Hilton Garden Inn, La Sabana, San José

Pros

• The hotel's location puts you equidistant between the airport and downtown San José, both just 15 minutes by car without traffic.
• You'll have access to green space on your doorstep, with the large La Sabana Metropolitan Park just across the street.
• Rooms are modern and clean, with options for balconies and mountain views.
• The on-site amenities include a rooftop swimming pool, gym, sauna, bar, and restaurant.
• The hotel is known for its staff's hospitality and helpfulness.

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—modern, clean rooms and the easy proximity to the airport are the main draws here. However, you might enjoy seeing a different side of the city from its location at the northwestern corner of Parque Metropolitano La Sabana (La Sabana Metropolitan Park), which many locals frequent, especially during soccer games at the nearby stadium. The setting and high-rise building mean you'll also get great views of the city and surrounding mountains.

Location

Located on the city center's western outskirts, you'll be about 15 minutes away from the airport without traffic and 25 minutes during rush hour. 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 La Sabana. On the other side of the park is a district known for its foodie scene, plus plenty of shops and markets. There's plentiful free parking on-site, and EV chargers are available nearby.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The 115 air-conditioned rooms are all modern, bright, and clean, with Serta mattresses and linens, work desks, and large windows. Choose from two doubles or a king bed with an optional balcony, or book a suite to sleep four with an extra sofa bed and separate living area. Bathrooms are spacious and well-lit with walk-in showers. As a high-rise building, many rooms offer views of the city and surrounding mountains, with some looking directly over the country's national stadium. Accessible rooms are available, and all floors of the hotel are served by an elevator.

Amenities

You'll find an on-site bar and restaurant serving a breakfast buffet, lunch, dinner, and drinks, though the menu is mainly international and short on any Costa Rican flavor. There's also a mini-market near the reception that makes a handy spot to pick up wine, chocolates, desserts, and assorted snacks. The rooftop swimming pool is small but has a great view, and there's an adjoining kids' paddle pool for little ones. A well-equipped gym overlooks the stadium, and there's a sauna available to guests who want to work up more of a sweat. 

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's or guardian's room using existing beds. Cribs and extra beds can be provided in some rooms, and the hotel is stroller-friendly.