We chose the Presidente because of its location and reputation. We also had a recommendation from a friend in Golfito. Our room was on the second floor overlooking the pedestrian boulevard, but wasn't noisey from the street. Unfortunately, they were trying to paint the bar that night (directly below our room) and the noise and odor was overwhelming. My husband had to make two trips to the front desk before they stopped the sanding machines. Food was fine and it was an easy walk to the museums and sites downtown. If we decided to stay there again, I would request a room on a higher floor and check about work going on before I accepted the room.

My husband and I were in visiting CR for our honeymoon in 01/08, and stayed in Hotel Presidente twice: one night when we just arrived, and another night before our departure. For the first stay we got a room with two separate beds and when asked a room with one larger bed (it's a honeymoon!), we were told that the hotel was full. the room was OK, it was overlooking the walking strip, and was pretty noisy. Also, I woke up several times at night when our neighbors were flushing toilet in their rooms - it was that loud. The food was just OK (later I learned that the food was very good if you compare that restaurant to any others in the vicinity). We paid $89 plus tax for that room. Breakfast was included in the price. Breakfast is a hot buffer with a choice of eggs, sausage, rice and beans, and fruits.

For the second stay, they upgraded us free of charge to a larger room with king size bed and jacuzzi, as well as gave us a bottle of champaign and chocolates as a gist for the honeymoon. That was sweet! The manager Oscar was very helpful. The room was not noisy at all, and very clean.

The hotel is located in downtown San Jose, in the middle of everything. However, beware, that it is a famous pick-up place where old American and Canadian men pick up young and beautiful Costa Rican girls.

It was a nice stay, and we will definitely stay there again.

Hotel Presidente is a great place to stay if you want to be able to walk to the museums, national Theatre, Central Market and other places of interest. Taxi fare to the hotel is $17.00 and takes about 20 min. at low traffic times. Be aware that rush hour easily doubles this. Inter Bus is a good option if you are traveling from another hotel. The hotel has a cafe/restaurant offering many options. Free internet, tour desk and the opportunity to pay your departure tax make this hotel tourist friendly. While flying to Costa Rica a fellow passenger informed us that this was not a good hotel. She indicated there were "working girls" using this hotel as a meeting place. Needless to say we were a little worried prior to our arrival. However we saw no sign of any people or activity which one might find disturbing. The staff are friendly, speak English fluently and offer a clean and secure location for anyone to stay.

I can only agree with most other reviews the hotel is getting each time better, the improvements which took place for as long as I had the chance to stay in this hotel are very nice and could not be better. Depending up on where my meetings in San Jose take place I most of the time try to stay in this unique hotel.

The rooms are of a nice size, well maintained and very clean, the noise level is very low, which gives you the chance to get a good sleep at night.

The Restaurant / Bar service in respect to Quality and Attitude is perfect, the service is fast and always with a smile. During Lunch time you are well advised to make a reservation since the place is full most of the time, it also shows that the Restaurant does a good job on the local Guest market.

If you take all facts together, the President hotel prices verses value is for sure one of the best options you can find in San Jose. I am looking forward being back in March 2008