Melrost Bed and Breakfast — Hotel in Alajuela

After a long flight all we wanted was to quickly get settled and rested. The Melrost Shuttle picked us up from the San Jose Airport and 5 min later we were at the Melrost Bed and Breakfast, (BTW it’s Melrost not Melrose). If you desire Costa Rican experience (not a Hilton Hotel with pool and hair salon) then I recommend Melrost. || Breakfast is included and it is a simple serving of fruit, eggs and toast with coffee or juice, served just outside your room on the covered deck (photo). You choose what time you want to have breakfast. We found it very pleasant to eat on the patio in the morning. Some will choose to eat early and if your window vents are open, which they usually are, you will hear others from inside your room who choose to eat breakfast earlier. || We have stayed in 3 different rooms. We booked the main floor when we had a lot of luggage and the upper floor when traveling lighter. I personally like the upper floor. The setting of the Melrost is a pleasant area amidst a bustling urban Costa Rican town. The view from the patios are of vines and green trees (we watched hummingbirds during breakfast) that are not panoramic but instill a sense of being in a greenway despite the urban surroundings. The rooms we had were clean and quaint with tile and stuccoed walls with fans on the ceiling. The walls will not insulate you from noise from noisy neighbors and occasionally you will hear dogs barking or cars driving but the private area keeps the urban sounds down and traffic is very light. Basic amenities are provided but you should bring your own kleenex and extra hangars if you need lots. || I am a big fan of supporting local businesses, especially family operated ones. You will meet the family members behind the desk and they are very kind and helpful. If you get a chance ask them how the name of Melrost came to be. If you need the trappings of urban shopping, City Mall is a 5 min walk and has everything you need from a large Mall. || Melrost is a place that is close to the heart, is charming and clean, without the nuances or price of other hotels. The setting like a oasis in a busy neighborhood, and the value is unbeatable. ||||...

Stayed here for one as a last minute booking. Pick up was friendly, efficient and courteous. |Check on was super swift which is always appreciated when you’re stepping off a long haul flight. |The room? Very basic and in desperate need of improvement. Bedroom doors are very flimsy, probably only as good as your bedroom door in your house. Towels and bedding has seen better days too|Sleep was disrupted with multiple doors banging, people checking in and out, and residents laughing and drinking to the early hours. |Location: it’s in a dark Back street. The nearest place for food is a around the corner in a large shopping mall ( basically nothing of quality is served) |Had a transfer to the airport the following morning and was pleasantly surprised to receive a small packed breakfast. |Was it good value? I guess so|Would I stay again? Only if there was nothing...

We stayed one night here and were able to check in a few hours early. The room was very clean and simple. Towels and bar soap were provided. It was quite noisy all night with people checking in and out. We had a room on the first floor near the lobby. Breakfast was provided between 7 and 9. A plate of scrambled eggs with toast, coffee and fresh fruit were brought to the patio table just outside our door. It was simple and filling. We gave our car keys to the front desk in the evening and they parked our car in their garage for the night and returned it to the same spot the following morning. All in all a great stay, no drama and very fast friendly service. We'll...