Bad experience for a 4**** hotel
Slept 4 nights, room with no view, noisy on the second floor.
Wifi low always problem of connection.
Fitness with a running machine but out of order
Breakfast poor with low quality of product
For the final touch, we came back two nights later to spend our last night and by changing one of our reservations, the lady at the reception misunderstand us and canceled it... with a big smile, she was sorry but not giving us a solution. finally she send us in an other hotel of the group, with rooms without windows...
I recommend you to never go to Grand Hotel Costa Rica

Stayed here the first night of a week ling trip to Costa Rica. We took a ~20 minute bus ride for about $2 per person from the airport to the last stop, which was about 10 blocks from the hotel. Walked through the streets of San Jose and found the hotel easily. It is located right by the national theatre, a beautiful building which actually our room window looked out on. The lady at the tourist desk helped us book a rental car for pick up the next morning and gave recommendations on restaurants for dinner. Everything was walking distance. The front patio was a very nice place to sit and people watch over beer/wine or coffee any time of day. The room was clean with an air conditioner/ fan unit.

In 2012 I stayed at Gran Hotel Costa Rica for 5 nights. I had a big room... but the bathroom was a really joke, very small and in need of a total renovation. The restaurant of the hotel wasn't good and in my opinion very expensive. You can have something more local and better just two blocks behind the hotel. The internet was not working well and the breakfast was ok. Good things: Gran Hotel is literally near the Opera House (just opposite and it is really worth a visit, please), also just three or four blocks to the National Museum (great to understand the recent history of Costa Rica). There is also a concierge for tours in Costa Rica. They were good and attentive but I didn't think that the staff of the hotel was helpful. This is really a issue the hotel needs to improve.

This hotel cannot be faulted for its location, character and atmosphere. Sitting on the terrace, drinking a superb cocktail, listening to the grand piano, and watching the world go by are memories which will stay. But the rooms are small and poky - and because there's no central air-con system a lot of the space is taken up by a clumsy in-room appliance. The noise from this machine only partially cancels out the noise of the traffic and the continuous bleeping of the nearby pedestrian crossing. In recognition of this the management supply guests with ear-plugs!

But th siting is superb - just opposit the Opera House in the heart of the city - the main pedestrian avenue runs alongside, the market is close by, and many of the city's attractions are within easy walking distance.

And the service is old-style as well - attentive without being OTT.

It's probably the best hotel to stay at for an introduction to San Jose - but don't plan to stay too long