Escape to Paradise: Holiday Inn San Jose La Sabana - Your Costa Rican Oasis
Escape to Paradise: Holiday Inn San Jose La Sabana - My Costa Rican Oasis (Or Maybe Not, But We'll See!) - A MESSY, HONEST Review
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Because I'm about to take you on a whirlwind tour… or maybe a slightly nauseating rollercoaster… of the Holiday Inn San Jose La Sabana. Forget the flowery brochures and generic reviews, this is the REAL DEAL. Think of it as a rambling email to your best friend after a week-long, slightly-too-much-sun-and-rum-punch adventure.
First Impressions: "Pura Vida" (…and Maybe a Little Jet Lagged)
Landing in Costa Rica is a dream… then comes the reality of getting to the hotel. Thank God, the Holiday Inn offers airport transfer! Yes! (Phew!) Honestly, after a long flight, you just want to be somewhere that's easy. And, to be fair, the hotel itself is in a pretty decent location. It's close to… well, La Sabana Park, which is a big plus. You can park for free! That's always a win in my book. Though, the valet parking felt a bit much – maybe I was still in the "lugging a suitcase" phase of my brain.
CHECK-IN. Alright, listen. Contactless check-in/out. THANK GOODNESS. I am not a chatty person at the best of times, and after a trans-Atlantic flight? Forget about it. Bonus points for the efficiency. I swear, sometimes I just want to melt into the nearest chair.
Walking into the lobby, I was hit with that familiar hotel smell. You know, the… slightly sanitized, a little air-freshener-y scent? Not bad, not great. What was great was how sunny and bright the lobby was.
The Room: My Temporary Fortress of Solitude…or Chaos?
Now, the rooms. This is where things get interesting. I snagged a non-smoking room (smart move!), and, blessedly, it had air conditioning. Essential. Absolutely essential. Look, I don't need a blizzard, but I do enjoy not melting.
- The Good: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Woohoo! Free bottled water. Thank the heavens, because I was parched! Also, a mini-bar. Always a dangerous temptation. The blackout curtains were an absolute lifesaver for battling jet lag. I could sleep through a marching band (I may have tested this). Alarm clock, but let's be honest, I used my phone.
- The Meh: The décor could be described as… functional. Not exactly "Instagrammable chic," but clean and comfortable. It had carpeting which is ok. Extra long bed was good, as was the laptop workspace, but I barely used it. I wanted to escape work, not bring it with me!
- The Weird: They provided bathrobes and slippers. I wore the slippers, but the bathrobe felt… a bit much for a solo trip. (Am I the only one?) The mirror was great. And it was a nice surprise to have a window that opens - refreshing.
The Bathroom: A Tale of Two Showers (And a Little Soap Drama)
The private bathroom was clean, with a separate shower/bathtub. Okay. Here’s a confession: the shower pressure was…iffy. One day it was a glorious cascade, the next a sad little trickle. It's Costa Rica, so water conservation is probably A Thing. But still. The toiletries were… basic. I used the hairdryer. All that is important.
Accessibility: Making Sure Everyone Can Get to Paradise
Now, this is actually important to me. The website is somewhat vague, but let me break it down: The hotel does claim to have facilities for disabled guests. I'm not in a wheelchair, but good to know. There's an elevator, which is a must. Again, I didn't need it, but good to know.
Food, Glorious Food (and a Few Breakfast Blunders)
Okay, let's talk food. This is where things got… complicated. The Holiday Inn offers a staggering array of eating options.
- Breakfast: Breakfast [buffet] was an option. The Asian breakfast, which looked interesting but I was never interested. The Western breakfast was the safe bet, though. Coffee/tea in restaurant, yes, obviously. The Breakfast takeaway service was a Godsend when I overslept… which happened more than once. The service was really attentive and efficient. Overall? A solid B. The buffet did offer a diverse range of options.
- Lunch/Dinner: There are Restaurants, Desserts in restaurant, Coffee shop, Snack bar and Poolside bar. I tried the restaurant once and it was… okay. I tried the salad in restaurant and it was fresh, but nothing world-shattering. The soup in restaurant was a miss. I couldn’t get a bottle of water at one point, but I managed.
- Beyond the Plate: I didn't use room service [24-hour] (mostly because I’m a terrible planner). There's Happy hour, which I did enjoy.
- Vegetarian restaurant: I’m not vegetarian, but it's a Vegetarian restaurant and it sounds great. Asian cuisine in restaurant. I'm also not Asian, but it sure sounds good.
Things to Do (and Not Do): Relaxation & Recreation
Okay, this is where the Holiday Inn kind of shines. They've got a swimming pool [outdoor] – beautiful! I’m a sucker for a good pool. There’s a pool with view! The best part was the poolside bar. Sauna, Spa/sauna, steamroom, Body scrub (tempting!), Body wrap.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: You wanna work out, you can. I did not. That's the short of it.
