San Jose, Costa Rica: Santo Tomás Hotel
A refreshingly human boutique stay in the heart of San José, Costa Rica — where the hotel owner might just lend you cash out of kindness.
TLDR – Hotel Santo Tomás, San José, Costa Rica
- Boutique hotel with heart and soul in the Amon barrio
- Impeccable cleanliness and well-maintained rooms
- Friendly, helpful staff who went above and beyond
- Owner personally offered assistance in a tough moment
- Complimentary hot breakfast included
- Great value at just over $100 USD for the night
- Comfortable bed, quality linens, and peaceful grounds
- Good water pressure and plenty of hot water in the spacious shower
- Gym, pool, and jacuzzi available onsite
- A quiet retreat in the middle of chaotic downtown San José
- Would absolutely stay again, even for a longer trip
General Information
- Hotel: Hotel Santo Tomás
- Location: Amon barrio, Downtown San José, Costa Rica
- Date of Stay: July 13–14, 2025
- Nights: 1
- Price: $96.59 + $11.89 taxes and fees = $108.48 USD
- Booking Platform: Hotels.com (Expedia)
- Type: Small boutique hotel in a historic house (approx. 50 rooms)
- Nearby ATM: About a five-minute walk to the INS building
Review:
When I arrived in San José, I was a walking Murphy’s Law case. One of my debit cards had gone rogue and, in a twist of cosmic comedy, my bank helpfully canceled the wrong one. So there I was: groggy, broke, and way too early for check-in, all while the local power grid had called it a day. Off to a great start.
Despite the chaos, the hotel staff kindly let me hang out in the lobby and even gave me tips on where to eat without power—and more importantly, without money. I only had the cash in my wallet and no access to my accounts for the weekend.
Then something happened that I wouldn’t expect from a luxury chain, let alone a small independent hotel. The desk clerk, noticing my situation, called the owner—Thomas—and put me on the phone with him. Thomas is an American expat who moved to Costa Rica long before it became trendy, and I have to say, the guy’s got character. He listened to my mess, and without hesitation, offered to lend me money just to help me get by. No strings, no gain for him—I was already paid up.
In the end, I didn’t need the loan. My transfer came through the next morning. But the sheer decency of the gesture stuck with me. This is a man running a business who hasn’t forgotten how to be a human being.
The hotel itself is small and converted from what I’m told were two large historic homes. The rooms are spotless—actually spotless—not “for the price” spotless, just objectively clean. No peeling paint, no leaky faucets, no suspicious smells. The common areas and grounds are just as well kept, with thoughtful landscaping and an old-world charm you don’t often find in downtown San José.
The staff were patient and helpful. English wasn’t perfect but more than workable, and they were eager to help with directions and recommendations. My room had high-quality linens, a comfy bed, and a relaxing vibe that made it easy to crash after a long day.
Amenities? Plenty. There’s a compact gym, a clean and attractive swimming pool, a jacuzzi, and a little breakfast spot. Breakfast came with my stay and included eggs cooked to order, toast, juice, and gallo pinto—Costa Rica’s beloved rice-and-beans breakfast staple. Nothing fancy, but well done and satisfying.
If you're only staying a night in San José, this place is ideal. And honestly, if I were in town longer, I’d happily stay here again. It’s not luxury—it’s something better: welcoming, trustworthy, and well cared for.