Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center
7th Avenue Between Calles 3 & 5, 250 Meters West of the INS Building, San Jose 10101 Costa Rica
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Lowest prices for your stay
$69
Free cancellation until 03/31/23
$69
Free cancellation until 03/31/23
$89
$68
Booking.com$75
travelup.com$89
Travelocity$69
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What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
About
#5 of 98 hotels in San Jose
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Travelers' Choice
A great downtown location in San Jose, Costa Rica. Hotel Santo Tomas provides free hot cooked typical breakfast to order, FREE SECURED PARKING, FREE High-Speed Fiber Optic EVERYWHERE WIFI, security box, swimming pool, hot Jacuzzi, gym. Only four blocks from San Jose, Central Avenue, and an easy stroll to most local attractions and walkable to major bus stations, 7-10, El Caribe. By Costa Rican law no smoking inside the property anywhere. Available 24/7: tour, travel & car rental services, currency exchange, free baggage storage, and paid laundry service for our guests. A great place for Dental Patients and Digital Nomads to come and enjoy our wonderful open-air gardens, flowers, and covered terraces, to enjoy the volcano views here at Hotel Santo Tomas in San Jose, Costa Rica.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Free breakfast
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Kids club
Car hire
Parking garage
Wifi
Hot tub
Fence around pool
Breakfast available
Taxi service
Full body massage
Massage
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Currency exchange
Non-smoking hotel
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Express check-in / check-out
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Desk
Housekeeping
Safe
Seating area
Cable / satellite TV
Flatscreen TV
Walk-in shower
Hair dryer
Telephone
Clothes rack
Laptop safe
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Radio
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Room types
Mountain view
City view
Pool view
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
Historic Hotel
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
99Great for walkers
Grade: 99 out of 100
93Restaurantswithin 0.5 km
36Attractionswithin 0.5 km
Contact
7th Avenue Between Calles 3 & 5, 250 Meters West of the INS Building, San Jose 10101 Costa Rica
Getting there
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1194Reviews73Q+A100Room tips
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I spent one week in San José for business in February and stayed at the Santo Tomas hotel that I had chosen based on Tripadvisor reviews. I had booked one of the last economy rooms at the last minute. The room was really small, the fan was quite noisy as well as the street and there was a minimum of amenities, considering that the hotel is ranked as a three-star hotel. So, even if the welcome at the reception was really nice, I was taken a bit aback by the quality of the room, which also only had a crude white neon light…not the best you wish for your first night, after 12h flight…. I thus asked the next morning to change the room and the person at the reception was very helpful and offered another room of the same standard, but quiet and furnished with amenities you expect from a good hotel. The house itself is very nice and typical of the old colonial houses, with a charm you will not find in a chain hotel. The breakfast was correct and of good quality. Internet connection was very good and I could work at the hotel when I was not at the University. The hotel is located close to the Museum of Jade with contains many items of the pre-Columbian time, I highly recommend visiting this museum. Walking around the block, I found a beautiful old house, colonial style, which is now hosting the Café Rojo, to which I paid several visits: friendly staff and great fusion food, also vegan (and I am not a vegan!). I want to thank the staff of Santo Tomas, from the reception to the breakfast and room’s cleaning, who was very friendly and helpful. Thanks to David for his help with booking Uber trips for me! And I really appreciate that Thomas, the owner of the hotel, came to each table at breakfast on Saturday to greet everyone and have a little chat with him and/or her. All in all, and despite a disappointing start, I really enjoyed my stay at Santo Tomas.…
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled on business
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Hotel's Favorite
My family stayed at Hotel Santo Tomas while we were in San Jose as part of a vacation in Costa Rica. It’s a great facility, clean, beautiful, and within a very short walk of most downtown San Jose destinations. It also has enclosed secure parking if you happen to have a car. The pool, slide, hot tub, and multiple dining/deck areas are nice particularly for families. The hotel is locally owned by a San Jose family so customer service is exceptional.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from William Douglas, General Manager at Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center
Responded 22 Dec 2022
Hi Zack, Over the past 33 years, I have had the pleasure to welcome and observe many families in the hotel. My hats off to you and your wife the way, one of you went rafting one day, the other the next. True teamwork in raising your family. That much forethought provides such a solid base for your children. Congratulations! A real pleasure having everyone with us and thank you for such an outstanding review. All our Best Thomas, Heidy and Our Staff
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If you are looking for a safe spot in the middle of the San Jose action this is a good choice. We stayed in the balcony suite which had a nice view, but if you have mobility issues it would difficult to get to, as it is up some challenging steps. The pool was nice, the breakfast was decent, and the staff friendly.
