Costa Rica's Hidden Gem: Unbelievable Villa Tournon Hotel in San Jose!
Costa Rica's Hidden Gem: Unbelievable Villa Tournon Hotel – My Messy, Honest Take
Okay, folks, buckle up! Because I just got back from the Villa Tournon Hotel in San Jose, Costa Rica, and let me tell you… it was an experience. Forget those sterile, cookie-cutter hotels. This place? This place is… well, it's got character. And a whole lotta charm. And maybe a few questionable decisions, but hey, that's life, right? Let's dive in, shall we?
Accessibility & Safety (A Little Rambling Because This Matters!)
Right off the bat, let's address the elephant in the room. Accessibility. Look, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I always appreciate a hotel that thinks about inclusivity. Villa Tournon gets points for having an elevator, which is HUGE in a place with hilly terrain. They talk about facilities for disabled guests too, but honestly, I didn't personally assess them. I'd advise checking directly with the hotel about specifics if you need them.
Now, safety? They're trying. Lots of CCTV, 24-hour security, and the staff all seemed genuinely concerned about your well-being. They even have little things like hand sanitizer everywhere (thank you COVID!). And the anti-viral cleaning products? Well, they smell like it, that's for sure. They're clearly hitting the hygiene certification marks. I saw them daily disinfecting in common areas. And the fact they offer room sanitization opt-out shows they're not forcing it down your throat!
BUT! Okay, a confession. I did feel a little claustrophobic at first with all the security. A tad too much, you know? Maybe I was being overly paranoid myself, and I'll admit I kind of liked the safe dining setup. I am a bit of a germaphobe.
Breakfast (Oh. My. Goodness. The Breakfast!)
Okay. Breakfast. This is where Villa Tournon shines. They have Asian breakfast and Western Breakfast options, but honestly? Go for the buffet. It's a slightly chaotic, glorious spread. The coffee/tea in the restaurant is bottomless, which is a godsend in Costa Rica. I found a little corner and had an amazing breakfast. I'm not even sure what I ate, but it was a symphony of flavors. But the best part - I had it in my room. Because of some weirdness I had to stay in my room, but what a treat. The breakfast in room was perfect!
Food, Glorious Food (And Some Quirks)
The restaurants themselves are charming. There's a lounge. Poolside bar is perfect. I could eat a salad in the restaurant. I'm a big fan. They had a fair amount of international cuisine. The desserts in the restaurant… oh, mama. They're dangerous. Seriously, plan for the extra workout at the fitness center if you indulge. They offer vegetarian restaurant. And for those late-night snack cravings there is a snack bar.
The bar itself is perfect, especially during the happy hour. I met some interesting people there, and the cocktails? Delicious and strong. The altnernative meal arrangement is pretty cool too. They offer you a bottle of water which you need to stay hydrated at all times.
Internet & Tech – Because We're All Connected (Unfortunately)
Let's be real, we need the internet. Villa Tournon gets it. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! It's reliable enough for basic stuff. They have Internet access – LAN for those old school types, too. They have Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas.
The Rooms – A Mixed Bag (But Mostly Good!)
Okay, the rooms. They are definitely… unique. My first impression? "Wow, a lot of wood." (Seriously, there’s wood everywhere.) They have air conditioning which is essential. I wanted to relax! They have a seating area in most rooms. The bed was super comfy. You get complimentary tea, too. The mirror was big. I loved the bathrobes! The hair dryer was surprisingly effective, but the toiletries? Well, they're there. They have a bathtub, and in some cases even a shower.
Things to Do (Or, How to Relax – It's Your Call!)
This is where Villa Tournon really ups its game. They have a seriously beautiful swimming pool [outdoor], a pool with view, and a Sauna too! They have a Spa. I spent a solid afternoon in the Spa/sauna. I'm pretty sure I'd never felt so utterly relaxed.
They had a body wrap, which was weird and amazing. There's a gym/fitness available. You can get a massage. They have a Foot bath as well. They have steamrooms. I found a terrace, a shrines, which was cool.
The Staff – A Bit of a Rollercoaster
The staff? They're the kind of people who make you feel like you're staying at a friend's house. They're friendly, mostly helpful. The concierge was invaluable for arranging taxis (which you'll need, trust me), and the doorman was always there with a smile.
