San Jose & Outer Areas
ALTA LAS PALOMAS HOTEL
If you are looking for a premium hotel in San Jose, Costa Rica… you are at the right place! The Alta Las Palomas Boutique Hotel is a leader among San Jose Costa Rica hotels offering a wide variety of activities designed to pamper its exclusive clientele. The hotel, one of the finest among Costa Rica’s small hotels and resorts, offers its clientele a sublime combination of unsurpassed luxury and the country’s natural splendor. In a relaxed atmosphere of understated elegance, guests will always receive the finest in personalized service while enjoying Alta Las Palomas Hotel’s royal accommodations, extensive facilities, thoughtful amenities and San José’s finest cuisine. Whether you are enjoying your honeymoon, attending a wedding or looking for one of the finest hotels near the airport in Costa Rica, the Alta Las Palomas Hotel will surely become your luxurious home away from home. Deluxe Rooms Queen or double beds in handsomely appointed rooms that feature spacious balconies with expansive views or private patios with lush tropical gardens. Our luxurious bathrooms offer exquisitely tiled vanities and a host of thoughtful amenities.
Dining at La Luz Restaurant is an extraordinary experience. The décor is exquisite: hand-forged lamps, garden fresh flowers, pegged floors made of tropical hardwoods, and a hand-painted ceiling surrounds the guest. The restaurant’s large glass windows reveal sweeping views of the valley below. The menu features the finest in specially created nouvelle cuisine. Using the freshest produce, meats, fish and spices of the region skilled chefs fuse a splash of Costa Rica with continental and California influences varied selection for an unforgettable dining event. Impeccable service heightens the entire dining experience. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and also provides in-room dining service.
BEST WESTERN IRAZU HOTEL & CASINO
Located just fifteen minutes from Costa Rica’s international airport and ten minutes from downtown San Jose, the Best Western Irazu is characterized by its Best Friendly Costa Rican Atmosphere: comfortable, lively, and entertaining. Wide variety of events and services make the Irazu Hotel the perfect place for vacationers and business executives alike. 327 air conditioned rooms all include a full bathroom with tub, hair drier, U.S. cable television, telephone and safe deposit box ($3 per night). Choose from two double beds, one double, and one single, one queen size or one king size bed. Most rooms have a balcony overlooking the swimming pool or gardens. Cafeteria “El Patio” offers international and traditional Costa Rican cuisine from 6:00 a.m. to midnight, while “La Cantina” bar offers a pool view and live music, with a wide variety of local and international drinks from 10:00 a.m. to midnight Other services include an outdoor pool, lighted tennis court, sauna, massage service ($30), one of Costa Rica’s largest casinos. Continental breakfasts at Denny’s & FREE happy hour 5-7 PM included. Airport shuttle from 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily
DOUBLE TREE BY HILTON CARIARI
San Jose Costa Rica features a restaurant, a poolside bar, a bar/lounge, and a swim-up bar. Room service is available 24 hours a day. Recreational amenities include an outdoor pool, a children’s pool, a health club, a spa tub, and a sauna. Spa amenities include beauty services and a hair salon. This 4-star property has a business center and offers secretarial services, audiovisual equipment, and business services. Wireless Internet access is available in public areas. This San Antonio de Belen property has event space consisting of banquet facilities, conference/meeting rooms, a ballroom, and exhibit space. The property offers a round trip airport shuttle (surcharge). Wedding services, translation services, and tour assistance is available. Guest parking is complimentary. Additional property amenities include a casino, a concierge desk, and a fitness facility.
222 air-conditioned guestrooms at Double Tree by Hilton Cariari – San Jose Costa Rica feature minibars and coffee/tea makers. Beds come with premium bedding. Furnishings include desks and ergonomic chairs.
Bathrooms feature shower/tub combinations, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers. Wireless Internet access is available. In addition to safes, guestrooms offer multi-line phones with voice mail. 37-inch LCD televisions have premium cable channels. Also included are blackout drapes/curtains and welcome amenities. Guests may request a turn down service, extra towels/bedding, and wake-up calls. Housekeeping is available daily.