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Date of stay: February 2023
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from William Douglas, General Manager at Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center
Responded 13 Feb 2023
Hi Travlin_Heart, Cool Name! Yes, the balcony rooms are nice, but correct if your knees are bad be sure to book on the ground floor. Located only four blocks from Central avenue and walkable to all major attractions, as well as the two most important bus stations, 7-10 located on Avenue 7, and El Caribe both walkable. Thank you so much for such a wonderful review! All our Best from Hotel Santo Tomas Thomas, Heidy and Our Staff
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
When getting there take Calle 5 (as Calle 3 is crowded with shady folks). Behind locked bars is a mix of a former residence with wellness offerings. Rooms are partly uncared-for, embedded toilet and bathroom, pool water chilly (hot tube is nice), steep stairs . Breakfast is strictly at one of three options: local vs. continental plate, or small bowl of cereals.
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Date of stay: January 2023
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from William Douglas, General Manager at Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center
Responded 24 Jan 2023
Hi Waldemar, you rated us overrated because you did not use all of the discounts and there are various, as hotel owners have to load to sell on these online travel agencies. So your room costs more and then you feel not a value. The internet has made it very tough for our bottom line. To be clear, the avenues run east and west, and the calles ( streets) north and south. Yes, Covid hit us hard, and sad to say there are more people living in the street than before. as in any city now. They are just poor and mostly harmless. I apologize we were not able to completely please you. Thank you Thomas
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed at Santo Tomas hotel three nights and enjoyed it very much. When you first arrive, the neighborhood looks a little scruffy, but you soon realize that it is a busy and safe area. The hotel is very near all the museums you want to visit, as well as the National Theatre. Several nearby restaurants. The breakfast is great, served in an outside but covered area. That is where we met Thomas, the owner, who was full of advice and help. We chose a larger upstairs room with balcony, and it was very nice, decorated in the style of the old house. I'd stay there again.
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Date of stay: December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from William Douglas, General Manager at Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center
Responded 13 Feb 2023
Hi Jean, That says it all ( I'd stay there AGAIN) What nice, accurate comments you have placed. The original home was built in 1908. Great information you have placed for potential travelers. Thank you so much Thomas, Heidy and Our Staff
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nice location five minutes walk from the main pedestrian street, Avenida Central, behind a locked gate which made it feel safe and secure. Big and spacious room (Superior), large bathroom with hot showers. Comfortable bed, safe, tables and chairs. (A waterboiler to make coffee when we wake up would have been a nice touch, instead of having to wait for breakfast.) Beautiful, historic building. Happy to stay there again.
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Stayed 2 nights in this lovely place after having just arrived to San José. It's really nice, clean, calm and has a lot of amenities. The staff is truely helpfull. The best that could happen to my girlfriend and me, is to meet Thomas, the owner on our way out. We were a bit lost on how to embark our round trip of Costa Rica and he was extremely helpfull in guiding us, and gave us lots of hreat ideas and insights on were to go and what to do. Muy recomendable!!!
