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Reviews of Hotel El Maragato

3 out of 5
Hotel El Maragato
Ave Central, between street 1 and 3, San José, San Jose

Reviews

7.2

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 88 out of 463 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 180 out of 463 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 126 out of 463 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 46 out of 463 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 23 out of 463 reviews" "

7.2/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

7.6/10

Amenities

6.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Wintom

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 14 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very reasonably priced and the location was excellent.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019

4/10 Poor

donovan, Salinas, usa

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Dont go here! Let me first say i dont do bad reviews or comments but the reviews i read and what i got were not the same. I also want to say im a backpacker and im used to sleeping on the ground so my standerds are not high. 2 days we didnt have water. They ebed up fixing it after about a hour each time. No parking, you have to park 2 blocks away at 2 dollars a hour, do the math if you leave your car because you book trips, and they pick you up it adds up really quick not counting the meter is running when your sleeping, and if you get back late at night its a scary walk back to the hotel at night. spend the extra cash for a hotel that has parking. all the staff but one was good! We stayed a week left a day early. Rooms were horrable and i do not have high standerds at all again. Last night we found a much better hotel near the air port with parking and shuttel. This was my first trip to c.r. i would highly recomand staying outside of s.j. and drive in for the day, night time can get pretty hairy. The good: staff was good and at day time you are smake in the middel of down town market. The bad: the room, parking, night time safty, no water when you try to take a shower
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Great location, great breakfast, dated facilities friendly service
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was very helpful to assist me in setting up my local Sim card. Also the breakfast was delicious and finding the fridge stocked with juice and beer and snacks was another nice touch.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

6/10 Okay

Mike, Knoxville, TN

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Hotel is in a great location in downtown San Jose. Everything you need is well within walking distance. Staff was very friendly and helpful.
Stayed 11 nights in May 2018

6/10 Okay

Alyson

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The hotel looked old and rundown, there was a weird scent in our room. The hotel was on a street that cars couldn't access, so we had to get picked up and dropped off around the corner and walk. The hotel was in a very busy area and there were a few restaurants within walking distance. I had never been to San Jose before, so I'm not sure if the whole city is this way, but I didn't feel like the hotel was in the safest area. The hotel staff was friendly enough, especially the man who checked us out in the morning- he called a taxi for us and was chatting with us while we waited. Complimentary breakfast was fine- nothing fancy.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

Miguel, San Salvador, ES

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Location, location, location !!!! At this place, you're a the center of everything in San Jose !!!
Stayed 1 night in May 2018

8/10 Good

Helge, Panama

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great location
Hotell located close to Plaza cultura , easy access to all facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2018

8/10 Good

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Single traveler.
No frills hotelt in great downtown location. If you enjoy lots of shopping, lots of places to eat and lots of people of all ages and economic statis then this hotel is a good place to consider. Breakfast is basic but good. I enjoy staying at the El Maragato hotel.

10/10 Excellent

peter

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
They deliver what they advertise

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Nice hotel in the centre of the town.
At the beginning I felt that I am going to stay in a dormitory, or worse. The lobby is very little and not so welcoming. And its position in the noisy street of hussling vendors made me feel uneasy. But when I saw the silent and clean room, enjoyed a simple breakfast and had access to PC and wifi, I felt really confortable and safe. Due to its position it deserves the price. Moreover for young backpackers a few rooms are adapted to a cheap hostel.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good but not convenient for visits
Nice place. No guests allowed. Will probably stay elsewhere.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018

6/10 Okay

Daniel, Mexico City

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Cody little hotel
Small and tidy little hotel situated in central San José, staff are very friendly and helpful and rooms were comfy and clean. Only problem was the noise levels at night, especially facing the street, which made it a bit tricky to sleep but otherwise no complaints, a good little place with fair prices
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2018

10/10 Excellent

angelique washington

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2018

4/10 Poor

Robin, ojochal

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
disappointed
wrong room, billed to my credit card instead of cash, No receipt copy. Room had no secuity bolt or chain! Carpets stained towels ripped. poor hot water. Breaker kept tripping for electric in room. windows dirty.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2018

10/10 Excellent

sheily, san jose

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice hotel close to shops and restaurant
Exc hotel friendly staff right in San Jose center. I love to come over and over great for family
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2018

