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Reviews of Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District

3.5 out of 5
Balmoral Hotel San José CR, Historic District
Central Ave, between 7th and 9th St, San José, San Jose

Reviews

8.0

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 383 out of 1001 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 355 out of 1001 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 166 out of 1001 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 50 out of 1001 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 47 out of 1001 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

7.6/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Benoit

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
You’re right downtown within walking distance to everything. The rooms are quite dated. The hotel entrances are either through the garage or the restaurant
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

James E

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Enjoyed the stay. Staff were very helpful and accommodating. Ground floor restaurant was excellent. We would stay there again.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Laura

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very accessible to the downtown sites. Good restaurant.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Marcellus

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

harry, Chicago

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The bar area was closed the complete trip. Only one elevation stopped on the lobby floor so you had to walk up a floor to get to the front desk. There was no face towels. Staff was great and breakfast was good. Parking attendants was great also. Most of the stores in the hotel were vacant. Otherwise the stay was okay.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alexis

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This hotel is exceptionally located (walking distance from museum, theatre, market and lot of shops and restaurants). The restaurant (and the breakfast) is very nice. It was a little hard to find the entrance, and the exterior makes no justice to the interior, which is very clean and comfortable. I will use this hotel for my future visits to San José.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

Kelly

The location was the best thing about this hotel. The hotel and rooms are in serious need of an upgrade. Bed sheets had an odor as if it was not changed from previous stay and ants were all over the place. So glad we were only there for 1 night!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lemiel

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel is centrally located and near walking distance to all major places in San Jose. The staff is wonderful and the breakfast is very good.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Vickie

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Located in the center of the city made all the landmarks accessible. Food, sightseeing, shopping all at walking distance. Hotel was clean and the rooms were spacious. Having a restaurant within the hotel was a plus. Complementary breakfast was good. Beds were not comfortable, mattresses should be updated. Overall, great experience. Would stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

6/10 Okay

Sharon

Traveled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Good hotel, slightly tired rooms and decor Staff good and restaurant good and good location to explore the city
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

jeremy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly and helpful. Good breakfast/restaurant available.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Troy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Rona Soh Sian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The room aircon was very noisy. Very bare minimal toiletries. The staff from reception to cafe service staff are very pleasant and friendly, service is good and cheerful.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

4/10 Poor

Liora

Traveled with group, Business traveler
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
Don’t like to property nor the staff
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kali

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very easy check in. Rooms were clean and staff were so nice! Dinner at hotel was delicious.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

David, Douglasville

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

4/10 Poor

Kwok Fung

Disliked: Amenities
The hotel location is good, right in the central, and thats about it. The building is quite run down. The standard room is very average and no window and no bathtub. So be careful not to book a standard room is you want window and bathtub. The safe in my room does not work and /I told the staff but no change after 4 days. The building used to have an ATM and a bar, both are gone. The area is fine and you can find ATM few blocks away. The restaurant close at 9pm. So have your dinner early and almost everything close at 10pm, if your flight is late, nothing to buy nor eat in the area. Be prepared. Also, even though breakfast is included, but its not buffet. There are only 4 choices: traditional casado, omlette, pancake and yogurt with fruit. It also includes 1 drink only, choice of coeffe or orange juice. If you want both or something else, you need to pay out of pocket. Overall, standard room won't look like the pictures, I am disappointed. Breakfast is a huge let down. The surrounding area is walkable to many attractions but you almost have to Uber/Taxi to everywhere else.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Yvonne

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Balmoral is on Central Ave. which is a pedestrian walk way. If you take the free walking tour that you can find on line it will help you get a lay of the land. You can then explore the historical sites and public market with ease. We felt very safe during the day. Down at the plaza by the clock, we sat and ate our icecream cones and watched the water fountain and activity. The hotel staff were wonderfully helpful. The room was spotless and there were seating areas that were nice. There were closed shops in the building probably due to the pandemic. This place is a 5 for people looking for history. If you are looking for a pool and massage you should stay somewhre else
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

6/10 Okay

Lori

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

6/10 Okay

Edith, Danbury

I had to cancel my trip because I was diagnosed with influenza. I was unable to stay at Balmoral because of illness.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Raven

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great service here!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

6/10 Okay

William

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
I would have given much higher scores except for 2 things. First the front desk person Eddy was very rude. I had to wait 4 hours for my room. And was offered compensation for the wait then Eddy did not honor that. He was rude the rest of the time. I want you to know that the rest of the staff were very pleasant. Secondly, half the amenities listed we’re not available. They were closed. Should be adjusted in the description of the property.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

