City Express by Marriott San Jose Costa Rica

This hotel is consistently praised for its airport proximity, making it an ideal choice for transit travelers and those with early departures or late arrivals. Guests frequently highlight the hotel's impressive cleanliness and the overall comfortable rooms, which provide a restful stay. The complimentary breakfast is another significant draw, often described as varied and delicious. Furthermore, the attentive staff receives high commendation for their helpfulness and friendly demeanor. The hotel is well-suited for business travelers seeking convenience and efficiency, as well as families and solo travelers looking for a reliable overnight stop. To enhance your experience, it is advisable to clarify shuttle service details in advance and consider bringing your own washcloths, as these are frequently noted as missing.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a well-equipped fitness center with a good selection of cardio and weight machines, which guests appreciate for maintaining their routines. For convenience, vending machines are available for snacks and beverages, and an ice machine is also on-site. The elevators require a room key for access, providing an added layer of security, though some guests experienced occasional issues with key card activation. A recurring point of feedback, however, is the absence of in-room amenities such as a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker, which many guests found inconvenient. While Wi-Fi is provided, its performance receives mixed reviews, with numerous reports of slow speeds, intermittent connectivity, and difficulty connecting, suggesting that the network can be unreliable. Some guests also suggested the addition of water dispensers on each floor.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently commend the hotel's high standards of cleanliness, frequently describing rooms as spotless and well-maintained. The beds are generally found to be comfortable, contributing to a good night's sleep, and rooms are equipped with functional air conditioning and basic toiletries. However, a significant number of reviews highlight issues with noise levels, particularly from adjacent rooms and the floor above, due to minimal soundproofing and tiled hallways, which can disrupt sleep. There are frequent comments about the absence of washcloths and the varying condition of towels, which are sometimes described as old or thin. Some specific room issues include AC units blowing directly on guests or leaking, and occasional reports of sewage odors in rooms or hallways. The lack of in-room refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee makers is also a common point of feedback.

Dining & Food Quality
The complimentary breakfast is a significant highlight for many guests, often described as delicious and offering a good variety of hot options, including scrambled eggs, rice and beans, and fresh fruits. Many appreciate the authentic Costa Rican options and the availability of vegetarian choices. However, a notable number of reviews indicate that the breakfast can be basic, with limited variety over multiple days, and some guests experienced issues with items not being refilled promptly or a strong food smell permeating the hotel. A key point of feedback is the hotel's lack of an on-site restaurant or bar for lunch or dinner, and no room service. Despite this, guests find numerous dining options within walking distance, including fast-food establishments like McDonald's directly opposite and a variety of restaurants in an adjacent mall, providing convenient alternatives.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is primarily valued for its proximity to the airport, making it a practical choice for transit travelers and those with early or late flights, though actual travel time can vary with traffic. Guests appreciate the convenience of being within walking distance of various dining options, including a McDonald's directly opposite and a nearby shopping mall with additional restaurants and stores. While some describe the immediate area as safe, a few found it somewhat isolated. Parking is available and often described as easy or guarded, though some guests reported issues with aggressive security regarding parking or found the on-site parking areas to be small or inconvenient. The hotel also offers easy access to the main highway, facilitating travel to other areas.

Staff & Service
The staff consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and professionalism, with many guests highlighting their welcoming demeanor and willingness to assist with various requests. The check-in and check-out processes are generally described as quick and efficient, even during late-night arrivals. A notable service offered is an airport shuttle, which some guests found convenient and free, while many others reported significant issues with its availability, limited hours, and unexpected charges, often finding it to be expensive or non-existent when advertised as free. While housekeeping is generally commended for cleanliness, some guests noted occasional oversights like missing towels or minor cleanliness issues. Feedback on problem resolution is mixed, with some staff members going above and beyond, while others were perceived as unhelpful or even deceptive regarding charges and services.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that the hotel is often described as a basic or executive transit hotel, best suited for short stays rather than extended vacations, and some found it to be below typical Marriott standards. There are recurring mentions of issues with room keys deactivating or not working consistently for both room entry and elevator access. While the hotel aims for security with key-card access, this can sometimes lead to inconvenience. Guests frequently note the absence of a pool or a full-service restaurant beyond breakfast. Some reviews highlight the noise from the tiled hallways due to luggage and foot traffic. For those with specific needs, it's worth noting that in-room televisions may be outdated with limited channels, and some guests reported issues with air conditioning functionality or unpleasant odors in rooms.