www.CostaRicaTicas.com

My recent 14-day stay at the Sportsmens Lodge (8/3 – 8/17) again reaffirms my earlier reviews that the SL continues to provide the best accommodations when visiting San Jose. Heeding my own advice, I booked my room last February and was fortunate enough to stay the entire trip in the El Ray. Although not the penthouse (which I did spend some time in and found it, too, to be extraordinary), the El Ray came with A/C (as do all the rooms), a fully-stocked mini bar and, most impressively, a kitchen and patio. It was a real treat to eat breakfast on the patio and to lay back and just read a book. Although the patio came in handy for some other uses, I actually finished two books in this quiet and comfortable area.

Again I was impressed with the level of service and attention to detail provided by the SL’s staff. If there were an award for Costa Rica’s best hostess, Johana surely would be given it. From the moment you arrive, she (as well as her entire staff) make you feel right at home. No request went unanswered (Even though I felt like bungee jumping, I couldn’t quite muster the nerve, but thanks Johana for getting me the information )

There was one subtle event that occurred at the SL that I noticed but I am not sure if many other quests did. It happened on Mother’s Day. Without going into details, it resulted in many smiles from the SL staff. There was another genuine, heartfelt gesture on the part of Bill that I won’t soon forget either. Again I will not go into details. Suffice to say, when you’re in Bill’s house, you are family.

Overall, the SL continues to be the place to stay. The prices are reasonable (especially if you’re a member of this board), and the accommodations and service continue to be top-notch. I look forward to my next stay at the SL. Returning home is always a pleasure.

Sounds like they've made changes. What were you're rates?

We stayed there about two years ago...and found the Scotch to be lousy at night and the coffee bad in the morning. No aged single malt Scotch like Balv, Glen Fed, or Glen Lev.

Also, impossible to get any sleep after 12 PM due to rooms facing inner atrium and parties. For a decent breakfast and strong coffee we went to Nuestra Tierra most mornings.

Maybe our experience was isolated. thanks.

I believe the rate was $89 not including the CRT discount. (Hey, who looks at these things while vacationing;-)) I've been going to the SL for over 2 years and have found the food and its presentation exemplary. The continental breakfast was fine as was the coffee. Amazingly, during this last trip on mornings I and a friend had early tee times, there was coffee waiting for us when we walked into the bar, hours before the normal breakfast crowd.

As far as the liquor, I’m not much of a drinker, as the SL staff and my friends will attest. But this last trip, I did treat myself to a number of rum and cokes and had no complaints. From others I've talked to during my visits, the quality of liquor has never been an issue.

There’s been some chatter on this board about “noise” and some of the side suites. I slept in most of those rooms you mentioned and it was rare that I couldn’t get to sleep or was woken earlier than I desired. I should mention I am a heavy sleeper. The new wing is completely buffered from the bar noise and the normal day-to-evening traffic.