www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Checked in last night, and here is the assesment so far:

When you walk in the place is definitely in shambles and repair. They are working very hard to remodel the place and I cant imagine what the cost is, only that it will be very welcoming when it is all done.

Rudy the watchmenor/administrator who checked me in was very delightful, friendly to the max, and extremely helpful in letting me know where all the action is.

I had booked a standard room, not knowing what the outcome would be. They instantly upgraded me into a deluxe as soon as I walked in.

The room was basic, clean, with a decent shower, tiled upto 4 feet from the ground. tucked nicely into a modest corner.

The breakfast this morning was good and heavy. Pancakes, eggs, sausages, fries, etc...all warm with a good assortment of cereals and juices.

The overall location is a decent block and a half from the SL, 6 blocks from ZB and DR. Easy walking distance or a $1 cab ride to the DR. Other patrons at the hotel were very welcoming also. One of the guys took me on the walking tour to SL, NF, and ZB last night, then we hoped in a cab to get to the DR instead of walking. I walked back later on and ran into a bundle of TV/TSs...No robberies...on the contrery they were very corgiel and we talked for a few minutes.

Overall, I have no plans on switching to anohter place for tonight. Ive stayed at the Holiday Inn, and even under construction this place is a bettter deal. The staff alone make it worth a stay of a night or two, and thats not counting the other guest Ive met that really made me feel welcome.

La Amistad definitely sounds like the next up 'n' comer! Look forward to seeing it after the re-model is complete.

MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Guerrilla,

Nice post. just one comment. Don't walk back to the Amistad at night
Seriously, My girls/boys may have been cordial last night but you are taking a big chance. Not worth the risk, invest the 600-750 colones for a taxi from DR. I'm sure Matt would like too see you at the Brkfst buffet without bandages and your colones in pocket. Play safe

And do not stop and talk to them if you are walking. They will distract you and best case pickpocket you. Worst case, last year 58 year old found naked and knocked unconscious in Morazon Park.


BKTUNA
I am never going home

and unfortunately unable to sit comfortably for a few days

Sorry do not mean to make light of a serious situation but just could not resist such an easy opening.

Seriously Guerrilla you got your one free pass. Do not keep trusting your luck because sooner or later you will be a victim of the cordial trannies.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Glad to hear La Amistad is coming together. I am looking forward to getting a look at the place next month.

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

Is there an updated time to completion schedule available??
Seems that mid to late aug. was being floated around by management a while back..

I am in Amistad for the night of the anniversary fiesta,,hope things are somewhat close to being wrapped up by the first part of Sept..??

Ahoy Senor Amistad,,Info please????

Gents

The architect is telling me that the work will be done in 2 weeks. I dont believe it!!. They will not work over labor day weekend. The second, third and forth floors are completed. The lobby is a wreck. If this poses a problem for anyone please let me know and we will work something out. Welcome to costa rica.

Pura Vida

Matt

La Amistad =

* Great staff. Everyone, from Rudy, Carlos and Marlene in the front office, to Wendy and Gabi in housekeeping/kitchen, to Luis in maintenance to the night man Alejandro are all top notch. Show them some love and you'll get it right back.

* Fairly unwelcoming rooms. This will change/has changed with the remodel. The rooms are clean, efficient, plenty of hot water etc. but are aesthetically "cold."

* Good rates.

* A very decent owner, a gringo who doesn't either have his head up his arse or conversely, over-manages. This is a plus.


* Best included-with-room breakfast in the Gulch...period. Well, it's the best at anyplace I've stayed; I've heard the Clarion Amon Plaza also offers an excellent breakfast.

Yes, Hotel la Amistad is certainly a work in progress. During my six night stay over Memorial Day weekend, I had very little reason to gripe about anything. I was well treated and the room was more than adequate at the price.

I initially suggested that la Amistad would be a good alternative choice if the SL is full. Now I'm rethinking that statement. I think that for some, the Amistad is an excellent first choice. If you don't need a hotel bar/restaurant and working girls on premises, this may be an excellent choice for you.

The keycard system and digital lockboxes in the rooms, along with 24 hour security, made me feel safe at la Amistad. I'm staying at the SL for the first five nights of my Labor Day trip, but am moving to the Amistad after the fiesta for an edditional eight nights...and am really looking forward to it.



Hey Matt...did you fix that f**king light in #111 yet? I about went blind with the stupid thing.

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

El Cigeo is right. this is the best value in san Jose. Great staff, very good owner, nice clean rooms, chica friendly, good breakfast. this is my first choice and I will be back soon.

Thanks for the prompt update Matt, you certainly are on your toes. I for one will "work through" the construction process.
Pura vida

Yes, the rooms, at least the large deluxe ones, themselves on the upper floors were done (pending future upgrades) when I was there in July. Looks like progress has been made since then, at the time I was there the walls had plenty of bare wires sticking out. Looks like the lobby area is the main traget area now. Staying there now isn't a problem, provided all-day construction noise doesn't bother you. And by all means do not end up in a first-floor standard room.

One thing to note, the office closes at 10:00 pm, so if you're bringing in a chica after that time you'll be greeted by a darkend first floor. Make damn sure of your chica or be sure all your valuables are locked up, because there won't be anyone around to register her with.

I don't know if policy/practice has changed since I stayed there in May, but there was always a night man on duty who checkedd/held sedulas. The guy's name is Alejandro and he was there all night most nights I was there. There was an alternate night man (whose name I just spaced) the nights Alejandro was not.

Maybe there's no longer a night man?

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

My first night there, July 19, my favorita came over at 9, we went to KL shortly before 10, came back around midnight, and the place was dark--not pitch-black but just a few nightlights--with the office closed and no one around. