Gran Hotel (Costa Rica)
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The Gran Hotel is a hotel in San José, Costa Rica. It was built in 1930 and is a historic monument in the city. Its address is Central and Second Avenue between First and Third Streets. It's located next to the National Theater [1] and the Plaza de la Cultura, under which lies the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. There is a casino in the lobby and a cafe on the patio, which is noted for its marimba performances.[2][3]
The Gran Hotel Costa Rica was developed in the late 1920s by Luis Paulino Jiménez Ortiz with support from the government of Cleto González Víquez to create a modern hotel for international visitors.[4] It was designed by American engineer Víctor Lorenz and opened on 30 October 1930.[5][6] Located next to the National Theater, it became a venue for political, social, and diplomatic events.[7] Notable guests have included John F. Kennedy, Harry S. Truman, Jimmy Carter, John Wayne, Cantinflas, and Pelé.[3] A restoration project was carried out in 2003, and the hotel was sold to Elite Hotels & Resorts in 2013.[8]
Name Change
On October 5, 2011, Tribune Business News announced that the Gran Hotel in Costa Rica became a member of the Choice International and Reals Hotels & Resorts chain, which resulted in renaming the hotel.[9][10] The name was changed to the Gran Hotel Costa Rica Ascend Collection and announced on December 14 through a press release.
On Sep 10, 2018, it became part of the Hilton Curio Collection.[11]
