Gran Hotel Imperial
(San Jose, Costa Rica)
Well they now call the old hotel a hostel and doubled the prices of the rooms. They did give the joint a paint job, but it is not the same place that I loved. I never gave the place a chance and went elsewhere. The pictures below do not reflect on how it looks now. Think new paint and carpet.
Location: Calle 8, Between Avenue Central and 1
Price: 6000 Colones (12 US dollars) single
Go back in time by staying at the Gran Hotel Imperial. Not much has changed over the decades. They still offer clean rooms and tight security. The showers are hot and there usually is toilet paper in the bathrooms. It's right across from the Mercado Central! Where you can get great inexpensive meals.
First impressions are to run and find another place to stay. But give the place a chance and you start to appreciate the simplicity. Nothing fancy. Just a safe place to rest and gather your thoughts.
They offer high speed Internet access for 300 colones an hour. But they don't seem to keep track of the time.
Seems the tradition here is to write on the walls. There is a posted sign that states you will be fined for writing on the walls. Then below that sign is another sign selling pens.
The rooms are a great place to meditate.
This is the shower area. Pick the one closest to the hot water tank. Patience! It takes time for the hot water to get to your stall. All shower stalls have doors and locks.
Pros:
Cons:
Price: 6000 Colones (12 US dollars) single
Go back in time by staying at the Gran Hotel Imperial. Not much has changed over the decades. They still offer clean rooms and tight security. The showers are hot and there usually is toilet paper in the bathrooms. It's right across from the Mercado Central! Where you can get great inexpensive meals.
First impressions are to run and find another place to stay. But give the place a chance and you start to appreciate the simplicity. Nothing fancy. Just a safe place to rest and gather your thoughts.
They offer high speed Internet access for 300 colones an hour. But they don't seem to keep track of the time.
Seems the tradition here is to write on the walls. There is a posted sign that states you will be fined for writing on the walls. Then below that sign is another sign selling pens.
The rooms are a great place to meditate.
This is the shower area. Pick the one closest to the hot water tank. Patience! It takes time for the hot water to get to your stall. All shower stalls have doors and locks.
Pros:
- Clean
- Secure
- Good price
- Mercado Central across the street
- Friendly staff
- Internet access
Cons:
- No power outlets in rooms
- No room service
