Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Airport Alajuela

From the street, there’s a distinct freshness to this hotel and the strip of road on which it sits -- with its modern modular facade, and the somewhat industrial dining and Walgreens complex that sits right over the road. Built in 2012, the property is fresh and new (guests frequently comment on the spotless interiors), though the decor is mostly standard chain-hotel fare. The lobby is dressed in dark wood with neutral walls, and bold splashes of color, like deep orange and lime green. There tends to be plenty of activity in the lobby given that it holds the reception desk, sundries shop, elevators, and restaurant within a large open plan layout. The outdoor pool offers a calmer contrast, and there's a little herb garden in one corner of the patio. The presence of meeting rooms means there’s usually some business types and/or group events taking place here, but the mixed crowd is otherwise here for the quick trip to the airport.  

The hotel is located in a pocket of Alajuela that’s close to major arterials, and convenient to the airport and shopping malls. There's a great little strip of international restaurants (Japanese, Argentinian Peruvian, and Mexican) and a Walgreens and a Europcar office. The hotel is a 10-minute drive from Juan Santamaria International Airport, and downtown San Jose is about 25 minutes away. For those with some time to kill and money to spend, there’s outlet shopping (Outlet Internacional) about a 10-minute drive away. It’s 10 minutes to City Mall, and six minutes to Plaza Real Alajuela (all walkable in around 20 minutes). 

Available in Standard, Superior, and Suite categories, rooms are spacious, and though generic in the chain hotel sense, they’re warmly-colored and outfitted with mini-fridges and single-cup coffeemakers. Decor blends deep red tones with wood finishes, and pistachio-green feature walls are offset with luxe white bedding. Large desks with ergonomic chairs are provided, and Superior Categories add lounge settings into the mix. Master Suites feature separate living and dining areas. Flat-screen TVs and iHome clock radios with iPod docks are provided, as are the usual trimmings like safes, ironing boards, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are a good size. They feature rust-red feature walls, granite vanities, well-illuminated mirrors, walk-in showers, hairdryers, and Paul Mitchell toiletries. 

Features are a good mix of convenient and relaxing amenities. Located towards the rear of the lobby, Centro Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with buffet and a la carte options -- though breakfast isn’t included in room rates. The morning meal starts super early to accommodate flights. Also, the free airport shuttle runs every half-hour starting before dawn. There’s a small sundries store next to the front desk selling basic snacks, beverages, magazines, and some souvenirs. The modern pool is a highlight -- with plenty of al fresco patio area for catching some rays on the deck chairs or table seating. The fitness center is a good size with a decent range of modern Life Fitness cardio and weight-training equipment, and views of the pool. Seven event rooms cater to business meetings; there’s a business center located in the lobby. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout. Free on-site parking is available.