8/10 Good

bILL, London, UK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Basic hotel
Basic hotel good location for museums, food and shops
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

wine man Dan, chicago

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice hotel in great location in the center of Sanj
I like the hotel for the location and the price one of the best deals in sanjose .
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018

2/10 Terrible

Matthieu

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
Worst Experience
Arrived to the hotel and had we had booked a room with a king size bed and received a room with two double beds on a loud noisy street. The hotel staff didn't try to get us our proper booking or try to make any extra accommodations for the mistake. We were told simply "Sorry too bad, this is all we have..." Wifi is limited and very slow.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2018

8/10 Good

patricio

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Best location in town
Close to everything, good place to walk around. A bit noisy at night due to street noise.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2018

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stay Away
Very poor shower, no hot water, terrible mattress, very loud street noise and beeping all night long hard to get sleep.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2017

8/10 Good

Yongjie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2017

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
bad experience concerning security. I reported stolen money to the front desk and asked to speak to the owner. He said the owner would come to speak to me. HE NEVER SHOWED UP!

8/10 Good

Roberta J

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Great Location on a Wallet-friendly Budget
The hotel is located in walking distance of many museums, the National Theater, shops, and restaurants. It is a well-worn property, so if you're looking for the lap of luxury, El Maragato is not it. However, it is excellent for the price, offers an ample (not really a continental) breakfast every day, and the staff is amazingly welcoming, helpful, and cooperative.

8/10 Good

T. Cash, Lula Ga

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
nice hotel in walking distance to everything
hotel staff was wonderful very clean hotel and very inexpensive highly recommend for busget travelers

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Well Located, Clean and Comfortable, Budget Hotel
This hotel was very well located for walking to nearby attractions, but it's situated in a very congested and noisy commercial area. Light sleepers and guests who are bothered by loud noise should request rooms in the rear of the hotel, which are much quieter. The front desk staff was polite, friendly, and very helpful with booking sightseeing tours. The housekeeping staff was excellent. Overall, I was pleased and satisfied with my 2-week stay at this clean and comfortable budget hotel.

8/10 Good

Matt, Texas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
My 10 day stay...
It was my 4th time stay in 4 years in this hotel, looked a lot better this time after they'd done some renovations, i like the location the best, if you prefer the room with balcony make sure to bring some earplugs, the noise from the street & the construction jack hammer from the hotel & casino across from this hotel is very annoying!! Rooms are clean, thanks to Olga lady the head maid, Breakfast is also good with fresh fruit every morning to make your day, thanks to Martin the head chef:)). The front desk crew ( Luis, Warren & Ricardo) are very helpful & bilingual and attentive, the supermarket next to hotel is a plus too. I used to pay around $35 per night to stay here in past years but this time the rate was at $60 per night, i guess to make up for their renovation:)), Overall this hotel is central & everything is in walking distance. And yes I'd stay here again and hope they reconsider their rate....

8/10 Good

Audrey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Fun , convenient location in downtown SAN Jose
The location for our purposes was great and we truly enjoyed being on the pedestrian street. The street noise stopped by 9:30 but we loved the balcony that overlooked the action below. Also, we felt the staff was very friendly and helpful.

10/10 Excellent

Shirley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Central Ave's great
We loved being on Central Avenue, where we could walk out the door and be on that great shopping street. Nice view from our balcony overlooking busy pedestrians. There was lots of noise that night due to remodeling across the street, but we slept good.

8/10 Good

Scott, Michigan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
In the heart of the city
Great hotel for anyone on a budget, and appropriate for small families (with rooms available with 3 beds). Elevator was very small, but worked good; beds were a little stiff, but did the job; great water pressure, which can be rare in some San Jose hotels; and great location on Central Avenue. The only down-side to the hotel being on a pedestrian-only street, is you may need to walk a block or two to meet taxis or tour operators. Overall good experience.

6/10 Okay

Tai, Wisconsin/Miami

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort
Great downtown location
The location was nice if you want to stay in downtown San Jose. However, the location of the hotel is in the uglies part of San Jose and it is very dangerous at night. The room was okay but had hidden charges for snacks and beverages that appeared to be complimentary based on my choice of an executive suites. There are also many birds in downtown San Jose, which made it impossible to enjoy the balcony! Overall an okay place to stay but I would recommend a hotel out of downtown San Jose for safety and a more beautiful experience.

