Hampton by Hilton San José 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 bright, modern rooms were renovated in 2018.
• The fitness center and outdoor pool are nice perks to work off any jet lag.

Cons

• The airport is nearby, so you may hear plane-related noise.
• The attached restaurant's menu is limited—for authentic Costa Rican cuisine, you'll want to venture farther afield. 
• The flawed shower design can lead to water on the bathroom floor.

Authenticity

The Hampton by Hilton San José Airport is a fairly standard chain hotel, but the property does a decent job interweaving Costa Rican flora and fauna into its decor. The lobby and breakfast area are bright 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 brings a taste of the jungle to you with tall palm trees and tropical plants.

Location

The location is the property's draw, as it's less than 1 mile (1.6 km) from the airport, across the street from the train station that takes you into downtown San ​​José in 45 minutes, 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). The bathrooms are simple but spacious. Connecting rooms, suites with sofas, kitchenettes, and desks, and accessible rooms are all available.

Amenities

There's a large outdoor pool in the hotel's courtyard, and a small fitness center is open 24 hours per day. 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

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

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.

Other Highlights

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