HOTEL DON CARLOS

Can anyone tell me if the hotel Don Carlos has a pool? or just jaccuzi? both? is the jazzuzi heated? Is there a place we could relax by the pool or is it too small/busy?
I really cannot tell by their website

Is A/C necessary in San Jose city? does anyone know what the nighttime temps are? cannot seem to find them on any website.

is it loud area? too close to downtown?
queen or king beds? the website makes them look like twins!! My boyfriend is 6"4 240lbs and we cannot sleep in a twin bed!!

I would love to know people experience at the hotel.

Thanks SO much to everyone who has already helped me SO much!!
Karen

We stayed there about a year ago. We did not care for it. We were only there one night and it did come recommended as being very Costa Rican. It was the only one of the 5 places we stayed that we did not like. No A/C and we felt we did need it. Beds were small and uncomfortable. Shower was terrible. Staff was unfriendly. Kind of dark and dingy too. And yes, noisy. I did not see a pool or jacuzzi, but we arrived late and left mid-morning for a flight - so maybe I just missed them. There has got to be some where better to stay. Breakfast was bad too.

For weather almost anywhere, surf on over to weather dot com and type in the city you want, for example, San Jose, Costa Rica. In your message, you didn't specify what time of year, so assuming now, 60 low nighttime, 80 high daytime.

I can't believe we're talking about the same place! We've stayed at the Hotel Don Carlos 4-5 times, and we've experienced good breakfasts, friendly and helpful staff, nice rooms, decent beds (queen, double, or twin), nice showers. And whether it's been December, March, or July, we've never needed air conditioning! Some rooms are noisier than others. . .tell them exactly what you need. The inside rooms are quiet. The ones on the street noisier, of course.

There really isn't a pool there, and I've never noticed anyone in the jacuzzi. That said, temps in San Jose seldom get above 82 and they are usually around 75. At night, temps trop into the low to mid sixties pretty much year round. Even in the daytime, it's a little cool for the pool (at least for me, who prefers pools when it's in the 90's or above!).

The Don Carlos has a reputation for repeat customers, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to you. Those people at the front desk and in the tour office have helped us in MANY circumstances! And when we go back, they say, "Welcome back, Mr. and Mrs.. . . . . ." as soon as they see us!

I have stayed at the HDC several times also. I really like the place but do find the rooms a bit dark and dingy myself. We usually end up with 2 double beds.
The cafe is a great place for a good cup of coffee and a quick bite. Their desserts are wonderful!

There is a decent gift shop there (HDC)although it is a bit disappointing these days as it is only half the size it used to be.

I have never seen anyone in the jacuzzi either.

The Hotel Santo Tomas does have a swimming pool and is in the same area (Barrio Amon) as the Don Carlos.

We stayed at the
Don Carlos this summer and found the staff friendly. The rooms are dark and old fashioned, I guess some would call that dingy. We had a room that opened into the courtyard which I initially thought would be too noisy but it was fine. They had free internet, a nice coffee shop and good gift shop. For us the location was great because we only went there to stay the night and go to the gold museum which was very walkable. The location of the hotel is very good. I would stay there again without hesitation. I cannot believe the person said the staff was not friendly because they were very nice. I would classify our room old and charming.

Now I kind of feel like I have to defend my critique. Like I said we were only there one night, but as I struggled up the flights of stairs with my luggage, two men sat at the desk and just watched me. Even after I lost hold of one and it rolled down the stairs, they still did not move. Breakfast was supposed to start and it was about 1/2 an hour later and we were due to leave soon for our flight to Osa and asked about getting food and were mostly brushed off. This was quite different than all of our other experiences in Costa Rica. The room was very dark. Had to use a flash light to find something in my bag. Shower looked like the one my grandpa had in his garage that he pre-showered in after he did mechanics, before he used the one in the house. Maybe is was just that room, I saw others say to ask to see several rooms. We were there in June and is was hot. We left the windows open for fresh air and were on the street which was quite noisy. Glad others did not have the same experience and that they would go back. I am probably way too picky on my hotels. Just ONE of my bad habits I am afraid.

Connette, I am sure you had trouble with them. What other hotels did you stay in that you liked?

People have a wide range of experience with the same hotel sometime, just look at what people say about Arenal Pariso (sp?) some people love it, some do not!! lots of wide opinions!!
It's good to get a description of what people experiences are, especially why they did or did not like it and then see if it's right for you!
thanks for the imput everyone!

Karen,

Yes, you are definitely right about wide ranges of experience. In fact, one that we particularly enjoyed was El Establo in Monteverde - and I just read one the other day of someone who didn't like it at all! Everything was amazing there. They set us up with the best guide we have ever had anywhere and we travel extensively and often get great guides. We also stayed at Montana de Fuego and at La Paloma. We did get suites, deluxes, etc. at all. Partly because of my pickiness and partly because we travel with a teenager and require triple accommodations. The last night was again a short stay at the Hampton Inn. Just a Hampton - but in contrast - they asked if we wanted any dinner ideas upon check-in. We didn't quite know what we were up for at the time, so later called down and they arranged for a very nice yet inexpensive restaurant with fantastic views to pick us up and return us. No charge - just a tip. Then our flight the next morning was before the complimentary breakfast hours and when we went to check out, they had boxed up a breakfast for all of us. What a pleasant surprise. This is what we experienced everywhere and cannot wait to return very soon. Next is Argentina though in December! Thanks for the posting.

Argentina, quite a place. So big after so many visits to CR. So much to see. Do get up to the Iguazu Falls. Pretty touristy but still amazing. Take the boat ride it is wild.
We stayed with friends in Lujan (a little town about an hour away from BA) most of the time so got a feel for life down there.