Costa Rica Hotel

Costa Rica Hotel, The Grand Hotel Costa Rica, Video Tour

2007-04-16T16:05:00.000-07:00

The idea to establish the first big hotel in the then small Costa Rica of that time arose in 1920, when the flourishing coffee exports became our main trade activity, around which the socio-cultural
life of the country took place.

Those distinguished men traveled to Europe to educate themselves and commercialize the valuable product on which our economy
was sustained. Inspired by the beauty of the Opera House in Paris, they promoted the opening of our National Theater in 1897, a replica of the magnificent French building in the quiet
city of San José.

It was followed in 1930 by the opening of Gran Hotel Costa Rica, with a majestic five-story building that offers one hundred and twenty rooms, an example of beautiful neoclassic architecture, located in front of the square where the statue of the first Costa Rican President, Juan Mora Fernández, is displayed, and diagonal to the superb National Theater. It was such a significant event for the country that the Government of the Republic decided to build the roads to the Poás and Irazú Volcanoes to promote visits by foreign tourists.

Great and famous people who have visited our country have stayed at Gran Hotel Costa Rica, such as the U.S. Presidents Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy and Jimmy Carter, and sports and movie stars, like the King Pelé, John Wayne, Cantinflas, Julio Iglesias, among others.

In the 21st century, Gran Hotel Costa Rica, together with the National Theater, Las Arcadas, the Juan Mora Fernández Square, Plaza de la Cultura Square, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and the beautiful surrounding buildings declared to be part of our historical patrimony, conform the cultural-historical circuit of our capital city.

Gran Hotel Costa Rica maintains its exquisite architectural style, a delicate reminiscence from the beginning of 1900, where the 21st century visitors may start touring the capital city. Just getting out of our hotel, you can get inspired by the architectural beauty of the National Theater, the Costa Rican site most visited by tourists. Inside the Theater, you will enjoy the magnificent
finishes, the beautiful antique furniture, frescoes and sculptures, as well as the best concerts, operas and plays at night.

After enjoying the National Theater on the East side of Gran Hotel Costa Rica visit the underground museum located beneath the Plaza de la Cultura Square, the impressive Pre-Columbian Gold Museum of Costa Rica, which houses a large collection of more than 2000 archeological gold artifacts, an artistic and historical treasure of the indigenous groups that lived in Costa
Rica.

You can enjoy the national Jade Museum located three hundred meters North of Gran Hotel Costa Rica, currently the only existing museum of pre-Columbian jade, featuring the biggest exhibit of this type of collection. And you cannot miss the former Bella Vista Fortress, currently the National Museum, located 400 meters East of Gran Hotel Costa Rica. It is an old and majestic fortress built in 1917, declared to be part of our historical patrimony, and which, after the abolishment of the army in Costa Rica, became the site of the National Museum, a museum founded in 1897.

The Museum occupied various public buildings in San José, being finally settled in 1949 at the building formerly occupied by the Bella Vista Fortress. The National Museum features an
exhibit of 45,000 Pre-Columbian artifacts, made of stone, as well as ceramics, colonial paintings and sculptures of sacred arts, documents of great historical value, stamps, textiles, weapons and antique furniture, among others.

The National Herbarium is located at the same museum, featuring 190,000 specimens, including 60,000 insects, 8,000 Costa Rican birds, as well as rocks, fossils, mollusks and vertebrates.

Costa Rica Hotel, The Grand Hotel Costa Rica

2007-04-16T15:04:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica Hotel
Grand Hotel Costa Rica

The only hotel in Costa Rica declared as a Historical - Architectural landmark by the Costa Rican Government.

The Best Location in town! In the heart of the city... yet in between National Monuments, squares, museums and pedestrian streets. It is vivid during the day but quiet during the night thanks to the fact that no streets with vehicles surround the hotel.

Recent News
Looking to offer the best possible service to our guest, the Gran Hotel Costa Rica is planning to join the CST (Sustainable Development Certification) program by the Costa Rican Tourism Board,more information...

We are very happy to announce that we recently signed an agreement with one of the best and most experienced Tour Operators in the country, Swiss Travel, they are providing tours all over the country for our guests and visitors, who can depart directly from our lobby. (From 06 am to 08 pm) Please contact them at the main lobby next to the stairs or check their information at http://www.swisstravelcr.com/ing/tours/toursanjose.html

We are also proud to inform that we have in house, as well, one of the best rent a car companies in the country, EUROPCAR. They are available for you at the main lobby of the hotel and their vehicles are parked in our property for immediate deliver. (From 8:00am and 8:00pm). Web Site: http://www.grandhotelcostarica.com/www.europcar.co.cr

The History of Gran Hotel Costa RicaThe idea to establish the first big hotel in the then small Costa Rica of that time arose in 1920, when the flourishing coffee exports became our main trade activity, around which the social-cultural life of the country took place. Those distinguished men traveled to Europe to educate themselves and commercialize the valuable product on which our economy was sustained. Inspired by the beauty of the Opera House in Paris, they promoted the opening of our National Theater in 1897, a replica of the magnificent French building in the quiet city of San José.More about Gran Hotel Costa Rica history ->

Costa Rica Hotel, The Grand Hotel Costa Rica, Hotel Amenities

2007-04-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

Facilities & Amenities

Located in the heart of downtown San Jose, this five-story hotel, built in 1930, is adjacent to the Culture Square and the National Theater. In addition to free parking, this entirely nonsmoking hotel offers laundry facilities, fitness equipment, and airport transportation (surcharge), Valet Parking Service.

