The Fleur de Lys Hotel occupies a former Victorian manor situated in the historic and cultural zone of San José. Thirty-one rooms, each named after an exotic Costa Rican flower rather than numbered, along with local artworks displayed throughout the lounges, rooms, restaurant and bar, give the establishment its distinctive character.

Why choose Fleur de Lys

• Heritage building: a former Victorian manor preserved in the heart of the Carmen neighbourhood.
• Artistic identity: original paintings by Costa Rican artists throughout the common areas and rooms.
• Central location: within easy walking distance of the Iglesia de la Merced and Plaza de la Cultura.
• 31 rooms named after exotic flowers of the country, each individually decorated.

Atmosphere

The spirit of the house resides in its decor: warm woods and exotic essences crafted into woodwork and furnishings, soothing colour palettes on the walls, original paintings displayed in the lounges, restaurant and bar. The overall effect eschews the conventions of standardised hospitality, preserving instead the identity of an early 20th-century Costa Rican home reimagined as a boutique hotel.

On the common areas side, a garden and terrace extend the reception rooms, while the bar serves as the evening gathering point.

The rooms

The 31 rooms each bear the name of an exotic Costa Rican flower: a deliberate decorative choice reflected in the individualised décor of each space. Local artworks feature throughout the rooms themselves, extending the commitment to showcasing Costa Rican artists.

In terms of amenities, each room is equipped with cable television, a minibar, telephone, fan, safe and private bathroom with hot water.

Dining and services

The hotel restaurant serves Costa Rican and international cuisine, offered as a buffet at breakfast and à la carte at dinner. Room service is available.

In terms of services, the hotel provides:

• an on-site jacuzzi and sauna;
• a bar, business centre and meeting rooms;
• complimentary Wi-Fi, laundry service and private parking;
• a souvenir shop, transfers and organisation of guided tours through an in-house travel agency.

Location

The hotel is situated in Carmen, CALLE 13 AVENIDA 2, 10101 San José, just minutes' walk from the centre. The neighbourhood concentrates much of the capital's cultural landmarks: the Iglesia de la Merced and Plaza de la Cultura are within easy reach on foot, as are several museums in the historic centre. Clear views extend towards La Sabana Metropolitan Park, to the west of the city.

What to do nearby

San José serves as an excellent base for exploring the capital on foot: museums, markets, the national theatre and historic centre architecture can be discovered in one to two days. Beyond that, the city functions as a perfect launching point before venturing to the volcanoes of the Central Valley, cloud forests and Pacific and Caribbean coastlines — each of these regions warrants a minimum day trip.

To extend your exploration elsewhere in Costa Rica, you might consider other properties such as the Hotel Grano de Oro, also in San José, or the Cloud Forest Lodge at altitude.

Planning your Costa Rica stay

The Fleur de Lys Hotel makes for a logical urban stopover at the beginning or end of a Costa Rican itinerary. To build a complete itinerary, explore our Costa Rica journeys and our suggestions for stops in San José.