Room Service: Cando Living 1333 (San Jose, Costa Rica)

Cando Living 1333
San Jose, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is noticeably expensive compared to its neighbours. There. I said it. Thanks to a combination of geographic uniqueness combined with tariffs and taxes designed to protect local industry, this country can seem as expensive if not more so than Canada for some products. But one thing I can definitely say is an exception to my theory, and it's the reasonable prices of accommodation in the capital, San Jose. Small but easily walkable. The usual attractions easy to find.

Cando Living is a small aparthotel that serves not as a gleaming attraction for curious passersby to stare at, but as a homely respite whose only public face is a nondescript door leading to Avenida Central, one of San Jose's most important thoroughfares. They describe a romantic way of staying in Costa Rica: Waking up to your own balcony, sipping a cup of coffee to an ornate courtyard full of plants and birds singing.I must say out of the independent properties I've stayed in, this aparthotel does deliver in its promises of being an urban oasis.

Check-in was probably the most frustrating part of the whole experience. As mentioned before, you have to find the right random door and buzz reception to get into this oasis. The timid part of me knocked weakly and quietly, because the daft part of me overlooked the buzzer button! The door was opened by another guest, asking if I should know him in a tense American accent. Can't blame the staff for grumpy guests!

At around 10 pm on a Friday night I was checked in by a young individual who wasn't especially talkative but was all smiles. The room I got was definitely not as described; almost an upgrade! I booked a versatile sofa bed when they gave me a room with an actual bed. There is a small wet bar situated across from the glass sliding doors, leading to the balcony and that splendidly vivid courtyard. My balcony even had vines with the occasional blooming flower, plus passing hummingbirds if you are lucky enough to see it in a split second!

There was some room for disappointment though. Promised in the reservation was a refrigerator. The staff told me, thanks to renovations, they removed the fridge from my room to "create more space". Ruined my plan to buy groceries at the store right beside the hotel. Not the greatest disappointment compared to the water being turned off on the last day I was there. A worker blamed the city. Breakfast (extra fee) is served at a fine restaurant next door.

As much as I disliked not getting the right (reserved) amenities and that water shortage, this property is a good example of the Costa Rican "pura vida".