costa Rican legal and financial advice. |
| Wanting an all-inclusive stay | Do not assume Marave will use that meal plan. |
| Prioritizing the beach | Wait for final access, surf and service details. |
- Treat 2029 as a target: Do not anchor nonrefundable travel to it.
- Separate hotel from residences: A room booking and property purchase carry different risks.
- Verify the exact location: Park and beach access depend on real routes, not the destination name.
- Watch the booking page: Public inventory will be stronger proof than a rendering.
Marave Manuel Antonio could become an important Hilton luxury option on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, especially for travelers who combine loyalty benefits with nature-led trips. Today, however, it is a signed project with a target year. The smart move is to follow construction and booking milestones without confusing a compelling rendering with a stay that can already be planned.
When is Marave Manuel Antonio expected to open?
Hilton is targeting 2029, but a firm guest opening date has not been announced.
How many hotel rooms will it have?
The plan calls for 173 accommodations.
Will Marave be an all-inclusive resort?
Hilton has not announced an all-inclusive operating model. Travelers should wait for the final rate and dining details.
Can travelers book Marave now?
No public hotel inventory is available yet. The current announcement is a signing for a future resort.