FINCA ROSA BLANCA COUNTRY INN
Located in Santa Barbara de Heredia – Inspired by Gaudi’s architectonics and a Santa Fe Style. Finca Rosa Blanca is situated on a 10-acre farm above the beautiful Central Valley surrounded by towering wild fig trees and other exotic flora. Rosa Blanca offers spectacular views of volcano’s, cloud forest and coffee plantations. The artful inn is filled with eclectic adornments including an assortment of pre-Columbian artifacts, contemporary paintings, wood sculptures, beautiful weaving’s, unusual furnishing and artsy objects collect by the owners, Teri and Glenn Jampol throughout the years. Newly added private casitas with Jacuzzi s. Guided tours of the coffee plantation and horseback riding. Spa on site with excellent cuisine in the restaurant.
GRANO DE ORO
FROM THE BEGINNING:
The Hotel Name? We were searching for a real name, with Costa Rican identity, and “Grano de Oro” refers directly to the coffee bean. Known in Costa Rica as the “grain of gold” despite of being such a small fruit, coffee has represented one of the main economic activities of the country. In the same way this hotel, compared to traditional big hotel chains, is as small as a grain of coffee, but as important to hospitality industry as coffee has been to the economy.
History:
The Hotel Grano de Oro is located in San José, in Barrio Don Bosco, on street 30 between avenue 2 and 4, very close to Paseo Colón. It was inaugurated in December 1991, consisting of 21 rooms, a gift shop and a modest café type restaurant. The building originally was a private residence belonging to the Pozuelo family and was built around 1910, with tropical Victorian architecture.
A Canadian couple who frequented Costa Rica on vacation, decided to venture into the hotel business; although they immensely enjoyed the natural beauty of the country, they felt that within San Jose there was no option of “boutique” style accommodations offering a personalized service. With this concern and with the conviction that they had a good business opportunity, not caring they had no experience in the hospitality industry, they began to search for a house that could be renovated to function as a hotel (fortunately the family Pozuelo agreed to sell this house), and the adventure began.
During the first year of operation the hotel did extremely well and quickly gained recognition from local and international agencies for offering great service. There are two historical events that contribute to a massive influx of tourists to Costa Rica and consequently helped the initial success of the hotel: the first in 1987 when the President Oscar Arias was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, for actions in pursuit of peace in Central American territory (which for so many years had suffered serious conflicts).
This international recognition helped to raise awareness of the country within the world, and was admired by millions of people in many countries for being a Central American country and having survived without an army all the while promoting peace. The second historic event was the football World Cup Italia 90; our country not only qualified for the first time in a World Cup, but also had an outstanding performance winning two games. These two historical facts (the Nobel Prize and the World Cup) placed Costa Rica as an exciting new tourist destination, exotic and with an amazing biodiversity.
Many of the tourists coming to Costa Rica appreciated the service presented by the Hotel Grano de Oro. Considering this successful first year, the hotel owners decide to buy a second property (also originally of the Pozuelo family), to carry out an expansion, which was ready for the month of December 1994; with this renovation the hotel jumped to having 34 rooms, as well as adding a terrace with 2 Jacuzzis and a first extension of the restaurant was made. At this time a positive evolution in the restaurant began to take shape causing the decision to improve the restaurant in all aspects, new dishes, an extended and more sophisticated menu, more kitchen and restaurant staff to improve service. All this occurred of the hand of the new chef Canal, who along with the hotel owners was determinate to convert the restaurant in one of the best of the city.
Over the next 10 years the hotel continued to stand strong as one of the best lodging options in San José, and the fame of its restaurant made it not possible to serve all of the customers who wanted to come to eat, especially the large number of local customers.
Again based on the situation a decision was made to work in the next phase of the hotel: the owners bought yet another property next door (on the corner, where the current restaurant is) and in 2005 the construction of a beautiful building maintaining the original tropical Victorian style of the original house began. Currently the new building houses the restaurant, with 30 tables and a capacity for 108 people, a beautiful terrace, a spacious bar, a wine cellar and a lounge as well as 4 more hotel rooms. The remodeling was completed in May of 2007, with a total of 6 new rooms, parking for up to 22 vehicles an enlarged reception area and lobby. Shortly afterwards the gift shop was remodeled too.
Since then and until now the Hotel Grano de Oro worked to please its customers and is always looking to exceed their expectations.