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from William Douglas, General Manager at Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center
Responded 21 Nov 2022
Hi Ulrichp. It was my pleasure and it's something we have been doing here at the Santo Tomas for the past 33 years! All of our staff are trained to assist and we are more than happy to do it. Another tip for you, next time book us directly for the discount and allow us to assist you with your rental car. It will be delivered to the hotel's parking lot after your free breakfast. Uber in from the air[port also and this way saves you time, money and stress. Hope you have a wonderful vacation. Thank you so much. Thomas, Heidy, and Our Staff
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I've visited Hotel San Tomas many times. First, my international flight to San Jose was missed. I contacted the Hotel, and the owner Thomas kept my reservation without penalty. All the staff and employees were very professional, courteous and friendly. The daily breakfast was delicious and several times the owner dined and greeted the guests. The hotel is extremely safe, gated with parking, very secure, beautiful and staffed twenty-four hours each day and centrally located in the city. There is absolutely no other hotel that I will reside at during my Costa Rica visits than this San Jose jewel - Santo Tomas Hotel.
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Date of stay: October 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: All the guest rooms are very nice; however, my favorite rooms are the top floor rooms.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from William Douglas, General Manager at Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center
Responded 21 Nov 2022
Hola Eugene, I was so happy to see you after missing your annual visit two years in a row because of Covid. Always wonderful having you with us and a sheer joy to see your smiling face in our hotel. We await your return on your next birthday! Big Hug from all of us at the Santo Tomas Thank you so much Thomas, Heidy and Our Staff
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We arrived and had booked a small double room but we were so lucky that we got upgraded - and on top of that we experienced the most amazing and kind staff - lovely little hotel in the middle of San Jose. Great beds.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from William Douglas, General Manager at Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center
Responded 30 Sep 2022
Hi Metteb, Lovely having you with us ! Happy that we could please you. We have some staff members that have been with us now for over 25 years. Took care of them all during Covid, no help from the Government here. Turned the lights off for over a year. So happy we could do it. Wonderful review! Thank you so much Thomas, Heidy and Our Staff
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is true, old, authentic CR. The building is gorgeous, from the old pasta tiles to the paintings on the walls - this is NOT the Marriott (but that's the beauty of it). There didn't appear to be AC or a refrigerator, which was a negative but the bed was comfortable. It is in the middle of the city so was easily walkable, but was still safe & secure. And the staff is available 24/7 so our late check-in was a breeze & they made an excellent recommendation for late dinner. Of note, our room had 2 windows & 1 was facing the main walk path (so everyone coming up the stairs can see in) which seemed a bit odd.
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Date of stay: August 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: ask for a room with private windows
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from William Douglas, General Manager at Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center
Responded 30 Sep 2022
Hi Ramandas, Built in 1908, it has its special touches! San Jose is at an elevation of 3600 feet and as such is very mild. Couple that with the high, 15-foot ceilings and fans, and no ac is required. They knew how to design a home years ago when there was no ac, much better for your health also. Thank you for your high scores and that sleep quality is really important. Happy Trails Thomas, Heidy and Our Staff
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
US$71 - US$86 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
Costa RicaProvince of San JoseSan Jose MetroSan Jose
NUMBER OF ROOMS
30
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Claim Your ListingSANTO TOMAS HOTEL & WELLNESS CENTER - UPDATED 2023 Reviews & Price Comparison (San Jose, Costa Rica) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center
Which popular attractions are close to Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center?
Nearby attractions include Teatro Nacional Costa Rica (0.4 km), Pre-Columbian Gold Museum (0.4 km), and Galeria Namu (0.06 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
Which room amenities are available at Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center?
Top room amenities include a flat screen TV, a desk, and a view of the mountains.
What food & drink options are available at Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center?
Yes, free parking, a parking garage, and secured parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center?
Conveniently located restaurants include Cafe Rojo, Tenedor Argentino, and Restaurante Silvestre.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and a fitness centre during their stay.
Is Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.8 km away from the centre of San Jose.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Are there any historical sites close to Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Teatro Nacional Costa Rica (0.4 km), Ruinas de Ujarras (2.0 km), and Chepeteando/ San José a pie (0.4 km).
Does Santo Tomas Hotel & Wellness Center have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the city view available here.