Buena Vista Chic Hotel, San José

Pros

• You'll be located just 6 miles (10 km) north of Juan Santamaría International Airport, and the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle for guests. 
• The peaceful hilltop setting offers panoramic views of the Central Valley, San José, and distant volcanoes.
• Rooms are simple but spacious, with suites and villas available for larger groups. 
• The on-site restaurant serves traditional Costa Rican fare and you can enjoy a complimentary breakfast on the outdoor terrace or in the garden.
• The extensive grounds include an outdoor pool, manicured gardens, and a short nature trail loop.  

Cons

• There's no air-conditioning in rooms, but all feature ceiling fans.
• The unheated pool can get chilly in cooler months. 
• The hotel's off-the-beaten-path location isn't ideal for exploring the area; the proximity to the airport is the real draw here. 

Authenticity

Buena Vista Chic Hotel offers a smaller, more secluded alternative to the standard San José airport hotel. The hilltop hacienda-style property is surrounded by manicured grounds, gardens, and coffee fields, with just 30 rooms split between the main building and surrounding villas. You won't find much in the way of authentic character among the neutral, nature-inspired decor, but the comfortable rooms, friendly service, and peaceful setting make this a popular spot for travelers heading to and from the international airport. 

Location

With an address in the foothills of Alajuela, the hotel is located just 6 miles (10 km) or a 20-minute drive north of Juan Santamaría International Airport. A complimentary shuttle is available for guests heading to and from the airport during the day, and you'll find plentiful free parking on-site. The secluded setting isn't the best for sightseeing, and you're over 45 minutes from downtown San José, but you can find natural attractions like the Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and Hacienda Alsacia within an easy drive. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel's 30 rooms range from Deluxe kings to multiroom villas, all featuring nature-inspired decor and a palette of soft browns and earth tones. Deluxe rooms overlook the garden or pool, while the spacious Family Junior Suites sleep up to five and open out onto a private balcony. Standalone villas are the most modern and private feeling, with tile floors, wood-paneled ceilings, and separate living areas complete with a sofa bed. Bathrooms are modern and clean, with rainfall showerheads and designer toiletries, and all rooms include ceiling fans, WiFi, and gourmet coffeemakers. 

Amenities

You'll find a small outdoor pool on the hotel's terrace, as well as manicured gardens and grounds to explore, including a short nature trail. An indoor/outdoor bar serves tropical cocktails and locally produced beers, and the on-site restaurant offers a menu of Costa Rican classics made with locally sourced produce (the indoor dining area is a somewhat characterless space, but you can dine on the terrace for volcano views). Breakfast is included in the room rate, and you can arrange for a packed version if you have an early flight.

Family-Friendliness

Buena Vista Hotel welcomes families; though you won't find much in the way of child-focused amenities, the spacious room options and lots of outdoor space make it a convenient spot for families to relax and let little ones stretch their legs before early or late flights. Suites sleep up to five comfortably (with children over seven charged as adults), and the on-site restaurant features kid-friendly options.