Hotel Grano De Oro, San Jose

Our stay was a complete and utter disappointment and an anticlimactic end to our visit to this beautiful country and stays at other really exceptional locations. After reading myriad reviews on trip advisor we were ready to swept a way by GDO’s charm and the welcoming and accommodating staff but unfortunately that just wasn’t the case. Our room was small by any standard and it was very humid and stuffy even with the ceiling fan at full tilt. We thought that we would just try and “make do” as it was only for one night but the room was so uncomfortable I started to feel sick. So, I went to talk to the staff at the front staff about it and inquired if we could borrow another fan and/or switch to a room with at least more of a cross breeze to which I was simply told it wouldn’t be possible, we even offered to pay the difference for any kind of upgrade there appeared to be a number of bigger, breezier, vacant room. The response to my complaint was, “you are the first person to mention any problem” to which I responded, “does that somehow invalidate my complaint?!” After that I was simply ignored and dismissed, it was if I had somehow turned invisible, neat trick—huh?! I guess you could describe the hotel as charming but I wouldn’t exactly characterize it as unique. Many of the rugs in the hall looked as if they needed replacing, the ever-mentioned sun deck and hot tub area looked like it needed a good scrub, I could go on but… you get the idea. Perhaps some of the charm others reviews described was tarnished for us by the inhospitable disdain we experienced during our stay, I know I won’t ever be returning or recommending this location to friends!!!!

We spent the last two nights of our honeymoon in San Jose at the Hotel Grano de Oro and couldn't have been more pleased with the accommodations, ambiance, and service. The rooms were quaint, cozy, clean, and comfortable. At first, we were a bit concerned by the lack of air conditioning, but we soon realized it wasn't necessary - a beautiful cool breeze blew through the open window and the temperature was just perfect day and night. The food and ambiance was absolutely phenomenal at the hotel's restaurant. We planned on exploring the city's other restaurants, but never could pull ourselves away from the hotel! My wife treated herself to an aromatherapy hot stone massage. She said it was wonderful and reasonably priced to boot (90 minutes for less than $100). You'd be hard pressed to find a place that charged less than $130 for a spa treatment like that in the U.S. We were disappointed that the rooftop patio and jacuzzi were closed for rennovations during our stay, but it should be open the next time we visit. We would go back without a doubt! Heck, we'd fly down just to eat dinner at their restaurant again! And one last ironic side note . . . the cable t.v. in our room carried several of our local Denver channels. A small slice of home in Costa Rica!

My wife and I have stayed here two time in the past year, and each time we go we are more disappointed with the way in which we are treated; I am not sure if that was because we are in our mid twenties. Don't get me wrong, the hotel is beautiful, and is situated in a nice part of San Jose; however they need to work on lots of things. For starters, they treated us as if we should be thanking them for staying there. The people at the reception desk are cold, and flat out rude. Secondly, I would NOT suggest dinning at the restaurant, your money will be better spent elsewhere. Some of the wait staff that we have encountered there were nice, however they are extremely forgetful or non-attentive. I had asked twice of a second beer which never came, and they attempted to charge me for it. When one is spending $100.00 on a meal one expects to get service to match the price of the meal. The restaurant manager is the biggest jerk you will ever meet. He spent more time hob-knobing with other pretentious guests. Our experience last year in 2007 was not as bad, but we wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt that they could get their act together. Needless to say my wife and I will never visit ever this hotel again.

My son has stayed there many times and said it was a must so I tried it for drinks (Tico Sour, the national drink )dinner and ended up staying there. Had a beautiful room that overlooks the courtyard. Try Rooms # 37,38 or 39. The food and service is the best. Was very pleased with my room. This old house converted to a hotel is beautiful. Rich wood and stained glass windows in the dining area. Wonderful service. When in San Jose one must remember you are not at the Ritz. The Tico people take pride in pleasing.

The Hotel Grano de Oro is a 19th century plantation mansion converted into a 30-odd room boutique hotel. The decor is wonderful, though the layout of the hotel is a little scattershot. The rooms are nice and clean, if a little on the average side, size-wise. The bathroom was enormous. The hotel is not air-conditioned, but the ceiling fans provided enough circulation that this was not a problem (also, San Jose isn't as stifling as coastal Costa Rica). Downside? The walls are paper thin and sound carries easily throughout the hotel. The hotel is also right next to a church or convent and ghostly hymnal singing could be heard in our room our first night there (this was not altogether unpleasant). However, the Restaurant Grano de Oro simply cannot be missed. Some of the best food I've ever had, well-prepared and presented. I was particularly fond of the chicken antigua and the corn chowder. Regardless of where you stay in San Jose, a visit to this hotel's restaurant is a must. Overall, it's a great "stop-over" hotel (i.e., the night you arrive in Costa Rica and the night before you leave) but not a place I would want to spend a week at.

The best atmosphere and food in the San Jose area. Great service without the chain hotel feel. Have stayed there over 10 times, for both business and with the family.

Very quaint with romantic dining. A great escape between flights in or out of Costa Rica.