crawfishmonica

I'm looking for opinions on small independent hotels or B&B's in either Alejuala or Heredia. Does anyone have any suggestions to explore? Planning a trip for July 2005, and want to use either of these towns as home base for day trips.

Thanks!!

Jessie_

You are probably going to get 100 replies about this one LOL. The most popular places are Vida Tropical which is right by the airport, Las Orquideas Inn (they have a tour company on site), Vista del Valle-a little further out. Do a quick search and Humberto has a new place in Alajuela also, He used to manage the Vida Tropical and would be a tremendous help with suggestions. Pura Vida Hotel is a nice little place about 15 minutes from the airport.

shillmac

Jessie is right--there are a lot of choices. Do you have a price range preference?

Vida Tropical (actually about 10 minutes from the airport)--$30
(some shared baths, some private)

Las Orquideas--about 20 min. from airport--$50-80, depending on room

Vista del Valle--outside Alajuela, about 30-40 min. from airport, $125ish

All are Alajuela locations.

Humberto & Carmen's new place is:
www.vistabonita.com

His e-mail address is [email protected]

Vista Bonita is closer to the airport than any of the others (5-10 min)

Haven't stayed in Heredia, but have spent a lot of time there. Unfortunately, am not familiar with smaller places in Heredia town, but know that Hotel Bouganvillea (sp?) is near there with a good reputation.

As she said, a search of Heredia should help you. Either city would be a good base. Heredia is a bit smaller.

In between Alajuela and Heredia (and closer to Heredia) is San Joaquin de Flores. This little town of about 16,000 would also be a good base. There is a small bed and breakfast there called La DeHesa. We stayed there for a couple of nights in July. $16 per person, private bath. Just thought I would mention that if you were looking for clean and safe budget accomodations.

shillmac

Thanks, Humberto! My heart was in the right place!

TAGriffin

I absolutely love the Hotel Bougainvillea - very classy, European style hotel with beautiful grounds and wonderful views of San Jose. It also has a terrific restaurant. For the amenities, location, and services, I thought this hotel was very reasonably priced. Also, I don't know if you plan to rent a car, but if not, most all of the tour operators will pick up at the Bougainvillea.

I stayed at the Pura Vida hotel this past July and very much enjoyed my stay there. The couple that own and run the inn are delightful and the included breakfast was fantastic!

Vista del Valle is one of my favorites in Costa Rica. It's a bit further out than hotels in Alajuela and Heredia, but still quite convenient for day trips to Poas, Zoo Ave, Grecia and Sarchi. Depending on your budget, you might also consider Xandari, which is just outside Alajuela. I've stayed there 3 times and loved every minute of each stay.

crawfishmonica

Thanks all for the input, I esp. like hearing of places that you have actually stayed. I'm looking in the $40 - $70 per night range. Anyone have any opinions on Posada Mimosa, Las Orquideas, or Hotel Brilla Sol. I did esp. like the looks of Hotel Villa Bonita, thanks for that suggestion!! Please keep the ideas coming!!!

MNP

We stayed at Orquideas Inn and LOVED IT! The staff was increadible, the service was fantastic, the food was wonderful and the atmosphere of the place was great as well. They made us feel cared for and it almost felt like we were the only ones at the hotel because of the amount of service we did recieve. I'd reccommend it again and again....Great value for the money!

crawfishmonica

MNP - Thanks so much for the response, that is what I was hoping to hear!!! I spotted Las Orquideas early in my search and fell in love with it, hoped it was as nice as it looked. Now gotta see if I can get some info on Posada Mimosa which is #2 on the list. Am still open to recommendations though, never know when that diamond in the rough may surface!

TAGriffin

Here's my two cents about Posada Mimosa. I stayed there for 3 nights in July 2001. Although it was reasonably priced, I would not choose to stay there again. Although it's only about 15 minutes from Grecia, it's still pretty remote and not at all convenient for most day trips. In terms of the accommodations, our cabin was clean and comfortable, but the kitchen was ill equipped and we had no maid service during our stay as they do not employ maids on weekends. The Canadian couple that run the inn are lovely people, but I understand that it is currently for sale.

Kwoo

I second Las Orquideas Inn in Alajuela. We stayed there in August and loved every minute of it. The staff is just wonderful, especially Alphonso, the bartender. WE enjoyed having drinks in the Marilyn Monroe bar and he was funny and entertaining. It is also great having the tour company, Wady Tours, on site. We hired one of their drivers (can't remember his name, but he was also nice & friendly) to drive us into San Jose & pick us up. The cost was $5.00pp one-way.

The breakfast buffet, served on the outdoor patio, is delicious with a wide variety.

As you can see from their website, the grounds are beautiful with great views of the mountains and San Jose. I love the Spanish style architecture! We had a room for 4 which was very large. It cost us $85.00 including breakfast. A bargain! Our room was rather plain, though. My sister-in-law had a single in a different building & her room was cuter & had more ambience.

Las Orquideas is also a great base for taking day trips to San Jose, Grecia, Sarchi, Poas & the Doka Coffee Plantation.

Hope this helps.

shillmac

Just a little bit more about Las Orquideas. There are actually 3 prices of rooms. We have stayed in two of them. The least expensive is roadside, at about $50. Back to back, but facing the garden/grounds are the garden rooms for a little more--about $60 or 65, I think. We stayed in one of these rooms. They are the ones with a little more color and character as Kwoo mentioned. These units (both roadside and garden) are near the bar, restaurant, and front office.

Further up on the property are the more expensive rooms--$80 or $85 (I think we paid $80 in July). They are roomier, have rocking chairs on the porches, and offer a nice view for sitting out early in the morning. We spent a week in one of these rooms--king sized bed and roomier.

The garden rooms are, however, very nice and conveniently located. We will probably request these next time we stay.

I'd reiterated the fact that the Las Orquideas, although it is a tedious (and tricky!) drive through town from the airport, is in an excellent position for the locations Kwoo mentioned--all very desirable places to visit in the central valley. It is on the opposite edge of town, and all you have to do is pull out of the driveway and you are on the way to Poas, Grecia, Sarchi, etc. It is also fairly close to Zoo Ave. (La Garita).

Jessie_

I stayed at Orquideas and really enjoyed myself. They even gave me a break on a return night, in one of the garden rooms, there after going out on an incountry flight to elsewhere for a few days. Stored my luggage and everything was fine when I got back. I have only stayed in the garden rooms so can't comment on the others. I was there during high season so the rate break was not due to it being slow, they are just really nice people.

Joanel

most of the hotels in Alajuela do not appear to have airconditioning. ANy comments? how warm during the day and at night?

thanks

shillmac

Nights are cooler (60's) and pleasant both places. . .lack of AC won't be a problem.