Hotel Santo Tomas San Jose Downtown, San Jose

This hotel is designed for backpackers and budget travelers; not for people seeking a mid level type of hotel setting. I would have no complaints if I were paying hostel / guesthouse prices or if I was seeking hostel / guesthouse lodging. Unfortunately, however, this hotel delivers budget quality at Holiday Inn prices. I have no significant complaints regarding the hotel's quality. The hotel is clean and the rooms are comfortable. There is a restaurant and a pool on premises. The pool and restaurant are actually of good quality; the construction was completed a few weeks before I arrived. There is also a desk clerk on hand 24 hours and there is tourist literature scattered about the waiting area. The hotel is lacking, however, in some respects. The remote for my TV didn't work and the reception on my TV was awful. I had to go to the bar across the street or to the Del Ray to watch sports and the news. The rooms don't have air conditioning; only a fan. That was not an issue for me since my hotel room was plenty cool. I do, however, have issues with what is lacking at the Santo Thomas. First, the hotel staff is useless if you are seeking assistance after normal working hours. I checked in at 9:00 PM. The restaurant was closed. The evening clerk was of no help to me. He was unable to answer any questions concerning: tours, dining, entertainment. ect. All he could say was "check back with the daytime staff." It was as if he was there just to take up space. Heck, had I known this I would have consulted Lonely Planet and checked into the hostel next door at 1/3 the price. So I consulted my guide book and took a $1 taxi ride to the Del Ray casino / nightclub district. Second, the location is also sketchy for people with traditional values or for those seeking a family style atmosphere. The hotel staff will tell you not to walk around the hotel area alone at night; but to take a taxi wherever you go. There are often panhandlers outside the hotel begging for money or offering to guide you somewhere. The hotel is also surrounded by brothels and transvestite streetwalkers. One brothel, however, is quite luxurious. It doubles as a Cuban Cigar shop and is often visted by famous celebrities. It is safe, however, to walk around the neighborhood during the daytime. To conclude, you can find better quality for half the price elsewhere in San Jose. .

First the good - the staff was pleasant and helpful. The resturant food was good and reasonably priced. The bad - the neighborhood is dirty and pretty scary after dark. The rooms (at least the lower and mid priced ones) are marginal with poorly done repairs and a general seediness. The sheets did seem clean though. Ask if the room has a window to the outside (not just to an airshaft). There were rooms that looked pretty modern and faced the pool area - ask about those if you are at all fussy. The neighborhood is very urban and poor with narrow sidewalks with trash. I would not wander around after dark and I would watch myself in the daytime! There are likely better choices (but I can't recommend any specifically from experience). Also get the price of the taxi to the airport (or elsewhere) established ahead of the ride (it cost $19 to get to the hotel, the desk said it would be $22 to get to the airport and the driver tried to get $25 when we got there.

there are nicer hotels a block away! like the hotel castillo or even the Hemmingway! tHE ONLY THING THAT IS NICE ABOUT THIS PLACE, THAT IT HAD CHEAP BOTTLES OF WATER!

The 1st night after arrival, we were warned NOT to wonder out without hiring a taxi...not even to a resturant for dinner 3 blocks away. Transvestite prostitutes were hanging around right outside the front gate along with some other "shady" characters. The sidewalks were cracked and damaged and the street lights were very dim, so it was very easy to injure your ankle at night. We found an uncovered manhole on the sidewalk that a person could literally fall into. The room size was decent but it was separated from the bathroom merely by a petition like wall...so there was no privcy for the user of the bathroom. The so-called garden was surrounded by other buildings. The pictures looked much better than it actually was. If someone likes a bed and breakfast place in the middle of downtown, this is an acceptable place to stay. After staying for 2 nights...fulfilling our obligations, we moved to the Barcelo Palacio Hotel for almost the same price and we were much happier there.

I have stayed at the Sto. Tomas off and on for over 20 years. The staff is incredibly helpful.. Whatever you may want/need is within reach. I always feel 100% secure when I am inside the hotel. It is located right smack in the middle of everything. The best way to see Costa Rica-especially for the first time- is to stay here and let the staff book tours/outings for you. If you go on an overnight expedition you can leave things for safekeeping at the hotel. All the tours they book are with 100% reputable operators so you never have to worry-you will have a good time. I can't wait to go back!!!!

It was dark, the bathrooms were attrocious- the rooms were even worse and the Staff (with an exception of the great bartender) were sbotty and rude. I was expecting so much more. We are going back to CR this June and we will be staying at the Hotel Don Carlos. I would never reccomned this creepy, dark place to anyone.

rooms were not clean, were noisy ,no AC, bath rooms were terrible. Checked out and found another hotel right away. Asked for refund but did not get it.

The service was very efficient and friendly. The location is quite convenient to the downtown shopping district as well as to several handy bus terminals. We stayed in two different rooms on two different stays and they were both comfortable and clean. One had a door that opened right onto the patio and pool area which was especially nice. THe restaurant was particularly good.

A perfect small hotel, with incredibly helpful and friendly staff. The restaurant food is unbelievable for both quality and price. A refreshing change from boring international hotel chains.

very ordinary with a lack of architecture and style for a city hotel.