Hilton Garden Inn, La Sabana, San José

Pros

• You'll appreciate the hotel's location, which is about equidistant from the airport and downtown San José, both just 15 minutes by car without traffic.
• The hotel is near the corner of Sabana Park and the National Stadium of Costa Rica, within walking distance from many shops and eateries.
• You'll have access to the hotel's swimming pool, gym, sauna, bar, and restaurant.
• The hotel is known for its staff's hospitality and offers clean, bright spaces.
• You'll be able to enjoy views of the mountains from the hotel.

Cons

• You might find the travel time to the city center a bit long, as it's approximately 45 minutes walking and 15 minutes by car to Parque Central de San José.
• The hotel doesn't serve authentic Costa Rican food.
• The rooftop pool is narrow and gets crowded at popular times.

Authenticity

The Hilton Garden Inn is part of a well-known hotel chain, so you won't find too much authenticity here. However, you can enjoy a different side of the city, as you'll be near Sabana Park, which many locals frequent, especially during soccer games. 

Location

The Hilton Garden Inn is located about 15 minutes away from the airport without traffic and 25 minutes with traffic. Likewise, driving to the center of San José takes about 15 minutes, though you could walk (about 45 minutes), which takes you through the green and leafy Sabana Park. On the other side of the park is a district known for its foodie scene, plus plenty of shops and markets. The hotel provides a great view of the mountains, and the Central Market, a significant attraction for guests, is also nearby.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The Hilton Garden Inn offers various room options with two doubles or one king bed. The hotel is known for providing bright and clean rooms with standard amenities, including flatscreen TVs, a work desk with an ergonomic chair, a mini-fridge, and complimentary WiFi. As a skyrise building, many rooms offer views of the city and surrounding mountains, with some looking directly over the country's national stadium in Sabana Park. For an upgrade, grab a room with a balcony. Some rooms are specially designed for people with limited mobility, ensuring everyone's comfort.

Wildlife

This is an urban high-rise hotel, so guests shouldn't expect to see wildlife on the grounds, but nearby Sabana Park is home to woodpeckers, various types of parrots and parakeets, and owls.

Amenities

The Hilton Garden Inn offers several amenities: enjoy a refreshing dip in the rooftop swimming pool or work up a sweat in the gym, which overlooks the stadium. A sauna is available for guest use. There's also a garden area and a small kids' pool on the rooftop, 
a 24-hour fitness center, and accessible features for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.

Family-Friendliness

The hotel is family-friendly with a kids' pool on the rooftop, a children's menu at the restaurant, and in-room microwaves and mini-refrigerators. Up to two children (18 years old and younger) stay for free when occupying a parent or guardian's room using existing beds. Cribs and extra beds can be provided in some rooms, and the hotel is stroller-friendly. 

Other Highlights

The hotel features a bar and restaurant serving a breakfast buffet, lunch, dinner, and drinks. Past guests loved the breakfast but lamented the fact that the lunch and dinner menus don't offer much in the way of traditional Costa Rican dishes. A mini-market near the reception offers wine, chocolates, desserts, and assorted snacks.