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Hotel Doral: Traveller Reviews

Avenida 4, Calles 6 y 8, San Jose 1000, Costa Rica
Hotel amenities
Hotel Doral
Ranked #27 of 80 hotels in San Jose
4.0 of 5 stars 5 Reviews
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5 reviews from our community

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Punta del Diablo, Uruguay
Top Contributor
93 reviews 93 reviews
Reviews in 64 cities Reviews in 64 cities
30 helpful votes 30 helpful votes
“Hidden Gem”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 January 2012

This is a review for my second visit to Hotel Doral.
The hotel is a five storey building, located on a pedestrian street with many shops, restaurants and coffee shops. It is within an easy walking distance to the Parque Central, National Theatre and two blocks from Parque La Merced. Most of the bus stations to popular destinations are also within a walking distance for those who don’t mind to walk a little. I felt safe walking around in the area even in the evening.
Our rooms were connecting, large, with two single beds, two night stands, a desk with a chair, a ceiling fan (no A/C – not needed) and a large wardrobe. It had a TV as well. The reception claims to have a cable TV, but I found it to be a bit useless as it only had few good channels and all of them in Spanish. But this hotel caters mostly to locals. The bathroom was large, bright and clean. It had a shower (no bathtub). The hotel has real hot water system and no electric water heaters. My suite was fully renovated, bright with light color tiles on floors. The linen and towels were in good condition and clean. The common areas and my room were clean and cleaned daily. It was really quiet at all times.
Before you settle-in you should ask to see several rooms as some are better than others. Some rooms are renovated fully, some only partially and some not at all. Our “internal rooms” (not facing the street) had a very strong Wi-Fi. Not all rooms have Wi-Fi. The hotel signs say that Wi-Fi is available only in lobbies. But rooms close to the lobbies have strong Wi-Fi as well. Although across an elevator, I had no problem with any noise in my room. Breakfast and safety boxes are available as well.
The staff was very hospitable, knowledgeable and helpful. The two men in reception spoke good English. There is a night security guard and very friendly cleaning ladies. The rates I found very competitive as well. I can highly recommend it.

Room Tip: Inside rooms have strong Wi-Fi. My favorite room 401.
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  • Stayed January 2012, travelled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask povetron about Hotel Doral
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
San Francisco
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Great spot in the heart of downtown!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 September 2011
1
person found this review helpful

Hotel Doral was a great find. The hotel was clean, and the rooms were very nice for the price ($30/night). There was cable TV, a huge armoir, a writing desk and a nightstand in the room. Recently remodeled bathrooms. Doral is only two short blocks from one of the main parks downtown, and the Teatro Nacional. Both of the guys that worked shifts at the front desk were very kind, professional, and helpful! I would definitely come back to this place...its really not worth staying at one of the large overpriced tourist-trap hotels when you have a comfy, well-located spot like Hotel Doral. Also, I booked online in advance - it was very easy.

Room Tip: They showed me a couple vacant rooms and I picked the one I liked the best.
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  • Stayed July 2011, travelled solo
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask darkrichfountain about Hotel Doral
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Houston, Texas
1 review
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“Very nice hotel”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 July 2006
5
people found this review helpful

After one night in a less than desirable hotel, a friend told me about Hotel Doral. I spent six wonderful nights. No A/C, but it is not necessary in San Jose. Large clean rooms with hot shower.
Safe deposit box available and friendly, knowledgeable desk staff.

  • Stayed June 2006, travelled solo
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Check-in / front desk
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Ask texdon2001 about Hotel Doral
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
A TripAdvisor Member
texas
1 review
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
“not a place for americans”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 December 2004
11
people found this review helpful

I sincerely hope that not many americans ever stay at the Doral because if it were patronized, my fellow countrymen would surely ruin my favorite hotel in the entire country of Costa Rica. I learned of the Doral form a very good guide book entitled the new key to costa rica which although still in print has lost what made it great guide. It gave actual honest descriptions of hundreds of hotels including very small and obscure ones like the doral. Of the Doral, it described a medium size hotel not often frequented by tourists. The rooms are very large, very clean, simply appointed, and unlike most hotels in San Jose not geared toward tourists it has true hot water plumbing rather than heated shower heads. The Doral always has a college student working at the desk who speaks totally fluent english. Please stay away before you ruin this hotel like americans are ruining so many other public portions of a once admirably uncomplicated organized society.

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Additional Information about Hotel Doral

Avenida 4, Calles 6 y 8, San Jose 1000, Costa Rica
Price range (per night):* 33 AUD - 47 AUD

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