Holiday Inn San José-Aurola, San José

Authenticity

Holiday Inn San José-Aurola is your standard, budget-friendly hotel, but this location is hard to miss in the city's historic downtown area. The modern, 17-story structure with a solid facade of windows draws a lot of attention, but although the exterior feels a bit cold, the lobby is warm and bright with colorful artwork and tropical plants. 

Location

The hotel's main perk is its central location in the city's historic core, just in front of Parque Morazán. You'll find numerous restaurants, bars, cafés, and shops within a few blocks. Within a 10-minute walk, you'll reach sites like the National Museum of Costa Rica, the Jade Museum, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, and the National Theater of Costa Rica.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The Holiday Inn Aurola rooms are big and bright, but the bathrooms are pretty dated and could use some updates. You'll find a variety of room configurations—including suites with spa bathtubs, pull-out sofas, and desks—and can book connecting rooms, which may be helpful if traveling with family or friends. Thanks to the hotel's multiple stories and large windows, many rooms offer views of San José and its surroundings.

Sustainability

As part of the InterContinental Hotels Group, Holiday Inn San José-Aurola participates in the company's worldwide Green Engage initiative and holds an ETIC Bronze Certification with an overall 7.1 ETIC Ethical & Sustainable Score.

Wildlife

This hotel has an urban location, so guests won't see wildlife.

Amenities

The hotel has an indoor swimming pool and a fitness center with elliptical machines, free weights, stationary bicycles, and treadmills. There are a range of accessibility features throughout the hotel, and two rooms are reserved for travelers with limited mobility. Entrances throughout the hotel are wheelchair-accessible, and there's an elevator.

Family-Friendliness

This hotel is family-friendly. At the on-site restaurants, up to two kids (aged 11 or under) eat for free per adult, with a limit of four kids per dining party. Kids aged 18 and below also stay for free when sharing their parent's room, and cribs can be provided for free. In-room childcare can be provided for a fee. Kids love the hotel's indoor pool.

Other Highlights

There are two restaurants, El Mirador and Tropicana Restaurant. On the 17th floor, El Mirador serves dinner and has sweeping city views. The a la carte menu is international. Tropicana is casual and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. It's located on the first floor, beside the lobby. An on-site sports bar, La Palma, also offers happy-hour specials.