Hotel Santo Tomas in San José

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comments 5

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  Bruce Lande

  :: 28 June 2018 13:50:27

  Very comfortable if you are looking for something other than the usual Americanized experience. Limited amenities (no microwave, coffee pot or refrigerator in the room) but comfortable with friendly and helpful staff. An authentic Costa Rican experience.

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  Grace Kibblewhite

  :: 28 April 2018 16:26:37

  Was not expecting to stay in San Jose for more than one night but had to wait for my delayed baggage for 4 days. Beautiful atmosphere and outdoor area. Everyone has been super friendly and all staff very helpful, especially the owner Tomas who makes the effort to introduce himself to all guests. Lovely breakfast and room cleaning included too which was a bonus!

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  Wil Nusser

  :: 28 April 2018 11:49:16

  This little hotel was converted from a historic house, with substantial additions over the years. Perhaps the centerpiece is the courtyard, which has a swimming pool, well-maintained gardens, and a unique hot tub which is elevated with a slide leading to the pool below. Rooms are a bit dated and uneven in amenities which might affect your experience, but all are kept meticulously clean. We stayed in one of the economy rooms, and economy is what we got. The proprietor personally showed us a few of the improved rooms and on a future visit, we'll certainly spend a few extra bucks. Breakfast is included, and several options were available including the traditional gallo pinto as well as kid-friendly options. But the real feature of the breakfast is Tom, the gregarious American-expat owner of the hotel, who makes daily rounds at breakfast to chat with the guests. I won't tell you his stories here; just sit for a breakfast here and you are bound to hear a few. A gated parking area is available for an additional charge, so you don't have to worry about where to leave your car. Space is limited, so consider calling to reserve a space if you want it to be guaranteed. Like many small hotels in San Jose, the rooms are not air-conditioned, but the temperature is fairly consistent year-round, with nights sufficiently cool in the low to mid 60s, and warm but bearable days in the mid 80s. Personally I wouldn't have used it if we had it. So why not five stars? Two main reasons: Noise and location. The walls feel solid enough, but sound goes right through them. You're substantially insulated from street noise, but from sounds inside the hotel come through unmuffled. The location is a little troublesome. During the day it's fine, but at night there are more than a few shady characters to be found on the street. Prostitution is legal in Costa Rica and you may see more than a few right across the street from the hotel. Keep that in mind if travelling with children. I saw nothing to make me feel unsafe, but perhaps travelling by car is a good idea, especially if you don't speak the language.

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  John Hillary

  :: 27 April 2018 10:12:56

  The hotel is located very well for sightseeing in the city. A few short blocks to the city center. VERY clean rooms with high ceilings. I stayed four nights in two different rooms and both were excellent. Had a nice basic breakfast every day. Front desk staff helped me book an excursion and get a rental car. I didn't use the pool or hot tub but other guests were. When I return to San Jose I will be staying here again!

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  Shantyl Baker

  :: 16 February 2018 17:19:16

  The grounds were beautiful. The hotel was unique and clean. The pool was also very nice and clean. Many staff members were bilingual and able to speak English—including the lovely owner. It is in a nice location for walking to museums and parks, just ask the front desk for advice on where to go and a map, otherwise you can end up in some sketchier neighborhoods! Overall we loved it here. We gave it 3 stars because it is just is not a resort and doesn’t have those type of amenties, but we knew what we were signing up for. If you want to submerge yourself into the culture more, we recommend staying here. The walls were very thin and we could hear our neighbors. The style was antique/vintage, so you could call it outdated, but that’s all part of the look of this place. Overall we loved it, and recommend it, especially for the price.