Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District

3.5 star property

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Photo gallery for Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District

Flat-screen TV
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch served
Deluxe Plus | In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, soundproofing
Exterior
Family Suite | Bathroom | Hair dryer, towels

Reviews

8.0 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Restaurant
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Central Ave, between 7th and 9th St, San José, San Jose, 3344-1000
  • Place, Morazan Park
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, National Theater of Costa Rica
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, National Museum of Costa Rica
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Airport, San José (SJO-Juan Santamaría Intl.)
    ‪29 min drive‬

Room options

Deluxe

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(16 reviews)
  • City view
  • 38 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds OR 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

Standard Room (Plus)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(37 reviews)
  • 25 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

Superior Plus

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(6 reviews)
  • 32 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds OR 1 Queen Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

Deluxe Plus

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(5 reviews)
  • City view
  • 38 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds OR 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

Junior Suite

  • City view
  • 38 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

Presidential Suite

  • 80 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

Family Suite

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(3 reviews)
  • City view
  • 90 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Double Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

Superior

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(24 reviews)
  • 32 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

Suite Gales

  • City view
  • 49 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

Suite 514

  • City view
  • 40 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

Suite Belford

  • City view
  • 74 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 King Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

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About this property

Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District

Along with a restaurant, this smoke-free hotel has a 24-hour fitness centre and 2 coffee shops/cafes. Free breakfast (local cuisine), free WiFi in public areas and free valet parking are also provided. Other amenities include a 24-hour business centre, a conference centre and conference space.
Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District offers 119 air-conditioned accommodations with a safe and a hairdryer. Flat-screen televisions are featured in guestrooms.

Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and telephones. Housekeeping is offered on a daily basis and an iron/ironing board can be requested.

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

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

Our customers tell us that they can't get enough of the free breakfast at Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Casino Fiesta. Features include free WiFi in public areas and free valet parking, plus 2 coffee shops/cafes.
  • Free local cuisine breakfast served daily
  • Free WiFi
  • Free valet parking
  • Enjoy international cuisine while dining at EL PATIO DEL BALMORAL
  • Services include a concierge, tour or ticket assistance and a porter
  • On-site recreation includes a 24-hour gym
  • Guests love the restaurant and breakfast
  • Steps from Pre-Colombian Gold Museum and Plaza de la Cultura
  • Airport and local-area shuttle service available for a fee
  • Pets welcome for a fee (restrictions apply)
There's a restaurant on site, along with 2 coffee shops/cafes. Free breakfast is served daily. A computer station is on site and WiFi is free in public spaces. Business amenities include a 24-hour business centre and 7 meeting rooms. Event space at this hotel measures 5909 square feet (549 square metres) and includes a conference centre. An airport shuttle (available 24 hours) and an area shuttle are available for a fee. A 24-hour fitness centre, a vending machine, and multilingual staff are also featured at the business-friendly Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District. The hotel can provide concierge services and wedding services. Limited free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This 3.5-star San José hotel is smoke free.

Guests are served a free local cuisine breakfast daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
EL PATIO DEL BALMORAL – This restaurant specialises 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.

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • 24-hour return airport shuttle at scheduled times and on request for a surcharge
  • Area shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free secured, covered valet parking on site
  • Limited on-site valet parking

Food and drink

  • Free local cuisine breakfast available daily 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM
  • 2 coffee shops/cafes
  • A restaurant

Restaurants on site

  • EL PATIO DEL BALMORAL

Things to do

  • 24-hour gym
  • Designer stores
  • Shopping

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Soundproofed rooms

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Proposal/romance packages
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • 24-hour business centre
  • 7 meeting rooms
  • Computer station
  • Conference centre (5,909 square foot of space)

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Accessible airport shuttle
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Lift
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
  • Wheelchairs on site

More

  • 1 building
  • 7 floors
  • Art Deco architecture
  • At least 80% of food locally-sourced
  • Banquet hall
  • Built in 1955
  • Double-glazed windows
  • Reception hall
  • Smoke-free property
  • Vegetarian dining options

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV

Food and drink

  • Limited room service

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Laptop workspace
  • LED lighting
  • Phone
  • Safe
  • Soundproofed rooms

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 72 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets: USD 15 per pet, per night, plus a deposit of USD 100 per stay
  • Pets cannot be left unattended
  • Certain rooms only, restrictions apply
  • You can request a pet-friendly room by reaching out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Children 7 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Airport shuttle fee: USD 40 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 6)
  • Airport shuttle fee per child: USD 15 (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)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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, a smoke detector and a security system
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District offers transfers from the airport (fees may apply). Please contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation 72 hours prior to arrival with your arrival details. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

We should mention

  • Children aged 7 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
  • Pets are welcome in certain rooms only; other restrictions apply (please see the Fees section for related charges). To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation.