- Massage: YES, I did this. A-mazing! This one really deserves an A+!
Cleanliness and Safety: COVID Times and Peace of Mind
Okay, let's face it, everyone is thinking about this. I’m happy to report that the Holiday Inn seems to take this seriously:
- Anti-viral cleaning products? Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas? Check.
- Hand sanitizer? Everywhere!
- Rooms sanitized between stays? Supposedly.
- Staff trained in safety protocol? They seemed to be.
- Safe dining setup? Yes.
- Individually-wrapped food options? Yep. They seem to be doing the best they can.
Overall Vibe and Quirky Observations
The staff were generally lovely and helpful. The concierge was surprisingly useful! I got some great recommendations for local coffee shops (essential!). The daily housekeeping was efficient and discreet. I'm pretty sure they noticed the trail of crumbs I left.
The soundproofing in the room? Excellent. I never heard a peep from the hallway. The smoke detector was, thankfully, not tested.
One afternoon, I wandered into the gift/souvenir shop. Mostly overpriced trinkets, but I did find a cute postcard to send to my mom. Score!
Here’s a slightly embarrassing confession: I was this close to hitting up the Shrine. I chickened out.
The Verdict: Is Escape to Paradise Worth It?
Look, the Holiday Inn San Jose La Sabana isn't perfect. It's not a five-star luxury resort. But it's clean, comfortable, and convenient. It's a solid option for exploring San Jose. In my experience, the downsides were pretty minor, but the key is to adjust your expectations. The spa and pool are worth the price of admission alone.
My Recommendation (with a Twist):
Would I recommend the Holiday Inn? Yes, with a few caveats. Perfect for:
- Business travelers who need a reliable base.
- Families - the Kids facilities are great.
- Solo travelers (a good balance between social and solitude).
- Anyone who values convenience.
Maybe think twice if:
- You're looking for a truly immersive Costa Rican experience.
- You're a fussy eater.
- You're expecting a 100% flawless experience.
- You want a super romantic getaway.
My Final, Messy Verdict: It's a good, solid choice. I'd go back!
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your sanitized, corporate-approved travel itinerary. This is my Costa Rican adventure, and trust me, it's gonna be a wild ride. We're talking from the ground up at the Holiday Inn, from the little details of the hotel to the wild heart of Costa Rica:
Costa Rica Chaos: The Holiday Inn, the City, and the Jungle… (OMG, the Jungle!)
Day 1: Arrival and the Pre-Adventure Nerves (San Jose, Baby!)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Touchdown! Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). First impressions? Hot. Humid. And a chaotic, beautiful mess. Finding the shuttle to the Holiday Inn San Jose La Sabana felt like navigating a human ant farm. Seriously, so many people! I probably looked like a lost tourist, because I was a lost tourist. But hey, the air smelled like coffee and anticipation, so, win?
- Mid-Morning (10:30 AM): Check-in at the Holiday Inn. The hotel is…well, it's a Holiday Inn. Clean, functional, and a welcome oasis after the airport madness. The room is fine. The A/C is blasting, which I appreciate because I’m already sweating buckets. I could live here for months.
- Lunch (12:30 PM): Okay, real talk: I'm starving. Hit up the hotel restaurant. The Casado (traditional Costa Rican dish – rice, beans, meat, plantains) was surprisingly good. I’m still getting used to the rice and beans thing. Gotta say, though, the coffee? Absolutely divine. Like, the kind of coffee that makes you want to write poetry (or, you know, just stumble around in a caffeine haze).
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Explore! I am a bit wary of walking around San Jose by myself. I decided to stay close to the hotel. I strolled around La Sabana Park, which is a pleasant way to burn off some steam. The park is beautiful! The locals are playing soccer, and it’s kind of surreal to just sit here and watch the world go by.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Dinner at the hotel. This time, tried the pasta. Should have gotten the Casado again. It was a bit bland. Feeling a wave of jet lag, so early night. The hotel is a solid choice for now.
Day 2: San Jose City Exploration and the Art of Making a Fool of Yourself
- Morning (8:00 AM): Breakfast. Same coffee, same feeling of pure bliss. (I might need an intervention.) Decided to be brave and explore downtown San Jose.
- Mid-Morning (9:30 AM): I actually find a tour of the National Theatre, which is a dazzling sight. It's ridiculously ornate, and I spent an hour just gaping at the architecture. I even attempted to take a picture of the ceiling, and it ended up blurry. I felt like a total tourist, and I loved it!
