Alice y Juancito Boutique Hotel

It worked well for me because I needed easy access to the airport car rental, though getting to downtown San Jose could be inconvenient with traffic. The hosts were lovely and responsive, and the room was nice, but the lighting was really dim. The fan lights didn’t work, and the bedside lights were usable but focused. There wasn’t much surface space either: the nightstand was tiny, I had to leave my suitcase on the floor, and a bench or luggage table would help. I was surprised there was no hot water at the sink, though I was told that was common across Costa Rica, as it is in most places I saw. Breakfast is more like an AirBnB setup, a bit better since they supply some things. There were eggs, milk, juice, bread, and condiments in the kitchen, so with a little time I could make tea or coffee, toast, and eggs the way I wanted.

I’ll definitely stay here again when I need to be near the airport. It’s incredibly affordable, and the room was cozy, comfortable, and surprisingly quiet for a city. The kitchen had plenty in it, including bread, juice, jams, and eggs for guests. The wall where everyone signs is a really cute idea and fun to read.

The staff were friendly, attentive, and available around the clock, and the room was clean and comfortable in a safe, walkable area. I needed somewhere in Alajuela for a couple of unexpected nights after a 10-hour mountain drive, exhausted and short on time. I couldn’t find anything quickly on Airbnb, but a local contact gave me this boutique hotel’s number. They replied within minutes and confirmed my service dog and I were welcome, which was such a relief. After my first night, I was so tired I just wanted to sleep, but a little bird kept pecking at the window. I emailed the host politely for help, then woke up a few hours later fully rested, and the bird was gone. Whatever they did worked. Five-star service, highly recommend!

The host went way beyond what I expected and took away a lot of my travel stress by personally arranging my pickup when the driver wasn’t available. The place was easy to find, clean, and had hot running water. There were several things in the kitchen to eat or cook. This is more than a review, it’s an experience I’ll remember. They treat you like family.