Travelers flying into Costa Rica often move quickly from the Central Valley toward the coast, cloud forest or volcanoes. A newly opened hotel in the mountains of Heredia makes a case for lingering near San José before continuing the journey.
Montara Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton has joined Hilton’s collection of independently styled properties, becoming the first Tapestry hotel in Costa Rica and Central America. The 97-room retreat occupies a landscaped mountain setting overlooking the Central Valley, approximately 13 miles from Juan Santamaría International Airport. For visitors arriving late or departing early, it offers a place to pause without giving up views of Costa Rica’s green hills.
Rooms Framed by the Landscape
Montara is a revitalized local retreat rather than a new hotel built from scratch. Its 97 accommodations include 38 suites, with warm wood finishes, organic textures and large windows intended to keep the gardens and surrounding hills in sight. Some rooms have private balconies and firepits; travelers who want either feature should select the appropriate room category when booking.
The property’s grounds include gardens and small lakes, creating space for a walk or a quiet hour outdoors between outings. Inside, original work commissioned from Costa Rican artists adds a more specific sense of place. The collection includes pieces by Mario Maffioli and Fabio Herrera.
Dining Rooted in Heredia
Montara’s main restaurant, Bosco, draws on seasonal Costa Rican ingredients alongside international influences. It works with farmers and producers from Heredia and nearby communities, while the hotel’s organic garden supplies herbs and vegetables. It is the option for guests who want the hotel’s local sourcing to show up directly on the plate.
Santoro takes a different approach: a steakhouse led by chef Regis Molina, with an open kitchen and cooking over fire. Elsewhere, the 1998 Lobby Bar serves cocktails, and a juice bar near the pool and fitness facilities offers lighter drinks. Guests planning an evening around a particular restaurant should check its current hours and reservation options.
A Spa Stay With Room to Explore
Wellness is a major part of the hotel’s appeal. The approximately 13,200-square-foot spa offers treatments, hydrotherapy and spaces for meditation, complemented by open-air decks and private nature trails. Hilton’s hotel listing also notes a heated indoor pool. Together, those facilities make Montara a plausible first stop after a long flight or a slower finish to a Costa Rica itinerary.
Hilton says its operating plans include solar panels, LED lighting, rainwater collection, refill stations and a wastewater system designed to support irrigation. These are specific measures worth noting, although travelers seeking detailed information about their performance should ask the hotel directly.
The setting puts several Central Valley outings within reach. Braulio Carrillo National Park, Poás Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens are possibilities for travelers with extra time in the region; driving conditions and park access should be checked before setting off. Those continuing farther into the country might pair a Heredia stay with the cloud forests of Monteverde or explore DRIFT’s guide to community-focused rural travel in Costa Rica.
Montara also has event spaces for meetings and celebrations, but its strongest appeal to independent travelers may be simpler: it offers a mountain setting, Costa Rican food and a full spa close enough to the capital’s airport to make the beginning or end of a trip feel like part of the vacation.
