Barcelo San Jose

On paper, this hotel has everything a higher-category hotel would offer -- there are plenty of dining and drinking options, a nice pool, and freebies like airport shuttles -- but unfortunately the style leaves a lot to be desired. Sure, details like a grand piano and lots of shiny surfaces seem upscale on first glance, but overall everything feels held over from earlier decades. This isn't unexpected from the Barcelo chain. The large, vaulted lobby establishes the consistent look and feel found throughout the property. Liberal use of polished granite flooring and lacquered wood furniture and surfaces give everything a dark, old-school look. This effect isn't helped by dated, pleather seating and original carpeting in some areas. Overall,  the vibe is sterile, overly polished, and “all business.” From the dark, ‘80s-era cocktail lounge to the too-sophisticated pool area, the entire property feels made for executives to wine and dine potential clients. Many of the guests here are business travelers, though the hotel's proximity to the airport means that plenty of vacationing couples pass through as well.

The hotel is located on a quiet, residential side road just off Route 1 -- a busy thoroughfare that connects downtown San Jose to SJO international airport. Most of the city’s restaurants, shops, and attractions -- including the National Stadium and Museo de Arte Costarricense -- are five minutes away by car. For those seeking even more culture, the popular Museo Nacional de Costa Rica and Museum of Contemporary Art and Design are within a 15-minute drive. There isn't much of interest within an easy walk of the hotel, and taxis are the cheapest and most convenient way to get around the immediate area. Private shuttle van/bus service is better suited to longer rides, including to Arenal Volcano, which is a three-hour drive from here. The vehicles are ubiquitous throughout Costa Rica and provide the country’s cheapest transportation. The hotel runs a shuttle that provides near round-the-clock, free transportation to and from San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), which is a 15-minute drive from the hotel. 

Like the hotel’s common areas, many rooms underwent a major renovation in 2015, though the results don't amount to much. Everything still feels stuck in a former time, with design details that include padded window valences, thick and dark curtains, drab carpeting, pleather furniture, and boldly patterned fabrics. While rooms do have white walls and nicely sized windows for natural light, the abundance of maroon, forest green, and polished walnut combine to make things feel homey and dark. We also spotted a decent amount of wear on things like door frames and furniture when we visited.

All rooms here are reasonably spacious. The hotel’s entry-level Superior rooms offer basic, one-room floor plans with 329 square feet (30 square meters) of living space. Superior with Terrace Rooms offer 530-square-foot (49-square-meter) floor plans with similar appointments plus a private, furnished terrace. The hotel’s Premium Rooms are located on the upper floors, with better views and additional amenities, including access to a private lounge. Suite Club Premium and Master Suite Club Premium rooms offer between 600 and 947 square feet (55 and 88 square meters) with separate sleeping, living, and work spaces. The flagship Presidential Suite Club Premium is a large, 1,615-square-foot (150-square-meter) suite with two bedrooms, a large living and dining room, and an office with a dedicated reception area. An interconnecting room is also available that has two additional beds and a bathroom to bring the total square footage to 1,938 (180 square meters).

Standard amenities in all rooms include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, minibars, coffeemakers, trouser presses, and CD players. Free Wi-Fi is also available property-wide, and we found the service fast and reliable during our stay. Bathrooms are adequately sized, though not exceptionally large, in all categories. Fit and finish is sharp, with polished, beige marble on the walls, floors, and countertops. Bathrooms all have shower/tub combos plus a nice selection of toiletries. 

The hotel offers an extensive list of upmarket amenities that make it feel above its category. The large, outdoor pool, live entertainment, and three full restaurants are its most notable. A number of business facilities also target executive travelers, including a modern business center and a large, convention and banquet hall capable of accommodating up to 1,000 people.

At the heart of a secluded garden courtyard, the hotel’s sole pool is large, clean, and solar-heated. Several pergolas provide hammocks and shaded lounge space while standard patio tables and chairs offer additional seating. The adjacent Rancho Grill offers simple, meat-centric dishes and a full liquor menu of beer, wine, and cocktails. The overall vibe is quiet and relaxed.

Two additional restaurants and a cocktail lounge provide plenty of drinking and dining options. Anfora, the hotel’s main restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with buffet and a la carte services available for each meal. The free breakfast scores high marks for its generous selection of local and international dishes. The restaurant's atmosphere is resort casual, and no reservations are required. Miyako is the hotel’s upscale Japanese restaurant, with dinner-only service in a dark, fine-dining atmosphere. Reservations are recommended, though not required. Room service is also available 24 hours a day from both restaurants for a fee. El Bosque Bar is the hotel’s dedicated cocktail lounge with a limited menu of simple, finger foods and sandwiches. The space is equal parts modern and traditional, with a dark, nightclub feel. Live entertainment and dancing are offered on select nights.

The tiny spa and salon are located in a charmless basement room. The spa provides a handful of basic massage treatments while the salon offers typical beauty services (manicures, pedicures, and hairdressing). Regardless of the posted hours, the space frequently closes without explanation.

The hotel offers a number of business-centric amenities. Particularly notable are its modern business center with a half-dozen state-of-the-art workstations and printers. Wi-Fi is also free throughout the hotel. The large convention and banquet center is dividable into 17 distinct rooms and can accommodate up to 1,000 guests. Free self-parking is available in an off-street lot with round-the-clock security. Reservations are required. Additionally, the hotel's free airport shuttle runs from early until late.