Hotel Grano de Oro is a luxurious 3-star property set in a prime location in the center of San Jose. Local tourist attractions such as Costa Rican Art Museum (Museo de Arte), Museum of Costa Rican Art (Museo de Arte Costarricense) and Mercado Central are not far from the hotel. Also easily within reach are Sabana Park, San Jose Parque Central and Spirogyra Butterfly Garden.
Grano de Oro Situated on a shady street just off Paseo Colón, San José’s main thoroughfare, Hotel Grano de Oro is a true oasis, a sanctuary in the heart of a bustling city. Converted from a Tropical Victorian mansion, the hotel maintains the warmth and comfort of a private home. The hotel’s charming atrium terrace and corridors have sparkling fountains and lush tropical planting, and rooftop deck offers soothing Jacuzzis and a spot for secluded sunbathing. The main restaurant at the Grano de Oro is one of San José’s finest, serving continental cuisine in a warm and intimate atmosphere. Service is paramount and the perpetually smiling staff of the Grano de Oro welcomes guests home time and again. Guests delight in the tranquil ambiance of tropical plants and flowers found throughout the hotel. Additionally, a rooftop garden terrace with lawn beds and Jacuzzi provides blissful, secluded lounging.
Area information Distances are calculated in a straight line from the property’s location to the point of interest or attraction, and may not reflect actual travel distance, time to drive varies.
Distances are displayed to the nearest 0. 1 mile and kilometer.
Museum of Costa Rican Art – 0.7 km / 0.4 mi
Spirogyra Butterfly Garden – 1.1 km / 0.7 mi
Mercado Central – 1.2 km / 0.8 mi
Sabana Park – 1.3 km / 0.8 mi
San Jose Parque Central – 1.4 km / 0.9 mi
San Jose Cathedral – 1.5 km / 0.9 mi
Children’s Museum – 1.6 km / 1 mi
Gold Museum – 1.7 km / 1.1 mi
National Theater – 1.7 km / 1.1 mi
Plaza de la Cultura – 1.7 km / 1.1 mi
Costa Rica National Stadium – 1.8 km / 1.1 mi
La Salle Natural Science Museum – 1.9 km / 1.2 mi
Morazan Park – 1.9 km / 1.2 mi
Jade Museum – 2.1 km / 1.3 mi
Parque Espana – 2.1 km / 1.3 mi
Near Museum of Costa Rican Art
The preferred airport for Hotel Grano de Oro is San Jose (SJO – Juan Santa Maria Int.) – 14.2 km / 8.8 mi.
We would like to mention that Grano de Oro has successfully completed the hotel expansion, which includes:
• Six new deluxe rooms (for a total of 40 rooms and suites)
• A new reception and lobby area
• A new restaurant and bar
• Two salons for special events with capacity for 16 and 40 people
• Private parking
Also:
We have now completed the process of remodeling all the hotel rooms. This includes new color schemes and fabrics, and new floors in some of the rooms. We also changed our mattresses to imported mattresses of the best technology available in the international marker.
Free internet access will be offered in all the rooms
We are introducing a new category called “deluxe king”; rooms in this category will have 1 king bed, in order to accommodate the clients that request this bed size.
We would also like to inform you that Hotel Grano de Oro will donate $5 from each room sold to “Casa Luz”, a shelter for teenage mothers (who have been victims of sexual abuse and exploitation) and their children.
Finally, we are proud to share with you that for 2 consecutive years (2006 & 2007), the Hotel Grano de Oro was selected by Travel & Leisure Magazine as one of the best 500 hotels in the world, and by prestigious publication Condé Nast Traveler as one of the best 15 hotels in Central America and Mexico.
We want to thank Adventure and Dive Tours of Costa Rica and Costa Rica Deluxe Tours for your support since 1987 and to assure you we stand by our commitment to continue to provide an outstanding product and an excellent experience when your clients stay with us at the Grano de Oro.
Sincerely,
Marco Montoya
Hotel Manager
HOTEL BUENA VISTA
Outer San Jose area, features a restaurant and a bar/lounge. Recreational amenities include an outdoor pool. Wireless Internet access (surcharge) is available in public areas. The property has a complimentary airport shuttle during limited hours. Guest parking is complimentary. Additional property amenities include tour/ticket assistance, gift shops/newsstands, and laundry facilities. All guestrooms at feature mini bars and hair dryers. Wireless Internet access is available for a surcharge. Satellite television is provided.
