Hampton Inn & Suites San Jose Airport, San José

Pros

• The hotel is conveniently located near the airport, the main highway, the train station, and car rental agencies. 
• The 24/7 airport shuttle runs frequently. 
• You get a complimentary breakfast, and there's also an on-site restaurant open for dinner.
• The rooms are new and modern, and they were renovated in 2018.
• The fitness center and outdoor pool are nice perks to work off any jet lag.

Cons

• The dinner menu is quite limited.
• The flawed shower design can lead to water on the bathroom floor.
• The airport is nearby, so travelers may hear plane-related noise.

Authenticity

The Hampton Inn & Suites at San José Airport is a fairly standard hotel, but the property does a decent job interweaving Costa Rican flora and fauna into its decor. For example, the lobby and breakfast area are bright, muted, and spacious, so you can't help but notice the vibrant pops of color in the artwork depicting tropical plants and wildlife. The outdoor pool area also does a good job of bringing the jungle to you with tall palm trees and tropical plants.

Location

The location is the property's draw, as it's less than one mile from the airport, across the street from the train station that takes you into downtown San ​​José, and a short drive to the Pan American Highway. The hotel's 24/7 airport shuttle is frequent, making it an excellent option for an overnight before or after a flight. If you want to rent a car, you'll find plenty of car rental agencies within a few blocks from the hotel.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Rooms are standard with basic amenities but vary from old to new wings (the old wings underwent renovation in 2018). You'll find coffee and bottled water in the rooms, plus free WiFi, though you'll need a Hilton Honors membership to use it (free to sign up). Connecting rooms, suites with sofas and desks, and accessible rooms are all available.

Wildlife

This hotel is urban, so guests shouldn't expect to see much wildlife, though parrots flock to the trees surrounding the pool in the evenings.

Amenities

There's a large outdoor pool in the hotel's courtyard, and a small fitness center is open 24 hours per day. A self-serve laundry is available (tokens can be purchased at reception). Most public areas of the hotel are accessible, and there's an elevator to reach the upper floors. Certain rooms are designated as wheelchair-friendly. The hotel offers a free shuttle to or from the airport, 24 hours a day, and it departs regularly.

Family-Friendliness

The restaurant has a kids' menu. Kids up to 18 can stay for free if they use existing beds in a parent or guardian's room. Extra beds can be provided for free. The larger standard rooms and suites are best suited to families, as they sleep more people, and some have kitchen areas. The hotel is stroller-accessible and it's a convenient place for families to stay while arriving in or departing from Costa Rica. 

Other Highlights

The hotel's diner-style restaurant serves breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is included in the room rate and served as a buffet. The dinner menu features more international dishes than Costa Rican options. A full bar opens in the same space in the evenings.