sactomama

we are looking for a mid-range hotel near the airport that offers shuttle service. we arrive very late and depart very early so we need something nearby the airport for two separate one-day stays. I'd appreciate several suggestions.

MNP

Id suggest "Orquideas Inn"
Its a great hotel. We had a late arrival and early depature also (9:13pm but didn't clear customs till 11:30pm and the shuttle waited for us, and we left 1t 7am and the hotel arranged a taxi for 8 dollars at 445 am) I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this place. On thier website the booking page has a place for two sepearte arrivals. Breakfast is included and fantastic and coffee is served 2 hours before breakfast in the garden. The staff both reception and waiters were top notch and very friendly. We just left the Orquideas Inn our second time yesterday. Fantastic place.

shillmac

Second the suggestion of Las Orquideas!
Rooms range from $60-80 green season.

For more budget minded, try Vida Tropical, breakfast included, shuttle, small bed and breakfast, $30.

sactomama

has anyone stayed at hampton inn? (very close to airport/shuttle/part of hilton) we are family of five so all rooms get expensive wherever we look because everything based on double occ (three extra per person charges) or need two rooms plus one addit. person charge. anywhere near airport that's good for families?

MNP

Actually we went with 4 of us and they didn't charge any extra for people in the room at Orquideas. (and we thought they would)We were 4 adults and stayed in a Mountain View Suite. They also have a GEODESIC DOME room that is about 140 dollars per night that works for 5 people.
If you book right through their site, they never ask how many people are traveling with you. We were worried about that extra cost with have 2 extra people even though the room was based on double occ. Even when we got there, they were so kind and sent up extra towels without us asking.....

As for things to do at the hotel I think its a great family atmosphere. Pool, a couple trails, birds, even a cat. There was a family there while we were there and they seemed to be having a great time....

shillmac

Hampton Inn is right across the highway from the airport and is a good place to spend your first and last nights. Don't know about their # per room policy. What you are seeing on this board is that most are advising you to stay someplace less "American chain hotel" with more of a local flavor for a total Costa Rican experience! The point being that you can stay at Hampton Inn any old time, but Las Orquideas (or similar) only in Costa Rica! But certainly, the choice is yours!

lydiaf

Orquideas Inn was the best hotel we stayed at in CR. It is very convenient to the airport, 10 minute drive. The staff are exceptionally helpful. I hardly know where to begin. Upon arrival we found that in our email correspondence there had been a misunderstanding about charges for the 2 extra adults (our 18 and 20 year old children). They immediately waived the charges. We were given coupons for 4 free drinks that evening in their Marilyn Monroe Bar. My kids had their first "drink" (or at least the first we know of!) and enjoyed this so much because of the very "unique" atmosphere of the bar and the wonderful bartender who was so attentive to them. The breakfast (included in the cost of your room) was amazing. All you can eat and drink: fresh fruit, coffee, juice, a CR potato dish, tamales, potato cheese puffs, made to order french toast, pancakes, eggs, omelets. They have a beautiful pool area and a nature trail that made for a great morning walk before breakfast. We had a rental car and an employee drew us a very detailed, accurate map to get us to the airport. All this for 75.00 per night! We hated to leave.

Kwoo

Sactomama, I second Las Orquideas Inn. We returned on Aug 20 from our trip to Cr & spent the last 2 nights at Las Orquideas. Our huge room for 4 cost $85.00 (I don't think they charged us for our 2 daughters (ages 23 & 21). We also received 4 coupons for free drinks at the Marilyn Monroe bar. The bartender, Alphonso, is very friendly & funny. The breakfast buffet, which is included, is fabulous, served outside on their patio. Las Orquideas definitely gives you a more Costa Rican atmosphere than the Hampton Inn will.

maryanne1

I am so excited to know I will be at the Orquideas Inn Thursday and Friday (Sept. 2-4) All of you give it such high praise. We will stay at the Hampton Inn our last night before we fly out on the 10th. So after that I can give a very good answer to the question. We do enjoy the Hampton Inns here in the states This will be my daughter and I first trip to Costa Rica. Just hope there is not too much rain as here I sit in S.C. with a bad flood day yeterday and shingles were replaced on my house today. Just hoping Frances does not hit us while we are away. Whatever the weather I know we will have a great trip ahead.

shillmac

You will for sure! Enjoy!

