Studio Hotel

The modern feel of the hotel is quickly noticeable from its exterior, which is composed of gray tile. A huge banyan tree surrounded by sculptures and artsy embellishments dominates the hotel entrance and alludes to the artistic flair on offer inside. The lobby and public areas are graced with an eclectic mix of art that runs the gamut from sculptures and paintings of naked torsos to Costa Rican and Guatemalan folk art. The attractive lobby restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows and a stylish modern lounge bar for enjoying cocktails or afternoon coffee. Rooms are spread over three floors. The third floor also features a ballroom, the small fitness center, and the gorgeous rooftop pool. The area offers wonderful city and mountain views, sculptural touches, and outdoor lounge seating set amongst potted palms. 

Studio Hotel is located in Santa Ana, about 20 minutes from the capital of San Jose. The hotel is also close to San Jose’s upmarket Escazu province, and its numerous shopping and entertainment options. Escazu is packed with U.S. chain restaurants and shops -- its Multiplaza Mall is one of Central America’s largest. Although the hotel is in a busy part of town, noise isn’t an issue, as the majority of the hotel and rooms are set back from the main road, up a private driveway.

Santa Ana is one of the city’s busiest districts. It harbors many hotels and restaurants, along with a few golf courses and equestrian facilities. Many leisure travelers stay in the area as a stopover before or after a flight given that it’s just a 15-minute drive from Juan Santamaria International Airport and 20 minutes to Pavas airport (domestic flights). There’s a strip of eateries that runs along the street off which the hotel is set, and some local highlights include Valle del Sol Golf Course (six minutes), Multiplaza Escazú Mall (eight minutes), the National Theater (17 minutes), and the National Museum (20 minutes). 

Rooms are big on space and have a stylish modern feel that blends earth tones: beige walls, light gray-tiled floors, and bamboo-green accents on beds with matching timber-grain furniture. In tune with the lobby’s penchant for art, all of the rooms have a skinny, horizontal painting of nature (such as leaves with dew) hanging over the bed, but they’re otherwise much more subdued than common areas. Studio Single and Double Rooms comprise the most basic categories, while Studio Superiors and Junior Suites hugely upsize layouts with open plan living areas. Rooms come with flat-screen TVs, big work desks, coffeemakers, irons, ironing boards, safes, and mini-fridges. Big bathrooms are dressed in beige marble tiling with wall-to-wall vanities, frameless glass walk-in showers, and rain forest showerheads. Toiletries are provided in eco-friendly wall-mounted pumps, although the plastic containers cheapen the bathroom look. The views differ greatly. Some rooms overlook the front of the property (the street), while others have decent city, mountain views, or green nature views. Past guests have complained about occasional maintenance issues. 

The artworks and sculptures that populate the property are a feature in themselves, as the hotel essentially doubles as an art gallery with visual and creative stimuli to explore. Other than that, the main highlight here is the rooftop pool, with lounge seating set amongst lush potted palms, and gorgeous mountain views on clear days. There’s a small gym with simple cardio machines. Computers are available for guest use in the lobby, and a number of conference rooms are on offer for meetings. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. There’s a stylish bar that adjoins the main restaurant, Katowa, serving all meals, including a nice hot buffet breakfast (fresh fruit, juice, cereals, yogurt, scrambled eggs, rice and beans, tortillas, plantains, bacon, breads, cheese, and cold cuts) and room service. Studio Cafe Bar & Grill offers a more casual, sports bar meets cafe-style dining spot with decent quality, well-priced food. Free on-site parking is provided.