Good Airport hotel in Alajuela?
Jan 19th, 2010, 05:46 PM
#1
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Good Airport hotel in Alajuela?
My fiance and I are going to Costa Rica for our honeymoon. We have most of our hotels booked except for a hotel in Alajuela.
We will be flying into SJO at the beginning of our trip and will arrive in the evening. The next morning we will be driving on to Arenal.
At the end of our trip we will be driving back to Alajuela and having another night near the airport, where we have an early flight out of Costa Rica.
We are looking for a hotel to stay at for these travel nights. Basically, we don't need anything fancy because we're not going to be there very long. We just want something clean, comfortable, reasonably priced, and very close to the airport. Also, if there is a place that has any good places to eat that are very nearby this would be ideal as well, because we will definitely be hungry when we arrive!
Thanks for the help!
We will be flying into SJO at the beginning of our trip and will arrive in the evening. The next morning we will be driving on to Arenal.
At the end of our trip we will be driving back to Alajuela and having another night near the airport, where we have an early flight out of Costa Rica.
We are looking for a hotel to stay at for these travel nights. Basically, we don't need anything fancy because we're not going to be there very long. We just want something clean, comfortable, reasonably priced, and very close to the airport. Also, if there is a place that has any good places to eat that are very nearby this would be ideal as well, because we will definitely be hungry when we arrive!
Thanks for the help!
Jan 19th, 2010, 07:11 PM
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We have stayed at Orquideas. They will pick you up and take you to the airport. They also have a great breakfast included and a cute pool area. Don't book the cheapest rooms, they are too close to the road. Try for a room on the hill. They have their own restaurant which is good, but a bit pricey for the area.
Jan 20th, 2010, 03:56 AM
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Another suggestion for your first night would be Hotel Villa Bonita, a Costa Rican owned B&B. 5 min from the airport (Orquideas 15-20). 2 excellent restaurants nearby--we like the Peruvian one (Inti Raymi) 2 blocks down the street. There is a pharmacy just up the street a block if you'd like to pick up sunscreen and repellent, even shampoos, etc. after you arrive instead of packing it. Delicious breakfast, internet, etc. It runs about $50-$55. Small, 6 rooms. We like #1.
Orquideas is a great suggestion for your last night (and would certainly work for both nights as well). We really like the Marilyn Monroe bar (unique), and always take our meals there rather than the restaurant. Bar and wait staff very friendly. We've stayed on the hill, but the garden rooms are quiet and close to the restaurant and the pool--for less $$. We, too, usually avoid the roadside rooms. This hotel sits on the edge of town and you won't want to venture off the property.
Orquideas is a great suggestion for your last night (and would certainly work for both nights as well). We really like the Marilyn Monroe bar (unique), and always take our meals there rather than the restaurant. Bar and wait staff very friendly. We've stayed on the hill, but the garden rooms are quiet and close to the restaurant and the pool--for less $$. We, too, usually avoid the roadside rooms. This hotel sits on the edge of town and you won't want to venture off the property.
Jan 20th, 2010, 05:02 AM
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Congrats
www.casabellarita.com my fav Boutique BB
www.puravidahotel.com
www.adventure-inn.com
based on budget
all nice free SJO pickup
www.casabellarita.com my fav Boutique BB
www.puravidahotel.com
www.adventure-inn.com
based on budget
all nice free SJO pickup
Jan 20th, 2010, 08:37 AM
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I like Orquideas as well. The restaurant and bar are great and there's a nice large pool. I might try Casa Bella Rita next trip...It's about equal distance from Pavas and SJO in case you are flying out from either airport and looks great!
Jan 20th, 2010, 02:52 PM
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Thanks everyone for the responses. I have actually stayed at Hotel Villa Bonita before on my last trip to Costa Rica about 5 years ago when I visited with my family. It was a nice, friendly hotel and I remember it being very close to the airport.
Shillmac, are the restaurants near the Hotel Villa Bonita safe enough to walk to, or is it better to take a cab?
Shillmac, are the restaurants near the Hotel Villa Bonita safe enough to walk to, or is it better to take a cab?
Jan 20th, 2010, 03:23 PM
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liacin87, we've always walked and have never had cause to feel uncomfortable. We don't carry backpacks, etc. Humberto, the owner, feels it is safe, and, as far as I know, there have been no incidents.
Glad you liked it there. We stayed there for the first time about 5 years ago as well, and we return there every time we visit.
Glad you liked it there. We stayed there for the first time about 5 years ago as well, and we return there every time we visit.
