Isla Verde Hotel

Isla Verde Hotel is set in a cheerful low-rise building with a sloping green roof. Glass doors open to a pretty little lobby, beyond which lies a sunny atrium with comfy seating areas and lush plant-life. The atrium looks particularly beautiful when it’s illuminated in the evening, but despite its welcoming atmosphere, we didn’t notice many guests socializing here during our visit.

With its clean lines and pristine maintenance, the hotel feels fresh-out-of-the-box. The restaurant is the oldest part of the hotel and it shows, although it has a certain old-fashioned charm of its own. Like at many hotels in San Jose, most guests are just passing through for one or two nights. Isla Verde is a practical base for visiting the U.S. Embassy or flying in or out of either of San Jose’s nearby airports, which are both less than a 30-minute drive away. Travelers who want to explore the city would be better off staying closer to downtown.

Isla Verde Hotel is located in Pavas, a suburb found west of San Jose. There are a range of dining options within a 10-minute walk, along with supermarkets and banks. Guests interested in sightseeing, however, will find the location a bit far from San Jose’s main attractions. It’s a 30-minute drive to downtown San Jose and its sights, including Teatro Nacional Costa Rica and Museo Nacional. There are several bus stops within walking distance, though, with buses that will take guests downtown. 

The U.S. Embassy is a five-minute walk from the hotel, while Tobías Bolanos Airport is a five-minute drive away. Keep in mind that Tobías Bolaños is San Jose’s secondary airport, mainly catering to domestic flights and flights to such nearby countries as Granada and Nicaragua. Most international travelers will be departing and arriving from Juan Santamaría International Airport, which is 30 minutes away by car. 

The 40 rooms at Isla Verde Hotel are modern and inviting. Standard Rooms are a tad small, with pale-gray tiled floors and dark- wood furniture. Beds pair orange runners and caramel-colored skirts with olive or blue-gray throw pillows. Artwork is limited to large pieces set above the beds, featuring abstract shots of leaves, flowers, or driftwood. All rooms have flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Closets hold personal safes and shelves. Views are of the city street or interior gardens. While the gardens are a creative way to improve interior-facing views, natural light in these rooms is limited. Some guests report outside noise from street-facing rooms. Attractive bathrooms have square sinks and wet-room showers. Toiletries, including shampoo and soap, are provided.

Deluxe and Superior Rooms have linens patterned in brown, blue-gray, and beige stripes. Deluxe Rooms have handsome carpeting, work desks, as well as coffee- and tea-making facilities. Bathrooms in Deluxe Rooms have round above-counter sinks, along with hairdryers and glass-walled showers with rainfall showerheads. 

With dining, fitness, and parking on-site, Isla Verde covers most of the typical mid-range features. The on-site restaurant specializes in authentic Cantonese food. Its roomy interior looks like an old-school Chinese restaurant -- complete with gaudy chandeliers, faded floral artwork, and wooden tables -- that could be found anywhere in the world. Arched windows overlook the surrounding street. A free breakfast buffet is served here in the morning, and includes a fairly standard spread of toast, eggs, rice and beans, and fried plantains, among other items.

There’s a small fitness center with tall windows that offer beautiful views of the city and mountains. The small range of equipment includes a treadmill, a stationary bicycle, bar bells and free weights, as well as an Eagle Fitness multi-gym.

Meeting rooms and a business center were under construction during our visit. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and free self-parking is available in an underground lot. The hotel offers free transfers to Tobías Bolanos Airport.