- Lunch (12:00 PM): My stomach is a rumbling beast. I wandered through the Mercado Central. The colors just explode in your face! So much amazing food. I ordered some empanadas from a stall, and the vendor laughed at my broken Spanish and gave me an extra one. Made my day.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): The Gold Museum! I’m not usually a museum person, but the pre-Columbian gold artifacts were genuinely impressive. But even better? The air conditioning. Because, by now, I'm melting.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Dinner. I thought I was being adventurous and attempted a "local" restaurant that the concierge recommended. Total disaster. The food was too spicy, the staff was not helpful, and I stumbled out feeling defeated. Back to the hotel for comfort food and a large glass of water.
Day 3: The Drive to La Fortuna
(This is where things get really interesting.)
- Morning (7:00 AM): Goodbye, San Jose! Today is all about the drive to La Fortuna (near the Arenal Volcano). That car (rental) is now my best friend. Packed snacks, water, and a healthy dose of optimism.
- Mid-Morning (9:00 AM): Stop at a local roadside eatery. This is where things get real. Saw a little place with a handful of locals and stopped. The food was cheap, authentic, and possibly the best meal of my life. It wasn’t fancy. It wasn’t Instagrammable. But it was pure, unadulterated Costa Rican goodness. And damn did I feel adventurous!
- Lunch (12:30 PM): Driving through the countryside, scenery shifts from urban to lush green. We were surrounded by mountains and then, the jungle hit! Stop for a simple lunch near an area overlooking the mountains.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): The Road. Let me tell you, the roads in Costa Rica are an experience. The potholes, the crazy drivers, the sheer amount of curves. I'm gripping the steering wheel so hard my knuckles are white. But the views! Holy moly, the views!! Towering trees, waterfalls cascading down the mountainsides, and glimpses of the volcano in the distance. Pure. Magic.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Arrive in La Fortuna. Check into our hotel and the volcano is right there! Dinner. Everything is expensive in the tourist area around La Fortuna; I am not sure if the food is worth it.
Day 4: Arenal Adventures (aka, Almost Turning into a Monkey)
- Morning (8:00 AM): Sunrise over the Arenal Volcano. I woke up, looked outside and thought, is this real life? It’s breathtaking.
- Mid-Morning (9:00 AM): Ziplining! Oh. My. God. I am not an adrenaline junkie. I am terrified of heights. But I figured, when in Costa Rica, right? The first zip line was terrifying, my heart was in my throat, and I screamed like a banshee. But then… I was soaring through the jungle, the wind in my face, the views incredible… it was exhilarating! I feel like I just did something I never thought I could.
- Lunch (12:00 PM): Ticos have a funny and laid-back sense of humor, and I love it!
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Jungle hike. I swear I'll encounter a sloth. The jungle is alive - the noises, the smells, the sheer density of it… it's overwhelming in the best way possible. I feel like I'm in a real-life Jurassic Park!
- Evening (6:00 PM): Hot springs. The ones in La Fortuna are known all over the world. After an action-packed day, relaxing in thermally heated waters is the best thing ever. Stargazing is the cherry on top.
Day 5: Waterfalls, and Heading Back to the City
- Morning (8:00 AM): Waterfall. The Arenal waterfall. Another climb down, and another climb up! And you can swim in the base of the waterfall!
- Mid-Morning (11:00 AM): Travel back to the Holiday Inn
- Lunch (12:00 PM): Stop near a roadside eatery. This is where things get real.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): I swear, Costa Rican roads are something else.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Arrive in San Jose. Ready to go home.
Day 6: Departure
- Morning (9:00 AM): Last breakfast. The Holiday Inn is my home now
- Mid-Morning (10:00 AM): Check out. Airport. The end.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Flight home.
Final Thoughts:
Costa Rica has completely and utterly blown my mind. Yes, there were moments of panic, of getting lost, of ordering the wrong food. But those moments? They're part of the adventure. The country is beautiful, the people are warm, and the coffee is the best thing ever. I can't wait to come back!
Pura Vida!
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Is this place *actually* paradise? Because let's be real, hotels can lie.
The "location, location, location" mantra – how's it *really* located? I heard San José is... well, it is what it is.
Those pool photos... real or Photoshopped? Because my expectations are tragically high.
The Rooms – are they sleek and modern, or… dated and depressing? Be honest, spill the (probably over-budget) tea.
Food, glorious food! What's the dining situation? And is it worth the cost? (Wallet's whimpering.)
What about the staff? Are they friendly or just… going through the motions? Because cold service *destroys* a vacation vibe.
Transportation: Rely on taxis/Ubers, or is getting around a *total* logistical nightmare? I'm directionally challenged.
Anything else I should know? Any hidden quirks, secrets, or things to avoid like the plague? Dish the dirt!
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