Hotel Don Carlos

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  • Street 9, Avenue 9
    San Jose, Costa Rica
    +506-221-6707Website
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Eve
First Reviewer
3 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
3
Reviews
2
Photos

Ignore All Other Reviews, This Is the Truth!

  • July 11, 2009
  • Rated 1 of 5 by acdieker from Washington DC, Washington
I (24) was traveling Costa Rica with my family, Mother and Father who are both in their fifties and two younger brothers (ages 17 and 20). We asked to stay in their two bedroom suite which was $95 a night. They must have a magic digital camera because it didn't look like the room we viewed on their website. We are all well travelled and don't have particularly high expectations, but we were all off put by the hotel. First, the hotel doesn't have air conditioning and the rooms were small... which was fine, we can deal with that, it just would have been nice to know before hand. Second, the street noise at night was terrible... you could hear people talking, laughing and arguing outside plus the cars that drove by. Third, the beds were of terrible quality, they were very old. The pull out couch in the "suite" had holes in the mattress which was supported by three flimsy slats across the frame. The sheets were also thin and tough. Fourth, the free internet was ok... slow, but hey, its free. However, the computers they have there are old, very slow and the keys don't work. Fifth, the security was subpar, especially for the area the hotel is situated in.

LAST, and perhaps the MOST IMPORTANT, is the safety of the neighborhood. Any claims that it is "nice" or "charming" are completely false. The neighborhood was dodgey at best and incredibly dangerous at night. We witnessed drug exchanges and transvestite PROSTITUTION on all the blocks surrounding the hotel as we were being driven back from dinner. Our cab driver, Gustavo, whom works with the hotel, goes on to tell us they are there all the time and directed us to not go out at night. While getting out of the car and paying the driver, a group of prostitutes linger around the hotel enterance waiting for a customer and eyeing those that have cash from their cab ride. At night, you hear their chatter outside the hotel windows. We saw the a few of the same prostitutes at the corner by the hotel both the evening before and the morning that we left the hotel.

The only redeaming quality of the hotel is that it was very clean. The rooms and the bathroom were incredibly clean. The Hotel Don Carlos would be lovely if it were in a safe, comfortable location. But the security issues and the misleading website and reviews, especially for the cost, make this hotel disappointing and among the worst hotels we've ever stayed at. The reviews for this hotel are INCREDIBLY misleading and COMPLETELY untrue. I use TripAdvisor often as well as other hotel review websites and have always found them as a wealth of information and useful guidence (until now). I checked the reviews and thought I'd found an absolute gem and was very excited for my stay at the hotel. However, I can't help but think most of those reviews I read are fabricated.

Hotel Don Carlos

  • January 12, 2004
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Laura Rabbit from Chicago, Illinois
Hotel Don Carlos

http://www.doncarloshotel.com/

We got a double room in this hotel for $65 a night. It was clean, nicely sized, and the front desk staff was very friendly and helpful. They also offer a tour desk which can arrange any number of things for you.

As it was humid, but not particularly hot, in San Jose, it was fine that this hotel does not offer air-conditioning (many don't). They have two free Internet computers available for guest use and include a "breakfast" with the room (this being a pastry and coffee/juice).

The location is good. You can walk into town, but the hotel spot is quiet and secure-feeling.

From journal Costa Rica Exploration

Editor Pick

Hotel Don Carolos

  • April 28, 2002
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Eve from Pella, Iowa
This hotel is located in an older residential neighborhood just a few blocks from the central business district. There were lots of Americans staying here, mostly tourists. All the gentlemen working at the reception area were always helpful to exchange money, store luggage, give directions, etc. They speak English like natives.

We stayed four seperate nights and had three different rooms. All were on the "ground" floor and very clean. No. 6 tended to be a bit noisy since it the door was in the court yard area and the bathroom jutted up against the back of the kitchen. It was, however, large and clean.

A continental breakfast is served outside in the courtyard area beginning at 7 a.m. It's a self serve type with different breads daily, cereal, toast, fruit and of course, coffee. If you would like a hot meal, you must request one. It may be a breezy in the morning but the chairs and tables won't blow away. They're so heavy it's difficult to slide the chair out!

The Pre-Columbian Lounge serves good lunches and dinners until 9 p.m.

We used the laundry service and also took advantage of the free e-mail to keep in touch with friends and family at home. There are two computers, one on the main level and the second on the second floor.

Free calls within Costa Rica can be made from the reception area or you room.

An in-house tour company is available and can arrange anything you want to do during your stay.

There is a nice, although pricy, gift shop in the lobby. If you have a chance to stroll over to the central business district, you'll find other less expensive shops with Costa Rican souvenirs along the way. You'll also run into some pricy galleries.

Slip your extra change in the "maids tips" slot to the left, past the mail box and just before you reach the door to the street. It's easy to miss but they certainly deserve a tip.

From journal Awesome trek in Costa Rica

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