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Hotel Santo Tomas: Traveler Reviews

3.0 of 5
Ave 7 btwn Sts 3 & 5 | Historical Barrio Amon, San Jose, Costa Rica
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Hotel Santo Tomas
Ranked #3 of 87 hotels in San Jose
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317 reviews from our community

Traveler rating
    165
    112
    27
    5
    8
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Families
51
 
Couples
127
 
Solo
53
 
Business
17
 
Rating summary
  • Sleep Quality
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Location
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    4 of 5 stars
  • Service
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Value
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    4.5 of 5 stars
Date Rating
Ellicott City,USA/Epsom, Surrey
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
5 hotel reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“Nice place to stop over”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed February 15, 2013 via mobile

Hotel is very reasonably priced and comfortable. A good value. Rooms are large and very clean. Not luxurious but comfortable for a night or two. We stayed here the first and last nights of our Costa Rica vacation, going to the pacific in between (which was gorgeous!). Staff was nice and very helpful. The only problem was with the rental car company CR-SAVS. We rented a small SUV for the trip to the beach property where we stayed for a week. The car looked fine, but when we returned it (covered in Costa Rica dirt road dust) the rental company Rep claimed there was an area of small scratches on the rubber bumper, visable with dust in them. We would not have been able to see the pre-existing scratches in the sun, on a clean bumper, when we accepted the car. We had no problems with the car, not even a flat tire which the rep seemed surprised about (yes, the roads can be very bad--be prepared). The company is attempting to charge us $140 for several small scratches at the bottom of the RUBBER bumper of the SUV. The car was in a private space, and never left unattended during the week we had it. We are absolutely positive the scratches did not occur in our possession, and feel CR-SAVS is attempting to extort money from us. The Rep said he would call us before we left the country to let us know their position on the bumper and if they would assess a charge: we never heard from him but see the credit card charge. Think twice about using CR-SAVS for a rental car.

Stayed February 2013, traveled as a couple
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Ask ConnieTwoCities about Hotel Santo Tomas
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AdvisorHST, Owner at Hotel Santo Tomas, responded to this review
February 17, 2013
Hi Connie, Your first sentence says it all- reasonably priced, comfortable and a good value! With respect to CR-Save car rental company, I have been using them for years and this is the first such incident we have had. I truly apologize that you have had a misunderstanding. I am glad to hear that the rest of your travels were wonderful and that you had a great experience here in the Hotel Santo Tomas. Safe Travels Thomas
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staffordshire
Senior Contributor
29 reviews 29 reviews
8 hotel reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
“Good Value”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed February 12, 2013

Hotel Santo Tomas is an old Colonial place with amazingly large & comfortable rooms (make sure that they are NOT facing the front of the hotel, as it can be a bit noisy), Once inside, you can forget that you are away from the heart of a busy city such as San Jose. It is within a walking distance of the major city attaracions and a good place to start your trip in Costa Rica. Breakfast in amazing and the staff are warm and helpful too. Great Value

Room Tip: Rooms at the back of hotel are quieter, also the better rooms seem to be upstairs, worth paying the...
See more room tips
  • Stayed January 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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See 2 more reviews by vivien49 for San Jose
Ask vivien49 about Hotel Santo Tomas
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AdvisorHST, Owner at Hotel Santo Tomas, responded to this review
February 17, 2013
Hi Vivien, Great Value, I'll take that any day ! I think in today's economy that is just what most clients are looking for. We also have great day tours that we can assist clients with 24/7 for their journeys here in Costa Rica. Hotel Santo Tomas is also a great place to end your travels as well. Especially if you are returning from the east coast and leaving the country the next day. We offer taxi service at the hotel and clients may even pay with a credit card for their airport transfer at any hour. Your comments about forgetting that you are in the heart of an active city is correct , with our jacuzzi and pool surrounded by the floral gardens and seating areas makes for a quiet atmosphere by our restaurant El Oasis. This is where we serve the Free Hot Cooked Breakfast from 7 to 9 am , restaurant open from 4 to 10pm also. Thank you very much for your outstanding review . Warmest Regards Thomas
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Winnipeg, Canada
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
“Our first experience in Costa Rica”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 11, 2013

