The positives: The Best Western in downtown San Jose offers a free shuttle service to and from the airport. The employees are friendly and helpful.

The negatives: The hotel is located in an extremely bad neighbourhood. Dealers, junkies and prostitutes roam the surrounding streets in the evening and night. This is not a neighbourhood in which to take a stroll.

At 20 years old, a female college student and traveling solo, I felt very safe at the Best Western Downtown. Yes, it is a bad area...but during the day IS NO PROBLEM! I walked all by myself to Avenida Central (where is the shopping and no vehicles driving). But at night always take a taxi...only $2 at least. The staff was WONDERFUL..the breakfast was WONDERFUL. And the hotel was incredibley clean!! The security walked me out all the time to a taxi when needed and even had one waiting if I called in advance. The pool they clean every morning (all though they say is 'heated'..it is not) but feels wonderful from the hot sun. I would HIGHLY recommend staying at this hotel. If a young,blonde, college student traveling by herself made it...anyone can!!!

A very dangerous place to stay. Was awakened at 4 in the morning by 3 gunshots ... then about 10 minutes later ... one more! When I asked the front desk about it when I left for my tour ... they acted as if it was normal and simply said a "bar fight" next door! I couldn't get out of that hotel and into a safer part of town fast enough!

They offer free transportation to the airport and various attractions but their courtesy van wasn't working when I was there and they made no offer to provide taxi service instead. Wireless internet worked only some of the time. Buffet breakfast is not a buffet but a rather sparce selection of average fare.

A cheap place to stay ... and it's clean ... but the lack of safety makes this hotel a very dumb choice.

Very rough part of San Jose. I would not go out after dark. During the day is the continuous honking of horns from the dense traffic. The reserved price of $67 per night (reserved 2 months prior) was not honored. Service was ok. The restaraunt staff was great. Even the mouse that occasionally scurried across the floor appeared pleasant. Shower was hot/cold/very hot/very cold. The only reason I chose the location was the proximity to the bus station to depart early in the morning for Panama. I'll pay extra for a taxi further away next time.