Pros

  • Historic area close to dining, museums, and the National Botanical Garden
  • Home to a casino (though it’s small and basic)
  • Renovated rooms with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and bathrobes
  • Lovely big bathrooms with frameless showers and toiletries
  • Great free hot and cold breakfast
  • A charming Italian restaurant, Il Gatopardo, for dinner and room service
  • Modern sports bar with bar and lounge seating
  • Free valet parking
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
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Cons

  • Rooms lack hairdryers
  • No gym or pool
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Bottom Line

Mid-range Taormina is located in a historic but slightly sketchy downtown location that’s close to restaurants, cafes, museums, and the National Botanical Garden. The hotel's common areas and 87 spacious rooms were renovated in 2015 with a fresh, neutral look, and are equipped with comfy beds, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and big bathrooms. Guests enjoy the centrality of this place, the pleasant and clean rooms, and the lively modern sports bar, simple casino, and charming Italian restaurant, Il Gatopardo. Free valet parking, free hot breakfast, and free Wi-Fi are nice perks. There’s plenty to eat, see and do nearby, though this area is a haven for prostitution which can make its way into the hotel. Travelers seeking a pool and fitness center could try the Park Inn by Radisson San Jose, Costa Rica

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Amenities

  • Casino
  • Cribs
  • Internet

Oyster Hotel Review

Taormina Hotel and Casino

Scene

Modern yet subdued, renovated interiors, with a choice of atmosphere in the Italian restaurant, casino, and sports bar

The hotel pays homage to the area’s historic persona, where some beautiful, late 19th and early 20th century mansion homes reside. Taormina is in a Victorian-inspired, multi-gable corner building, surrounded by Old World cast iron street lamps. Barrio Amon was once an exclusive residential area and home to the likes of former Costa Rican president, Otilio Ulate, but the area has now taken a more commercial tone, with hotels, restaurants, bars, and a variety of local businesses. Formerly the Mona Lisa Hotel & Casino, the property underwent renovations and was renamed in 2015 after change of ownership. Taormina stems from Sicily’s historic seaside town of the same name. The hotel’s Italian restaurant, Il Gatopardo, occupies the corner at street-level with its red-and-white-checked tablecloths and charming wall murals of the Italian coastline. The lobby is subdued, blending a soft neutral palette with beige marble floors and sparse modern lounge furniture. This space evolves directly into the casino -- which is modestly sized, casual, and moodier with dimmer lighting, a few card tables, roulette, and rows of beeping neon slot machines. A lively, contemporary tone dominates the sports bar, where multiple TVs broadcast sports (lots of local soccer) to guests and locals alike. While it’s not endorsed by the hotel, working girls do find their way in here, though it should hardly cause alarm given the nature of downtown San Jose. 

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Location

A historical downtown pocket, walkable to restaurants, museums, shopping, and the National Botanical Garden 

The hotel is located in Barrio Amon, a historical neighborhood in downtown San Jose shared with late 19th century buildings. As charming as it sounds, this area is a haven for prostitution, but that seems to be the downtown norm. There are a number of cafes, restaurants, and shopping malls within walking distance. Walkable sights include the Kid’s Museum (10 minutes), Auditorio Nacional (10 minutes), the Simone Bolivar Zoological Park and National Botanical Garden (10 minutes), the National Museum of Costa Rica (14 minutes), and the Jade Museum (12 minutes). Gran Terminal de Caribe (bus station) is a six-minute walk away, and it’s about 30 minutes to Juan Santamaria International Airport, depending on traffic. 

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Rooms

Neutral and spacious; with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and robes

Following 2015 renovations, rooms are neutral yet vibrant and fresh, blending cream furniture, taupe headboards, and soft beige curtains with white walls and bedding. Stainless steel standing lamps cast a warming glow, and lone burgundy cushions add a color splash. Available in Premium, Superior, and Master Suite categories, room layouts are generous and include two mid-century inspired chairs set on either side of petit cocktail tables in lower categories. Lounge settings for four and coffee tables are provided in Premium Rooms. Big flat-screen TVs sit atop long sideboards. Mini-fridges, safes, and bathrobes are also included. Bathrooms are lovely and large, dressed in beige with full-width granite vanities and mirrors, walk-in frameless glass showers, and a good selection of individual toiletries, but they lack hairdryers. Big wall-to-wall picture windows showcase city views, and some are quite picturesque for San Jose given the historic area. 

