Nightly rates from $41
Rate and special offer based on Check-in: Jun 25, 2012 Check-out: Jun 28, 2012

Hotel Santo Tomas - San Jose Downtown

3 stars
Avenue 7th Street 3 and 5, Barrio Amon, San Jose,
Hotel Overview
Reviewer score
3.4
out of 5
65 reviews
Good for single traveller on a budget

Hotel Santo Tomas is an easy walk to the centre of San Jose and to museums. The Museo Nacional de... See full review

  • Tita2
  • May 20, 2012
Great Price, Convenient Location

Stayed four nights at this hotel. Great staff that's super friendly and helpful. Location is super... See full review

  • World Tour
  • Mar 5, 2012
Restored coffee plantation home with outdoor pool and open-air dining

A beautifully restored, turn-of-the-century coffee plantation house, the Hotel Santo Tomas offers an intimate guesthouse experience in downtown San Jose. Popular downtown attractions like the National Theater, Simon Bolivar Zoo and the Central Market sit within walking distance of the Hotel Santo Tomas, and the hotel is about 12 miles from the international airport. Guests enjoy free high-speed Internet access in guest rooms and a complimentary buffet breakfast every morning.

Highlights
  • Central downtown location
  • Solar-heated outdoor swimming pool and hot tub
  • Parking (fees apply)
  • Complimentary breakfast buffet
  • Free high-speed Internet access in guest rooms
Rooms

With just 20 guest rooms, the Hotel Santo Tomas offers personalized service with a great downtown location. Each room has its own style, and most feature hard wood or tile floors and 14-foot ceilings with ceiling fans. Standard guest rooms come with single queen or double beds, while larger guest rooms are available with pairs of queen-size beds. In-room amenities include free high-speed Internet access, laptop-size room safes, telephones, color cable televisions and hair-dryers.

Features

The intimate downtown guesthouse Hotel Santo Tomas offers a small number of quiet rooms and amenities ideal for travelers looking for affordable accommodations at the city center. The property features a solar heated outdoor pool and a Jacuzzi, as well as a fitness center. Parking is available (fees apply). Guests get a complimentary breakfast each morning, and the Restaurant and Bar El Oasis serves affordable and delicious seafood, steak, and pasta dishes throughout the day. Guests can find free high-speed Internet access in the guest rooms, and other on-site amenities include laundry services, tour arrangements and luggage storage.

Transportation
  • Coca Cola Bus Station (1.2 mi/1.9 km)
  • Juan Santamaria International Airport (11.7 mi/18.9 km)
Attractions
  • Central Market (0.5 mi/0.9 km)
  • Simon Bolivar Zoo (0.5 mi/0.9 km)
  • National Theater (0.6 mi/1 km)
  • National Museum (0.8 mi/1.2 km)
  • Museum of Costa Rican Art (2.6 mi/4.1 km)
  • La Paz Waterfall Gardens (31 mi/50 km)
Business
  • Free high-speed Internet access

Hotel Santo Tomas - San Jose Downtown Rooms

Deluxe Room
Room comes with two queen size beds, private bath, phone, cable TV, alarm-clock radio, hairdryer, High Speed Internet, ceiling fan and dresser.
Superior Room
Room comes with one queen bed, private bath, phone, cable TV, alarm-clock radio, hairdryer, High Speed Internet, ceiling fan and dresser.
Standard Room
Room comes with one double bed, private bath, phone, cable TV, alarm-clock radio, hairdryer, High Speed Internet, ceiling fan and dresser.

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Hotel Map

Area served
San Jose, Costa Rica
Nearby airports
SJO- Juan Santamaria and Tobias Bolanos.
Area description
Located in Barrio Amon, protected by the national patrimony laws of Costa Rica. Within 4 blocks of eight museums and 4 blocks from the national theater and gold museum -Plaza De La Cultura. Within easy walking distance of all shopping. Easy tour and car rental pickup and drop off.

Amenities

  • Bar/Lounge
  • Concierge
  • Currency Exchange
  • Doctor on Call
  • Fitness center
  • Handicapped Rooms/Facilities
  • Health Club
  • High-speed Internet
  • Internet Access
  • No Smoking Rooms/Facilities
  • Outdoor Pool
  • Parking
  • Pool
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Safe Deposit Box
  • Tour Desk
  • Wireless Internet

Hotel Policies

Check-in:
1400
Check-out:
1200

Terms and conditions

Rates quoted in currencies other than the hotel's base currency are subject to the rate of the international exchange. Rate may change throughout stay. Rate may reflect average nightly rate. Extra charges may apply. Incidental charges, such as room service, are not included in the rate.

The amenities and/or facilities may not be located at the hotel, but within a reasonable distance, and additional charges may apply for use.

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Guest Reviews (65)

Ratings and reviews for Hotel Santo Tomas - San Jose Downtown

Overall score

3.4 / 5
65 out of 65
Amenities:
3.5
Room cleanliness:
3.9
Hotel staff:
4.2
Room comfort:
3.6
Location:
3.4
Value:
4

78% would recommend to a friend.

