Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District

3.5 star property
your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District

Flat-screen TV
Suite Belford
Exterior
Suite Belford
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; international cuisine

Reviews

8.0 out of 10

Very good

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast included
  • Restaurant
  • Bar
    Bar
  • Gym
    Gym
  • Pet-friendly
    Pet-friendly
  • Room service
    Room service

Explore the area

Map
Central Ave, between 7th and 9th St, San José, San Jose, 3344-1000
  • Plaza de la Cultura
    2 min walk
  • Morazan Park
    3 min walk
  • National Theater
    3 min walk
  • San José (SYQ-Tobías Bolaños Intl.)
    24 min drive

Room options

Deluxe

  • 38 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds OR 1 King Bed

Junior Suite

  • 38 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Presidential Suite

  • 80 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Suite Belford

  • 74 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 King Beds

Standard Room (Plus)

  • 25 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Deluxe Plus

  • 38 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds OR 1 King Bed

Family Suite

  • 90 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Double Beds

Superior Plus

  • 32 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds OR 1 Queen Bed

Suite 514

  • 39.8 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Suite Gales

  • 49 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Superior

  • 32 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Similar properties

About the area

San José

With a stay at Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District, you'll be centrally located in San José, steps from Pre-Colombian Gold Museum and within a 5-minute walk of Morazan Park. .This hotel is 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from National Museum of Costa Rica and 0.4 mi (0.6 km) from Jade Museum.

What's nearby

  • Morazan Park - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • National Theater - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • National Museum of Costa Rica - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Central Park - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Mercado Central - 9 min walk - 0.8 km

Getting around

  • San Jose Procuradiria Museum Station - 7 min walk
  • Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) - 31 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Spoon - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Azotea Calle 7 - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪El Patio del Balmoral Restaurant - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Las Condes - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪1930 - ‬1 min walk

About this property

Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District

Art Deco San José hotel in Carmen with free breakfast
Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District offers 119 air-conditioned accommodations with safes and hair dryers. Beds feature premium bedding. Flat-screen televisions are featured in guestrooms.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones. Housekeeping is offered daily and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include a 24-hour fitness center.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Make yourself at home in one of the 119 air-conditioned rooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a 24-hour fitness center, or other amenities including complimentary wireless internet access and concierge services. This Art Deco hotel also features shopping on site, wedding services, and a banquet hall. Getting to nearby attractions is a breeze with the area shuttle (surcharge).
Enjoy international cuisine at EL PATIO DEL BALMORAL, a restaurant which features a bar/lounge, or stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours). A complimentary local cuisine breakfast is served daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, express check-out, and a 24-hour front desk. Planning an event in San José? This hotel has 5909 square feet (549 square meters) of space consisting of a conference center and 7 meeting rooms. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available 24 hours), and free valet parking is available onsite.
A complimentary local cuisine breakfast is served each morning between 6:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
EL PATIO DEL BALMORAL - This restaurant specializes in international cuisine and serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. A children's menu is available.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and public transport

  • Free secured, covered valet parking on site
  • Limited on-site parking
  • 24-hour return airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Airport shuttle at scheduled times, on request
  • Local area shuttle (surcharge)

Food and drink

  • Free local cuisine breakfast available daily 6:00 AM–11:00 AM
  • 1 restaurant and 2 coffee shops
  • 1 bar
  • Room service available

Restaurants on site

  • EL PATIO DEL BALMORAL

Things to do

  • 24-hour fitness centre
  • Designer shops
  • Shopping

Family friendly

  • Free cots/infant beds
  • Laundry facilities
  • Soundproofed rooms

Conveniences

  • Banquet hall
  • Lift
  • Reception hall
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Concierge services
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Tour/ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • 24-hour business centre
  • Computer station
  • Conference centre (5909 square feet of space)
  • Meeting rooms - 7

Accessibility

  • If you have any requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Lift
  • Handrails in stairwells
  • Step-free path to entrance
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible (may have limits)
  • Wheelchairs available on site

More

  • Romance packages available
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Air conditioning
  • Bed sheets
  • Free cots/infant beds
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hairdryer
  • Towels

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV

More

  • Desk
  • Iron/ironing board (on request)
  • Laptop-friendly workspace
  • LED light bulbs
  • Phone
  • Safe
  • Soundproofing

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in is available for a fee
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 48 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 15 per pet, per night, plus a deposit of USD 100 per stay
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Pets cannot be left unattended
Specific rooms only, restrictions apply; pet-friendly rooms can be requested by contacting the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Children up to the age of 7 years can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Free cribs are available on request at the property