4/10 Poor

Lindsay

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Do not stay here. This property is old and unkept. Front desk staff is unresponsive and difficult to deal with. I asked more than 5 times for a hair dryer and was told my class of accommodation did not include a hairdryer. That is ridiculous as on their website there is no class of room that does not include a hairdryer. It was so bad we left early.
Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

jane

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a nicer hotel in the area. Staff was exceptional. Food was very good as well.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

2/10 Terrible

Susanna

Disliked: Staff & service
Staff is rude and dismissive. Very displeased
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

4/10 Poor

Isabelle, Tamarindo

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Old hotel, our room and bed smelled strong vinegar, AC not working well. No towels. I would not recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

6/10 Okay

Heather

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Mixed feelings. Overall it was a good stay. There was a mix up with transportation from the airport. I had followed directions and arranged with Balmoral 2 days in advance. Now, a month later I’m having to call and ask them to refund the $100 credit card charge for incidentals. They should have done that the day we left. IDK. I might would stay there again. The restaurant on the first floor was terrific! I highly recommend them.

6/10 Okay

Bao

Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The staff couldn’t have been more helpful.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

6/10 Okay

Mehmet

Traveled with partner
They have to start from beginning Beds are from 90s you can listen everything from restaurant and next room stuff was doing job if yo ask
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The inclusion of the El Patio restaurant was a good plus. I had been there 3 yrs ago to the restaurant but didn't know of the hotel The secure electronic key cards were a good feature.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Joe

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Stephen

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A great option in the downtown historic district. Walkable to most sights as well as shopping and dining options. It’s in downtown San Jose so would recommend not being out passed 8pm. Staff at hotel were friendly and helpful. Room was clean and spacious. Breakfast was included and very tasty.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

2/10 Terrible

Jason, Saku

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Over all my stay was so-so, the hotel is way dated, very small rooms and dated items in it. The bed was made when I arrived but had hair on it and some bugs. The lamp was broken and even though I reported the issue, and was promised they will take care of it, it was never fixed. The cleaning stuff came into the room while I was away even though the door was marked as DONOT Enter. The door lock kept locking from the inside every time I left the room and had to ask for help. The breakfast was great but limited options. The only positive thing about the hotel were the workers, they were very polite and over all at least seems to care for mine and other concerns. Would I recommend this place? For the money they charged, definitely not. This facility should never charged more than $50 per night on the condition the building and rooms are. Costa Rica is an amazing place, so if you happen to come to San Jose, better off pay a little more and stay in place you’ll get your money’s worth.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anthony

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very impressive, comfortable stay with friendly staff & as good a location as imaginable. Good breakfast too!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Norm

Traveled with partner
Liked: Amenities
Staff was very helpful and friendly. Great job to them.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

2/10 Terrible

Nasruddin

Traveled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very dirty property Staff is very Rudd Had bed bugs in our beds which don’t want to take care When I told them I will put this in my review The front desk person name Pablo said he don’t care Very bad service for breakfast

2/10 Terrible

Nasruddin

Traveled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nothing was right Had bed bugs mascito Staff was very rude specially front desk person name Pablo
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

John, Chicago

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

6/10 Okay

Emily

Traveled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
We only stayed for 1 night and that was the perfect amount of time. The location was great and the accommodations were fine. Transparently, I wouldn't have wanted to stay for much longer - electricity in the hotel was funky, bathroom felt pretty dingy... we had a "patio" type area but the windows didn't close all the way so we didn't use it in order to use the A/C. But highly walkable around San Jose and the breakfast was great!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Myron

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We enjoyed our stay at Hotel Balmoral. It was a great place to wind down our time in Costa Rica before heading home. It was right by a pedestrian shopping/eating sector. We would stay here again if we are in the area.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gian

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel was amazing, we checked in and had a leak problem in the bathroom, they did not hesitate to come up and check it out, and when they saw the problem they immediately upgraded us to a room without any fuss. the rooms were clean and properly maintained. the space was gorgeous. The food was not the best, but it was okay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Karen

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good location… free parking. Pleasant staff. Some rooms a bit worn
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

6/10 Okay

Kerbi

Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness
It’s an old hotel that smells moldy. The hotel does not offer face towels; so bring towels from home. The level of cleanliness wasn’t all that great. However, the staff was super friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

m.

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
very friendly and helpful
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

6/10 Okay

Lesner, HIALEAH

The air conditioning did not work properly. Noise machine . Rooms was hot. Entrance isbery confused . Very diffucult when u go out at night and return. Staff close everything
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

John P

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Easy to go to see things
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024

2/10 Terrible

Clara Montoya

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia, Wauna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024