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Balmoral Hotel: Traveler Reviews

3.0 of 5
Central Avenue between 7th & 9th Street, San Jose 1000, Costa Rica
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Balmoral Hotel
Ranked #23 of 87 hotels in San Jose
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195 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveler rating
    61
    64
    43
    13
    14
Date Rating
Peoria, Illinois
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
5 hotel reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Not what I thought”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed March 13, 2013

The picture of the hotel does not look anything like what we found at the Balmoral. I would never have found the hotel based on this picture. The room was small and in need of updating. However, it was clean and convenient. the breakfast was very good and plentiful...and did have T V with lots of english channels....Staff was pleasant ...

  • Stayed March 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 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
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Middleburg, Florida
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Lovely hotel and great location”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 27, 2013

This our fourth stay, we love it there, the location is great, I love walking the downtown areas, lots to see, the Cafe is great, it faces the street and great to people watch and very close to the casinos, the room was very large, two beds, fridge and WiFi and the use of a computer, the staff has gotten to know us and has always been very friendy, I dont know what else you could want or need. See you guys soon, we plan on staying this time 3 to 4 weeks instead of the two we have been staying. Oh, we always take tours right from there and have also used the bus terminal to travel to the beach and else where.

Room Tip: we like the rooms facing the main street, we love to people watch
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  • Stayed January 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 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 carmen c about Balmoral Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Margarita Island, Venezuela
1 review
“GREAT HOTEL! 5 STARS!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 26, 2013

Exacellnt service, locations, facilities, staff and cleanliness! would stay there again anytime! the view overlooking the main street from our deluxe room was fantastic and we enjoyed the nice classy room style

  • Stayed January 2013, traveled on business
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 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 danielgrozdanov about Balmoral Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Costa Rica
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
7 hotel reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Great hotel to take in the sites of San Jose!”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed February 19, 2013

We really enjoyed our stay at the hotel Balmoral. Located in the city center on the Main street it is convenient for seeing all the city sites. Our room was large and the bed with the yummy comforter was heaven. Breakfast was great with so many choices and fresh fruit. The staff was friendly and helpful, secure parking for our car, and the bar and restaurant right on the main street so you can enjoy your meal and people watch at the same time. I will be back to San Jose and this is where I will stay, again I cant say enough about the location. Thank you Balmoral!

  • Stayed February 2013, traveled on business
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 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 itsmeinparadise about Balmoral Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Cleveland, Ohio
Top Contributor
174 reviews 174 reviews
45 hotel reviews
Reviews in 69 cities Reviews in 69 cities
47 helpful votes 47 helpful votes
“lovely lobby and restaurant low end rooms”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed February 9, 2013

There may be nice rooms in this hotel, but we didn't see them. We stayed two nights, one night at the beginning of our trip and one night at the end. Both times we had a very small, inadequate room at the farthest end of the hall. There was a utility shaft outside both rooms that jutted into the corner of the room, taking up probably 1/3 of the room space. In the photos it is surrounded by curtains. There were two double beds, a huge closet with small shelves (with a light bulb but we could find no way to turn it on) a small flat screen TV and a small fridge.The fridge was loaded with bottles of liquor, water, etc. - I am sure at premium prices. The rooms were clean and the beds comfortable.
Our second night was even worse than the first night. Our room was on the 6th floor - where they have the banquets, etc. and we could hear dishes and silverware clanging and the kitchen help yelling to each other - it was noisy.
Also on the second night we had no place to put our luggage - no bench, chair or table in the room. So the second bed had to be used for luggage. If you don't mind sharing a double bed this will work. Otherwise you will have to put your luggage on the floor. And floor space is at a premium in this room.
The bathroom had a dispenser for shower gel and soap, but both were empty. There was a sample size bottle of shampoo and a half full bottle of conditioner.
The breakfast in the morning was very good, and the restaurant spacious and nicely appointed. There are lots of green plants surrounding the dining areas and the usual CR open to the air bar. Monday and Wednesday is two for one cocktails and beer - a nice option.
The hotel is in a good location - right on Central Avenue - the pedestrian walkway lined with shops, markets and places to eat. It is easy to walk to the main park and the museums. This is the best part of this hotel. However, driving to it can be a nightmare.
There is free valet parking for your car. And the hotel staff was friendly and accommodating. The wifi was the worst we encountered in our entire stay in Cost Rica - which is peculiar since this hotel is in the city. But it was a strange place to stay all the way around. Not the best of our lodging by a long shot. Gate 1 - our travel company - booked us into fabulous hotels for the other locations, but seem to have dropped the ball in San Jose. There may be better rooms in this hotel, but we did not experience them.

Room Tip: Try not to get a room at the end of the hall where there is a utility shaft. And ask for a room on a...
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  • Stayed February 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask Riverliver about Balmoral Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
 
 
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Additional Information about Balmoral Hotel

Also Known As:
Balmoral Hotel San Jose
Balmoral Hotel Costa Rica/San Jose
Address: Central Avenue between 7th & 9th Street, San Jose 1000, Costa Rica
Phone Number:
Region: Costa Rica > Province of San Jose > San Jose Metro > San Jose
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Business Center Fitness Center Free Breakfast Free High-Speed Internet Free Parking Restaurant Room Service Suites Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
#7 Business Hotels in San Jose
#11 Family Hotels in San Jose
Price Range: $
Hotel Class:3 star (3*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
Galeria Comercial. ... more   less 
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