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Introduction: On A Quest for Pura Vida
Review: United Airlines (ERJ-175) First Class Oklahoma City to Houston
Review: United Airlines (737-800) First Class Houston to San Jose
Review: Marriott Costa Rica Hotel
Review: The Palms – Jaco
Out and About in Costa Rica
Review: Courtyard Marriott Hotel San Jose Airport – Alajuela
Review: VIP Lounge – San Jose Airport
Review: United Airlines (737-800) First Class San Jose to Houston
Review: United Airlines (ERJ-175) First Class Houston to Oklahoma City
We had a great time in Jaco, but it quickly came to an end. So much fun that I forgot to book the Marriott Costa Rica until the day of our return to San Jose. The property was full so we settled on the Courtyard Marriott in Alajuela. The hotel was only two minutes from the airport.
Booking
I booked a standard King Room for approximately $180/night. By using my Marriott Rewards credit card, I was able to earn 4,925 points (3,220 base, 805 elite bonus, and 900 credit card points).
Arrival
We grabbed an Uber from Jaco for what was supposed to be a 90 minute drive, but due to the amount of traffic in San Jose, our trip nearly took two hours.
Check-in
The front desk was just inside the sliding doors.
I had to wait a few minutes as the two staff members finished their conversation. The lobby was situated differently than other Courtyard Marriott hotels that I have visited. The “Market” was out in the open (more on that later) and there was only one sitting area. There was also a business center just off of the lobby.
After the agents finished their conversation, I was quickly checked in. I was not thanked for being a Marriott elite (something that always happens) nor was a proactively told about the amenities of the property.
Room
The room was located on the third floor. After exiting the elevator, I made the right towards the room.
The room was at the end of the hall on the left.
After staying in the Marriott Costa Rica and The Palms, I could not help but feel that the room was small.
To the immediate right was the bathroom. It was what I expect from a Courtyard Marriott bathroom…nothing fancy, but it gets the job done.
After exiting the bathroom, there was a coffee maker and mini fridge.
And a closet opposite of that.
The main part of the room contained the beds, a TV, and a small desk. The beds were really comfortable or maybe I was really tired from enjoying Costa Rica.
There was not much in the way of views from my room. The window seemed to be mirrored (or something) which made it hard to get a picture.
Dining
Courtyard hotels usually have The Bistro, but this hotel had a full restaurant in the lobby named Centro. The staff was friendly and gave us advice on places to visit.
If you needed a quick snack or drink, The Market was next to the front desk. It was unusual, as I mentioned earlier, because everything was out in the open. I did not hate it, but it was definitely different.
Fitness
The fitness center was located on the second floor, which was the ground level on that side of the hotel. It was really small but had equipment to complete a decent workout.
There was an outdoor pool just a few steps from the fitness center. Because it was the rainy season, the pool was not appealing. My camera kept fogging up…
Final Word
The Courtyard Marriott in Alajuela served its purpose. The staff at the front desk gave me a bad first impression, which tainted my experience. I just do not understand why a guest would have to wait until you finish a conversation to check in. The friendly staff in the restaurant and the close proximity to the airport are reasons that I would visit the property again.
