We stayed at this hotel on our way back from a trip to the rain forest, just for one night while we waited for our flight. It was a very unique layout, with little courtyards and fountains to walk through to get to each room. We were greeted with welcome beverages and the staff was very friendly and helpful. The room itself was very nice - a good size, clean and a nice bathroom. The hotel is within walking distance to a nice little town center with parks and places to sit, and there was a lovely shopping center nearby as well. We wished we had more time to stay here a few more nights!

We had an excellent stay at this hotel. Good service, great restaurant with a wonderful waiter, a limited dinner menu but very good breakfast buffet, and a nice, clean room. The hotel is wonderfully decorated with many drawings and Costa Rican art. It is close to downtown but in a better neighborhood than other hotels we watched on our search in San Jose. All services we requested were completed in a timely manner by the hotel staff. Overall, we stayed there for 3 nights ($ 80 each night, superior room, low season, and with a rebate).

I should preface this by stating that I haven't actually spent any time in San Jose OUTSIDE of the Don Carlos.

We booked our trip through Costa Rica Sun Tours, and they took care of making these arrangements for us, but I can absolutely say that we'd choose to stay here on another trip through San Jose. For anyone flying into San Jose before moving on to other parts of the country, the Hotel Don Carlos is a perfect stop-over hotel for the night you get in and the night before you leave. We stayed here after arriving in San Jose, and we stayed here again at the end of our vacation the night before we returned home.

The hotel is adorable and charming, and the staff is welcoming. Upon our first arrival here, we were given a free round of drinks to welcome us here. I believe that the tradition is a fruit punch o some sort, but we were offered a Guaro Sour and accepted it happily. Next, we ordered dinner and I tried my first Casado Tipico Comida, the typical Costa Rican dish of rice, beans, chicken (or another meat), and plantains (my favorite!). It was tasty, and a great introduction to Costa Rica.

We had an early bus the morning we left and would be departing before the included (complementary) breakfast started at 7am, so they had a breakfast box arranged for us so that we'd have some fruit and coffee on our way out. I think this was a really nice and courteous gesture.

As for a pool, they have one, technically, but it's more like a fountain that apparently you can wade in. I've never seen anyone in it, but it exists.

All in all, this is a great spot in San Jose that's the perfect place to crash when you get into Costa Rica, and the perfect place to unwind as you prepare to leave. I'd definitely come back here.

Let me start by saying Don Carlos still offers a clean and quaint atmosphere. I have stayed at the Don Carlos in the past and just loved it (you can read my past review). However, the friendliness has left the building. Ironically, there were several of the same staff members as last time I was there (a year ago) but they seem to be unhappy this time around. What was missing from before? Smiles, hospitality, and the feeling of being welcome. I never hesitated to praise Don Carlos in the past, today however, I am disappointed and today I would not recommend Don Carlos:(