El Rodeo Estancia Boutique Hotel & Steak House — Restaurant in San Rafael

My friends and I stayed here for one night after a long flight. We booked online in advance but we were charged an extra $20 for the third person when we arrived. When we walked into the room, it immediately smelled strange, sorta mildewish. But doable for the night. No bugs or anything super dirty. Don't expect a luxury resort BUT it's not so bad if you just need a safe place to sleep. The bathroom is spacious and there is hot water as well as soap and shampoo in case you forget. There were enough towels and storage space. They even offer laundry services at an extra charge which could be helpful. They offer a complimentary breakfast in the which I thought was a pretty good selection. There was a cute outside balcony area to eat overlooking the front of the hotel and the pool. It was a pretty sunny morning so it was nice sitting out there while having breakfast. The waiter was friendly and offered great service. He'll bring coffee/tea or OJ and a breakfast menu for you to choose from. Oh! I can't forget about the hotel cat, Michaela. So cute and calm! She walked around each table as if she was greeting everyone. I'm not a major cat person, but she was sweet and didn't pester anyone. The hotel has a pool as well as a gym and other amenities but I didn't get to take advantage of them as I left soon after I had breakfast. It's a cute place outside and lots of pretty plants. If I needed a quick place to stay I'd probably stay here again because it was affordable, safe, and overall I had a positive experience. Not my ideal hotel vibe but it...

We chose El Rodeo Estancia Boutique Hotel & Steakhouse for its convenient proximity to San José Airport, and it turned out to be a delightful surprise! The rooms were spacious, with beautiful hardwood floors and large bathrooms—no carpet meant no allergy flare-ups for me, which was a big plus.

The service was exceptional—warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. In the morning, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast with something for everyone. My daughter had the traditional Costa Rican breakfast, my husband chose the huevos rancheros, and I went with the omelet- loved the cheese the used. They also brought us fresh fruit, coffee, tea, and juice—it was the perfect start to our day.

The hotel's amenities exceeded our expectations. We wished we had more time to enjoy the outdoor pool, tennis courts, and even the billiards table in the leisure area. The on-site steakhouse was a standout! Though we arrived late and only ordered dessert, the tres leches cake was phenomenal—not your average grocery store version, but a decadent treat worth the visit alone. If I ever return, I would definitely try the tomahawk steak; you just don't see that cut very often!

The property is nestled within lush tropical gardens, creating a peaceful and secure atmosphere. The grounds are enclosed and watched over by friendly night guards, which made us feel very safe.

Overall, El Rodeo offers a wonderful blend of comfort, charm, and Costa Rican hospitality. We highly recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing and convenient stay...

The front desk is amazing. They were mostly helpful and answered any questions I had. I stayed at this hotel twice. First time was after arriving to Costa Rica, and the second time was the night before my return flight home.

The towels however, left me disappointed. I saw visible stains on both occasions. I was in such a hurry that I just opted to use my personal towel that I had packed rather than complain. There was just too little time to complain. But I suppose for someone who did not pack a towel this could be a serious issue. Also the wifi got a bit choppy the second time I stayed at the hotel due to the location of my room, but it eventually worked when I moved my phone and laptop towards the front door. These were the only things I did not like.

Breakfast is between 6:30 and 9:30 PM. It's at the Steakhouse which is a couple of minutes walk from the hotel itself. The breakfast was decent. Although there are only a few options, they're enough to satisfy the appetite. The Steakhouse itself has great lunch and dinner options. A bit on the higher end, but so is everything else in Costa Rica to be honest. The...