Balmoral Hotel

Set on the busy corner of Avenida Centrale and Calle 7, the Balmoral Hotel’s orange-and-white exterior has a well-maintained, consciously retro look. Opened in the late 1950s, the eco-friendly Balmoral strikes a nice balance between contemporary and nostalgic. The original flooring and furniture are still here, adding character to its more modern decor. 

There are two entrances. The one off Avenida Centrale leads to the restaurant and mini shopping mall, with a flight of stairs continuing to the lobby. The second entrance, known as the Motor Lobby, requires guests to pass through the hotel’s cramped parking garage, and is a little awkward.

With its business and meeting facilities, the Balmoral attracts many business travelers from around the world. Most leisure travelers are in-and-out guests, spending a single night in the city en route to or from the airport -- but staff still encourages guests to get out and explore as much as possible, even on short visits. 

One of the hotel’s two entrances faces Avenida Centrale, a buzzing pedestrian-only street lined with shops, restaurants, and bars. Dining options range from local fare to chains like Starbucks and McDonald's. There are bus stops within walking distance, but the city’s perpetually grid-locked streets mean it’s generally faster to walk -- almost all the major attractions, such as the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Teatro Nacional Costa Rica, and Mercado Central, are within a 10-minute walk of the hotel. The city’s main Coca Cola Bus Terminal is about a 15-minute walk. Juan Santamaria Airport is about an hour's drive.

Balmoral Hotel's 113 rooms have varying color schemes. Some pair red bed runners and skirts with steel-blue accent walls, while others might feature a palette of gold and green. Most have bold pieces of artwork over the beds -- usually a blown-up photo of flowers or leaves. Floors are wood or ceramic, and -- as a throwback touch -- most rooms have kept their original 1950s wooden luggage racks.

All rooms have flat-screen TVs, safes, free Wi-Fi, and minibars stocked with soda, liquor, and snacks. All except Standard and Standard Plus Rooms have coffeemakers. Deluxe Rooms and Junior Suites feature enclosed balconies with views of the bustling street below. Family Suites include separate living areas and microwaves, as does the Presidential Suite. 

The small, white-tile bathrooms have shower/tub combos, and most have granite countertops. Biodegradable bath products and wall-mounted hairdryers are provided. Deluxe Rooms have separate bathtubs.

Balmoral Hotel’s restaurant, El Patio del Balmoral, is essentially a restaurant, a bar, a cafe, pizzeria, and wine shop in one, with different counters offering the various fare. It has lofty ceilings, exposed wood beams, and iron detailing. The space is open-air, but it feels enclosed except in the seats near the windows at the entrance. Lush plant-life lines the balcony between the upper and lower levels. The lower level includes the main restaurant, which serves a mix of creatively prepared local and international dishes. The bar, which offers free live music several nights a week, is on the upper level -- it has a flat-screen TV, making it a popular spot for watching sports. A free buffet breakfast is included in the room rate.

The hotel has seven meeting rooms, which can accommodate up to 200 guests. The rooms are distinctive -- some have their original wooden flooring and offer scenic views over the city. There’s a small shopping center of independently owned stores on the ground floor -- including a drugstore, candy shop, and hair salon -- where guests receive discounts.

The hotel also has a small fitness center with about a half-dozen cardio and weight machines. Large windows offer nice views of the city. Free indoor parking is available, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. The hotel will arrange airport transfers.