We booked into the Adventure Inn for two nights at the beginning and two nights at the end of our Costa Rican adventure. It seemed like a great idea, as it was midway between the airport and the city, in an upscale suburb, near a mall, with breakfast for only $69 (plus tax= 81).
Our first impression was pretty good- the room was big and clean. Several of the staff were friendly and there was a computer room with free internet access.
Warning #1 Eat before you get there. The overpriced restaurant closes before the late flights get in, and there is NOWHERE nearby to get anything to eat. But we figured this was our own fault- late arrivals can't expect to be fed.
Warning #2 This hotel is in the middle of nowhere. The next day the hotel arranged for someone to drive us into San Jose, which is much more than 5 minutes away. But his vehicle broke down, so we thought we'd just get a taxi back. The city taxi drivers, however would not take us back.
So we took a local bus, and got held up at gunpoint near the mall. The staff at reception that day spoke so little English that we couldn't even explain this to them.
Warning #3 The website gives the impression that this place is run by a Canadian man who is full of useful advice and happy to help first time travellers.
The place seems rather to be run by a local person who is not easily found, and the Canadian man is only around on weekday mornings. Otherwise, he is not available to help.
Minor warnings: The hotel has no elevator or bell hops- you will need to shlep your stuff upstairs yourself. The smoking courtyard is right below the non-smoking rooms, so the smoke comes in the louvered windows.
If you are familiar with Costa Rica, and speak Spanish, and you are fairly independent, this is a clean, cheap hotel which might suit you fine. If not, you might want to look elsewhere.
Owner's Reponse
Our restaurant is open from 6am until 11pm, the prices are quite reasonable, for example a full fillet mignon dinner is $11, we also have daily specials.
The hotel is not in the middle of nowhere, but rather in a nice upscale neighborhood, a large shopping mall a mile away, golf courses, pleasant walks, duck ponds, or perhaps these people would have preferred being right in downtown San Jose with all it's inherent soliciting, prostitution, noise, filth, congestion and crime. San Jose is nice to visit for it's museaums, shopping and nightlife, but it is great to retreat to Adventure Inn to relax and sleep. Four other hotels are our neighbours, including two five star hotels, so the location is excellent, with easy access to the airport, San Jose, and you go in all directions to the rainforests, volcanos, whitewater rafting, etc. I have never heard of taxis not willing to drive guests to Adventure Inn, for what reason, this doesn't make sense, they run a meter, sorry if a taxi car broke down, a little beyond our control, and sorry about them getting robbed at gunpoint at some mall, again a little beyond our control.
Regarding my attendance at Adventure Inn, I come in at all hours of the day, and am available to anyone by phone or e-mail if I am not physically there, I work out of my home, but have a good handle on the hotel, and all of our receptionists speak English, some a bit better than others, perhaps these people were shaken up about being held up, and were incomprehensible. My knowledge of Costa Rica is quite good having formed three Costa Rica hotel associations, so my advice before guests come to Costa Rica is quite sound, and nowhere in my literature do I state that I will be there to greet guests, that's what my staff are for.
Our hotel is two floors, and yes, we do not have an elevator, so if you have any problem negotiating stairs, request a room on the ground floor. Generally if you need help with your luggage, we will be able to assist, no we do not have a full-time bellhop, pay $100 plus somewhere else and you may get one.
The courtyard below the non-smoking rooms is non-smoking, however, some guests must have broken the rules when these people were here.
I think these people had some bad experiences off of our property, and blamed anyone they could. Guests generally love Adventure Inn, plain and simple.
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