www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Depending upon your budget, and if business is your first priority, may I suggest the Marriot near the airport? No chica fee, but you and your chica must be presentable and discreet. Far from the Gulch ($10.00 cab ride), but it's a business hotel with a recognizable brand that won't freak out whoever handles your expense account.

If you're not too worried about appearances, I go with Irish Drifter; the Presidente is just fine. Business center, WIFI, nice rooms with U.S.-style amenities, and reasonably priced. Yes, you'll encounter gringos and putas, but thanks to the Presidente's dress code, none of the hookers will look like sluts. You can always pass off the hooker presence... "Well, Jim yes those apparently are prostitutes. Frankly I've never paid much attention. Now about this proposal...."

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Thank Paco,
I really appreciate your comments and details. I did stay once at the Prez and it is NOT the best place for me to meet clients.... As you write, I don't think it is a good idea to "see mongers and working chicas wandering in and out of the hotel" . Some of my clients are not that open minded. I agree with you that H.I. and Clarion Amon Plaza are more business oriented, and both they are still close to the action for after work........

WEll, thanks again for your comments..... I hope I will find some good alternatives.....

Pura Vida!!!!

HI El Ciego,

I really like your philosophy and possible answers I should give to my clients about Presidente...unfortunately, I don't think that my client are like your name "ciego" and they would immediately see what's going on (or probably they already know by the name.......)

I did not think about the Marriot...... Of course it is far away from the center, but fortunately taxis in CR are not that expensive...(you have just to be careful that they do not take advantage just because your are not local!!!!!!) I will take this into consideration, thank you.

Pura Vida!!!

99% of my CR trips are biz related:
Here are my choices...

Well I can cross this off.. Amon was great, good price no chica fee thru Casino now I called or through online agenices confirmed also $25.00 guest fee.. (ADMIN Hope they get back on the horse.

Holiday Inn, $75 or so with CRT Discount the Tica fee not a deterrent as I can register 1 favorita as a dbl and only pay $5.00 more. Not much for entertaining in the hotel anyway since its a trip. Highly respected no issues for clients.

Raddison great of biz but they are truly weird there. I have had trouble even registering my favorita as a dbl.. they have a long standing policy no guests and give you a rough time if not your wife.. Would avoid but sometimes biz calls.

Hotel Real Intercontinental Expensive can do the guest thing without to much problems 20 mins from the gulch Good for biz though.

Courtyard by Marriot Escazu Perfect actually inexpensive good location 20 mins away, guests no problem, well respected. Book online with AAA rate you get AA miles and they never ask for your AAA card.

Marriot San Antonio / Belen SUPER EXPENSIVE $225.00 to $250.00 per night if the company is paying no issues otherwise on my dime there are better values everywhere.

Those are my Business Hotel lists... Hotel M is really nice for biz as well, but have not stayed there yet but have visited and would expect that it would be well received by clients.. I think the main brands above work.

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The Boss of All Bosses!!! Hey I'm a drunk alcoholics go to meetings!

I can not say enough good things about hotel Casa Conde, both in San Jose and at the beach in Panama. They are CRT members, the facility is just a couple years old and in great shape. It is a fabulous place to bring clients on business trips and still afford to partake in some local fare if you like. The rooms are more like mini appartments, 2 bedrooms with double sized bed or one bedroom with king. They all have mini kitchens, washer dryer for cloths and a living room. The atmosphere is almost right out of Europe, enclosed courtyard with security entrance and all buildings face the courtyard/carpark. Staff is great, very helpful and the rates are best of all, $80'ish a night with a great breakfast included for a 2 bedroom unit. Contact Diego for best results when making your reservation.

I was wondering whether anybody has any experience with the following hotels:

Hotel Britannia (near Amon Plaza)
Occidental Torremolinos
Tryp Corobici Hotel

Are they OK for business? What about room and service?? Are thery chica friendly? Is there a chica fee???

Any comment is appreciated

Pura Vida!!!

I don't know about the others, but the Britania is decidedly not chica-friendly. Nice property though, it's more of a boutique hotel than a biz hotel.

The Coribisi is great for business, particularly if you're on an expense account. Classy women dressed appropriately will not cause a stir.

Hope this helps.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.