Located in the heart of downtown San Jose, Grano de Oro (Grain of Gold) takes its name from a Costa Rican term for the coffee bean, as well as describing the exemplary standard of service the hotel aims to provide. Conveniently located, this elegant hotel provides quick and easy access to the city centre as well offering day trips to neighbouring rainforests, volcanoes, and other experiences. With several facilities onsite such as a jacuzzi, massage therapy and a fitness centre, the hotel aims to provide you with a wide variety of options to make your stay relaxing and enjoyable.
Hotel Grano de Oro San Jose
Hotel Grano de Oro is just a few minutes away from the museums, shopping, markets and galleries of the metropolitan San José. Day trips to Costa Rica’s renowned attractions are easily arranged by the ever accommodating staff, with sights such as the Plaza de la Cultura, Museo del Jade and Spirogyra Butterfly Garden less than 10 minutes drive from the hotel. The nearest airport is the Juan Santamaría International Airport, which is just 15 minutes away by car.
San José is warmest in March and April, with average temperatures of 27°C making it an ideal time to visit. May through November the most rainfall is experienced, and October to January temperatures can get as low as 17°C with highs of 25°C.
- A “Heritage Hotel with the warmth and refinement of Old San José”
- Stunning air-conditioned rooms with exquisitely styled elegant décor in a turn-of-the-century mansion, i
- On-site gourmet restaurant and bar, massage services, fitness centre and rooftop garden
- Short distance to Juan Santamaria International Airport and any of San José’s main sights
- Helpful on-site tour desk can arrange tours of the nearby museums, theatres, coffee plantations and more
- Owners run social project Casa Luz, a home and escape for adolescent mothers and children from abuse
- Top Hotel in Central America & Caribbean, Conde Nast 2019
- Awarded four out of five leaves by Costa Rica’s Certificate for Sustainable Tourism”
The standard room offers one queen bed, suitable for up to two people. These rooms boast beautiful windows and luxurious amenities, such as top quality bed linen and a coffee maker. The room is spacious and exquisitely decorated with matching furniture such as chairs and bedside tables. The room also includes a crystal clean en-suite bathroom with free scented toiletries.
Slightly bigger than the standard room, the superior option gives guests more space to relax and enjoy their stay. This room features magnificent turn of the century furniture, blended with modern day amenities to make your stay comfortable. Enjoy beautiful wooden closets alongside a modern en-suite bathroom. This room contains one queen bed, fit for up to two people.
The deluxe room is a fantastic choice for those wishing to feel close to nature. This room’s highlight is its private patio, leading out to a small area filled with tropical greenery. Enjoy palm plants and hanging baskets whilst relaxing with a glass of wine in the evenings. The room contains one queen bed, designed for up to two people.
These rooms are incredibly spacious and can accommodate up to four people. The two queen beds have luxury linens and promise a very comfortable sleep. The room is decorated with its classic furniture, giving a distinctive turn of the century feel. Amenities are included such as coffee pot, telephone, chairs and a coffee table.
The Deluxe King room is the hotel’s most popular option. Equipped with one King size bed in a deluxe room, guests can expect an extremely comfortable and spacious stay. Wake up to beautiful views overlooking the Hotels lush tropical plants and get ready in the spacious en-suite. Decorations and furniture are classic and perfectly match the Victorian Villas design.
This suite includes two rooms, adjoined by a shared en-suite bathroom. This suite is designed for up to five people, ideal for a family or two couples travelling together. One room has two queen size beds and the second room has one queen size bed. The rooms are a subtle blend of classic and modern design. Enjoy the glossy wooden floors and regal bed-frames, alongside a flat screen TV in each room.
The garden suite greets you with its opulent furnishings, beautiful big windows and refined wooden panelling from the second you step through its arched doorway. Located in the original living room of the Grano de Oro mansion, guests can enjoy magnificent classical furniture and grand rugs, as well as beautiful lampshades and a writing desk. The room is distinguished by its fantastic private tropical garden where guests can enjoy tea or coffee amongst natural Costa Rican flora. The Suite also includes a seating area to relax in the evenings and a stunning en-suite bathroom. With one king sized bed, this room is ideal for up to two people.
Follow the private staircase up to the top of the mansion and discover the Vista de Oro suite, Grano de Oro Hotel’s most magnificent lodging available. The room is decorated with turn of the century tiled floors and wooden wall panelling, complimenting the classic wooden furniture. The Vista de Oro Suite features a private Jacuzzi overlooking the stunning San José skyline from the large light-letting windows. The Suite comes with every luxury amenity from free toiletries to comfortable private seating areas, for an unforgettable and indulgent stay.
Restaurante Grano de Oro is considered one of Costa Rica’s finest, where French chef Francis Canal merges Costa Rican flavours with classic European cuisine. The intimate dining room is adorned with antiques, a hand-carved wood bar and an elegant Victorian patio. Speciality cocktails, classically presented dishes and delicious desserts are served in the charming ambiance of a magnificent period home with an elegant inner courtyard, while the bilingual wait staff provides professional and friendly service.
With 165 labels and almost 2000 bottles, guests can expect to sample a massive variety of fine wines, each one chosen to perfectly compliment the restaurant’s menu. The cellar is both created and managed by Ciro De Angelis, the restaurant’s co-owner.
A rooftop garden terrace with lawn beds and 2 Jacuzzis provides secluded lounging and is open daily from 9am to 10pm.
Alongside this terrace is the fitness centre, which provides excellent views as well as facilities. The hotel is also partnered with a Massage service, Aromas Tropicales, which offers its services to guests within the hotel.
The Gallery gift shop displays quality Costa Rican craftsmanship, and is the perfect place to browse for a truly special souvenir of Costa Rica. With the exception of El Cano Colombian Gold jewellery, all products are made locally in Costa Rica.
The Hotel Grano de Oro offers many exciting and interesting day trips and tours. Options range from coffee tours, to tours discovering the lush tropical rainforest or exploring a tropical island. Volcanoes, waterfalls, rainforest and lagoons are all accessible through tours offered at reception. The area is also surrounded with famous museums, such as the National Museum of Costa Rica and the jade museum (Museo de Jade), while being close to the Plaza de la Cultura and many parks and gardens.
The owners of the Grano de Oro Hotel, Elson and Lori, recognised several social problems when they moved to San Jose over 20 years ago, such as the country-wide epidemic of young adolescent women experiencing sexual abuse and being forced into sex work. They are the founders and primary financial supporters of the non-profit Casa Luz project, meaning “House of Light” that provides accommodation and a “safe environment and the necessary monetary, emotional, and psychological support victims need in order to help stop the pervasive cycle of abuse.”
Casa Luz has two phases of providing aid – the first being a fully assisted living facility for up to 15 young mothers and their children. The secure home provides a “loving family environment with a staff of support professionals to nurture and aid in the physical, mental and educational development of both the women and their children.” Phase II for mothers over 18 who have completed Phase I and demonstrated growth and maturity, provides 10 single family independent living units. The skills needed for full independence are further developed here, with day care, counselling and services that allow them to finish school or enter the workforce. Casa Luz is the only program in Costa Rica that offers continued individual support to young mothers after they have turned 18.
The hotel has recycling bins available to guests and makes an effort to reduce their food wastage. Guests can opt-out of daily room cleaning and have the option to reuse towels. Most food provided at the company is locally sourced and electricity is key-card/motion controlled to preserve energy. There is also an electric car charging station and green spaces throughout the property.
Children are welcome. Up to 2 children stay free when using existing bedding and the Hotel offers free cots for infants.