Hank wrote:
Food was good when I was there 14 months ago. I am headed there on the 23,24 & 25 and Hotel Jaco on the 22 and 26. I didn't know about Hotel Jaco until after I made my reservations. The owner is from Texas and rooms are nicer and less money.
Agreed, Hotel Jaco is awesome. Most of the rooms are two room suites. Great pool and no annoying bass lines pounding through your door at all hours of the day and night. The restaurant and bar are good but pretty expensive. The staff is friendly and very helpful. Totally guest friendly. If you want a 24 hour drink and party atmosphere, then pick the Cocal. If you want to kick back and relax a bit during your downtime then Hotel Jaco is the place.
Pricewise, it was very close to the Cocal. At Hotel Jaco, with taxes the room I wanted ran about $145 a night (price shown on the website before checkout is $124). A poolside room at the Cocal is $150 and the price shown on their website includes all taxes. If you are a CRT VIP member you are supposed to get a 10% discount which should bring it down to $135 though maybe they won't discount the tax part of the rate. I will find out on Sunday when I check in and report back.
Even for a few extra bucks I would pick Hotel Jaco. It's just so much nicer and still a short walk to the Cocal if you want to play there. I've stayed there twice and loved it. The only thing that kept me from booking it this trip is that they require you to put down the full amount when you book as a deposit. And it is pretty much non-refundable if you have to cancel for any reason. As long as you plans are solid, definitely book Hotel Jaco.