We stayed at this hotel in Alajuela on our way leaving & coming back to San Jose. It felt like a relatively safe location in the San Jose area, but it is NOT a luxury resort by any american standards.

Positives: The location was fairly easy to find & do-able distance to the airport (if, of course, you have a rental car). Although they don't have a real gated community, I did not feel in danger, despite the neighboring buildings with barbed wire. They do always have dogs out front & there looked to be staff always nearby. The staff was very friendly and helpful, but we quickly learned that customer service is superb in Costa Rica. The restaurant has good service, descent food, & a lovely atmosphere. The grounds are well maintained with beautiful flowers everywhere. There is plenty of parking & it is close to the rooms. The price is a great relief from american prices. The breakfast is plentiful & complimentary.

Negatives: The rooms appear descent, but the bathrooms will turn you off. There is grime along every crevice in the shower & even the entire bathroom. The rooms overall just need some serious cleaning & updating. We repeatedly said in shock how this would never be called a resort in the US. However, there is nice woodwork in the room & they are good sized. There were ants in our room, but insects like to find their way in all hotel rooms in Costa Rica.

Summary: If price, location, dining onsite & grounds are at the top of your list, this is a good choice. If luxury & cleanliness are your priority, along with extreme safety, this will not be your best bet. However, it is difficult to find a good spot around San Jose!

City tips: We had time to kill in the area & were going to go to downtown Alajuela to the city park & catedral. I advice to stay out of there unless you are city smart & not blonde. The city park is one block with nothing exciting to view. We used the ATM downtown & had old women checking out the rims on our rental car. We resorted to go to the City Zoo, across the street from the hotel. I believe this cost over 20 dollars for non-locals & wasn't worth the money: you see animals that you can see in US zoos & in the wild outside of San Jose. Save the money & lay by the pool (but remember that sunblock!).

We've stayed here on two different trips, once in 2002 and again in 12/06. It is a destination resort and is great for the beginning and end of your trip if you're flying in and out of San Jose. The resort has all the luxuries you could ask for and the staff is extremely helpful. One of the best values in Costa Rica!

We were offered a wine list with their suggenting $50 bottles. We said it was more than we were willing to pay. We asked for $35 wines, selected one. The bottle was delivered, quickly displayed, then decanted. When we got the bill they had switched the wines (we did not notice in the excitement of the evening), to a bottle costing $140. Bottom line, we refused to pay $140, refused to pay $70 as was suggensted. We ended up paying $35. Watch them.

I made a reservation through Expedia for one night in January at the Resort Martino. I've stayed before and really like the place. A few weeks before I left for Costa Rica, the Resort Martino called me and said there had been a mistake. They didn't have a room. Since I had already paid through Expedia, they offered to book me into the San Jose Marriott and pay for it. They then sent me a confirmed reservation at the Marriott. When I got to the Marriott, however, they said that I would have to pay for the room since the Martino had only reserved it. I then called then called the Martino who now said I would have to come over there because they DID have a room. When I got there, the manager offered no explanation, apology or offer to pay for my taxi from the Marriott. The bottom line---don't trust a reservation here. These guys are playing fast and loose with their booking policies.