MARTINO’S SPA RESORT
“Take an ounce of tranquility, add a quarter of luxury spa, and a spoon full of vital cuisine, decorate with a drop of sports…That’s Hotel Martino in Costa Rica – No artificial ingredients.” Optional: If times allows (go to the front desk to buy passes) “Zoo Avi” located across the road, a chance to see monkeys and many of Costa Rica’s beautiful birds at close range. Largest health club in San Jose area. Use the Sauna, steam room or Jacuzzi and gym as time permits. Great Italian food and hotels are Italian designed.
THE PEACE LODGE AT LA PAZ WATERFALL GARDENS
The award-winning Peace Lodge introduces its guests to a symphony of purely Costa Rican experiences celebrating the natural wonders of the rain forest and the splendid creatures that inhabit this magical environment. Nowhere else on earth can guests feed toucans and hummingbirds by hand, release newly hatched butterflies into their first flight, look straight into the eyes of a jaguar, or observe the brilliant colors of a red eyed leaf frog from just inches away. These experiences and many more create irreplaceable memories of a journey you wish to take again and again. Located within the private wildlife refuge of La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park the Peace Lodge’s ultra upscale accommodations are uniquely themed to complement the inherent beauty of its rain forest setting. The detailed architecture exudes a natural elegance and sophistication with every room boasting a Jacuzzi tub and stone fireplace along with showers that transform into waterfalls with the turn of a knob. Our dedicated and friendly staff eagerly invites you to enjoy this special blend of nature and luxury that defines the Peace Lodge experience.
Our guests are welcome to exclusively enjoy the grounds of La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park before the park opens and after it closes. The park includes three kilometers of paved Trails with Five Waterfalls, an Aviary, a Butterfly Observatory, Sloths, Monkeys, Hummingbird Garden, Serpentarium, Jungle Cat exhibits with five species of felines, Casita de La Paz, Frog Habitat, Trout Lake, Insect exhibit and Orchid Exhibit. The Peace Lodge was featured on the Travel Channel’s Honeymoon Hot spots International as one of the ten best hotels in the world to spend your honeymoon and La Paz Waterfall Gardens was nominated as one of the seven natural wonders of Costa Rica by the readers of La Nacion newspaper.
VISTA DEL VALLE PLANTATION INN
Vista Del Valle Inn is a haven for those seeking a refuge in the forest. The property happens to have a coffee and orange plantation. Guests will find themselves surrounded by exotic birds and butterflies as well as other natural wonders. The main house of the inn is an architectural marvel that features beautiful hardwoods, glass, stone, high ceilings and an open floor plan. Other amenities include a nature preserve with a 300 foot waterfall, a mosaic tiled swimming pool, Jacuzzi and hammocks. Be prepared to be taken back by this true paradise. Vista Del Valle Plantation Inn – features indoor/outdoor living, which wonderfully balances comfort and style. The main house is an architectural marvel detailed with tropical hardwoods, glass, and stone, with bright airy rooms, high ceilings and an open flowing plan. The exquisite cottages were inspired by the Japanese design traditions of openness and harmony. The beauty of the surrounding gardens is reflected by the gentle ambiance of the cottages, which include private baths, kitchenettes and comfortable beds. For Romance you’ll want the Ilan Ilan or Mona Lisa bungalows with an additional outdoor shower and private sun bathing patio.
Surrounded on 3 sides by a coffee and orange plantation and the other by a 3700-acre nature preserve with waterfalls, trails, and river. Enjoy a day of R & R and hike to waterfalls. Explore acres of gardens, and trails that also can take your adventure into the preserve on your own to 300-foot waterfall. There are plenty of nature and bird watching opportunities here. For relaxing the hammocks, large mosaic tiled pool and Jacuzzi are perfect. Coffee and orange plantation, waterfalls, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, hammocks, parking, laundry, kitchen facilities, internet access, restaurant, room service. Each guest room has its own balcony and opens onto scenic views and gardens. The exquisite cottages, inspired by Japanese design, are in a very private and peaceful setting. There are numerous rooms and private cottages, some of which sit on the jungle edge on a bluff affording an amazing view of the canyon. Several of the rooms and cottages have kitchenettes or kitchens, balconies ideal for bird watching, in-house lounges and large walk-in closets. Main house rooms have one double bed or a double bed and one twin futon, a private bathroom and a balcony facing lush gardens.
