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Holiday Inn San Jose Downtown Aurola

5th Avenue and 5th Street, PO Box 7802-1000, San Jose

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1 Room / 2 Adults

1 rooms,
2 adults

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    1

  • Adults:

    2
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TripAdvisor Rating

4.0


Editor's Rating

4/5

Overview

Located in the heart of the capital city of San Jose, this Holiday Inn is centrally located to Costa Rica’s history and culture with the numerous museums located nearby like the Children’s Museum and Jade Museum. The San Jose International Airport is less than 30 minutes away, which makes this hotel a great starting point for your Costa Rican family vacation. If you plan to take day trips to other regions of Costa Rica, Holiday Inn San Jose Aurola could easily serve as your home base.

Kids under 19 years old stay free with adults at this hotel and they will love the indoor pool. Two onsite restaurants, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, make meals convenient for families, too. Because of the hotel’s city location, families can easily walk to local restaurants, shops and museums and a pretty city park is located directly across the street. The free Wi-Fi and free parking are added bonuses to staying at this Costa Rican city hotel.

Our Editor Loves

Family Interests

  • Museum/Cultural

Family Amenities

  • Connecting Rooms
  • Family Room 5+
  • Free Breakfast
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Onsite Dining
  • Pool

Room Information

Find the Best Price for Your Stay

Guestrooms
The guestrooms feature park or city views and both are pretty options. Two queen or one king bed is featured in the guestrooms, along with a bathtub in the bathroom. A laptop safe is available and a mini-bar at cost.

Suites
The suites feature a king or two queen beds, as well as a living area with a sleeper sofa. The living room and bedroom areas are separate in the executive suites and bathtubs can be found in the bathrooms.

Presidential Suite
This large suite features a large living room with a sleeper sofa and dining room, with a table that can seat eight people. A king bed is featured in the separate bedroom and a stand-up shower and Jacuzzi tub can be found in the large bathroom.

Reviews

Bad food

by Flyer61692

Let me start with the hotel is a nice hotel very comfortable very clean my issue started in the lobby restaurant me and my family ordered some meals I ordered a fish meal the meal was delivered to me with a hot plate hot salad everything was hot and when I tried to eat the meal I realized at the kitchen staff I just found some old food in the fridge and threw it together it was one of the worst meals I’ve ever had in Costa Rica when I called the server back and told him I didn’t want it and I told him why it was just all food that was thrown together and then thrown into the microwave the cheese was Completely melted everything on the plate was terrible I’ve never had a microwave cook salad before that’s not the end of the issue I asked him to take the meal off my bill they agreed they would when I went up to pay cash the lady said the bill is $80 would you like it in Colons or dollars I thought it was overpriced so I started to look at the menu and what I ordered and when I had it up the bill was actually $57 I told her nope I’m going to pay in dollars we argued a little bit and then she told me yes your bill is going to be $65 I rented this rooms two of them for two nights each the total bill was over $700 Canadian I think when a man spends that much money he’s entitled to some decent food and if an accident happens the restaurant should not try to sneak in and make him pay for the food anyways and that’s what I feel happened the lady was trying to sneak in the mouth of my plate that I did not eat because it was rotten I hate to post a bad review I just a heads up everybody out there if you come to this hotel it’s a beautiful hotel great staff you might have an issue in the kitchen I felt very slighted by somebody actually trying to receive money for something I didn’t eat even though they told me I was going to not have to pay for it

Great location, average service

by Jamsimsafc

Stayed here for one night. Location was excellent, very central and within walking distance of the main shopping street as well as many museums and also places to eat. Hotel was old but comfortable in the room - desperately needs some investment as parts like the bathroom are looking very shabby. Pool also was fine but old (changing rooms were there but the shower didn’t work properly for example. Breakfast was decent but there were long queues for eggs despite there being hardly anyone there! Good range and nice coffee on offer but the waiters were very slow and pretty lazy hiding out in the kitchen doing very little work. Staff on the front desk were unhelpful as well - we arrived early so left our bags and were told to come back at 1 to get into the room as the hotel was quiet so they would clean our room at midday so we could get in then - came back and was told the room would be ready at 3 as the hotel was full (defiantly wasn’t anywhere near being full!). Was then made to sit for 1 hour in the lobby then watching others check in - went to ask why we were waiting to be told we go have got in earlier - very poor first impression and essentially meant we’d been lied to. No recognition of IHG membership either re room upgrade or late check out. Staff need training across the hotel.

Family Activities

Pool
Kids will love the indoor swimming pool located on the third floor. Lounge chairs and tables (perfect for playing games on) surround the pool deck and pool towels are provided. A Ping-Pong table can also be found here, as well as a hot tub. The pool is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and there is no lifeguard on duty. Restrooms are located near the pool area, as well.

Family Dining

Families will love the dining options at this Holiday Inn. Kids under 12 years old eat free at any of the onsite restaurants.

Restaurant Tropicana
Located next to the lobby, Tropicana serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The buffet breakfast (available from 6 to 10 a.m.) is complimentary and offers an assortment of local items like chicken and vegatables, rice and beans, fruit, omelets, natural fruit juices, breads and cereal. Seafood and local dishes are featured on the dinner menu. In-room dining from Tropicana is also available from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Restaurant El Mirador
Located on the 17th floor, the city views from this restaurant are beautiful while enjoying dinner. Mirador is open seasonally Monday to Saturday from 5:30 to 10 p.m. and features international cuisine.

Planning & Tips

All About the Extras
Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

Fitness Center
A small fitness center with cardio and weight machines is located on the second floor. Restrooms, locker rooms and showers are available near the fitness center, which is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Parking
Complimentary self-parking is available.

Language
The majority of the hotel staff speaks English and Spanish.

The Art of Smart Timing
High tourist season is in December. Rainy or green season in the Central Valley, where San Jose is located, runs from April to mid-November. Expect some rain for a few hours in the afternoons during rainy season, but not the entire day. Dry season runs from December to May.

Getting There
Holiday Inn San Jose Aurola is located in the Central Valley of San Jose and is less than 30 minutes from the San Jose International Airport.

Getting Around
As the capital of the country, San Jose is easily walkable. The sidewalks and streets are busy like most cities, but families should feel comfortable walking around the city. Taxis are readily accessible, as well as rental car services. Traffic can often be difficult in and around San Jose, especially during the morning and evening rush hours. Factor traffic into any travel times, especially if you are planning day trips.

For Mom and Dad
La Palma Bar
Parents will love to unwind and have fun at this second floor bar. Cocktails, beer and light snacks are available here. La Palma is open Monday through Sunday from 5 to 11 p.m. and happy hour runs from 5 to 7 p.m.

Casino
Attached to the hotel is a casino, where adults will find slot machines and other gambling opportunites. A large bar also sits in the center of the casino.

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