Suite Belford

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. 379 out of 1001 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 362 out of 1001 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 163 out of 1001 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 50 out of 1001 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 47 out of 1001 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

7.6/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Sharon

Travelled 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

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

10/10 Excellent

Kali

Travelled 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

Travelled 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 traveller
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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

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

2/10 Terrible

Nasruddin

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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.

Travelled 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

10/10 Excellent

Janet

Travelled with family
I like the hotel as a good location. Plus the sofas and chairs on second floor are nice to relax in and visit with family.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ardian, Milton

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

6/10 Okay

Georgina Campos

Travelled with family
Disliked: Amenities
All fashion and the employees don’t know how to resolve the issue with the Wi-Fi in my room 402
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

ANN

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I love the central location of this hotel. It’s so convenient for visiting the central district and the museums. I also like the room layout. It was nice to face onto the pedestrian street so it was very quiet.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Shweta

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Had a very safe and pleasant stay. The interaction with the staff was excellent. They were friendly and ready to assist when required. I opted for the hotel's airport shuttle service. The ride was smooth and the pickup was on time.
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2023

6/10 Okay

Danielle, hopkins

Liked: Staff & service
It was ok at best
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

A. Frederick

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location, close to the countrys cultural soul. Good food Great NYE party.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ash

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Felix

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
No tienen buro de resevacion para planificar los viajes turisticos por lo que se hace muy dificil reservarlos.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023