Hotel Presidente
Subtly hip, historically grounded boutique city hotel. Exposed brick, wood floors, family heirlooms mixed with contemporary design. The newer concept rooms lean into distinct personalities — leather-and-wood sophistication, a loft with vaulted ceilings, an art-gallery aesthetic. Nothing flashy, but genuinely considered.
Book directly on the official website: you get complimentary breakfast plus a 10% discount vs. OTA prices
Why It Matters
One of San José's most storied independent hotels, founded in 1963 by the Gudes family and built on the legacy of a fashion boutique called La Dama Elegante. Still family-spirited, it's in the Tablet Hotels collection and holds a 4-leaf certification for sustainable tourism. The Superior Rooms (555 sq ft) are the largest hotel rooms available in downtown San José.
Hotel Presidente sits right on Central Avenue's pedestrian boulevard in the heart of downtown San José — not the airport strip, not a sterile business park, but the actual city. The lobby has exposed brick walls and parquet floors; the rooftop holds a garden lounge and a cocktail bar. It's a family-owned hotel with real character, founded in 1963 and still going strong, with a history that runs through the city itself.
Where You'll Stay
11 room types available
1963
From USD202 / nightNamed for the hotel's founding year. Period pieces, warm tones, and an atmosphere built around honoring the city's mid-century elegance. A nod to the founders and the original Hotel Presidente.
El Caballero Elegante
From USD202 / nightNamed for the 'elegant gentleman,' this room channels timeless urban sophistication. Leather, wood, and natural light. Has a Jacuzzi, bathrobe, and turn-down service.
Guest Room – 1 King Bed
From USD101 / nightThe entry-level room. Comfortable beds, soundproof windows, air conditioning, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi. Solid for a city stopover.
1 KingGuest Room – 2 Full Beds
From USD101 / nightSame tier as the king version, good for friends or families traveling together. Soundproof windows keep the downtown buzz outside.
2 FullLa Dama Elegante
From USD242 / nightThe most expensive room and the most romantic. Inspired by haute couture and the founders' original fashion boutique. Mountain views, golden touches, bathrobe, and turn-down service. Named for the boutique that started the whole Gudes family story.
Premium Room – 1 King Bed
From USD145 / nightA step up in design. Bright spaces with wood accents, soft tones, wood floors, renovated bathroom, and a coffee maker for that first in-room cup.
1 KingPremium Room – 2 Full Beds
From USD145 / nightThe two-bed version of the Premium. Same wood accents, renovated bathroom, and coffee maker. Good for two travelers who want more design without sharing a bed.
2 Full
Superior Room – 2 Full Beds
From USD170 / nightThe largest rooms in downtown San José — 555 sq ft (50 m²), roughly 60% bigger than the standard guest rooms. Pet-friendly. Coffee maker included. Enough space to actually unpack.
2 Full · 50 sqmThe Apex
From USD202 / nightHas its own private terrace wrapped in greenery — an urban garden above the city. Turn-down service and bathrobe included. The closest thing to an outdoor retreat without leaving the hotel.
The Atelier
From USD202 / nightGallery lighting, original artworks on the walls. Bright and modern — the room celebrates art as much as rest. Good pick for design-minded guests.
The Loft
From USD202 / nightArchitectural and a bit theatrical. Raised bed, vaulted ceilings, and a world map as decor. Designed for the traveler-type who wants their room to say something about who they are.
The Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The hotel can arrange walking or car-based bar-hopping tours of downtown San José's craft brewpubs, bars, and nightclubs.
On-site or adjacent casino available to guests during their stay.
The hotel lends bicycles to guests for free, making it easy to explore the pedestrian boulevard and surrounding streets of downtown San José.
The hotel staff arrange a wide range of day trips and multi-day tours from San José: white-water rafting on the Pacuare River, canopy zip-line tours, bird-watching excursions, coffee plantation visits in the Central Valley, and tours to Caribbean and Pacific beaches. Hotel Presidente is also the last stop on many organized tour pickups headed to the Caribbean coast and southern rainforests.
Flexible in-hotel co-working/lounge spaces for productivity or relaxation.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Complimentary throughout the hotel and in all rooms.
Free luggage storage for guests exploring different parts of Costa Rica or making multiple city visits.
Included with direct bookings. Hot and cold dishes, fresh fruit, regional Costa Rican options, and coffee.
Available to all room types.
All rooms feature soundproofing — useful given the hotel's busy downtown location on Central Avenue.
Superior Rooms specifically accommodate pets.
4-Leaf Certification for sustainable tourism from Costa Rica's national certification program (CST). Hotel is also involved in a Forest Reserve Project.
Private shuttle service to/from Juan Santamaría International Airport and Tobías Bolaños Local Airport. Book at least 24 hours in advance. $50 for 1–4 passengers; $10 per person for 5th and 6th passenger; $100 for 7–10 passengers.
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Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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