The exotic wood suites and all the cottages have a queen size bed and a twin size futon, the option of having a kitchen and a balcony with a view. Some have an outdoor shower and a private sunbathing patio. Vista Del Valle Plantation Inn is located 20 minutes from the International Airport. Our hotel is close yet hidden in a rural greenbelt, next to the 3,700 Hectare Rio Grande Nature Reserve.
Vista Del Valle Plantation Inn’s Main House is an architectural marvel that features beautiful hardwoods, glass, and stone, with high ceilings and an open floor plan. Each guest room has its own balcony and opens onto scenic views and gardens.
Vista Del Valle Plantation Inn’s trails lead through gardens, our plantation, and the nature preserve, to our own 300 foot waterfall. Bird watching, hiking, horseback riding, doing laps in our mosaic tiled pool, soaking in the Jacuzzi, or hammock time are some of the favorite activities here.
Although we are convenient to the airport, we recommend that you stay for more than 2 days to enjoy all of the area attractions. Many of our guests have suggested stays of 3-5 days.
Vista Del Valle Plantation Inn’s Main House – is an architectural marvel that features beautiful hardwoods, glass, and stone, with high ceilings and an open floor plan. Each guest room has its own balcony and opens onto scenic views and gardens.
Main House:(guest room) This room has double bed, a private bath and balcony.
Mango Manor Cottage Mango Manor Cottage: Has two suites and the option of having a shared kitchen. Each suite has 2 beds and a twin futon. One room (the Canyon) has 2 double beds and the twin size futon lounge, the other (The Garden) has a queen, a double bed, and a twin size futon lounge. Each suite can accommodate a total of 5.
The “Exotic Wood Suites”:(Our mid size duplex suites over look the Canyon Preserve) Each suite has a queen size bed and a twin size futon lounge and the option of having a kitchen. These duplex villas are perched on the bluff overlooking our nature preserve canyon. The balconies are ideal for bird and nature observation. Each suite can accommodate a total of 3.
The Tea House Cottage:(Our largest private cottage) Has a queen bed and a double size futon sofa, walk-in closet, and a kitchenette. The veranda with hammock is perfect for lounging and nature watching. This cottage can accommodate a total of 4.
El Nido:(a midsize private cottage) This private cottage has a Queen bed, kitchenette, walk-in closet, with a big veranda (with hammock) for bird watching, and an Orchid tree patio where the Iguanas seem to like to play. There’s room for 2 single size Futon beds for two additional persons or children.
The Mona Lisa Rancho: Is a Thatch roofed octagonal suite perched near the edge of the bluff right next to the jungle edge. It has a queen size bed. The outdoor shower is a favorite among guests and has a private sunbathing patio. This cottage can accommodate just 2 people.
The Ylang Ylang: It is slightly larger Thatch roofed octagonal suite is (ramped for physically challenged guests) perched near the edge of the bluff also next to the jungle edge. It has a queen size bed. Like the Mona Lisa it also has an outdoor shower (for that Tarzan and Jane in you) and a private sunbathing patio.
XANDARI PLANTATION SPA RESORT
Xandari Plantation Spa Resort is splendid and cozy property is only 20 minutes away from the SJO airport and a few minutes from the city of Alajuela. The hotel features 24 individually designed villas of different categories. Each villa is adorned with original works of art. Each villa is equipped with a bar sink, mini refrigerator, coffee maker, telephone, alarm clock, safe deposit box and private terrace. The restaurant serves a variety of local and international dishes prepared with fresh items grown on the organic plantations. The hotel has two lap swimming pools, Jacuzzi, a complete spa, an extensive library, a video room and a souvenir shop. In addition, the property has over three kilometers of private scenic trails and five waterfalls. Plus a beautiful orchid garden with displays of their Gold Medal winners. Ideal for honeymoons, couples, families.