Several factors go into my evaluation of an airport hotel. Proximity to the airport, shuttle service, hotel features, quiet rooms, surrounding area, staff responsiveness and friendliness are some of the things I look for. The Courtyard Marriott at Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) impressed me in all of those areas.
I stayed at this hotel for one night. I flew to SJO from Charlotte, NC to pick up an American Airlines mileage run business class flight from San Jose, Costa Rica to Santiago, Chile. I didn’t need to get into town. I just needed a place to stay before taking a flight the next day. It was the quintessential situation requiring an airport hotel.
Hotel Shuttle
Upon arrival, I used a phone at the airport information desk to find out how to get to the hotel. As directed I went to the arrivals level in the middle of the terminal in front of a restaurant with outdoor tables. Shuttles arrive at the airport at 15 minutes before and after the hour and depart the hotel on the hour and half hour. It can accommodate around 20 guests at a time. The shuttle arrived precisely on schedule.
Proximity to Airport
It only took three minutes to get to the hotel. It sits on a small hill within one kilometer of the airport.
Staff Attitude
The front desk staff was excellent. I was welcomed with a genuine air of friendliness. Check in was actually fun. That’s rare. At some hotels the front desk staff project the haughty demeanor of a waiter at an expensive French restaurant. Not here. Everyone made it seem like they were truly happy to see me. The apology because there was no suite available for an upgrade seemed sincere. Finally, they had a little game to play to conclude the process.
As a game show fan (true reality TV), it was kind of exciting. I was awarded a free beer which the hotel supplemented with a bowl of mixed nuts.
Superior King Room
I was assigned a Superior Guest Room with a king bed and a sofa bed, the room category just below a suite. It was more than adequate for a one-night stay.
Additional features include a refrigerator, safe, and coffee/tea service. 
The bath has a shower but no tub. That is a popular trend in moderately priced hotels. Bath gel, shampoo and conditioner are dispensed from refilled bottles in the shower.
Some airport hotels are plagued by the noise of departing and arriving aircraft. At this hotel, I heard no airport noise and slept peacefully.
Breakfast
A good airport hotel must offer free breakfast. Courtyard Marriotts tick that box. This hotel, however goes beyond that minimal requirement by beginning continental breakfast at 04:00. The buffet starts at 06:00. It compares to a buffet in a four- or five-star hotel.
Fitness
Although I don’t use these facilities as much as I should, I always prefer to stay at a hotel that has a fitness center. This hotel has a very good one and a pool.
Other Features and Services
The Courtyard Marriott has a comfortable lobby, a business center and a mini 7-11 for snacks and last-minute needs.
Surrounding Area
Hotel and booking websites usually provide little information about restaurants and shopping nearby. I was pleased to find a small shopping center just across the parking lot from the hotel. It has great restaurants.
Overall Impression
Being within a stone’s throw of the airport (but without airport noise), on-time shuttle service, comfortable rooms, friendly staff, and a variety of great restaurants next door make the Courtyard Marriott at San Jose’s Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) a top-notch airport hotel. What criteria do you use to evaluate airport hotels?
Excellent review and so much detail in only a one night stay! Yes, breakfast starting at 4:00am in an airport hotel is very helpful – and very rare. Usually I depend on a cup of coffee and pastry at the coffee shop at the airport for early flights out. I see you went to Santiago. I am booked to go there on Thanksgiving this year. Never seen the southern cross yet.
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I missed the southern cross on this trip but saw it back in the early ’90s at Uluru, Australia. From Santiago I traveled to Easter Island and scheduled a stargazing tour. It was cancelled due to overcast unfortunately. I’ve never seen the northern lights and would like to do that one day. You will love Santiago. I appreciate your comment and reading the blog.
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