Best Business Hotels in Costa Rica

The 372-room Intercontinental is the biggest and best-equipped hotel in the San Jose area, with a pool complex, enormous spa, five restaurants, a rental car desk, and even foreign currency exchange. It's a haven for business travelers, and offers some truly luxe accommodations in its Club Tower. But it feels like a large chain hotel, so leisure travelers who want to experience some local charm might want to consider the nearby Marriott San Jose.

The JW Marriott is one of the top luxury properties in Guanacaste, with beautiful, hacienda-style architecture (think: lots of wood and stone, romantic white hammocks, wrought iron light fixtures and indigenous art). The stunning free-form pool is the largest in Central America, and the tranquil spa is world-class. The only main downside is the extremely rough, hour-long drive from Liberia Airport.

Despite being part of the Marriott chain, this hotel has a lot of character. The Spanish design influence is everywhere, from the terracotta roofs, to the colorful porcelain tiling, to the central courtyard around which the hotel is wrapped. Although there's plenty to do on the property (driving range, tennis court, spa), and business travelers may not be able to venture into town for entertainment, travelers should remember before booking that the hotel isn't in a very exciting area.

The Marriott Los Suenos is one of Costa Rica's few large-scale resorts, with 201 comfortable rooms, an 18-hole golf course, a big pool complex, full-service spa, six restaurants, and beautiful Spanish colonial architecture. You'll save on free self-parking, but the $12.95 daily internet fee may be a pain.