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Features

A cute Italian restaurant, solid free breakfast, casino, and a sports bar, but no gym or pool 

Features focus mostly on leisure travelers. Il Gatopardo is the charming Italian restaurant serving all meals and room service, adjoining the lobby. This is where the free breakfast is served offering a selection of hot and cold items that guests seem to enjoy. Though small and basic, there is a casino located off the lobby, and a sports lounge bar sits right next to it, offering daily happy hours, bar snacks, and plenty of local and international sporting activity on the many TVs. There’s a small sundries store located next to the hotel entrance. Free valet parking is provided. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout. 

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Things You Should Know About Taormina Hotel and Casino

Also Known As

  • Hotel Mona Lisa
  • Hotel Taormina

Address

Avenida 11 Calle 3 Bis, Barrio Amon, San Jose 10103, Costa Rica

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Taormina Hotel and Casino

Scene

Modern yet subdued, renovated interiors, with a choice of atmosphere in the Italian restaurant, casino, and sports bar

The hotel pays homage to the area’s historic persona, where some beautiful, late 19th and early 20th century mansion homes reside. Taormina is in a Victorian-inspired, multi-gable corner building, surrounded by Old World cast iron street lamps. Barrio Amon was once an exclusive residential area and home to the likes of former Costa Rican president, Otilio Ulate, but the area has now taken a more commercial tone, with hotels, restaurants, bars, and a variety of local businesses. Formerly the Mona Lisa Hotel & Casino, the property underwent renovations and was renamed in 2015 after change of ownership. Taormina stems from Sicily’s historic seaside town of the same name. The hotel’s Italian restaurant, Il Gatopardo, occupies the corner at street-level with its red-and-white-checked tablecloths and charming wall murals of the Italian coastline. The lobby is subdued, blending a soft neutral palette with beige marble floors and sparse modern lounge furniture. This space evolves directly into the casino -- which is modestly sized, casual, and moodier with dimmer lighting, a few card tables, roulette, and rows of beeping neon slot machines. A lively, contemporary tone dominates the sports bar, where multiple TVs broadcast sports (lots of local soccer) to guests and locals alike. While it’s not endorsed by the hotel, working girls do find their way in here, though it should hardly cause alarm given the nature of downtown San Jose. 

See More Scene

Location

A historical downtown pocket, walkable to restaurants, museums, shopping, and the National Botanical Garden 

The hotel is located in Barrio Amon, a historical neighborhood in downtown San Jose shared with late 19th century buildings. As charming as it sounds, this area is a haven for prostitution, but that seems to be the downtown norm. There are a number of cafes, restaurants, and shopping malls within walking distance. Walkable sights include the Kid’s Museum (10 minutes), Auditorio Nacional (10 minutes), the Simone Bolivar Zoological Park and National Botanical Garden (10 minutes), the National Museum of Costa Rica (14 minutes), and the Jade Museum (12 minutes). Gran Terminal de Caribe (bus station) is a six-minute walk away, and it’s about 30 minutes to Juan Santamaria International Airport, depending on traffic. 

See More Location

Rooms

Neutral and spacious; with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and robes

Following 2015 renovations, rooms are neutral yet vibrant and fresh, blending cream furniture, taupe headboards, and soft beige curtains with white walls and bedding. Stainless steel standing lamps cast a warming glow, and lone burgundy cushions add a color splash. Available in Premium, Superior, and Master Suite categories, room layouts are generous and include two mid-century inspired chairs set on either side of petit cocktail tables in lower categories. Lounge settings for four and coffee tables are provided in Premium Rooms. Big flat-screen TVs sit atop long sideboards. Mini-fridges, safes, and bathrobes are also included. Bathrooms are lovely and large, dressed in beige with full-width granite vanities and mirrors, walk-in frameless glass showers, and a good selection of individual toiletries, but they lack hairdryers. Big wall-to-wall picture windows showcase city views, and some are quite picturesque for San Jose given the historic area. 

See More Rooms

Features

A cute Italian restaurant, solid free breakfast, casino, and a sports bar, but no gym or pool 

Features focus mostly on leisure travelers. Il Gatopardo is the charming Italian restaurant serving all meals and room service, adjoining the lobby. This is where the free breakfast is served offering a selection of hot and cold items that guests seem to enjoy. Though small and basic, there is a casino located off the lobby, and a sports lounge bar sits right next to it, offering daily happy hours, bar snacks, and plenty of local and international sporting activity on the many TVs. There’s a small sundries store located next to the hotel entrance. Free valet parking is provided. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Casino

  • Cribs

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.