Beautiful small hotel right in the center of everything. Easy walk to Zoo, to the Grand Hotel for lunch, to Teatro National and Cathedral. Staff treated us like "family". Rooms were large and clean. I stayed there two days at beginning of trip and one day at end. First room was near a street stairwell and a bit noisy until about midnight. Second room was interior and very quiet. HUGE bathroom with very large white tile shower enclosure. A pleasure in every way. Lobby is small but with lovely fresh tropical flowers. But, the included hot breakfast make the Balmoral a real standout! Made to order omelets that must use at least 3 or 4 of the farm fresh brown eggs ... I've never had omelets this good anywhere else. Wonderful buffet fruits, beans & rice, potatos, juices. A great way to start the day.

My original room was located next to a service stairwell which was noisy as employees carried on conversations between floors through this area. My friend's room was at the other end of the building, and he had the same problem.

After experiencing problems with my shower (all hot, then all cold, then no water at all) I requested a different room. I had aperfect shower on the first day in the new room, then had the same problem on the second day in the new room. My friend had this problem only on the third night of his stay.

This hotel is showing its age. The furnishings and fixtures are quite dated, and it felt very third-rate in quality as a result. Further, none of the three rooms had any view at all. The beds were too short and very uncomfortable. Navigating the card-key entry requires patience and perfect timing.

There are no safes in the rooms, so any valuables must be stored in a safe room in the lobby. Although the staff was always attentitive when entry to this room was required, it was a needless inconvenience.

The people who work at Balmoral were very nice. The free breakfast that was part of my package was good.

There are better values in downtown San Jose. The plumbing and furnishings are enough to prevent me from booking this hotel again.

Hotel Balmoral had very nice room with air conditioning and everything was clean and neat. The maids did a great job cleaning and the complimentary breakfast was very good and filling. The location was great because it's right in the middle of the city with lots of stores and restaraunts. The restaraunt on the left of the hotel has great food.(make sure you try the breaded shrimp.) The news cafe restaraunt across the street also had good food. The only negative thing that I didn't like was the $20 charge for visitors and the $3 fee for using the safe per day. Otherwise everything else is great. E-mail me if you have any questions.

First the hotel is average.

They charge $20 to bring a guest to your room.

The worst aspect is that the taxi drivers get a kickback for each guest they steer to this hotel. You will note that the taxi drivers at the airport always ask arriving passengers if they have hotel reservations. Sometimes they lie and tell you that your hotel is full but they can find you a room at the Balmoral.