When I landed in Costa Rica on my most recent trip, I was there on a mission. I was there to update the San Jose chapter of the new Lonely Planet Costa Rica guidebook, so I had several weeks of intense research, hotel inspections, restaurant visits, and museum tours ahead of me.
I booked hotels all over the city to immerse myself in different neighborhoods, but one hotel really stood out, and I wish I had spent my entire trip there. And I wasn’t the only one. I met countless couples and families who spent their entire trip there. One retired couple I met told me they’d been vacationing here every year for decades.
Here’s why I think the Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen might be the best hotel in San Jose, Costa Rica.
The best hotel in San Jose, Costa Rica
Nestled on a 30‑acre coffee plantation just outside San José, the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen offers travelers a refined, sensory‑rich escape that blends resort‑style amenities with convenient access to the country’s vibrant Central Valley. Whether you’re wrapping up your journey or using it as a launchpad for deeper exploration, here’s why it stands out as a great option.
The Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen in a nutshell
The Hacienda Belen is gorgeous, offers incredible food, and features numerous on-site classes and activities. It’s also conveniently located just a quick drive from the airport and downtown San Jose. Best of all, if you skip San Jose entirely (which I don’t recommend, but which I know many people do), this hotel is primely positioned to allow you to relax and enjoy a night or two before being whisked off to your next hotel in Arenal, La Fortuna, or Guanacaste.
Let’s dig in a bit more as to what makes this hotel so special.
A typical room at the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen
(Hacienda Belen)1. A location that strikes the perfect balance
Set in the canton of Belén in Heredia Province, the hotel combines tranquility with proximity. Just a short drive from Juan Santamaría International Airport and the capital city of San José, it offers ease of arrival and departure without sacrificing calm.
An airport hotel that doesn’t feel like an airport hotel
Though I love San Jose and include it on every trip I take to Costa Rica, I know that many (possibly most) travelers skip it entirely. They fly in late at night, book a hotel near the airport, then jet off to the beaches, volcanos, and cloud forests that Costa Rica is known for. If this is you, know that Hacienda Belen is just a 10-minute drive from the airport, yet it somehow feels like you’re in a remote, rural setting.
Being perched above the Central Valley also gives many rooms sweeping mountain or city‑skyline views. In fact, this was my favorite part of the hotel. Each morning (and several afternoons), I lounged in bed reading while gazing out over the endless greenery and foliage that led to the mountains.
Close to the coolest neighborhoods and top San Jose attractions
Though I wanted to relax and enjoy the hotel all day, every day, I had a job to do, which required me to be all over the city. Fortunately, the hotel is about 25-30 minutes from the bustling downtown area (where you’ll find the must-visit Gold Museum, National Theater, and many food and craft markets), and the endlessly cool Escalante neighborhood (which offers a more relaxed vibe in a very green, walkable neighborhood full of excellent coffee shops, cafes, and boutiques).
For travelers who want both comfort and access to Costa Rica’s day‑trip opportunities—coffee tours, volcano visits, city culture—this is a sweet spot.
2. A resort feel wrapped in colonial charm
Though part of the Marriott brand, this hotel evokes the spirit of a traditional Costa Rican hacienda. Built on the grounds of a former plantation, the architecture, lush gardens and heritage detailing lend a sense of place and history.
Strips of volcanic rock are laid between wood grain floors and colorful original floor tiles. Lobby tables are made out of decades-old wooden bed frames. Walls are decorated with old “jarrón” fermentation jars that were also used as refrigeration jars that were kept cold by plunging them into rivers. Passageways house antique wooden shoeshine stations and an Hacienda Guanacaste wooden carriage from the 1850s.
Despite being built only a few decades ago (meaning it has all modern equipment and amenities), the hotel exudes classic, colonial charm. Thanks to its focus on modern luxury, rooms offer pillow‑top mattresses, flat‑screen TVs, mini‑fridges and coffee makers. Many also have balconies looking out to the mountains.
It’s the best of both worlds—stylish heritage meets contemporary luxury.
Outdoor pool area at Hacienda Belen Hotel in San Jose, Costa Rica
(Hacienda Belen)3. Diverse amenities for relaxation and activity
Thanks to its massive property, the hotel is able to offer experiences and services that would be unthinkable in the more cramped hotels near downtown San Jose.
