Location: Paseo Colon, San Jose
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, Parking, Restaurant, Gift Shop, Jacuzzi Terrace, Massage Service, Transportation Services, Room Service, Coffee Maker, Hair Dryer, Fully Equipped Silent Mini Bar, Flat Screen Cable TV, Electronic Security Box, Air Conditioning and Ceiling Fans, Robes, High-Quality Cotton Linens.
Walking up to the Hotel Grano Oro is like stepping back in time, this converted Victorian Tropical style home is located off Paseo Colon, one of the main traffic arteries in San Jose. However, in its golden age – first half of the twentieth century- this area was where the most affluent Costa Rican families lived.
Thanks to the extreme care of its current owners, who have maintained the architectural style of the original home during all their expansions; when you approach the hotel, you can feel as if you are the esteemed guest of one of these wealthy families.
This charming hotel provides all the comforts of home in a luxurious setting, even though it is located steps away from Paseo Colon, the environment is quiet and tranquil. The hotel features 38 guest rooms in different categories as well as 2 signature suites.
The Garden Suite used to be the original living room of the converted mansion, the room overlooks a magnificent lush private tropical garden. The Vista de Oro Suite is accessed through a private stairwell, it provides breathtaking views of the city skyline and comes complete with an in-room Jacuzzi overlooking the central mountain range.
Each room is uniquely charming, the overall décor of the rooms is done in warm earthy tones, with touches of gold or emerald green which remind you of the lush forests of Costa Rica. The paintings hanging in all the rooms are the work of local artists, something that showcases the owner’s efforts to support the local community.
The antique furniture pieces coupled with the gleaming wood floors are a nice touch to provide that homey feeling. The bathrooms have all been recently remodeled, and the hotel offers complimentary toiletries.
While the rooms offer many modern amenities, it is perhaps in the common areas where you can genuinely feel the unique, charming ambiance of this magnificent period home. The casual sitting area is reminiscent of a gentleman’s study complete with leather chairs, dark wood paneling, stained-glass windows, and the grand wooden staircase.
The restaurant is the focal point of the amenities this luxury hotel has to offer, French chef Francis Canal has created a balanced fusion of French Mediterranean, and Tropical inspired cuisine, making each dish oddly familiar yet interesting enough to be remembered for a lifetime.
As part of the hotel’s sustainability efforts, most of the ingredients used in the preparation of the food are locally sourced with sustainable practices.
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and room service is available from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. There are several seating options to choose from, the indoor dining tables are perfect for chilly or rainy nights, while the open courtyard is perfect for warm summer nights. There is also a bar area where you can enjoy a cocktail before dinner.
The restaurant is trendy amongst guests and locals, for this reason, we recommend you make a reservation for lunch and especially dinner.
Bottom Line:
Its central location will let you explore the city center which is only a 10-minute walk, and it is within driving distance to some of the more popular nightlife areas in the city. Its proximity to the airport (15-minute car ride) makes it the perfect choice for staying one or several nights when you first arrive or right before your departure.
