We stayed at the Best Western this March. It is located a few blocks north of the Central Market. This made for a short walk during the day but it is NOT an area for the faint of heart. The entire area was surrounded by drug dealers and prostitutes at night (we had no problems walking during the day). Best Western did a good job of secluding the hotel so if you only got in and out of taxis you would never come in contact with these people. The hotel did have several security people on duty around the perimeter so even having a car in the lot was okay because there was a huge fence surrounding the lot which was guarded during the day and locked at night.

I uploaded photos I took from our 5th floor room at the Best Western. As you can see, the neighborhood is not great but the pool is nice (but not heated as indicated on their website). We paid $60 a night for the room which included a great breakfast, two free drinks every night, and free airport shuttle. The staff was great and I would consider staying there again.

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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.