Jan 21st, 2010, 06:44 AM
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Cautiously quoting Davy1961:
"The obvious response to this frequently-asked question is "don't forget the Hampton Inn or the Holiday Inn Express across the highway from the airport." Not only are they a free shuttle away from the airport, but they are 150 feet from the rental car agencies. If you insist on squeezing the last exotic moment out of your vacation, these might not work, but for late arrivals and early departures, either hotel is ideal. The franchises are owned by Costa Ricans and the staff is Costa Rican (not just the maids, but management also). Spanish is spoken there, but English is available if you need it. Breakfast is usually good. The price is high, but the convenience is unmatachable. The free shuttle does not travel though bad neighborhoods, and the hotel areas are guarded. These hotels are still in Costa Rica, The Denny's as well as the attached Casino is run by and used by Costa Ricans. The whole experience is just as authentically Costa Rican as a walk in the jungle. I am not promiting either hotel. It's just that you have a choice, and you deserve a longer list of places to choose from."
The franchises for both hotels mentioned as well as the Denny's is owned by the Costa Rican Grupo Marta (see their website www.grupomarta.com). The Hampton Inn is more expensive than other hotels around. Book online and use an affinity discount to make the cost more like reasonable. If you arrive tired after dark and leave early in the morning, it may fill your needs. No one goes to a foreign country to enjoy (or tolerate) U.S. lodging and food, but if the convenience of same allows you to enjoy more of what you enjoy, you may wish to consider it. No Costa Ricans have been harmed in the making of this suggestion.
"The obvious response to this frequently-asked question is "don't forget the Hampton Inn or the Holiday Inn Express across the highway from the airport." Not only are they a free shuttle away from the airport, but they are 150 feet from the rental car agencies. If you insist on squeezing the last exotic moment out of your vacation, these might not work, but for late arrivals and early departures, either hotel is ideal. The franchises are owned by Costa Ricans and the staff is Costa Rican (not just the maids, but management also). Spanish is spoken there, but English is available if you need it. Breakfast is usually good. The price is high, but the convenience is unmatachable. The free shuttle does not travel though bad neighborhoods, and the hotel areas are guarded. These hotels are still in Costa Rica, The Denny's as well as the attached Casino is run by and used by Costa Ricans. The whole experience is just as authentically Costa Rican as a walk in the jungle. I am not promiting either hotel. It's just that you have a choice, and you deserve a longer list of places to choose from."
The franchises for both hotels mentioned as well as the Denny's is owned by the Costa Rican Grupo Marta (see their website www.grupomarta.com). The Hampton Inn is more expensive than other hotels around. Book online and use an affinity discount to make the cost more like reasonable. If you arrive tired after dark and leave early in the morning, it may fill your needs. No one goes to a foreign country to enjoy (or tolerate) U.S. lodging and food, but if the convenience of same allows you to enjoy more of what you enjoy, you may wish to consider it. No Costa Ricans have been harmed in the making of this suggestion.
Jan 21st, 2010, 07:41 AM
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Congrats!
Just saw that Casa Bella Rita received The 2010 Travelers' Choice Award - B&Bs and Inns category.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoiceList-cInnsBB
Just saw that Casa Bella Rita received The 2010 Travelers' Choice Award - B&Bs and Inns category.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoiceList-cInnsBB
Jan 21st, 2010, 08:50 AM
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Kinkazote -- Personally, I'd stay at those hotels "when pigs fly". I've been inside Hampton and it has absolutely no appeal. So many other great choices near the airport. Denny's, ugh. Although I'm a little curious what's on the menu. LOL!
Jan 21st, 2010, 11:03 AM
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Hip-etc.,
I always try to mention these airport hotels with appropriate deference and recognition
that there are strong supporters for other hotels here. As a public service, I simply present
another view in an effort to inform the OP of another option which, although not popular
here, is the choice of many people who do not participate in this forum.
As for Denny's, I have only eaten at the one in Costa Rica, and only when I was dead tired and
just want something. In fact, their Flying Pig Burrito turns out to be one of my all-time favorites.
I always try to mention these airport hotels with appropriate deference and recognition
that there are strong supporters for other hotels here. As a public service, I simply present
another view in an effort to inform the OP of another option which, although not popular
here, is the choice of many people who do not participate in this forum.
As for Denny's, I have only eaten at the one in Costa Rica, and only when I was dead tired and
just want something. In fact, their Flying Pig Burrito turns out to be one of my all-time favorites.
Jan 21st, 2010, 02:53 PM
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I don't know how I missed this one while looking for a last night hotel. I booked Xandari but have now put in an inquiry for this property as the ultas at Xandari are sooo expensive during the high season. This looks great.
Jan 22nd, 2010, 06:21 AM
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Kinkazote,
While the airport locations Holiday Inn Express & Hampton are very unpopular on this forum, thank you for mentioning them. When you've got to be at the airport at 4:30am I don't think the 5 minute shuttle can be beat. They are quiet and comfortable.
While the airport locations Holiday Inn Express & Hampton are very unpopular on this forum, thank you for mentioning them. When you've got to be at the airport at 4:30am I don't think the 5 minute shuttle can be beat. They are quiet and comfortable.
