KC Hotel San Jose

Guests first arrive to a security guard keeping watch over the gated parking lot, and then are able to self-park or pull up to the turnaround entrance. The lobby succeeds in portraying the image of a boutique hotel with large potted plants and sophisticated decor, including an impressive collection of bold artwork and crystal chandeliers. Black leather seats lead to a desk area with computers and a coffee station. Beyond reception is an open-air hallway splitting off towards the first section of rooms before it continues to the outdoor pool and restaurant. Behind here is another section of rooms on either side of an atrium-style building.

KC is a small hospitality company with only one other property in Thailand. This may account for a little bit of disconnect that one may feel with the property. For one, the hotel feels hushed -- there is no music playing in the lobby or the restaurant, making the sound of dogs barking and cars in the distance even more noticeable. And while stylish art and elegant furnishings in the common areas are nice to look at, the hotel offers little in the way of personality or ambiance (staff included), so it is probably best suited for those who simply want a quiet place to rest. In addition to business travelers, those in town for medical/dental volun-tourism (volunteering tourism) may also appreciate this stick-to-yourself vibe.

KC Hotel is located in San José -- Costa Rica’s capital and largest city. The residential neighborhood, called Sabana Sur, where the hotel can be found is also home to several corporate offices, making the hotel popular with business travelers. It is also a convenient location for those in transit as it is a 20-minute drive to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). Though there is not much within walking distance, a few blocks away is the biggest park in the country -- Sabana Central Park -- which also has sporting fields and an art museum. Guests can walk here from the hotel, passing a market along the way for essentials and sundries. For those who have rental cars, the hotel has ample free parking next to the entrance in a secure lot. Those without a car get around the city by using the bus system or taking taxis. The front desk can help with bus routes and arranging taxi fares.

For those interested in experiencing the urban center, San José’s downtown is a 10-minute drive or taxi ride away for cultural landmarks such as the National Theatre, National Cathedral, Gold Museum, and Plaza de La Cultura, as well as nightlife and live music. 

There are 60 rooms in two sections of the hotel: one that is just beyond the lobby, and another past the pool in a separate building. This glass-roofed atrium receives natural light during the day but this part of the hotel feels eerily dark after sunset. It could stand to use some extra light installations. Both sections have stairs (no elevator), so those with mobility issues should request the first floor.

Most rooms tend to be on the spacious side with basic contemporary decor including tile floors and wooden furnishings, bright pops of color from artwork, and garden views. All rooms have either one King-sized bed or two double beds, coffeemakers, working desks, free bottled water, and minibar items like gourmet chocolate and cookies. Standard Rooms have older bathrooms with blue tiles and walk-in showers, while Superior Rooms have newer bathrooms with black and white tiles and rain shower heads. Each luxury suite has a King-sized bed with a combined living/dining area and kitchenette. Family Rooms have two bedrooms with a double bed in each room.

The outdoor pool is in the center of the property with cushioned sun loungers and navy blue towels rolled up, begging to be used. The water may be too cold for swimming, as is common with outdoor pools in San José due to its mountainous surroundings that keep the city cooler than coastal areas of the country. The terrace, though, is a great space for sunbathing.

Green Restaurant is not green at all, but rather an elegant space with neutral tones with more of the owners’ modern taste in artwork. The dining room is adjacent to the pool with floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor tables under a shaded trellis or along the windows for more sun. The restaurant serves à la carte international cuisine for lunch and dinner, along with Chilean and Argentine house wines, smoothies, cocktails and beer. Breakfast is free for guests, though the spread is simple with scrambled eggs, cereal, toast, and a limited fruit selection (we encountered bananas and oranges).

The front desk is manned by a stoic team of staff, 24/7, who can help with airport transfers, car rentals, in-room massages, or babysitting services. Local-brand snacks are sold in the lobby but it would be cheaper to shop at the nearby mini mart down the street. For those who need to work, there are two computers in the lobby as well as meeting space available. Smokers have access to a pretty garden in front of the hotel with plants specifically designed to counterbalance the 

Wi-Fi is free, though spotty in areas; they are working on getting better service.