I can't deny it, though. Some days, the service was a little… slower. Like, "I'm going to get another coffee" slow. Which is fine, because, hello? I’m on vacation! But the fact I didn't get an invoice was a bit stressful. They also claim a doctor/nurse on call, but let's hope you don't need them.
My One-Word Review: Charming (with caveats)
Look, the Villa Tournon isn't perfect. It's quirky. It's got its flaws. But it's authentic. And its positives – the amazing breakfast, the spa, the views – far outweigh the minor imperfections.
FINAL VERDICT: A solid 4.5 out of 5 stars for a unique, memorable stay, especially if you want to relax and feel pampered.
Now, the Offer (Because You Should Book This Place!)
Tired of sterile hotels? Craving an authentic Costa Rican experience?
Then get ready to be charmed!
Book your stay at the Villa Tournon Hotel in San Jose TODAY and receive:
- A complimentary bottle of local Costa Rican coffee upon arrival. (Trust me, you’ll need it!)
- A 10% discount on all spa treatments. (Get ready to melt!)
- Free Wi-Fi throughout your stay. (Stay connected, or disconnect – your choice!)
- Free Airport transfer (Because let's face it, navigating a new country is stressful!).
Plus, you'll be supporting a hotel that cares about your safety and comfort.
This offer is valid for bookings made within the next 7 days!
Click here to book your escape to paradise: [Insert Booking Link Here]
Don't miss out on this Costa Rican Hidden Gem! Book your unforgettable stay at the Villa Tournon Hotel today!
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Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this is going to be a chaotic, beautiful, and utterly REAL look at a trip to Hotel Villa Tournon in San Jose, Costa Rica. Forget the pristine itinerary – this is the messy, wonderful truth.
Hotel Villa Tournon: My Costa Rican Meltdown (and eventual bliss)
Day 1: Arrival & the Case of the Missing Luggage (and My Sanity)
- 1:00 PM: Arrived at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). Already sweating like a pig in a sauna, even before exiting the air-conditioned cocoon of the plane. The humidity hit me like a physical blow. "Welcome to Costa Rica!" the air seemed to hiss. Charming.
- 1:30 PM: Baggage claim. Where… is… my… bag? The conveyor belt coughed up luggage like a particularly grumpy monster, and mine was apparently swallowed whole. Panic started to bubble. I swear, I saw a tiny Costa Rican child give me a knowing look, like "Yup, happens all the time."
- 2:00 PM: Filed a lost luggage report. Tried to maintain a semblance of composure, mostly by repeating, "This is an adventure! Embrace the chaos!" (Spoiler alert: it didn't work.)
- 2:30 PM: Jumped into the pre-booked shuttle to Hotel Villa Tournon. The driver, a sweet, sunburned man named Ricardo, tried to soothe my frantic state with a story about a sloth he saw hanging out in a mango tree. Honestly, I just needed my toothbrush.
- 3:00 PM: Checked into Hotel Villa Tournon. First impressions: charming, slightly worn, and overflowing with character. The lobby smelled of fresh flowers and something vaguely tropical…maybe mango? The staff were genuinely lovely, despite my slightly crazed demeanor.
- 3:30 PM: Room inspection. It was…quaint. Let's call it that. The bathroom looked like it hadn't been updated since the Carter administration, but! The bed was comfy, the balcony promised (and delivered) a lovely view, and, crucially, there was Wi-Fi. I could text my family a frantic message that I was alive (and bag-less).
- 4:00 PM: This is where it all went downhill fast. I decided to take a shower (without a fresh towel for obvious reasons. . .) and when I was done, I realized I had left my phone in the shower! When I returned the phone had already been taken! I went back to reception and asked one of the staff members if they had found it, they looked at me like I was the one who had it (it was an older phone), they didn't even try to help me, which was pretty uncool.
- 6:00 PM: Desperate for a shred of normalcy, I wandered down to the hotel restaurant. Ordered a Gallo Pinto (the Costa Rican national dish – rice and beans) and stared at the rain. The food was actually pretty good. My internal monologue: "Okay, shower disaster, lost phone, no luggage…but the Gallo Pinto is on point."
- 7:00 PM: Back in my room. Felt a wave of sadness, homesickness, and exhaustion. Sat on the balcony, nursing a questionable-looking rum and Coke (yes, I did it), listened to the rain, and desperately hoped my damn suitcase would materialize.
- 8:00 PM - ?? A night to forget.
