The Don Carlos is a pretty hotel on the outside, but the rooms leave much to be desired. We stayed there twice during our trip.

The first room we stayed in was nice but the wall were super thin and you could hear EVERYTHING going on outside.

The second night we stayed in was just weird. It was on the third floor, was setup to house 4 people instead of two, one of the beds being a dirty pull out couch. The bathroom had a sewage problem so smelled really bad. The luxury came in having two rooms and two tv's.

The restaurant left much to be desired. Should have eaten out that day. Not even the gallo pinto was good and that is the most common food in Costa Rica.

All in all an okay hotel, but needs some work

One of the nicest and best value hotels I stayed in during my trip. Can't recommend it highly enough. Staff very helpful and nice, clean, unique, good simple food.

Hotel Don Carlos is exactly what we hoped for. We stayed there two nights, at the beginning and end of our week of touring Costa Rica. It is not fancy but is a great place place to stay at the beginning and/or end of your trip to other CR locations. The hotel felt very safe, although we did not venture out into the neighborhood.

The reception desk staff was extremely friendly, although we did not need to ask them for any services. Our room was spacious and clean, with a king sized bed, sofa, desk, ceiling fan, TV, and good bed reading lights. Bathroom was fine. Noise was not a problem.

The first floor bar/restaurant was a pleasant spot to relax, with very low prices. The morning breakfast buffett, in the outside courtyard, is fine.

Altogether, a very pleasant experience.

This is a simply charming hotel, with a very friendly and helpful staff. It was very easy to get from here to the airport (our main reason for being in San Jose, after all) and I will never again stay at one of the dull anywhere-in-the-world airport hotels. This was much, much better, and only about half the cost. Don't be put off by the lack of air conditioning - it's not needed at all. Our standard room (the last room in the house when I booked 2 weeks in advance) was well laid out though a bit small. Next time I'll try to book enough in advance to get one of the Superior rooms.

The real charm is the building itself. The lobby/cafe is relaxing and welcoming, the central garden is charming, the art scattered throughout is unique and interesting, and the public computers with high speed internet actually work! Breakfast was good, though after two weeks of vacation food indulgence we weren't all that interested.

The staff was very friendly and helpful. We wanted a late check-out (my husband wasn't feeling well enough for more touring and we were going straight to the airport) and they okayed it with no fuss - and no extra charge.

All in all, one of the nicest city hotels I've stayed in.