Pools & spa
The hotel has two outdoor pools (including a children’s pool) where you can swim, sunbathe under blue skies and palm trees all day long. The pool had plenty of comfy lounge chairs surrounding it, including some right next to one of its restaurants, where I saw large groups floating between. There’s nothing I love more than reading, so I often snagged a plush outdoor canopy bed by the pool, stacked up pillows, and got lost in a Costa Rican mystery novel.
For a true indulgence, head to the coffee‑inspired spa that relies on volcanic ash and local ingredients in its unique, luxurious treatments.
There are also separate men’s and women’s areas of the spa, including a sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi. I especially loved that is was a sort of indoor-meets-outdoor spa where I could go from an indoor sauna to an outdoor relaxation area looking up at the stars.
Sports & wellness
A Golf driving range, full fitness center, tennis courts, and jogging paths through the plantation grounds ensure you can stay fit and active without having to leave the property.
Dining variety
Five on‑site restaurants to suit different moods—from Costa Rican classics at Hacienda Kitchen to Asian fusion at La Castilla. My personal favorite was Hacienda Kitchen, which offered an impressive morning buffet and an extensive a la carte dinner menu. Even better than the food were the views afforded from its covered outdoor patio overlooking the grounds and mountains.
One of my favorite things about the Hacienda Belen was that it offered so many free and fun experiences, like this coffee class
(Cassandra Brooklyn)4. So many (free) on-site activities
I’m a real sucker for on-site activities because it means that I can have some fun and probably learn a thing or two without having to leave the building, pay an entry fee, or research where to go and what to do.
Hotel Hacienda Belen offers oodles of on-site classes and activities (most of which are free) that lean into Costa Rican food, drink, history, and culture. They change every month so they’re always offering something fresh, but they tend to focus on some main themes like cooking and coffee.
Free experiences at the hotel
Traditional Costa Rican coffee workshop and tasting
Historical tour of the grounds
Mixology class at the bar
Flexibility, mobility, and core strength classes
5. Welcoming for different types of travelers
Given the diversity of the facilities, it’s no wonder that I met some of everybody at this hotel. It’s suitable for families, couples looking for a retreat, and business travelers seeking an elevated base.
Families
The spacious grounds, kid‑friendly pool, and multiple dining options give plenty for children while still offering adult downtime.
I’ll add that, though there were a fair amount of kids there, the property is so big, with so much to offer, that at no point did I feel overwhelmed or annoyed by the kids (which can happen very easily when solo travelers and couples realize too late that they booked a room at a family-focused hotel).
Couples
The quiet plantation setting and resort features allow for a more intimate, relaxing stay that allows you to focus on time together. I met so many couples at the various classes and tours who told me they were grateful to just relax and enjoy the time together instead of having to deal with the chaos of traffic and tours downtown.
Business or mixed‑purpose travelers
The Hacienda is near corporate hubs yet feels like a secluded resort, so you can mix work and leisure. The airport‑shuttle and meeting spaces are great for business trips, but the hotel’s beauty, amenities, and excellent location are why so many business travelers told me they extended their work trip to include a few days of vacation.
If you’re traveling through Costa Rica and value comfort, variety, and a sense of place, Hacienda Belen meets you where you are.
I looked forward to breakfast every morning thanks to Hacienda Belen’s fabulous food and spectacular mountain views
(Cassandra Brooklyn)6. Practical tips to make the most of your stay
Decided to book your stay at Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen? Good for you. Here’s what to know:
Consider booking a room with a mountain or skyline view (ask for a higher-floor or valley-facing room) to truly appreciate the scenery.
Use the hotel as a first or last stop in Costa Rica, given its proximity to the airport, especially for short stays.
Reserve dinner at one of the specialty restaurants (La Isabela Steakhouse or La Castilla) for a more elevated night out.
Ask about quiet‑room options if you’re sensitive to noise—the larger property footprint means some areas are busier than others. (My room was extraordinarily quiet since it faced the golf course instead of the pools).
Don’t overbook your trip. Take time one morning to wander the plantation grounds and enjoy a coffee on the terrace—an understated highlight of the stay.
Final verdict on the best hotel in San Jose
If you’re seeking a base in Costa Rica that offers more than just a stopover—one that blends plantation‑green calm with resort luxury and convenient access to the country’s central attractions—the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen offers an exceptional option.
The scent of fresh coffee drifting through the gardens, the warm mountain air over the valley at dusk, the ease of arrival after a long flight: experiences like these turn a hotel stay into an entrée to the spirit of Costa Rica.