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Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District

Property class: 3.5
3.5-star Art Deco hotel near Pre-Colombian Gold Museum

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Photo gallery for Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District

Flat-screen TV
Deluxe Plus
Exterior
Lobby
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; international cuisine

Reviews

8.0 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • 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

View all photos for Deluxe

Deluxe

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 WiFi

View all photos for Standard Room (Plus)

Standard Room (Plus)

Standard Room (Plus)

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

View all photos for Superior Plus

Superior Plus

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 WiFi

View all photos for Deluxe Plus

Deluxe Plus

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 WiFi

View all photos for Junior Suite

In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, soundproofing

Junior Suite

  • City view
  • 38 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Presidential Suite

Presidential Suite

Presidential Suite

  • 80 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Family Suite

Family Suite | Living room

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 WiFi

View all photos for Superior

Superior

Superior

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

View all photos for Suite Gales

Suite Gales

Suite Gales

  • City view
  • 49 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Suite 514

Suite 514

Suite 514

  • City view
  • 40 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Suite Belford

Suite Belford

Suite Belford

  • City view
  • 74 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 King Beds
  • Free WiFi

About the area

San José

City center stay.With a stay at this Carmen hotel, you'll be steps from Pre-Colombian Gold Museum and Plaza de la Cultura. Morazan Park and National Theater of Costa Rica are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • Morazan Park - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • National Theater of Costa Rica - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Central Park - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • National Museum of Costa Rica - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Mercado Central - 10 min walk - 0.9 km

Getting around

  • San Jose Procuradiria Museum Station - 7 min walk
  • Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) - 32 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Spoon - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Q'Empanadas - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪El Patio del Balmoral Restaurant - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪RostiPollos - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬2 min walk

About this property

Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District

3.5-star Art Deco hotel near Pre-Colombian Gold Museum
There's a restaurant on site, along with 2 coffee shops/cafes. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Free breakfast is available daily. A computer station is on site and WiFi is free in public spaces.

Business amenities include a 24-hour business center and 7 meeting rooms. Event space at this hotel measures 5909 square feet (549 square meters) and includes a conference center. A 24-hour fitness center, a vending machine, and multilingual staff are also featured at the business-friendly Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District. An airport shuttle (available 24 hours) and an area shuttle are available for a fee. Limited free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This 3.5-star San José hotel is smoke free.

  • 1 building
  • 119 guestrooms or units
  • 7 levels
  • 2 coffee shops
  • 5909 sq ft of conference space
  • 549 sq m of conference space
  • Built in 1955
  • Local cuisine breakfast (free)
  • Breakfast available (free)
  • Business center (24 hours)
  • Conference center
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Express check-out
  • Staff is multilingual
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • Wedding services available
  • Onsite shopping
  • Bellhop
  • Elevator
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • Dining venue
Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District offers 119 air-conditioned accommodations with safes and hair dryers. 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.

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Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Soundproofed rooms

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

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

Food and drink

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

Things to do

  • 24-hour gym
  • Designer stores
  • Shopping

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
  • Elevator
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to elevator
  • Wheelchairs on site

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

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.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

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

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, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A credit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. Minimum Spring Break check-in age is 18 years old. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB International, debit cards, and cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a security system in each accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

We should mention

  • Children 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

Frequently asked questions

How close is Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District to the airport?

Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District is 5.6 mi (23-min drive) away from the San José (SYQ-Tobías Bolaños Intl.) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

How much does it cost to stay at Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District?

As of Apr 28, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District on May 1, 2026 start from CA $139, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Does Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District have an airport shuttle?

Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District offers an airport shuttle 24 hours a day, at scheduled times, for a charge of USD 40 per vehicle, one-way.

Does Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District offer free breakfast?

Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District offers free local cuisine breakfast every day from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Is there a casino at Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District?

No, there is no casino at this hotel, but Casino Fiesta (1-min walk) and Casino Fiesta Heredia (14-min drive) are nearby.

What time is check-in at Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime. A fee applies for early check-in.

Is there free parking at Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District?

This hotel offers free valet parking.

Does Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District have a pool?

Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District does not have a pool.

Does Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District have a restaurant?

Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District is home to EL PATIO DEL BALMORAL, which features international cuisine, light fare, and brunch.

Does Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this hotel.

How close is Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District to downtown San José?

Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District is 0.3 mi away from San José.

Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District Reviews

Reviews

8.0

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 434 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 288 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 156 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 62 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 61 out of 1001 reviews

8.4/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

7.6/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Nancy, Parkersburg

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 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

8/10 Good

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean rooms and free breakfast. Really nice staff.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2026

4/10 Poor

carla

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The front desk staff was very helpful and nice so that’s the only reason I’m giving this place 2 stars. The standard room i was in, non smoking, smelled of stale cigarette smoke. The hotel is a “non smoking” hotel so unclear why it smelled. The room has an enclosed patio, with a window to the outside. I couldn’t close the window due to EXCESSIVE dirt and debris in the window tracks. Looks like it’s been that way for years. There’s also a large planter box attached to the outside of the building in front of that window, so it was impossible to see out. Because I didn’t want to sleep with the window open, I had to keep the patio enclosure closed my entire stay. Wi-Fi is non existent although they advertise it. Could not get a signal at all. Pics of the room, on line, are not what you’re getting, they are very dated and old. My bathroom sink drain had some sort of gross gunk in it. Looked as though it hadn’t been cleaned. I also had a problem with my bill. Appeared to be over charged on my card. I wasn’t allowed to speak to the manager directly. The front desk staff relayed messages to me as to the problem. That piece eventually cleared up on it’s own but left me feeling very stressed about the double charges while I was there. This place is not worth the money you pay. Find a different hotel!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Leonie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Everything was great
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Jose Roberto

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

kevin, Salem

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Best hotel in historic district, great location good parking , a little hard to find, but great stay
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Jose, North bethesda

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The location is unbeatable; you can walk everywhere. Alejandra, the receptionist, was very helpful, friendly, and had a very nice demeanor. We will definitely come back.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Jose, North bethesda

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Among the best locations in downtown; rooms are very quiet, staff members are extremely friendly, especially Alejandra in the front desk.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Katryn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Helpful staff and very clean room
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

6/10 Okay

Achintya

Travelled with family
Location was great - right in center of San Jose city. Free valet was great. Room in decent condition but beds were very uncomfortable. Bathroom shower kept spilling water outside. A fridge and locker would have been much appreciated. Free breakfast was meh and service was slow.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

2/10 Terrible

tommy

I TRIED TO CANCELL OR MOVE THE DATES FOR 2 WEEKS BUT EXPEDIA WOULD NEVER LET ME CANCELL. I HAD A STROKE AND WANTED TO BE A MONTH LATER BUT EXPEDIA DOES NOT CARE
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Ana, Toronto

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great staff. Great location. Restaurant was good
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Thi

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room size was great, the staff was super friendly and helpful as well! I also really liked their gallo pinto for breakfast!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great staff, helpful and attentive. Friendly. Room was great. Wonderful views, Cool atmosphere. Food delicious in the restaurant. Jorge was extremely helpful and kind. Would highly recommend. Petra at the front desk could not have been more helpful.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Yazmin

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Jeremy

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was a great location for the last leg of our trip because we were doing a walking tour nearby, however, it was not the most comfortable and one of the two fridges in the room was not working, smelled, and a little dirty. The beds were hard as a rock, clean, but very firm. The lobby and restaurant photos certainly set you up to believe it is luxury in the midst of a very popular and populated area, but I felt the rooms need more comfort and cleanliness to add to the comfort level for the area, especially when paying for a suite.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Seyedehmediseh

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Overall good experience. We had an early check-in and although the room was ready we had to pay some fees. Other than that it was a great downtown location and close to everything.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mei Kuen

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

4/10 Poor

Brenda

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service
We chose the Balmoral due to its proximity to the museums and the availability of a 2-bedroom suite. We should have read the reviews more closely as some of the problems we encountered were mentioned in the reviews. We took our chances with the 7.4 rating hotel based on having a 2-bedroom suite in the area, but now we regret that decision. The price of the room led us to believe that it would be of higher quality. No hair dryer or coffee maker in the room (although they were in the listing). Hot water for showers is only available after running the water for a very long time. Undependable wifi. Annoying flute playing by a street vendor all day long; neighborhood full of casinos. Mediocre service for breakfast. Housekeeping accessed the room despite the fact that we had not hung up the service room sign on the door; they took away two hanging used towels and only left one new towel. Plus a strange early checkin policy and charges. All around just seemed like a badly managed hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025