2/10 Terrible
Jesse
Traveled with family
May 11, 2025
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I have never left a review, but my recent experience at Barceló San José compels me to warn future travelers.
My wife and I were placed on the sixth floor, which we later discovered was undergoing active construction and painting. The entire floor was filled with strong paint fumes, which caused immediate headaches and discomfort especially for my pregnant wife. Shockingly, the hotel never warned us about this in advance, even though it was clear enough that workers—like the outdoor painter—were wearing face masks for protection.
When we raised our concerns, we were gaslit by hotel staff, who repeatedly told us there was no smell, no construction, and that no manager was available to speak with us. This was blatantly false, as evidenced by photos and our continued symptoms days later.
The way this was handled was unacceptable. Not only did we suffer physical discomfort and health concerns, but the complete lack of accountability and refusal to offer a refund made the situation worse. We followed the hotel’s advice to contact Expedia, who then deflected back to the hotel—leaving us caught in the middle with no resolution.
We had paid for a premium experience, but what we received was anything but. I sincerely hope the hotel takes responsibility for exposing guests to unsafe conditions and rethinks how they handle guest concerns in the future. Until then, I strongly caution anyone considering this property.
Jesse
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025