I had the pleasure of staying at the Amistad over the Thanksgiving Holiday and I can tell you it was nothing short of a great stay. This was with the hotel under a major renovation and what would have been total chaos for most places but not for Matt and his great staff. The room was very clean and the sheets were changed daily even though I told the maid it was not necessary. I had a full size comfortable bed and the room had a large bathroom, safe in the room, and TV with a decent amount of American Stations. The free breakfast really was a breakfast and it was free. To my surprise Matt told me several times if I wanted something special (eggs to order omellette etc.) just let the kitchen know and they would fix it for me. I did not ask but I know they would have. The buffet was eggs, potatoes, sausage, pancakes, toast, cold cereal, and a good selection of fresh fruits, juices, milk coffee, I mean a really good spread. I have stayed at several other places in San Jose and this is the nicest stay I have had. I will be returning at the end of March and have already put in my reservation. Yes the Amistad is under new ownership and I am pretty sure Matt will run one of the top notch operations in San Jose. I can't wait to see the changes when I return this spring. The clientel although diverisfied seemed to be young Eco Type tourists (I kept seeing backpacks and bicycles).

Hotel La Amistad is located on the main street in La Fortuna. The rooms are set back from the street, so it is quiet. The rooms are simple, clean, and inexpensive, with hot water showers, and some have AC. I noticed a tour group of italian tourists checked in, but most of the guests were ticos. The hotel is family owned, and they are pleasant and helpful. Anything you want is within walking distance.

We were told the hotel was recently bought by an American. There is alot of work being done on the inside. It seems when it's finished the place will look pretty nice. The room was nice enough; safe, tv (cable), nice bathroom w/ blow dryer, hot! water, telephone. Staff was great! Internet is available in the rooms and once signed on it was much faster than I expected. Area fine to walk in day, near stores and flea market. Flea market place to buy souveniiers, not not airport or fancy stores.

Not a bad place to stay if you're only staying a night or two as we did at the beginning and end of your stay in Costa Rica. Rooms were dated, but spacious and clean (well, the first room we had was anyway! - the second had a really thick layer of dust and lots of cobwebs around the curtain tracks, but I guess it's a little hard to keep on top of things in a dusty city?). Was first a little put off by the iron gate across the doorway, but at night realised this was for our safety which was a good thing. Breakfast was buffet style and filling. Internet access was really slow and the lighting in the internet area at night is terrible - make sure you use during the day! Staff were nice enough.