Yes, I agree the hotel is beautiful and the grounds are impressive but...
We stayed here coming and going to another part of Costa Rica as part of a vacation package. When we first got here we were told the room was not paid for. I tried to explain that it was part of a package but it fell on deaf ears. My wife then called what was supposed to be an 800 number to the tour operator to straighten it out. We finally got it straightened out, it was the hotel's fault, not the tour operator's. The next morning at check out we were presented with a $91.00 bill for the phone call. Not having time to argue, (our bus was waiting) I just paid it.
The next night we stayed here, on our way back, was uneventful except for the buffet. I don;t have a lot of expectations from a buffet, just half way decent food and half way decent service. We got neither. The food was horrible, the service non-existent.. Most of the serving stations were empty and the ones that weren't had old food. Even when they replenished the food it was awful. The chicken was rubbery, the meat was tough, I gave up after that so I don't know what the rest of the food was like.My wife was getting bread and saw a cockroach crawl across the top of the loaf of bread she was cutting. The server came by once and poured us water, but that was the last time we saw him. No drinks were offered so I suppose we didn't merit anything but water. (although other diners had drinks) Then, to add insult to injury, it cost me $61.00. All in all, I would suggest finding another hotel if you can, because based on my experience this one is not one I would send anyone to.

My wife and I recently travelled to Costa Rica for a 10 day Caravan Tour. My wife had been to Costa Rica before and was not thrilled with the hotel inside the City of San Jose. This time, we specifically asked for a hotel outside the city itself. Caravan booked us into the Barcelo.
What a fantastic hotel! From the moment you walk into the spacious lobby to the breathtaking room and views I was impressed. It was also my first experience with the wildlife of Costa Rica. During the entire 10 day tour and 8 day extended stay in Manuel Antonio National Park, I never saw the amount of green parrots like I did at the Barcelo. The grounds around the Barcelo lend to the abundance of birds attracted to the grounds. I took my first 50 photos without every leaving the property! Nice stay, nice staff and a good way to start our Costa Rica experience.
John and Sue Tudbury

My husband and I stayed one night at the Barcelo while attending a Seminar. It is a beautiful hotel, very limpressive lobby complete with solo piano player but I found the cost of staying at this hotel to be deceptive. On a first glance, it is cheaper than the Holiday Inn at the Airport but when you take into account the $28.00 supper buffet, $3.00 bottle of water (after the first free bottle) and $10.00 a day internet charge, it's more than we would have wanted to pay and we won't be staying there again. The rooms however are very well kept and the beds are super comfy. Traffic noise is pretty loud as we were jut off Centro.

This group has a contemporary peacefulness and is located just near but not so close from downtown San Jose....luxury, view and location to debut in this city...where your vacations or business trip will start in a unique and irreplaceable opportunity to enjoy it.....