Gran Hotel Costa Rica Curio Collection by Hilton

It's a Hilton, so you know it will be nice & clean. I have to admit that we drove by the entrance 3 times before calling & the valet walking out onto the street to get us! So sweet. There is a driveway with a very small sign, so you will most likely miss it, plus the GPS wasn't very helpful. Absolutely enjoyed our stay.

San Jose Central was a lot nicer long ago. Finding the Gran Hotel isn't the easiest, and I would be reluctant to walk outside at night. The hotel itself is lovely and full service. The rooms are as pictured, and the facility nicely maintained. The staff are solicitous, though not overly friendly. The buffet breakfast looks lovely, but for $38, it wasn't for us, especially when there are coffee shops and bakeries around the square.

I stayed at the Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton, from April 25–28, 2025. As someone who travels frequently and stays in many high-end properties, I chose this hotel based on its strong reputation in San José. While the staff was friendly, professional, and the hotel itself was very clean, my overall experience fell short of expectations for a 4-star property. I booked a 1 King Bed Junior Suite that was advertised as including “executive amenities, including buffet breakfast.” Upon check-in, I was informed there was no executive lounge (it had closed years ago), and breakfast was not included as advertised. I was forced to use my Hilton status to cover breakfast instead of earning points. The suite itself offered no extra amenities compared to a basic room — the fridge was empty, and there were no drinks or snacks for purchase. The Wi-Fi was very spotty and only worked in certain areas of my room, which made both work and streaming frustrating. I had dinner at the hotel restaurant, where the food was significantly overpriced with very small portions. I ordered steak frites over pasta for about $30, and while the steak was cooked properly and tasted fine, the portion size was disappointing for the price. Breakfast was another letdown — the buffet was basic and closer to what you would find at a 2- or 3-star hotel, not a 4-star. If I stayed here again (which I wouldn’t), I would only book a standard room because the suite offered no real upgrade. Service and cleanliness were excellent, but the Wi-Fi, amenities, dining, and misleading marketing made the overall experience disappointing and not worth the premium price.