If you are a looking for a beautifully designed place to stay while you are in the San Jose area, I would recommend Casa Holanda in a heartbeat.

My husband and I needed a hotel near the airport in order to make a connection home from San Jose to Toronto. Imagine our delight to be greeted at the door by Roy (Costa Rican) and James (American), and then to be ushered into a gorgeously appointed home. The garden in the back is private, and filled with flowers.

Because we arrived in the evening, they were happy to prepare a beautiful meal for us using herbs that were fresh picked while we relaxed on the terrace and enjoyed some wine. After dinner, we were serenaded by James who is a wonderful singer/pianist/composer, and John and I joined him to play through some Faure and then some jazz! Breakfast the next morning was relaxed, sitting in the sunlight, savouring our last few moments of warmth before we headed back to chilly Toronto, checking e-mails with hi-speed wifi that extended outdoors.

Their website is fantastic, and they own an additional property on a coffee plantation.

This is a full service, professionally run property.

James and Roy, the gracious hosts of Casa Holanda, were more than hospitable. They catered to every request, helped us prepare an itinerary, and were very knowledgable on the private tours they offered. They get you safely there, recommend terrific ideas and are extremely flexible. The bed and breakfast is superbly located to all the great sights of the land. James speaks English, and Roy is native to the land so its a perfect fit to any couple of any age or family looking for a great stay instead of a stuffy hotel. The breakfast was great and the amenities were excellent while having a real friendly and warm environment. I recommend at least a week or more in Costa Rica, as it is a beautiful country with fantastic landscape and activities. We would definitely return. Don't forget to ask them about the cabin in the mountain, a must do for any adventurous folk!

I stayed at this quaint B&B in June, and it was great. Both James and Roy are great guides to the area. Anything you want to do, they can guide you. They will even cook home cooked meals for you at your request. The breakfast is great, tailored to your taste, and fresh everyday, served outside in their back patio. The B&B is a house on a quiet residential street, very little activity, but within walking distance to the buses that can take you basically anywhere. I stayed in the sunrise room downstairs with really the only thing you would need on a vacation, a bed! Of course you can watch the TV in the living room. And the whole house is immaculately clean. Upstairs between the other rooms in the B&B, is a computer with internet you can use freely, as well as many guidebooks and maps of Costa Rica.

This is a great place to relax a few days before embarking on more travels. While there are many activities around San Jose, the beaches are about 1-2 hours away. There are many bars and restaurants a short trip from the B&B, which happens to be located in the vicinity of a Costa Rican university. You would really only notice this on a strip where the bars are located. There is a lot to explore in the area, both James and Roy can point you to anything, even their own private tours, to coffee plantations, and up the volcano.

I was happy to have stayed here, and would do so again in the future. Do note though that it rains quite a bit during the month of June, basically all afternoon and night.

This was one of the most captivating stays in a B&B we have had; not because of the facilities which, from a handicapped persons standpoint, were inadequate. However, James and Roy made up for that with their hospitality and willingness to pick up my wheelchair with me in it and move it whereever necessary. James has had classical music training and has, I think, played in musicals in NYC (?). There is a piano in the dining area and James is more than willing to play (or not) for the guests, even music of his own composing which is quite good. Although he obviously is not in practice, in my opinion, his music (he seems to like Chopin) is very professional. Certainly, any music lover would enjoy this B&B...others as well.