I only chose this hotel because I went with a group from my university last March (So i didnt have a choice) Their website makes it look much nicer!! First of all when my friend and I got to our room the lock was broken so we could not get in. We had to wait almost 2 hours just sitting out in the hall with our luggage for someone to help us. When we got inside the door would no longer lock because they had to break it to let us in. They told us we would have to stay in the unlocked room until the next day!! Well our sponsor went and forced them to let us trade rooms. So 5 hours later we finally get a room. The hot water did not work so we had to take cold showers and our view was horrible. It was facing the other part of the hotel as we were in the center so looking out our window we only saw a concrete barrier.
The fitness center was very old and outdated, the treadmill so old you had to use a crank. Not to mention the location of the fitness center was very secluded in scary!
The location of the hotel was good UNTIL we found out the red zone (VERY DANGEROUS) was right behind it! We spend 3 days there before going somewhere else and then came back and spent our last night in costa rica in this hotel! The only thing I enjoyed was that it was close to the Casino.
Also the bar upstairs only served beer!

Having stayed at the Gran Hotel at the beginning of our trip (please see my review), I had hoped that we would end our trip at a nicer hotel before flying home. But that was not to be.

If the Gran Hotel was just OK, this one was not even OK. The room has a musty smell that could have come from the rug, or the bed sheets, or the walls, or just about anything. Having done lodging from prop-a-chair-against-your-door-at-night hostels to five-star hotels I am not your average ugly American who whines just about anything not found at home. But the very least I would expect from a hotel is a feeling of comfort, a place I could plop my weary body at the end of the day. This is not that place. I recommend bringing long pants and socks if you plan to sleep under the sheets.

Costa Rica is a gorgeous country and there is so much to do. Get out of downtown San Jose and see the rest of the country, as quickly as you deplane.

Hotel Balmoral was an EXCELLENT deal for just around $60. You're right in the middle of town, the adjacent restaurant is nice, the room is clean and well equipped, and the staff is purely Tico friendly.

We were starving at midnight -- and this is not the area to wander too long after dark. The bellhop went and got us the best chicken EVER. Pollo frito -- ask for it by name!

Definitely recommend the Balmoral -- it's everything you might want in a reasonably priced, centrally located place. Great breakfast too, and great bar!

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.