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Review of Hotel Santo Tomas - San Jose Downtown

Reviewer score

3
Tita2
Melbourne Australia
May 20, 2012

Good for single traveller on a budget

Hotel Santo Tomas is an easy walk to the centre of San Jose and to museums. The Museo Nacional de Costa Rica is worth a visit - the entrance is through a butterfly enclosure. The hotel is very secure, the staff are friendly and the owner is very helpful - important considerations for the solo traveller like me.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
2
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
3
Location:
4
Value:
3
Review of Hotel Santo Tomas - San Jose Downtown

Reviewer score

2
Ac123
San Jose, CA, USA
Apr 23, 2012

Dorm room feel

Excellent staff, however rooms are old and if you get a room upstairs you will not sleep comfortably as it gets stuffy and there is no ac .

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
2
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
1
Location:
5
Value:
3
Review of Hotel Santo Tomas - San Jose Downtown

Reviewer score

4
World Tour
Seattle, WA, USA
Mar 5, 2012

Great Price, Convenient Location

Stayed four nights at this hotel. Great staff that's super friendly and helpful. Location is super convenient for walking to all the major sites and for getting on most bus routes. The only downside to my stay was housekeeping - trash wasn't emptied each night, my luggage was knocked over one night and the bathroom wasn't cleaned one night.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
3
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
4
Location:
4
Value:
4
Review of Hotel Santo Tomas - San Jose Downtown

Reviewer score

5
dennis garcia
virginia
Feb 3, 2012

excellent hotel

hotel very clean staff helpful and friendly goo location had very good timre

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
5
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
5
Location:
5
Value:
5
Nightlife tip: Short walk from hotel

becareful at night

Review of Hotel Santo Tomas - San Jose Downtown

Reviewer score

3
MsKream
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Jan 24, 2012

Things to know

The staff was friendly, I definitely had my favorites. The hotel was small but nice, didn't mind the older style of it as it had all the necessities. Things you should know: When booking tours through the hotel, keep in mind that they will charge an exchange fee in addition to the cost for the tours; it's not the US, they aren't required to inform you. Our single bedroom was small and the bathroom wall didn't go all the way up to the ceiling, the wall stopped midway and was open to the bedroom...make sure you keep the fan on and the TV volume up. There were only three pre-set options for breakfast, dinner was amazing there, you really can't go wrong with your selections.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
2
Location:
3
Value:
3
Money-saving tip: Long walk from hotel

For souvenirs I recommend a street market located South East of the hotel. There were numerous shops located at that market. It's not your typical store, it's an unexpected makeshift gem housed by galvanized walls and roof. If standing outside with the hotel behind you, go right towards the Jade Museum/INS building, at the first street corner (Calle 5) head South towards the Holiday Inn hotel, once you see the front of the hotel head East on Avenida 5 till you get to Calle 9 then head South. Continue South till you get to Avenida Central then head East. You'll know you're in the right place when you see a Chinese restaurant named Wong's, it's right across the street from the market. The souvenirs there seemed pricey at first but were very reasonable when compared to the airport gift shop that charged more than double. Just know that at the street market you can work the costs down a bit especially if buying most of your items at one place. To get around being charged the exchange fee at Santo Tomas...the Holiday Inn offers free tour booking for non-customers. Enjoy!!!

Review of Hotel Santo Tomas - San Jose Downtown

Reviewer score

4
Gray lady
San Antonio, TX, USA
Jan 5, 2012

Colonial architecture

The staff treated us royally. They were responsive and helpful as well as very personable. The building is very old, but is being refurbished and has some wonderful features. If you are looking for Holiday Inn, this isn't it. If you want character and charm, book Hotel Santo Tomas! The furnishing were very nice and the beds quite comfortable.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
4
Location:
4
Value:
5
Dining tip: Short walk from hotel

A restaurant three blocks down 7th Street was great. The food was good and the prices very reasonable. The service was exceptional. The stall of Hotel Santo Tomas recommended it and it was wonderful.

Review of Hotel Santo Tomas - San Jose Downtown

Reviewer score

3
Li921
NYC
Dec 28, 2011

One night Stay

San Jose is super sketchy but this hotel while not amazing was fine for one night stay. It's old, smells a bit musty and the pool is more of a fountain. But for the price, location and security is was a good choice before heading to other parts of Costa Rica.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
2
Room cleanliness:
3
Hotel staff:
3
Room comfort:
3
Location:
3
Value:
3
Review of Hotel Santo Tomas - San Jose Downtown

Reviewer score

4
DogTails
Colorado
Nov 15, 2011

Nice downtown location

This hotel is a little bit of a challenge to find. It is right in the middle of the block and there is a gate to the parking lot. However, that is typical of downtown San Jose. Once inside, they have a nice pool and restaurant with nice rooms. It is only a couple blocks from the downtown street mall. So the location is quite convenient.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
4
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
4
Location:
4
Value:
4
Review of Hotel Santo Tomas - San Jose Downtown

Reviewer score

4
Doyle2
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Nov 8, 2011

Stay at Santo Tomas

I had read reviews before booking with Santo Tomas and there were no surprises. The staff was very friendly and competent. The room was clean. The part of town was a bit rough but for the price I was very happy with my experience at Santo Tomas.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
4
Room cleanliness:
4
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
4
Location:
3
Value:
4
Review of Hotel Santo Tomas - San Jose Downtown

Reviewer score

3
akhardware
Alaska
Nov 2, 2011

great value

Always nice staff, rooms are comfortable. The kitchen opens ay 7:00am and it would be nice if there was a coffee maker in the room for those of us who get up earlier.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
3
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
3
Location:
3
Value:
4
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