Tucked away on a quaint side street in the old embassy district of Los Yoses, in eastern San José, Hotel Le Bergerac offers guests the comforts of home alongside the amenities of a luxury boutique hotel.
“This place was originally built as a home in 1943,” said Lilliam Vega, the hotel’s general manager. “We try to be very personalized with guests. I think that is what makes us different. Guests are not numbers to us; they are people. We want them to feel like family.”
Although just a few minutes from downtown San José, Le Bergerac feels removed from the hustle and bustle of the capital. Standing in the hotel’s main garden, one can hardly tell a major city lies on the other side of the high stone wall. Lush green plants, singing birds and gurgling fountains create a pleasant ambience amid the colonial-style architecture.
Remodeled in 1993, Le Bergerac has 25 tastefully furnished guest rooms overlooking an array of tropical gardens. Rooms come in four different classes: Standard, Superior, Deluxe and Grande. All have private bathrooms, cable television and Wi-Fi. Superior, Deluxe and Grande rooms have private access to the hotel’s multiple gardens.
A Grande room opens onto a garden patio.
Will Ferguson
Le Bergerac’s restaurant, appropriately named Cyrano’s, replaced the highly regarded L’Ile de France, a separately owned French eatery that operated in the hotel for 12 years before moving to the western suburb of Escazú. Cyrano’s, under the direction of head chef Aris Córdoba and owned by the hotel, offers an array of international and local cuisine.
“We wanted to combine Costa Rican cuisine with the food our guests enjoy back home,” Vega said. “If guests want to try the arroz con pollo (rice with chicken), we have that, but if they want to eat red meat, we have that too.”
The restaurant is currently open only for dinner. Vega said it plans to open for lunch as well by mid-June.
In addition to offering lodging and dining, Hotel Le Bergerac works with local travel agencies to help guests plan their Costa Rican experience. Vega recommended making room reservations at least a month in advance. The relaxed atmosphere, ideal location and personalized service result in the hotel often being booked, she said.
“People come here because they love being near the city and yet removed,” Vega said.
Going There
Hotel Le Bergerac is in eastern San José’s Los Yoses neighborhood on Calle 35, between Avenidas 8 and Central. Double-occupancy rates are $90 Standard, $115 Superior, $135 Deluxe and $145 Grande, plus tax. Discounts are offered for longer stays.
For information and reservations, call 2234-7850 or visit www.bergerachotel.com.
