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Hotel el Descanso

2.0 star property

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Photo gallery for Hotel el Descanso

Standard Double Room (Habitacion de 2 Camas) | Free WiFi, bed sheets
Reception
Staircase
Hallway
Front of property

Reviews

7.0 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Laundry room
  • Housekeeping
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

View in a map
Avenida 2 con calle 22, 22560304, San José, San José, 10103
  • Place, Sabana Park
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Place, Central Park
    ‪14 min walk‬
  • Place, National Stadium of Costa Rica
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, San José (SJO-Juan Santamaría Intl.)
    ‪25 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Single Room

A room with a bed, a ceiling fan, a window with a curtain, and a mirror on the wall.

Single Room

  • Sleeps 1
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Single Room

Single Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Single Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(4 reviews)
  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Basic Double Room (Habitacion 1 Cama Queen)

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Basic Double Room (Habitacion 1 Cama Queen)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(3 reviews)
  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Standard Double Room (Habitacion de 2 Camas)

Standard Double Room (Habitacion de 2 Camas) | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Double Room (Habitacion de 2 Camas)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Single Bed and 1 Queen Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

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About this property

Hotel el Descanso

This smoke-free hotel features laundry facilities, a 24-hour front desk and tour/ticket assistance. WiFi in public areas is free. Change of towels is available on request
Hotel el Descanso offers 25 accommodations with a ceiling fan. 32-inch LED televisions come with cable channels.

Bathrooms include a shower. This San José hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access, with a speed of 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices). Change of towels and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

During your stay at Hotel el Descanso, you'll be within walking distance of Sabana Park. Features include free WiFi in public areas and laundry facilities.
  • Free Wi-Fi (speed: 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices))
  • Services include tour or ticket assistance and luggage storage
  • Within a 15-minute walk of Sabana Park and Central Park
Hotel el Descanso offers its guests tour/ticket assistance and laundry facilities. Public spaces have free WiFi.

This San José hotel is smoke free.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices)
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • No on-site parking available

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 17 steps to reach entrance
  • No lift
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 32-inch LED TV with cable channels

More

  • Ceiling fan

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; check-in end time: 6:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
If you are planning to arrive after 6:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets and service animals are not allowed at Hotel el Descanso

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
Guests arriving after 6:00 PM must make advance arrangements by contacting the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.

We should mention

  • Pets and service animals are not allowed on site.

Property is also known as

Hotel el Descanso Hotel
Hotel el Descanso San José
Hotel el Descanso Hotel San José

Hotel el Descanso Reviews

Reviews

7.0

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 17 out of 53 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 53 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 12 out of 53 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 53 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 8 out of 53 reviews

7.2/10

Cleanliness

7.4/10

Staff & service

6.0/10

Amenities

6.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
I love this hotel. The staff are outstanding is centrally located. It’s just an awesome place.
Stayed 12 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
I highly recommend this Hotel. It is fabulous. The staff were outstanding. The location is great. The room was great. It was wonderful.
Stayed 14 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

6/10 Okay

Alex

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Cramped, no hot water, thin bed, but very cheap and good location
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great hotel

This is a great hotel. It is in downtown San Jose Costa Rica. The staff was excellent. I highly recommend them.
Stayed 16 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Richard

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
It was ok cheap
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Disliked: Cleanliness

Ok

Would have been ok for the price ($25 a night) but there were a lot of cockroaches. I killed a couple dozen.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great place to stay

This hotel is perfect for a traveler who wants to explore downtown San Jose. I highly recommend this hotel. The people were fabulous. The area really wasn’t bad at all and you can walk to downtown. It’s central market just about where you wanted to go so I definitely recommend it. Awesome hotel.
Stayed 16 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Hadria

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Great Place to Stay on a Budget

It is a great place for the price. We stayed there in a pinch when our travel plans didn't go as planned. The staff was friendly and very helpful. The rooms are a bit small, but that's fine if you're just looking for someplace clean to rest for the night on a budget. Also, the two restaurants on the first floor had very good food and great service.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

justin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The staff were really nice and helped me out but the rooms were really small. The price was very reasonable.
Stayed 8 nights in May 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was okay for the $.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Conny

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great location, friendly staff

