In 2012 I stayed at Gran Hotel Costa Rica for 5 nights. I had a big room... but the bathroom was a really joke, very small and in need of a total renovation. The restaurant of the hotel wasn't good and in my opinion very expensive. You can have something more local and better just two blocks behind the hotel. The internet was not working well and the breakfast was ok. Good things: Gran Hotel is literally near the Opera House (just opposite and it is really worth a visit, please), also just three or four blocks to the National Museum (great to understand the recent history of Costa Rica). There is also a concierge for tours in Costa Rica. They were good and attentive but I didn't think that the staff of the hotel was helpful. This is really a issue the hotel needs to improve.

This hotel cannot be faulted for its location, character and atmosphere. Sitting on the terrace, drinking a superb cocktail, listening to the grand piano, and watching the world go by are memories which will stay. But the rooms are small and poky - and because there's no central air-con system a lot of the space is taken up by a clumsy in-room appliance. The noise from this machine only partially cancels out the noise of the traffic and the continuous bleeping of the nearby pedestrian crossing. In recognition of this the management supply guests with ear-plugs!

But th siting is superb - just opposit the Opera House in the heart of the city - the main pedestrian avenue runs alongside, the market is close by, and many of the city's attractions are within easy walking distance.

And the service is old-style as well - attentive without being OTT.

It's probably the best hotel to stay at for an introduction to San Jose - but don't plan to stay too long

In January I stayed at Gran Hotel for the second time. It is a beautiful 1930 hotel and if you are into heritage buildings you will love this one. The price was very reasonable by Canadian and US standards...less than $100 for room and a delicious, large breakfast buffet. The buffet is in a ballroom with tables and chairs covered with white cloth, and with a view of the city plaza. There is a billiard room, small gym, spa, computer room, indoor and outdoor dining and a tour desk.
We ate supper there, my daughter and son-in-law sharing Surf and Turf for Two. It came on a huge platter and was unlike any Canadian or US Surf and Turf meal...they loved it. Last year I ordered a fruit bowl for dessert and it came as a half pineapple scooped out and filled with freshly cut fruits. Delicious.
This hotel is right next to the heritage Theatre and next to the Gold and Currency Museums. The museums are well worth a visit.
The only down side of this hotel would be its location if you don't like big city centres.

i reserved the Presidental Suite for 2 Nights before travelling around in Costa Rica. First the good things:

- the Kingsize Bed is really nice
- if its your style the original old furniture, not my thing.. my GF liked it very much
- Breakfast is nice
- Restaurant in the Hotel is expensive but good, worth even to just get a coffe there

Sadly there been some dissapointments:

- the bathroom is a joke for a suite, it says wihrlpool on the internet, it's a bathtube with bubble's... tube and sink are old and the shower is a real joke... the shower would be ok, in a 20$ room...

- on the internetpage it stats: minibar. But the minibar is empthy on arrival, when i asked to fill it up, i got the response, they don't do minibar, but i could just order over the phone, when i tried to order from the phone, the guy from the restaurant said, they didn't have enought personel so send it to the room. so when i finally went down to the bar at like 23:15 it was closed... come on

So for me, the package was not good enough for the price of 250$ a night, i would try another hotel in san jose next time