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Hotel Don Carlos: Traveler Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating:
  • A summary score based on quality, quantity and age of traveler ratings.
4 of 5 stars 78 Reviews
5.0 of 5 stars
30
4.0 of 5 stars
29
3.0 of 5 stars
12
2.0 of 5 stars
5
1.0 of 5 stars
2
TripAdvisor Popularity Index:
  • Measures overall traveler satisfaction based on ratings, reviews and other sources.
#12 of 123 hotels in San Jose
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  • Hotel class: 3 of 5
  • Rooms: 36
  • Address: Avenida 9 y Calle 9 San Jose Costa Rica
Property Type: Hotel
  • Lodging offering guest rooms, a 24-hour front desk and a variety of services and amenities.
Description: Small 3-story Colonial Hotel in residential area, 8 blocks from center of city, situated around an open garden area. This description is based on information provided by the hotel.
Business Center Restaurant Swimming Pool
Check Rates: $78 Avg. Price
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TripAdvisor Traveler Reviews

Reviews of Hotel Don Carlos

( 11-15 of 78 )
“Stay at the Don Carlos for an authentic Costa Rican experience”

Hotel Don Carlos

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5 of 5 stars
Latrobe, Pennsylvania
Jun 22, 2008
2/2 found this review helpful

We just returned home from a week in Costa Rica and we stayed at the Hotel Don Carlos in downtown San Jose: [--] It is on a quieter street and it is small (36 rooms) but full of character place You will easily stay under your budget with rooms in the $70-90 price range. The hotel was a former presidential home and has plants, open courtyards and open air lobbies. Beautiful artwork everywhere and a lovely gift shop too. A small restaurant serves drinks and very cheap but good Costa Rican meals. Breakfast, usually in the outdoor courtyard with fountain, is included. The desk staff all speak English and there is also a tour desk where you can book any tour- also reasonable, and be picked up and returned to the hotel. Spotlessly clean and did I mention free internet access from 3 computers in one of the lobbies? I recommend it!

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — Central location, a good 'base' in San Jose to plan tours to many attractions and also to walk to the historic and cultural district with lots of character and charm.
    • Disliked — If your room is near one of the many public lobbies and courtyards, there can be some noise at times. Ask for a room away from these if this is a problem.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jgaltravler's Summary
Date of Stay: June 2008
Traveled with: Spouse / significant other
Visit was for: Other
Age group: 35-49
Member since: May 28, 2008
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Older travelers, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, People with disabilities, Great pool scene
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Museums / Cultural / Historical sites, Outdoor / Adventure, Shopping, Other
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Average price*: $78 (year-round)
“Great time at the Don Carlos great staff”

Hotel Don Carlos

May 30, 2008
1/1 found this review helpful

Had a great stay at the Don Carlos, nice comfortable and spacious clean room in hotel with a welcome drink, free parking and great morning breakfast all included in rate. I would definitely recommend staying here, you are in the heart of San Jose and have 24 hr access to the locked covered secured parking garage and excellent service, free wireless internet in rooms and public areas as well as 3 computers provided for guest use. Hotel is beautiful and the tours seemed to be pretty reasonable even though I did not do any and the staff was exceptional. I must admit the hotel is a gem but the city of San Jose did not impress me. If you were going to San Jose Don carlos is a must, but if you are visiting Costa Rica please use the Don Carlos if San Jose is your only destination but please stay and see other cities. I was impressed by the amount of stores and eateries in San Jose but for a major city it was not impressive.
I would highly recommend eating at Cafe Mundo a few blks from hotel and you get a 10% discount with a card from the concierge.

I loved don carlos.

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — great location, great staff, great service free pkg, free bkfast, free welcome drink
    • Disliked — no true pool but I did not want it just thought others should note.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Chulolaw's Summary
Date of Stay: May 2008
Traveled with: Spouse / significant other
Visit was for: Quality time with friends
Age group: 35-49
Member since: March 31, 2007
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Business service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, People with disabilities, Older travelers, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
Great pool scene, Pet owners
Was this review helpful? Yes No
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Average price*: $78 (year-round)
“Great as always”

Hotel Don Carlos

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5 of 5 stars
La Paz, Mexico
May 16, 2008
1/1 found this review helpful

I have stayed here during six visits from 1986 to 2008. It is well run, clean and a great value.

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — Home-like feel and the attentive staff
    • Disliked — Canadian visitors who were rude and obnoxious to the staff.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RAKM's Summary
Date of Stay: March 2008
Traveled with: Spouse / significant other
Visit was for: Quality time with family
Age group: 50-64
Member since: April 29, 2007
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Business service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
Girlfriend getaway, Older travelers, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, People with disabilities, Great pool scene, Pet owners
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Museums / Cultural / Historical sites
Was this review helpful? Yes No
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Average price*: $78 (year-round)
“Great value in San Jose Costa Rica”

Hotel Don Carlos

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5 of 5 stars
Alpharetta, GA
May 1, 2008
1/1 found this review helpful

If you are looking for a great value and quaint ambiance in San Jose, Costa Rica, stay at Don Carlos Hotel. The staff there is SO helpful. They set up excellent tours through their tour desk (good values and excellent quality). I sincerely recommend them as an excellent place to stay. Their website is factual: [-]

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — Helpful staff and great tours
    • Disliked — city noise
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TandGAlpharetta's Summary
Date of Stay: April 2008
Traveled with: Spouse / significant other
Visit was for: Quality time with family
Age group: 50-64
Member since: May 01, 2008
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Business service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Museums / Cultural / Historical sites, Outdoor / Adventure
Was this review helpful? Yes No
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Average price*: $78 (year-round)
“very good value”

Hotel Don Carlos

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4 of 5 stars
new york
Apr 20, 2008
1/1 found this review helpful

paid about 65/ night which was exceptional value - nice quiet hotel, very good staff. it's certainly not a 4 star place so please lower expectations but for this price it's hard to complain.

took two trips with the tourist office in the hotel. both were only ok. i would advise researching the trips well in advance rather than relying on what the hotel had to offer that day.

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
mpjnyc's Summary
Date of Stay: April 2008
Traveled with: Friends
Visit was for: Hobbies / interest / culture
Age group: 35-49
Member since: August 08, 2006
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
    • 4 of 5 stars Business service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, Older travelers
I do not recommend this hotel for:
An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, People with disabilities, Great pool scene, Pet owners, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Outdoor / Adventure
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $78 (year-round)

Reviews of Hotel Don Carlos

( 11-15 of 78 )
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Hotel Don Carlos Address

Avenida 9 y Calle 9, San Jose, Costa Rica