Plaza Los Mangos, Radial Francisco J. Orlich, Alajuela, Costa Rica | (888) 635-3814
10-minute drive from Juan Santamaria International Airport
A little strip of restaurants, a Walgreens, and Europcar right over the road
Spacious and warmly decorated rooms with coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and iPod docks
Casual restaurant serving all meals and a great buffet breakfast (though it’s not free)
Free airport shuttle departing every half-hour, starting early
Mini-market sells snacks, cold drinks, and souvenirs
A good-sized fitness center with Life Fitness cardio machines
Free on-site parking
Free Wi-Fi
Meetings and event capabilities
Breakfast not included
All bottled water incurs room charge
Slightly generic room decor
The Courtyard is a mid-range Marriott property designed as a convenient modern stopover, with free airport shuttles and a decent line up of features. It's a solid overnight option for airport and business travelers seeking a smooth and easy stay pre- and post-flight, or while conducting business. Shuttles and breakfasts starting super early are a major plus for early morning departures and arrivals. Features include a fitness center, a nice pool and sun terrace, good business facilities, free Wi-Fi, and Centro restaurant and bar serving all meals. Rooms are basic but comfortable, and feature coffeemakers, mini-fridges, iPod docks, and Paul Mitchell toiletries. A major highlight is the great little strip of international eateries over the road, along with a Walgreens. Travelers seeking a little more quirk factor and a bigger pool could try the Adventure Inn.
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Scene
A modern generic chain with a mix of business travelers and tourists between flights
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.
Location
In Alajuela, close to the airport, a few restaurants, and outlet shopping -- but not much else
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).
Rooms
Generic but pleasant; with coffeemakers, mini-fridges, iPod docks, and Paul Mitchell toiletries
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
An outdoor pool, well-equipped fitness center, casual restaurant, decent business facilities, and free Wi-Fi throughout
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.