Hi Thomas,
Thank you so much for your advice in renting a 4x4 to travel Costa Rica, it was the best advice we got the whole trip. My advice to travellers is, arrange to pick up your vehicle outside San Jose and cab it to that location and return it to an outside location and cab it back to the hotel. Driving in San Jose can be confusing. The owner is the reason i chose this hotel. He is very helpful to new travellers. This is evident by his hotel reviews. I was very happy to see that all the good reviews were true. you can't say enough about his staff. The are amazing! Helpful, friendly, well trained, and will try their best to get you anything you might need. Even a corkscrew at 11pm at night. This hotel was the best one we stayed in. Beautiful room, clean, and very safe. The pictures don't do it justice. It's full of hand made iron, nice pool and hot tub. Nice little restaurant, good food. The serve a complimentary costa rican breakfast of eggs, rice and pinto beans, toast and fresh fruit, very good. You can't beat the price for what you get! It truly is a gem in a large intimidating city. We booked our first night and last night, and that was all we pre booked for the whole trip. Based on these reviews i wanted to talk to Thomas before we booked anything to see what he thought. He's a great judge of people and what would work best for you. We had no intention of renting a vehicle do to the comments about getting around, but Thomas recommended we do just that. It was the best choice for us. Get a GPS if you do this. The hotel itself and the staff are top notch. You come to Costa Rica a stranger, but once you walk into this hotel you feel like a friend. Thats a talent I've never experienced at another hotel. We'll definitely stay here every time we return.
Thanks so much Thomas! Tell the rest of your staff they are amazing! We'll be sure to recommend you to all of our friends.
Christine and David Keller from Manitoba Canada

  • Stayed February 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Christine K about Hotel Santo Tomas
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AdvisorHST, Owner at Hotel Santo Tomas, responded to this review
February 15, 2013
Hola To The Kellers: Thanks so much for your most excellent review ! It's always nice when my staff and I know we have provided an outstanding experience for our guests. My staff checks TripAdvisor every day for new reviews and they always send a big Thank You. With respect to car rental , we suggest that you taxi or public bus into the hotel and let us arrange the rental to be dropped off in our private parking lot the next morning and return it the night before and take transport back to the airport. You save the two days car rental and some of the stress of driving. The best part of your review is that you appreciated the free hot cooked breakfast we serve. It is by the pool area , where guests enjoy happy hour from 4 to 7 pm and dinner with our bartender Carlos and chef Manuel. All of my staff is trained 24/7 to assist in tour planning and are rental along with any other service you may require while in country. Again thanks so much for the great review and recommendation !

Warmest Regards Thomas
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Maple Grove, Minnesota
1 review
“Good stay for the price”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed February 11, 2013

Nice hotel and room for the price. On a busy street/ intersection so the traffic may keep you up, or wake you early. Also not in the nicest part of town.

Staff was very helpful in setting up tours for us and helping with any questions we had.

Room Tip: Select a room away from the street side.
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  • Stayed February 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 2 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask trobkasz about Hotel Santo Tomas
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AdvisorHST, Owner at Hotel Santo Tomas, responded to this review
February 13, 2013
Hi Trobkasz, Thanks for your recommendation of nice hotel for the price, this is what most clients tell me. Yes San Jose is a vibrant city with lots to do and see and we are located just four blocks from Central Avenue and to all other local attractions. We have bilingual staff on24/7/365 to assist with any type of help or planning you may require. Again thank yo for the review , Warmest Regards Thomas
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Brussels, Belgium
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
“Welcoming host”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed February 11, 2013

We stayed just one night in the hotel, after our long flight from Europe. It was easy to check in and our room contained an enormous television and was very comfortable. In the morning, we met the owner, Thomas, who made us feel welcome and had a nice breakfast (excellent juice). Our room was in the back and quiet. It was a shame we had so little time, as the pool and hot tub looked inviting. Definetly recommended.

  • Stayed February 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask Elfweard about Hotel Santo Tomas
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AdvisorHST, Owner at Hotel Santo Tomas, responded to this review
February 13, 2013
Hola Elfweard, Definitely recommended, that can't get much better! Next time please try to take a few days to enjoy the pool and nice hot jacuzzi along with a balcony view room,many guests use us to take day tours and enjoy the hot tub at night or happy hour by the pool from 4 to 7 with Carlos our bartender. Thank you very much for your wonderful comments Thomas
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Additional Information about Hotel Santo Tomas

Also Known As:
Hotel Santo Tomas Costa Rica/San Jose
Address: Ave 7 btwn Sts 3 & 5 | Historical Barrio Amon, San Jose, Costa Rica
Phone Number:
Region: Costa Rica > Province of San Jose > San Jose Metro > San Jose
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Fitness Center Free Breakfast Free High-Speed Internet Kids Activities Restaurant Room Service Swimming Pool Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
#4 Family Hotels in San Jose
#9 Romantic Hotels in San Jose
#9 Business Hotels in San Jose
Price Range: $
Hotel Class:3 star (3*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
Hotel Santo Tomas is in a great downtown location. We offer Free hot breakfast, Wi-Fi, security box, swimming pool, Hot Jacuzzi, Gym, secure on site parking and restaurant/bar El Oasis ( Happy Hour 4 to 7 PM Carlos Bartender ) closed on Mondays. Only four blocks from Central Avenue and an easy stroll to most local attractions. Offering 30 non smoking rooms and has been newly renovated and expanded. Also available 24/7 : tour, travel & car rental services, currency exchange and laundry for our guests. Come and enjoy our wonderful open air gardens and covered terraces to enjoy the volcano views! ... more   less 
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