8/10 Good

Bryan

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Good basic mainstreet hotel
The hotel is basic, but good for Latin American standard. The hotel/hostel is good, as it's one block away from the main street where tours depart. There are shopping and eating places around as it's in the center of the shopping mainstreet in the capital. The area is very busy with people. Cars cannot park at the hotel, the mainstreet is only for pedestrian. The area is safe with constant police surveillance. Staff is basic, not very talkative or cheerful, mostly young men working at the front desk. But they are polite. The womens doing the housekeeping are friendly, nice and do their job very well. Overall a nice stay at this hotel

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Good for the value
The best asset of the hotel is the location, but don't bring cars, no parking. Right in the heart of the city. The room was fare, according to the rate. Simple breakfast. Overall, good for the value

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not good
This hotel is right on Avenida Central near Teatro Nacional. Good for being right in the middle of downtown SAN Jose. But nothing else. Rooms are like motel rooms. Basic, no frills. Minibar is the worst-it's a few cans of beer & soda smh. Do not choose a balcony side room-the noise is unbearable even if you sleep through anything you won't sleep through this. People yell in the street all day to sell their products so you can hear them all day & night. Plenty of food options nearby, couple of bars, and casinos. Gets a little sketchy at night but not that bad. Front desk service is great and helpful. The free breakfast is really bad. Old, dated hotel. Don't stay here! Better off staying in Santa Ana or somewhere else & doing a city tour for half a day & leaving....

10/10 Excellent

Morgan, Atlanta

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The Best on a Budget
This is my Go To Hotel When Visiting Friends and Family. I will never stay anywhere else unless they are booked. I look forward staying there again in October. The Staff is wonderful

8/10 Good

Harley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The man working on reception went out of his way to help us when we only spoke a little bit of Spanish. We also made an error with our booking which he managed to sort out instantly, great hotel for the price would recommended staying here in the future.

8/10 Good

Bob, Quepos, CR

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
I stay there once per month. Nuff said.
No, as I said, I stay there once per month so stop asking me every time. THanks.

8/10 Good

Josephine, uk

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Cheap Dorm in central San Jose
great help from staff on reception as I had late check-in. good wifi, clean dorm - I was lucky to have whole room to myself. located in centre of San Jose near Nacional Theatre. Large room, plenty of space. only light in dorm was near door entrance so would have caused problems for beds at other end of room.

6/10 Okay

JD, phoenix

Liked: Staff & service
No direct parking. Hostel type hotel.
The hotel seemed clean.the TV in my room was broken off its stand. Shower was large but water pressure was none existant. The bed were made. Not sure there bed bugs or not. Put every piece of clothing in the washer on high heat . Still have others in plastic bags. Hotel is in the heart of downtown San Jose right next to Teatro national. No street parking if you have a rental. You have to come thru a side street to access it. Free wifi worked ok

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Staff was super helpful and friendly. Everyone just wants to help you out. Loved it!

8/10 Good

Carl, Connecticut

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Easy access to all the conveniences eg stores ,socials and theaters

6/10 Okay

Jessa, Noorvik, AK

Liked: Staff & service
One night in downtown San Jose
We stayed here for one night when we got to Costa Rica. The accommodations were alright. Nothing luxurious but the rooms were clean and it was in a central location in downtown San Jose.

10/10 Excellent

Jay, Florida

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Wonderful.

10/10 Excellent

Jay, Florida

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Great location! Balcony over Centro walking street.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Best Place for the Price in the Heart of San Jose
I am an American that has lived in Costa Rica for over 5 years and El Maragato is the only place I stay in San Jose. The location is superb and the staff are even better. Walking distance to all the museums and you walk out the front door onto the Central Avenue, the cities walking avenue. The hostel has recently done some renovating so its even better; new 32" plasma TVs, new carpet, new curtain, new bed spreads and some new paint. I recommend a balcony for the views. Try to stay on floors 7 and 8; the views are better and the street noise is less. Stay here!
View of Central Avenue from Balcony

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service

10/10 Excellent

Morgan, Atlanta, GA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Best Deal Yet and Impeccable Service
Arrived at 8 p.m. and was greeted by the front desk staff, ythey remembered me from previous stays and treated me like i was wanted. i was so excited due to me always having such a wonderful time at their hotel. This is a Must stay in the El Carmen district of Central San Jose, you will not regret it.