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. 440 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 285 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 155 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 60 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 61 out of 1001 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Cheryl

Liked: Staff & service
Location was great for visiting central San Jose. Hotel was clean, most of staff friendly & professional. Unfortunately, this could be spotty. We would deal with some who were excellent but then some not very efficient. The restaurant was the same. One night food & service good, next morning we would wait 20-30 minutes to place our order. Didn’t help that our hot water was not even hooked up in one room & one night the water was not on at all.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

8/10 Good

Ron

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice hotel right in the heart of San Jose. Our party stayed in 2 rooms on the first night and a different room on the 2nd night. The first night, our daughters' AC did not work. The 2nd night, our TV in our bedroom did not work and stations that came thru in English the first night in English now only came thru in Spanish on our TV in our main room on the 2nd night. Also, the checkin desk was small and somewhat understaffed. And surprisingly, several of the checkin people spoke VERY little English.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Justin

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

8/10 Good

Andrea

Liked: Amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Everything about this hotel is dated. I was in a room with a keyed entry and the door handle was so loose I thought it would fall off. On my second day there was no running water in my floor until around 11am or 12pm that day. For the hotel itself I give it two stars. The only good thing about this hotel is the free breakfast and the location. The free breakfast selections are limited but choices include fresh fruit and pancakes, fresh fruit and yogurt, omelettes, and a local specialty. As far as location the hotel is within walking distance of three museums, the national theater, shopping, restaurants, and San Jose center. This may have been overpriced for the quality but for location and amenities it was a fairly decent choice.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2026

8/10 Good

SUSAN

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The location is great, staff were nice, room clean, bathroom is a little small. Overall, pretty good.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Enrick

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff were outstanding. The hotel is one of the best you will get I. The area that it’s located in and priced reasonably. It’s seem very secure and is in wonderful proximity to main attractions of San Jose.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

8/10 Good

Ron

The rooms were clean, the staff was very nice. Put it away I didn't.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Melvin

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice and clean staff amazing
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Joyce

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Melvin

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is a great location. Clean, comfortable. Affordable. If anything happens they fix it fast! Great staff.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Richard

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved location, staff friendly and accomodating.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2026

8/10 Good

Christine

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I stayed here for one night. Clean. Good location. Furniture is basic. It’s a good hotel for the price. I removed 1 star since I got no response online to book a shuttle from the airport.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Rex

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was amazing!!!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

6/10 Okay

Rubin

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

William E., Bozeman

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Valet parking is a huge bonus for downtown San Jose. Staff were friendly and helpful with directions to museums. Hotel amenities were top class as were the meals El Patio.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026

6/10 Okay

Kevin

Great staff however a hotel is older hotel. That’s still been remodeled. The hotel bar was completely empty and closed. Our room has a broken mattress. And we had trouble finding our outlet that was powered all the time, all the outlets seem to be connected to switches.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Sharon

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good location, clean hotel, pleasant staff. It was a decent stay for the money.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Anthony

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Only issue was no facecloths available
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Rachel

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was clean & comfortable. The Cafe had great food. Roberto, our waiter, was very nice & friendly. Hotel was in a perfect location for exploring parks & museums. We had a great time there.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Mary

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was nice. There was a good shower/bathtub. The free breakfast was great but it is a sit down breakfast in the restaurant, not a buffet. The location was perfect in the historic center. My only complaint is that they advertise a shuttle and there isn’t one. After multiple requests, they said I could share details of arrival and flight but no one showed up. The taxi coordinator at the airport said there wasn’t one. Other hotel guests had the same experience-no response. The airport in Alajuela is a half hour drive to the hotel in downtown San Jose. The taxi drivers overcharge and use a meter. They are also aggressive. Any ride share is only available off sight and might not be safe. I didn’t find any good options for airport transport other than renting a car.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Matthew, Social Circle

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

6/10 Okay

Lilian

The room was ok. But the keep a deposit $200for 24hours
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Stephen

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Debra

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026