Doña Helen Guest House

Housekeeping keeps ms Helens place very nice and is on top of it all the time. They help carry luggage in/out of room, fix any problems, needs that arise. We've stayed 2 times so far and will keep going back when we're in town. All kitchen, laundry facilities available to guests, great wifi available. Hot water in the bathroom and no shortage of courtasy or politeness ever. It's our goto place definitely when in town.

Well, usually I am too lazy to write reviews, but.. One the first sight it appeared really good. But then you start realizing the kitchen that is promoted didn't serve me well. The stove is shaky and the tops are not getting hot enough to cook simple pasta. The main gate isn't opening well from the inside, you might here people shaking it in the night to get in. Parts of the roof were poorly attached so the strong winds of San Jose make it rattle all the time. On top there is a dog, supposedly belonging to the owners barking and squeaking every once in a while. On top, they received people at 2 in the morning. But instead of showing them the place they only got keys and were on there own. So while looking for their room they stumbled into ours and woke us up. After finding their own room, they decided to light up their place, illuminating mine as well and taking showers, while you hear the water running. Couldn't get out needed rest for our 20 h travel that came after. The worst was the private bathroom. Hygiene was ok but our room DID NOT have a TOILET. We had to use the one next door which we were sharing with another customer. The place itself looked like my grandma's house. And smelled a bit like that. When we arrived, we had the impression that we have an apartment for ourselves. But it's a shared apartment with several rooms rented out individually. Shared Bathroom, shared Kitchen, Shared all but the beds. For some more resilient and no time pressure, it might be a OK location. I was disapointed.

Still here This is home from Dec 7 to Feb 23 I m comfortable with my accommodation and atmosphere. ..great city location especially if you like to walk...convenient to shopping. .restaurants downtown