|
|
|
|
Cinco Hormigas Rojas Review
Read our Costa Rica hotel reviews. Or post your own.
Cinco Hormigas Rojas
- Address: C. 15, between Avdas. 9-11, Barrio Otoya, San Jose
- Phone: 255-3412
- Fax: 257-8581
- www.cincohormigasrojas.com
- Price range: ¢-$
- Location: San José
Fodor's Review:
The name of this whimsical little lodge translates as "five red ants." Behind the wall of vines that obscures it from the street is a wild garden -- it's an unexpected urban bird-watching venue, and you'll get a guide to what you can see -- leading to an interior space filled with original artwork. The largest, newest room (the Hoja Dansante, or Dancing Leaf) overlooks the minijungle that is the front entrance. Color abounds, from the bright hues on the walls right down to the toilet seats. Sure enough, the resident owner is an artist -- Mayra Güell turned the 80-year-old house she inherited from her grandmother into San José's most original B&B-cum-art gallery. She tosses in thoughtful touches such as a healthy boxed breakfast if you're heading out on an early-morning excursion, and coffee and tea 24/7. If you cherish the sameness and predictability of a chain hotel, look elsewhere, but if there's an artistic bent to your personality, this is your place.
- Hotel Details: 4 rooms, 2 with bath
- In-room: no a/c (some), no phone, no TV (some).
- In-hotel: laundry service, Internet terminal, parking (paid).
- Rate includes: Full breakfast
- Credit Cards: AE, MC, V
Member Reviews & Ratings:
Nobody there when I arrived
Posted by hormiguero from Los Angeles, California on 7/1/08
The owner said she'd arrange for a driver to pick me up at the airport. Indeed there was a person with a sign and my name on it, but this person didn't have any kind of car to take me away from the airport. (I eventually took a cab when I got tired of waiting.)
Then, I arrived at the hotel at around 10:30 pm on a Saturday night. She knew I was going to arrive, I had a reservation and just emailed with her about my arrival time the day earlier. But NOBODY WAS THERE - the front door was locked and I couldn't get in.
I ended up finding a room at one of the many nicer hotels in the area for a few bucks more. It was very frustrating to be on the doorstep of my hotel, locked out, with a ton of luggage.
What's worse, is that I already paid her for this night because she seemed like a nice lady. Just flaky.
Different and comfortable
Posted by tabbymeow from California on 3/2/08
Personally designed with artwork from the B&B owner, Mayra, this place is in a quieter area of San Jose and the "jungle" she maintains in the courtyard area helps dampen sounds from the city streets. I personally enjoyed my stay there and had restful nights in a comfortable bed in a clean room. Mayra is very helpful and provides a brown-bag breakfast in the morning. For people who prefer sterile, standard hotel-like lodging, this will not be the place for you. Lighting is dim and the interior is painted in darker shades (I didn't mind). 3 of the 4 rooms share one bathroom/shower. 2 things to note that I found to be issues in this and several other places I stayed in throughout Costa Rica: 1) walls are thin, so if you have talkative neighbors in adjoining rooms, ear plugs are a great help and 2) ants are rampant in CR and there can be residual odor of (suspected) insecticide. Would recommend highly for down-to-earth types looking for something different.
Dusty, Glumy, Lousy Food and Stale Coffee
Posted by zululoca from Penticton, BC, Canada/britishcolumbia/bcthompson on 11/28/07
My husband and I checked into this place one evening around 5 pm. Our friend also checked into a second room. We did not have prior reservations. Through the night I woke up with major congestion, due to the dust everywhere. In the morning, we chose to go elsewhere even though we had paid for a second night. A refund was requested for the second night and denied. I had forgotten my eye glasses so returned to get them later that day. Our room had been rebooked and she was full, but still no offer of refund. I could understand if we had held the room for a period of time and she was unable to rebook it, but this was not the case. We were a last minute drop in to this dustball house. The place is filthy and I would NEVER stay here again. Beware.
Get Advice From Other Travelers
- Traveling around Costa Rica
8 responses; most recent on 10/01/2008, 08:38 am - Last Minute Costa Rica Questions
12 responses; most recent on 09/29/2008, 01:38 pm - 8 nights in Costa Rica
9 responses; most recent on 09/20/2008, 12:08 pm - Costa Rica Expeditions
6 responses; most recent on 09/14/2008, 04:04 pm
Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip >>
- Adventure Travel from
-
Costa Rica Active
$2,595
Costa Rica is practically synonymous with... -
Costa Rica Gold
$3,995
The best of Costa Rica is yours to explore... -
Costa Rica Silver
$1,995
Cloud forests, volcanoes, and beaches. Experience...
Buy the Guidebook
-
$19.95
-
$22
Get the Fodor's Newsletter
Read the current issue
For more travel ideas, tips, and deals, sign up for the Fodor's newsletter here. Browse previous issues.
