Just stayed Costa Rica last month.
The Hampton Inn & Suites is newer and a bit nicer. They also have a small shop which sells bottled water, which for some strange reason the Hampton Inn's shop does not.
The Hampton Inn & Suites has hi-speed internet available and has a Business Center with complimentary use of computers and the internet. Though as a Hampton Inn guest, you're free to walk over and use as well.
I found the Hampton Inn rooms to be fine, but they had a slight musty smell to them (changed rooms several times but all were the same). You get used to it. Hampton Touch was provided with 2 bottles of water and some cookies.
Both are very nice hotels, IMHO. Great service! However, been over a month and no HHonors credit yet. Gonna have to call, I suspect.
Usually the Hampton Inn is cheaper. Don't know how many nights you'll be staying total, but the Hampton Inn one does often offer a "Pay Sunday, Stay Saturday Free" package via hilton.com that nets a weekend stay down to about US$50 per night.
If this is your first visit to Costa Rica...some advice:
1. Bring lots of US One Dollar Bills.
2. Be prepared for the US$26 airport departure tax.
[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited Jan 07, 2004).]