Hotel Alta Las Palomas
Mediterranean-meets-Moroccan boutique with a strong sense of place. Terracotta tones, Venetian plaster, handcrafted furnishings, Italian leather chairs, and black-and-white 1920s Costa Rican photography give it real character. The anchor of the grounds is a 120-year-old Guanacaste tree shading the main terrace.
Ask for a 5th-floor Granada or Al Andalus Suite — they have the best valley views and the newest renovations
Why It Matters
One of very few SLH-affiliated hotels in Costa Rica. The hotel owns the Passghaleh Coffee Finca just 7km away — a 22-acre working farm at 3,500 ft elevation that supplies the restaurant and offers guest tours. La Luz Restaurant holds a Chaîne des Rôtisseurs membership and has an OpenTable presence. Conde Nast Johansens recommended. TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice 2024.
Hotel Alta Las Palomas sits in the hills of Escazú, about 5 miles west of downtown San José, looking out over the Valle del Sol. It's a 23-room boutique property — a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World — designed by Costa Rican architect Rolf Ruge Moya after a trip through Italy, Spain, and Morocco. The result is a genuinely distinctive building: Mediterranean arches, Moroccan color palettes, and Costa Rican materials all woven together without feeling like a theme park.
Where You'll Stay
6 room types available
Deluxe Garden View & Terrace
Private balcony or terrace looking out over the tropical gardens. King bed, dining area, desk. A solid base that doesn't require splashing out on a suite.
KingDeluxe Valley View & Balcony
Sunset views over the Valle del Sol from a private balcony. The decor leans into the hotel's historical character — antique filament lamps, black-and-white 1920s Costa Rican photography, dark wood Italian chairs, and fine fabrics. Elevator access available.
Extra-large doubleFountain Room
Looks out over the hotel's courtyard fountain. Two small balconies, king bed, flat-screen TV. Calm and a little quirky — the fountain view is genuinely pleasant for a morning coffee.
KingGranada Suite
The signature suite on the 5th floor with the most recent renovation. Flooded with natural light, the design blends Andalusian color and charm with Parisian romance references — both named after the architect's inspiration. Big terrace for two with panoramic Central Valley views.
KingGrand Suite
Separate living room, bedroom, private balcony or terrace, outdoor area. Room for two to spread out properly. Comes with a dining area and desk. Available in king or two-queen configurations.
King or 2 QueensRomantic Suite with Jacuzzi
Also called the Master Suite. Comes with an in-room jacuzzi and private balcony. The kind of room that needs no explanation. Seating area, flat-screen TV, desk.
KingThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
One of Costa Rica's oldest buildings, built in 1870. A short drive from the hotel and rich with local legend.
A trip to the local farmers' market — good for those curious about tropical produce, local food culture, and what actually ends up on La Luz's menu.
Costa Rica's highest active volcano at 3,342m above sea level. On a clear day you can see both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans from the summit.
One of the biggest volcanic craters in the world, just 30 minutes from the hotel. The national park features exuberant vegetation and dark volcanic sand.
Popular waterfall site with an adjacent wildlife park where guests can observe local species. Arranged through the hotel's concierge.
The Santa Ana wind farm — a scenic local landmark near the hotel with sweeping Central Valley views.
Visit the hotel's own 22-acre coffee farm in Salitral, 7km away. Grown at 3,500 ft ASL and consistently scoring 84–86 as a specialty single-origin. See how coffee is grown, harvested, and roasted. Meet the farmers. Bags of whole bean or ground coffee (250g from $10) available to take home.
Guided tour of downtown San José covering local museums, street food, and the city's most significant landmarks.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Conference room and event facilities available for corporate events, social events, and weddings.
Complimentary throughout all areas including guestrooms.
Landscaped tropical gardens with a 120-year-old Guanacaste tree and a 200-year-old Mexican stone fountain at the entrance.
Artisan-tiled outdoor swimming pool with loungers, free pool cabanas, and umbrellas. Pool hours 6am–8pm.
Accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, and debit cards. Cash not accepted.
Concierge can arrange tours, transfers, and activity bookings including the coffee finca visit.
Roundtrip airport shuttle available on request for a surcharge. Contact hotel before arrival to arrange.
Outdoor spa tub available to guests.
BUILD YOUR HOTEL ALTA LAS PALOMAS PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning