Charly's Place Hotel

I felt welcome and comfortable during an unexpected overnight stay after a delayed flight made me miss my domestic connection. The airport ground transport staff arranged Charly's Place for me, quoting a rate that covered one night and a taxi to the bed and breakfast. The driver had me pay the transport fare at a gas station, though the original arrangement was for Charly to pay him. Charly greeted me and helped with check-in. He was kind and accommodating, and the receptionist and driver carried my bags upstairs. My room had a double bed and private bath, both very clean, with towels and soap that were enough for the night. I ordered dinner through Uber Eats. Breakfast was a lovely, calm meal in the sunshine. Charly and a woman showed me around the kitchen and garden, where there was coffee, bread, and fresh fruit. He had said breakfast would be available, and it was. I don't understand the negative reviews; my experience was very positive, and I really appreciate Charly and his staff. It felt like a true bed and breakfast, with the hosts welcoming me into their home.

The room was $55, clean, and nice, though noise from the rooms beside the lobby lasted until about 11:30. My taxi from the airport cost $8. The driver brought me here after I asked him to recommend somewhere, so it wasn't a scam. The claims that the place isn't clean seem possibly fake to me, since it was super clean. One safety concern: the outside door doesn't open from inside on its own, the owner has to let you out.

I felt completely unsafe as a woman traveling alone. At the bus station, a man posing as a taxi driver intercepted me and turned out to be a professional scammer. He said there would be a huge protest in San José the next day and suggested I stay somewhere else. Then he pretended to call my hostel, which supposedly recommended Charly’s place. The driver, Roger, charged me 80 USD when we got there. I also paid 50 dollars for an old, smelly, unclean room that clearly wasn't worth that price. I even overheard Charly talking about ongoing legal issues. This place is scary. Travelers, stay away!

Please don't come here. I had the same experience as several other travelers below: a taxi driver tells you there's a mass protest in San Jose and steers you to this place. He even pretended to call several other hotels, then claimed they were all full. This place is a scam.