My family and I (party of 7 - four adults and three children) stayed twice at the Country Inn and Suites on our Costa Rican adventure in January. I must admit that I was very pleasantly surprised. We enjoy Country Inn and Suites hotels in the States, but were weary of the reviews of this property. The property is laid out interestingly - the lobby is across a little drive from the rooms. The section of rooms is laid out around the pool with balconies overlooking the pool. Outside the rooms on the interior, you have your own little lobby with seating, computers, and coffee makers. The rooms are very clean and comfortable. I am not sure if our section was new or old, but it was modern. Even though we did not use the pool, I wish we had. It was lovely. They had a large breakfast buffet and if you did not find something you liked, they took orders for eggs or omelets. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone traveling to Costa Rica for a stop before or after a flight, or while transitioning from place to place. What a find!

My husband and I spent our first night of our Costa Rican adventure at the Country Inn & Suites San Jose before moving onto Arenal. Our flight arrived around 9:30pm so we decided to stay close to the airport for our first night.

From SJO it was a $10 taxi ride. We found that the staff were very accomodating and very friendly and helpful. We had a standard double room, which was just big enough for a bed and desk, but we were comfortable. We had no issues with cleanliness, air conditioning, bathroom, shower, etc. Everything was just fine.

That evening we walked a couple blocks to a mall where there was a fantastic modern, fresh market (we bought snacks and drinks, but it looked like to you could get anything you needed) and a few restaurants and bars. We hung out there for a bit to get some beers and felt safe and comfortable.

We were pleased to see how beautiful the grounds were and the breakfast was great - fresh coffee, fruit, rice n' beans, eggs cooked to order. We were expecting an "airport hotel" and it really was much better quality. We loved sitting out at night around the pool soaking in the tropical breezes!

We stayed at a suit in the new section
It was owesome room with an ettick , kitchenet, sofa and desk
A lot of room
Amazingly clean

During a business trip, I stayed here for a few days in September 2011.
The hotel is about 20-30 minutes away from there airport; located close to the Doubletree Cariari; Ramada and a few other hotels.

I wonder why it says "...by Carlson" on the websites (not here on Tripadvisor) and expected
"Carlson" standards - which I couldn´t find.

The hotel in general is a bit worn out and it seems that the best days of this place are over.
Don´t get me wrong. There was nothing "really bad" - all a kind of OK for the price I paid.
But the hotel requires a main update/overhaul...

Checkin was quick - the bellboy seemed to be in a real hurry and banged my new suitcase several times against the handrail and doors on the way from the lobby to my room.


The furniture in the rooms is old; the floor (carpet) are functional at all for a hotel room
unless you want to plant something there...

The bed very large and soft.

The bathroom OK - but the shower was a kind of weak with the water temperature varying.

The "gym was orphaned": just 3 machines there; the treadmill had "speed limitations";
while I was there I didn´t see other people using it.

The hotel is 15 walking minutes away from the Cariari shopping mall where you find a number of different shops and restaurants.
Much closer is Fresh market where you get basic food etc.

The breakfast buffet was nice: fresh fruits, real=natural juices; breads; cereals; eggs made to your taste; cake, muffins etc. etc.
From the breakfast room you also have a nice view to the pool.

The htoel is a place to stay for 1-2 nights if you arrive or leave from San Jose;
I would not spend my holidays here.