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Hotel el Descanso

Property class: 2

Photo gallery for Hotel el Descanso

A modern building with a sign reading "AVENIDA ESCAZU".
A reception area with a wooden desk, a ceiling fan, a water dispenser, framed certificates, and a window with curtains.
A corridor with a metal railing, white walls, and a tiled floor.
A long, narrow hallway with a tiled floor and a large abstract painting on the left wall.
A hotel room with two beds, a window with curtains, a mirror, and a red towel on the bed.

Reviews

6.8 out of 10

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

View map
Avenida 2 con calle 22, 22560304, San José, San José, 10103
  • Place, Mercado Central
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Place, Sabana Park
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Place, Central Park
    ‪14 min walk‬
  • Airport, San José (SJO-Juan Santamaría Intl.)
    ‪24 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Single Room

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

Single Room

  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

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

A hotel room with a bed, a small table, and a wardrobe.

Basic Double Room (Habitacion 1 Cama Queen)

  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

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

A hotel room with two beds, a window with curtains, a mirror, and a red towel on the bed.

Standard Double Room (Habitacion de 2 Camas)

  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Single Bed and 1 Queen Bed

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About the area

San José

At Hotel el Descanso you'll be within just a 15-minute stroll of Sabana Park and Central Park. Highlights at this hotel include in-room free WiFi and LED TVs. .This smoke-free hotel offers free WiFi in public areas, a 24-hour front desk and tour/ticket assistance. Plus you'll find laundry facilities and luggage storage. .Sights within a 30-minute walk of this Hospital hotel include Morazan Park and National Museum of Costa Rica.

What's nearby

  • Mercado Central - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Sabana Park - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Central Park - 14 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Morazan Park - 19 min walk - 1.7 km
  • National Stadium of Costa Rica - 4 min drive - 2.5 km

Getting around

  • San Jose Cemetery Station - 14 min walk
  • San José (SYQ-Tobías Bolaños Intl.) - 16 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Lubnan - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Momo Café - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Cosechas - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Pizza Hut - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Restaurante Mil Sabores - ‬3 min walk

About this property

Hotel el Descanso

Hotel el Descanso offers its guests tour/ticket assistance and laundry facilities. Public spaces have free WiFi.

This San José hotel is smoke free.

  • 25 guestrooms or units
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Tour and ticket information
  • No smoking on site
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.

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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

  • American Express
  • Mastercard
  • Visa

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

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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. No on-site parking is available. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, debit cards and cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher in all accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

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

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Hotel el Descanso?

No, Hotel el Descanso does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at Hotel el Descanso?

Check-in begins at 1:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.

Are pets allowed at Hotel el Descanso?

No, pets and service animals are not allowed.

Hotel el Descanso Reviews

Reviews

6.8
Rating 10 - Excellent. 17 out of 56 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 12 out of 56 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 12 out of 56 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 6 out of 56 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 9 out of 56 reviews

7.0/10

Cleanliness

7.4/10

Staff & service

6.0/10

Amenities

6.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice service
Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff were all great and response time within 24 hours before arrival. Room was clean and all that I needed. Soap provided in bathroom. Check in area sells sodas, water and snacks. There is a small grocery around the block, and downstairs are two "sodas" i.e. small restaurants for quick snacks or meals for inexpensive prices! One block from a main road, and 2 blocks from "Casa Colon Hostel," where tour companies can meet for pickup. Free Wifi and TV in room, as well.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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 review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was simple, clean, the bed was not the best. I went there to set up my adventure to travel country. Car rental was 8 min. Walk. Restaurant down stairs. Food was delicious. Cheap. ! Nice little Sports bar , 200 ft away! Good staging area. Going back on way home.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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 review

6/10 Okay

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 review

10/10 Excellent

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 review

6/10 Okay

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

8/10 Good

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 review

10/10 Excellent

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 review

10/10 Excellent

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 review

4/10 Poor

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 review

8/10 Good

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

10/10 Excellent

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 review

10/10 Excellent

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 review

6/10 Okay

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 review

6/10 Okay

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 review

6/10 Okay

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

4/10 Poor

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 review

6/10 Okay

N/C
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

6/10 Okay

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 review

2/10 Terrible

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 review

6/10 Okay

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 review

2/10 Terrible

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 review

4/10 Poor

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

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