Hotel Santo Tomas — Hotel in Carmen

Undiscovered gem of a hotel near San Pedro. Pros: We were looking for a place on the lower end of the price spectrum that was a one night romantic getaway for two, that I could also use my free trip coins at toward the cost of the room. Preferably including breakfast and a swimming pool with jacuzzi 😉 Not much to ask! We booked one of the cheaper rooms on the ground floor. Before check in we took an Uber to San Pedro mall to do some essential shopping and see a movie. Then we checked in and I relaxed in the jacuzzi under the San José night sky while my husband enjoyed a full workout in the gym/weights room. TV with cable was great for my husband who enjoyed the football while I enjoyed the hot shower and relaxed in the bed afterwards. We had an amazingly comfortable sleep and a delicious breakfast in the morning of gallo pinto, fresh tropical fruits, freshly squeezed watermelon juice and hot coffee. A generous check out time of 12pm meant we had more than enough time to get our things together and leave when it suited. Cons: Not many cons at this price point and value. The guy at the desk was a bit weird when we asked him for a second glass for water as there was only one in the room but not a big deal. We also had to ask him for the TV remote. The towels were a bit small like a mini dress on me after my shower. But good quality (with a third extra towel for the jacuzzi) and high quality bed linen. It also is in a slightly rough looking neighborhood but this is not a problem if you travel to and from the hotel by Uber or use a hire car (which you can park privately inside the property). Overall impression: The other photos on trip.com and similar booking sites do not do this hotel justice - it looks far better in person. It has real character since it is a restored historic hotel from an era bygone, but that is why everything is such high quality from the bed linen to the floor tiles. Everything is also in good shape and freshly painted. There a little hidden nooks around the hotel that make it very charming. The breakfast area is lovely and the jacuzzi, pool and water slide were a real highlight. We...

This little hotel was converted from a historic house, with substantial additions over the years. Perhaps the centerpiece is the courtyard, which has a swimming pool, well-maintained gardens, and a unique hot tub which is elevated with a slide leading to the pool below. Rooms are a bit dated and uneven in amenities which might affect your experience, but all are kept meticulously clean. We stayed in one of the economy rooms, and economy is what we got. The proprietor personally showed us a few of the improved rooms and on a future visit, we'll certainly spend a few extra bucks.

Breakfast is included, and several options were available including the traditional gallo pinto as well as kid-friendly options. But the real feature of the breakfast is Tom, the gregarious American-expat owner of the hotel, who makes daily rounds at breakfast to chat with the guests. I won't tell you his stories here; just sit for a breakfast here and you are bound to hear a few.

A gated parking area is available for an additional charge, so you don't have to worry about where to leave your car. Space is limited, so consider calling to reserve a space if you want it to be guaranteed.

Like many small hotels in San Jose, the rooms are not air-conditioned, but the temperature is fairly consistent year-round, with nights sufficiently cool in the low to mid 60s, and warm but bearable days in the mid 80s. Personally I wouldn't have used it if we had it.

So why not five stars? Two main reasons: Noise and location. The walls feel solid enough, but sound goes right through them. You're substantially insulated from street noise, but from sounds inside the hotel come through unmuffled.

The location is a little troublesome. During the day it's fine, but at night there are more than a few shady characters to be found on the street. Prostitution is legal in Costa Rica and you may see more than a few right across the street from the hotel. Keep that in mind if travelling with children. I saw nothing to make me feel unsafe, but perhaps travelling by car is a good idea, especially if you don't speak...

Good. Affordable. QUIET. Centralized.

I needed to get. out. Life. need I say more? Well my life had been going at 100mph for 9 months straight, few days off. Zero days of rest. 2 Deaths in the family, constant travel for work, and trying to right the worlds wrongs, that, well, just keep @#$@# coming non- @#$ stop.

I needed out. I was at the point that I could either Lay down of my own volition, or fall down. Prolly dead if I kept going. So I headed back to Costa Rica to lay down and rest.

I went to the Hotel Santo Tomas. I've stayed here before in the past, and It was GREAT. Quiet. Oasis-like. I stayed for 7 days and there was two days I didn't go out of my room after breakfast. All day.

Food was close and cheap. The place was a welcome, quiet place. Guests were friendly, and I met a new crowd of backpackers, hikers, explorers, or travelers everyday. All of them were cool, especially the staff.

I. Did. Nothing. And I didn't want to. if I wanted to, I could have done anything, trips, snorkeling, exploring. Nope. Bed. Store excursions. I kept within a 2-3 block radius to sample the local cuisine that is way good and way cheap.

I went during the rainy season, and even then the place was healing for a weary sole.

The Wellness center, now that's something different. 400 oranges in one shot? Had to try it! Can't get enough vitamin C you know! Massages and anti-aging treatments? B-12 Shots? Pee purple for two days and sleep like a newborn baby? YES PLEASE!. Dr. Alan is awesome, and If you ever go there, speak to him. It's way worth your time and he can put you on an EFFECTIVE recovery track FAST.

He did that with me.

All in all, i didn't do much. No Jetskiing. No partying, No ziplines. No dancing. Just rain and rest.

Hotel Santo Tomas, thanks for the breath of life.

I had to go, but I was sad to leave.

And I left way better than I arrived.

And I wouldn't have it...