For those traveling on business, conference and meeting rooms, wireless Internet access in public areas, and a business center are available.

PROPERTY AMENITIES
Our hotel offers for your convenience 102 roomsDistributed as follows:
52 STANDARD 42 SUPERIOR6 JR. SUITE1 SUITE 1 MASTER SUITE

ESPECIAL EVENTS AND EVENT ROOM(S)
For more information about our especial events please Download a free PowerPiont presentation Click Here

ADITIONAL SERVICES
We are very happy to announce that we recently signed an agreement with one of the best and most experienced Tour Operators in the country, Swiss Travel, they are providing tours all over the country for our guests and visitors, who can depart directly from our lobby. (From 06 am to 08 pm) Please contact them at the main lobby next to the stairs or check their information at http://www.swisstravelcr.com/ing/tours/tours.html

We are also proud to inform that we have in house, as well, one of the best rent a car companies in the country, EUROPCAR. They are available for you at the main lobby of the hotel and their vehicles are parked in our property for immediate deliver. (From 8:00am and 8:00pm). Web Site: http://www.europcar.co.cr

Live Piano Concerts all day and evening
Art Gallery - Cafeteria
Open air Patio Restaurant in front of the National Theater
Entertainment Room
Fitness equipment - Gym
Tour assistance
Rent-a-Car
Casino
Lobby furnished with European antiques
Free Internet facilities
Internet access in public areas and rooms
Concierge services
Complimentary breakfast
Restaurant(s) in hotel
Bar/lounge
Coffee shop or café
Breakfast available
Room service (24 hours)
Limo or Town Car service available
Parking (valet)
Conference room(s)
Event catering
Business center
Banquet facilities
Exhibit space
Cell phone/mobile rental
Audio-visual equipment
Number of rooms: 95
24-hour front desk
Multilingual staff
Express check-in
Number of floors: 5
ATM/banking
Gift shops or newsstand
Laundry facilities
Dry cleaning service
Elevator/lift: 2
Airport transportation (surcharge)

DINNING

A complimentary buffet breakfast is offered each morning.

CAFE 1930

Our famous 24 hour open air patio restaurant serves
your favorite breakfast, plus lunch and dinner specials.
During lunch we have live piano music, every day.
Restaurant 1930

Enjoy our fine dinning while you listen to
live piano, cello and violin music.
THE GOLDEN FROG BAR "EL BUFO DORADO"

Enjoy our new wood finished bar

"El Bufo Dorado" (The Golden Frog), furnished
in leather with exotic fresh fruit cocktails. Menu
features 25 Spanish entrees.
ART GALLEERY AND CAFÉ;

Las Arcadas, Cafeteando and Gourmet Restaurant open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.

RECREATION & INTERNET FACILITIES

Business or pleasure. Enjoy our recreation facilities.
56" TV, Comfortable sofas, Professional Pool Table, 24-hour
High Speed Free Internet Access, Bar-Restaurant service, Chess
and Dart Games.

CASINO

The action never stops in our 24 hours casino that offers
games of chance and slot machines which is carefully located so as to assure it does not affect the tranquility of the rooms.
WIRELESS INTERNET

Available the 24-hour wireless Internet service in the rooms, the Lobby and Restaurants.
GYM

Open every day between 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. State of the
art gym equipment in a relaxed atmosphere.

ICE CREAM STORE POPS

Costa Rica's most famous

ICE CREAM FRANCHISE STORE "POPS"

is located in the North-East corner of the Hotel's building,
where tourist can enjoy a variety of over one hundred flavors
as well as the world wide spanish sandwich "Entre-pans"

DRUGSTORE FARMACIA ITALIANA

We also offer the convenient drugstore

"FARMACIA ITALIANA" located also on the

North Side of the Hotel in case you might need any pharmaceutical
product or similar.

PUERTO MADERO & MORANGO, High Quality Leather Goods

A fine Boutique for men and women, offering an exclusive line
of brazilian clothes for many occasions, leather shoes and nice
colorful beach outfits. For your convenience you will find an
english spoken attention. For any further information please
contact at the phone (506) 223 1734.

Policies

Unregistered guests not allowed in rooms.

Rollaways and cribs (infant beds) may be available and should
be requested at the time of booking; fees may apply.

Photo identification and credit card or cash deposit is required
at check-in for incidental charges.

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in.
Special requests made via this Web site cannot be guaranteed
and may incur additional charges.

Check-in time is 2 PM

Check-out time is Noon (12 p.m.)

What's New at Gran Hotel Costa Rica

2007-03-27T02:30:00.000-07:00

Sustainable Development Certification
Looking to offer the best possible service to our guest, the Gran Hotel Costa Rica is planning to join the CST (Sustainable Development Certification) program by the Costa Rican Tourism Board,more information...

Swiss Travel Agreement
We are very happy to announce that we recently signed an agreement with one of the best and most experienced Tour Operators in the country, Swiss Travel, they are providing tours all over the country for our guests and visitors, who can depart directly from our lobby. (From 06 am to 08 pm) Please contact them at the main lobby next to the stairs or check their information at http://www.swisstravelcr.com/ing/tours/toursanjose.html

Rent a Car in our lobby
We are also proud to inform that we have in house, as well, one of the best rent a car companies in the country, EUROPCAR. They are available for you at the main lobby of the hotel and their vehicles are parked in our property for immediate deliver. (From 8:00am and 8:00pm). Web Site: http://www.europcar.co.cr