StanKase

Not a reply but a question. If we stay at the Orquideas Inn when we arrive at 2:00 PM from NY is it easy to drive into San Jose or other recommended destination-you may have-to spend 3-4 worthwhile hours before dinner and returning to hotel when it is dark?
I hate to get lost.

shillmac

Stan, I wouldn't recommend driving into San Jose. For one thing, it is very difficult to navigate unless you know where you are going. No street signs at all, and heavy traffic. Another consideration is that if your flight arrives on time at 2:00 p.m., by the time you clear customs, arrange transportation (have you decided to rent?), and get checked in at Las Orquideas, it will be closer to 4:00 p.m. That's 2 hours (actually a little less) until dark. You would be hard pressed to find your way around in San Jose in the daylight hours, and Las Orquideas wouldn't be any picnic to find returning after dark either. It, too, is tricky in daylight! Great place to stay, however!!!

Please consider taking a taxi if you want to go into San Jose. Evening isn't the best for walking around in the city (at least we don't choose to do it), but you could certainly have a taxi take you in perhaps to El Pueblo, which is a "mall" of sorts offering restaurants, bars, and artisan shops.

Ally

Another option to see the city is to have Wady Tours, located in the Orquideas, to pick you up from the airport and take you on a city tour. They will hit all the highlights and drive you back to the hotel.

kdh

We are thinking of staying at the Orquideas Inn our first and third nights (going rafting on the Pacuare the second). We arrive at 730AM our first day. We want to either hang out at the pool (if they let us, has anyone arrived this early?) or tour San Jose/central valley. Is the Orquiedeas far away from the city? 20min? 40 min? What is the cost to take a taxi to San Jose? or do they provide a shuttle?

Ally

Yes, you can hang at the Orquideas Inn Pool all day! It's a nice setting with a great view, does not matter how early or late. I'd say the ride into the heart of San Jose would be about 30 minutes. Don't know how much a taxi would cost, but if someone from Wady Tours is around they can drive you too. They also have a 'City Tour' that takes you to all the highlights of the city...or you can customise your own tour to go just where you want.

Kwoo

Wady Tours gave us a ride into San Jose when we stayed at Las Orquideas in August. They charged us $5.00PP one-way. Because of traffic, it took us almost an hour to get into the city. Maybe it depends on the time of day. We left the Inn around 8:30am to go to San Jose. They picked us up at 6:00pm. There was a lot of traffic both in the morning and evening, not only in San Jose but also in Alajuela.

shillmac

These were rush hour times for those who live in Alajuela and work in the city. Leaving at 9:00 or 9:30, returning around 4:00 should work out much better.

Alajuela1

For an elegant, quiet place near the airport you may wish to check out:

Casa Claro de Luna
http://www.CasaClaroDeLuna.com

and/or

Hotel Villa Bonita
http://www.HotelVillaBonita.com

kdh

Kwoo and Ally (and others!),

Kwoo, I heard/read that the cost from Las Orquideas for a roundtrip taxi/shuttle to downtown would be $40 for two people? yours was only $20?

Ally, how much was the Wady City Tour?

My boyfriend decided maybe he wants to be downtown to check out San Jose and I am very curious too. I am wondering if the Orquideas is just too far away for city exploring and then a 6AM pick up for a rafting tour and we won't have a car. Sounds like Las orquideas pretty far since it took someone a hour!! I am disapointed because I really liked this hotel!!.

Anyone have ideas on a hotel like cool IN san jose? with a pool,a/c, safe area, nice owner/staff.

glover

We stayed at the Hotel Bergerac in San Jose and liked it very much. A/C but no pool. In the "embassey area" of San Jose. They have a web site, check them out. Nice rooms, most with a little garden sitting area. Very nice restaurant (French!) in the hotel. Very accommodating/helpful staff, who can also arrange tours/taxis etc.