I am not sure that I would recommend this hotel. We stayed there for a few nights with a larger group and this is my take on the hotel.
PROBLEM:
I would not say that the rooms are very safe for your belongings. There is only 1 card per room, so at anytime we could ask the front desk to open up any room and they would with no questions asked. That did not make me feel to comfortable leaving anything in the room.
LOCATION:
The hotel is located downtown with lots to see within walking distance of it, which was very nice.
COMFORT:
Some of the rooms are very small, so if you are traveling in 4's per room, spend the extra money and book two rooms. Not one night did they have an extra room available, so make sure you book what you need in advance.

We had a chance to experience a lot of the surrounding areas of San Jose, Costa Rica and it is Beautiful!!!

Was here with a large group tour. Although the hotel is dated, it has been well restored to bring back some of its old elegance. Live pianist from National Orchestra regales guests through out the evening. Convenient location on plaza in front of National Theater. Enjoyed my night here!

We stayed one night in the Gran Hotel, this past Saturday (3/1/08). We just ended our stay in CR and wanted to shop one day in San Jose. The Gran Hotel is located just a block from the shopping area, museums and local banks.

They have a quiet bar downstairs that allowed cigar smoking and it had a couple TV’s. We decided to eat in the restaurant and had perhaps the best meal of the trip.

The room was clean and dated like the rest of the hotel. We got room 420, overlooking some sort of courtyard. This was one of the noisiest hotels I have ever stayed in, lucky we were tired.

We had to leave at 0600 and the restaurant was open at 0500 for breakfast; a typical CR breakfast.

We would only stay there again if there was a room away from the elevator and courtyard.

Stayed in San Jose, CR on our way in to the country, Quepos, and out. We had confirmed reservations thru Travelocity but arrived and was told they were full, had our reservation so they booked us a room down the street. Stayed at the Gran Hotel in downtown San Jose 2/29/08 during our return trip. I like the character of the old hotels as long as they are clean and equiped. Neat place, but more like camping. No hot water for a shower, very noisy during any waking hours, no outlets anywhere. The bed was about 95% of the room. Staff speaks little english, looks like the CR maffia, guards everywhere. My experience is that these were the only unfriendly Ticos we found in the entire country! Avoid the Gran Hotel, nice location in the heart of the city but there are plenty of other choices. They put us up in the Balmoral Hotel - DON'T go to that one either - a DUMP! Try the Raddison - a much better choice.