San Jose Costa Rica Airport Hotel

[bonniejoy03]

Any suggestions for a SJO airport hotel? We used to stay at the Melia Cariari and have also stayed at FInca Blanca. I believe the Melia is now a Doubletree. Any other suggestions. It is only needed for overnight. I do see a Holiday Inn Express, Adventure Inn, and Quality Real....any opinions. The stay will just be overnight (fly in from US late and leave the next morning early.) Thanks!

[jmbklj]

A reasonable & charming hotel nearby the airport - Orquideas Inn. You can also make arrangements for them to pick you up or drop you off at the airport. We had a group of 11 who stayed here, on our way to Casa Pacifico when we won that LL auction.



http://www.orquideasinn.com/

[bonniejoy03]

Oh My goodness....so cute. I will contact them. At present, I was looking at Adventure Inn. Close to airport, good prices, and good TA reviews. Did you pay for airport transfers? Was it quiet? Any food/drink close by. Thanks so much!!!

[jmbklj]

There was a cost for an airport transfer. I don't remember the amount but I recall it being reasonable compared to taxis. We used their transfer & it was nice having someone waiting for you, plus I heard about some people getting ripped off by taxi drivers.



We stayed there for 2 nights upon our arrival - 11 of us. We used their in-house travel agency booking a tour for our group for the day - went to Poas Volcano, La Paz (loved La Paz) and a coffee plantation. I would not recommend the coffee plantation. In hindsight, I would do Poas volcano & La Paz. If you want to see the volcano, do that first thing in the morning because often the low clouds roll in & you can't see it. We did it 1st and while we were there, we watched the clouds roll in - got some interesting photos. Volcano going, going....gone!



We stayed at Orquideas 2 nights & did not eat in any other restaurants in the area. We had 2 breakfasts & 2 dinners there and enjoyed them. Our group kept the bartender hopping as many were from different states & we were just happy being together & catching up. The Marilyn Monroe bar was fun for our group of 11 & I still have my Orquideas Inn Marilyn Monroe Bar t-shirt. We didn't have a car but didn't need one for our plans. The immediate area is not very nice, but Orquideas Inn, is gated oasis with beautiful grounds & views.



The staff was fabulous, very accommodating & helpful. We went in the low season - Sept. Because of the size of our group, I asked for a discount off the room rates and got one. Don't stay in the standard rooms - not as nice, no good view & you may hear road traffic noise. Stay in the Deluxe Mountain rooms or one of the suites. In our group, several stayed in the Deluxe Mtn rooms & some stayed in a couple of the suites. There's a resident Macaw they let out occasionally, often at breakfast time.



For many in our group, it was their 1st time in Costa Rica, so I wanted a reasonably priced place that had some local charm. This place was just the ticket!



Two of us stayed longer in Costa Rica than the rest of our group & on our way out of the country, we stayed at the Hampton on points - your typical US type hotel, but honestly I enjoyed the Orquideas Inn much more. Depends on what you're looking for. It's not luxurious, just simple & charming. It was a good 1st impression of Costa Rica for our group.

[jmbklj]

Bonnie, when and where are you going in Costa Rica?

[bonniejoy03]

Hi J. This is our 12th? ( I think) time to Costa Rica. We are going in December. We used to stay at the Melia before and after the trip. The Melia is now a Doubletree! We will be visiting El Silencio Lodge in the cloud forest and then Gaia Resort at the beach. Have never been to both of those regions or properties.



Thank you so much for the update. I did receive an email response back from the property and I did read the reviews on TA. It looks good. Thanks for the room suggestion. I will look a little deeper between this property and Adventure Inn. We only need the property for one night. We will be arriving around 8pm and then leaving the next morning by 8am so we just need a nice, quaint basic, property. I would LOVE to stay at Finca Blanca again but it doesn't make sense for the short time period.