The service was great, the meals at the hotel restaurant were delicious with a very large menu, and the hotel staff was very friendly and helpful. The hotel is located on a street that is all pedestrian with lots of shopping and restaurants. There is a gift shop at the street level of the hotel; the shop keeper and co-worker were particularly warm and welcoming, and their merchandise was very high quality and not higher priced than the marketplace where you have to deal with bargaining tourists and pushy merchants. I found this hotel very comfortable and easy; there is a great little coffee shop within the main restaurant, plus a bar upstairs with good atmosphere. Thank you for a wonderful stay, Balmoral!

The security at this hotel is very discrimitory. Maybe they don't like Americans but they made my traveling companion change clothes upon our arrival. Then I watched others walk out of the hotel with the ame or worse attire. Completely unacceptable......I thought I would get some resolution by telling them I was checking out but they didn't care. They were ready to take my key. This was not my first stay but it was my last.

We flew into San Jose and stayed here for 2 nights. The presidential suite that we stayed in was larger than our apartment and really affordable. The breakfast buffet (included in our cost of the suite) was run by an amazingly talented chef. It was one of the best meals we had in the city. The front desk staff was kind, knowledgeable, and always helpful. You are in the center of San Jose and can walk everywhere. If you are going to San Jose, stay here!

I been traveling to San Jose, Costa Rica 12 years now. A friend of mines recommended the Balmoral Hotel for me to stay back in 2002 from that year to now 2012 I only stay at the Balmoral.
They have the most friendly staff that take care of you when you get out of the taxi they grab your bags and take you to the check-in counter where the ladies behind the counter welcome you with a big smile. After checking in your bags are carried to your room and the cleaning ladies come to check on you to see if you need extra towel, soap, tooth paste, and so on...... they make sure your safe is working properly before they leave and if you need anything extra for mini bar in your room they will bring it. All bed linen are nice and clean and if you need anything extra they will bring it to you. The night shift Francisco team makes sure that if you need laundry done, wake up call, or help using their computer they will help steer you in the right direction. The guards on Francisco team watch for your safety exiting the taxi at night. Balmoral Hotel by far is the best hotel in San Jose to stay. I recommend anyone that is traveling to San Jose to stop by and meet the friendly staff and take a tour of the recently remodel rooms and hotel. I travel there at least 6 times a year and I stay with my 5 Star Hotel.