Friendly and nice staff. Quite comfortable. Very good location, in city center of San Jose, was able to walk everywhere. Supermarkets, convenience stores, fast food are near. Great sodas located on the first floor, under the hotel. Very good price overall. Someone here complained: The hot water is near the beginning of the knob as opposed to the back. There are some roaches in the bathroom and they stayed near there, which is the only downside.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Lisa

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
Very clean . Staff do not respond well To tourists . Location for Uber is terrible. Taxis and Uber have trouble finding the Hotel.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bradford Chester

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was great. Rooms are very basic but sufficient. The hotel is located close to the downtown area. The neighborhood is safe but looks dumpy and is noisy. Ear plugs help. There are lots of homeless. Overall, this hotel is a good value. There is a lot of food options. Again, the neighborhood will look scary but its actually very safe.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

6/10 Okay

Allen

No English speaking channels on the TV The MTS did not work… frustrating Good clean economical room With private bath.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024
Verified

6/10 Okay

Yipeng

Liked: Staff & service
Not really worth it considering the price
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Verified

4/10 Poor

Nohemias

Liked: Staff & service
Very very small room too many stairs to get to the room and really near near stairs and very very small bathroom everything's really small I won't stay in a place no more
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024
Verified

6/10 Okay

Guillermo

N/C
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

6/10 Okay

Gustavo A Murillo

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
Rooms provide no privacy. Anyone can hear even if you fart. Bed sheets must be replaced [they are washed, but maybe because they're old]. No A/C. And once again, no privacy.
Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2024
Verified

6/10 Okay

Alexios

Pros: Strong wifi. Bearable for a night or two. Cons: Little insects (baby cockroaches?) in the room at night. Small room. The ceiling fan's switch cord was broken so it was always on with the room's light. Room with window facing the corridor, not outside like the internet photos. Uncomfortable and short mattress. No english speaking staff. No hangers.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

2/10 Terrible

wayne harrison

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
He promised first floor and hot water for $51. I gave $60 cash to hold. When i checked in the room was upstairs. The room down stairs was$71. He said the money was gone so I couldn't have it back. Ater saying I would call the police he said OK for the $60. But no hot water.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

4/10 Poor

Jesus

Disliked: Staff & service
There was unseen circumstances and was unable to make it to my room. I let them know ahead of time but they wouldn’t refund me for cancellation.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Delia

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I reserved 2 months before and text them 3 days before to ask about the check in because my flight arrived at 12 am and they answered that there is not problem but when we arrived at midnight under the rain the said: no reservations and no room available, then we had to paid a taxi to another hotel.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Zhong

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

budget friendly helpful staff, convenient location

I like the location, halfway between the cathedral and Sabana park. There's always someone at the front desk. The gate is locked, so you ring a bell for someone to open it. Feels safe. I arrived at midnight, and was able to get into my room. I had some problem with an ATM machine, and one lady at the front desk helped me to call the bank. Fan works, but very noisy. Pretty good wifi. Now the negative: no place to hang anything. No cups. Street noise and the door bell are not good for light sleepers. Thin curtain. Overall, worth the price.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Verified

4/10 Poor

Jordan

This hotel is close to the main road in San Jose and the room itself wasn’t too bad for the price but that is where the positives end. It was our first time staying San Jose and the impression that was left with us was a dirty and gross city. Im sure there are nice areas but don’t expect anything better from the area this hotel is in. The walls separating the rooms are like cardboard and we could hear moaning from the sex workers multiple times per night. Other than the moaning the noise from other people in the hotel was also very loud. On our second and final night a man checking in to his room tried to open our door while walking down the hallway. Sleeping here was difficult which is ironic for a hotel called “Hotel el Descanso” and that is why I am leaving behind a bad review.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

2/10 Terrible

giovanna

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Cockroach party. Literally felt like I had to beg for room service, towels, toilet paper, garbage changes etc. we literally got in trouble for TALKING the room at late hours. The walls are extremely paper thin. And there is a “window” that faces towards the hallway in the bathroom so all noise carries throughout the building. There is no AC. The worst part of it all was I felt like I was being scammed because when my guest would come visit, one of the staff would charge 5,000 colones and some wouldn’t. So I wasn’t sure if the money was getting pocketed. The hotel is very close to San Jose central market and all the hot spots. But it is located on a weird one way corner that a lot of Ubers have difficulty picking up from therefore they would cancel a lot and no near by taxis :(.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024