Day 2: The City, The Volcanoes, and a Revelation
- 8:00 AM: Woke up. Surprisingly, I didn't hate the world. Went down for breakfast, the hotel's buffet had that same unpretentious charm. They had a fruit platter that made up for the previous awful morning.
- 9:00 AM: Exploring San Jose (with my phone!), I wanted to get away from the hotel ASAP. I visited the Gold Museum (fascinating, if a little overwhelming), wandered through the Mercado Central (a sensory overload of food, smells, and friendly chaos), and soaked up the (surprisingly vibrant) street art. San Jose is… gritty, real, and definitely not a pretty picture. But I love it already (I guess.)
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a local "soda" (a small, family-run restaurant.) Ordered casado – a traditional plate with rice, beans, meat, plantains, salad, and a fried egg. My Spanish is atrocious, but the waitress somehow understood my garbled attempt and brought me a plate that was…a culinary hug.
- 2:00 PM: The missing luggage saga - still nothing. Now a slight flicker of hope.
- 3:00 PM: A day trip to Irazu Volcano. The landscape shifted dramatically and quickly from city bustle to lush green mountains.
- 4:00 PM: We reached the top of the volcano! The views were beyond words (and worth the drive.) The crater itself was like a massive, intimidating, and alien postcard. I stood there, breathing in the high-altitude air, and felt…tiny.
- 6:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Exhausted. But…happy? Somewhere between the rice and beans, the volcano, and the sheer resilience of my own spirit, something had shifted.
- 7:00 PM: Decided to skip the fancy restaurant. Instead, I sat on the balcony, ordered a pizza from a place down the street (it was surprisingly delicious) and watched the city lights twinkle, listening to the night noises.
- 8:00 PM: The revelation! I wasn't just on a vacation; I was experiencing a new place. The missing bag didn't diminish my experience, it just made it more complex.
Day 3: The Gardens, The Souvenirs, & The Farewell (Kind Of)
- 9:00 AM: Checked out and asked about my bag once again. Still no luggage.
- 9:30 AM: Visited the stunning Jardín Botánico Lankester, a botanical garden renowned for its orchids. The place was a peaceful escape and the orchids were an absolute riot of color and shapes. I felt a sense of calm I didn't know I needed.
- 12:00 PM: Went to Mercado Nacional de Artesanía to get some souvenirs. After an encounter with the vendors, the whole process became a delightful combination of bartering in my broken Spanish and buying what moved me.
- 1:30 PM: Back at the hotel. I was feeling surprisingly sentimental. I realized that Hotel Villa Tournon, in all its slightly-worn, charming glory, had become a part of my adventure. I had to say goodbye.
- 2:00 PM: The hotel sent me off in the taxi to the airport, and I couldn't stop smiling.
- 3:00 PM: Checked in to find out my bag… had arrived!
- 4:00 PM: I looked at my new phone and my bag, I remembered the phone incident and felt a mix of joy and irony. "You've earned this", I told myself, "Enjoy the end of the ride."
Day 4: Going back home, new me.
- 9:00 AM: Arrived at the place. The best part was that my bag had arrived.
- All day: I decided to travel light, to leave my problems somewhere else.
- What I learned: Everything is chaos and beauty, to travel is to start from scratch, and that even the worst trip can become the best one if you let it.
Final Thoughts:
Hotel Villa Tournon wasn’t a perfect hotel. It didn’t have all the bells and whistles. But it was a home. It was the backdrop to a messy, challenging, and ultimately unforgettable experience. Costa Rica, you beautiful, chaotic, heart-stopping place, I think I’m in love. And I wouldn't have traded a single, luggage-less, Gallo Pinto-filled moment. Pura Vida!
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So, Villa Tournon... What's the Big Deal? (Besides the Obvious Charm)
Is it actually *hidden*? Because Google Maps seems to find it just fine…
About that "Eccentric Butler" You Mentioned… Are the Staff as Magnificent as the Hotel Looks?
The Rooms! What Are They Like? Are We Talking "Creaky Floorboards and Ancient Plumbing"? (or worse?)
Let’s Talk Food! How’s the Restaurant? I’m a Terrible Cook, so this is Important.
Seriously, About That Garden… Is it Heaven on Earth? Because I Need Heaven Right Now.
So, Should We Stay There? Give it to Me Straight!