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Airport shuttle fee: USD 34.00 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 6)
  • Airport shuttle fee per child: USD 11.00 (one-way)
  • Pet deposit: USD 100 per stay
  • Pet fee: USD 15 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Minimum Spring Break check-in age is 18 years old
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a security system

We should mention

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms

Property is also known as

Balmoral Hotel
Balmoral Hotel San Jose
Balmoral San Jose
Hotel Balmoral

Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District Reviews

Reviews

8.0

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 405 out of 1003 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 333 out of 1003 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 159 out of 1003 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 57 out of 1003 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 49 out of 1003 reviews" "

8.6/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

7.6/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Élfego

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Recomendable
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Angela

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Our stay was wonderful, nice and quiet place to stay, well kept up with throughout the hotel, food was delicious, staff was so nice and helpful. Definitely coming back
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Charles, Tempe

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great staff and great central place to stay!
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Esperanza Funeral Homes

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cloud

Just fine, kind of a little bit hard to park anyway
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

María

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Belen

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quite place to stay in dowtown San José
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mario

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Lawrence

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Yoana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Prisma

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Parking and delicious breakfast included. Staff was kind and helpful. The parking attendants were easily available. The cleaning staff took good care of the room. The restaurant staff was attentive. The location was central to all the hot spots. Perfect location. I would recommend to friends and family.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

R

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Not back to before COVID but still a nice and clean hotel. Staff is great, restaurant has good food. I missed the coffee makers in the room.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

Randy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Easy parking, convenient, safe and walkable areas. Instead of having a refrigerator, you should upgrade to a bigger television. There were issues with your shower head, water was leaking outside of the shower. Need to have an Iron in the room.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

2/10 Terrible

fiona

Travelled with family
Disliked: Amenities
Their water pump was not working so we did not have any water to wash or shower. The receptionist said the hotel would refund our stay through expedia , but I have not received any response from the hotel or expedia yet!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

4/10 Poor

Rachel

Travelled with family
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Hotel past its prime...
We stayed for 2 nights and did not have water for the majority of the time. The hotel wouldn't move our room and would not give us a refund. The phones were also messed up as were got calls in the middle of the night and tons of messages from the reception/laundry etc that were not for us. What was most disappointing was seeing how the staff at the front desk talked to their cleaning staff. The description and pictures of the hotel are out-of-date, since many of the shops and cafes are no longer in operation. The only good things I can say is that the valet workers were super helpful and the restaurant (including the service) was great.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

4/10 Poor

Sandra

Liked: Cleanliness
The property was clean although the room smelled old and affected my breathing. The customer service was below standard. No one communicated about the water shortage for two consecutive frays before I had to find another hotel to stay.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
No
We got a doulble room and the shower did not work in one of the rooms. There was no water pressure. At checkouts they told us that a set of sheets were stained and needed to be replaced. We acknowledged the stain and they told us that the cost to replace the sheets would be $395.00
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Sonia

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jose

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Cada vez que quiero pasar un fin de semana en el centro de San José , el hotel balmoral es mi primera opción a escoger, la locación es conveniente, cerca del barrio chino, y además las habitaciones son silenciosas a pesar de la centricidad del hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dominic

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Scott, Palm Springs

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
The first thing I noticed while checking in was a warning about not going out at night. I guess like any big city, there can be danger. The hotel itself is fine and feels very safe. The front desk staff was adequate, but not overly friendly. The bar was never open during our three night weekend stay. Most of the services/stores in the lobby are apparently permanently closed. The staff in the restaurant were VERY friendly and efficient. The breakfast is limited (4 choices) and not special, but tasty and included with the room. Everything works and the beds are fine and clean, but everything feels like maybe it was repaired inexpensively.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

6/10 Okay

Joseph, Bristol

Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

6/10 Okay

Linda

Disliked: Room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort
Disappointing stay
This was probably once a wonderful hotel that may have lost its luster over the past few years. Firstly, our mistake to travel here during high commute hours as it is located what appears to be the hustling and bustling city center of San Jose and the streets are one-way so we were stuck in traffic. The parking garage is locked with valet parking which felt safe. The room was at a basic cleanliness but felt old and had the musty smell. The attached hotel shops were permanently closed. We left the hotel at night for a drive and upon returning, the streets had a escorts wandering on the corners. I would not recommend this place for families with children.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024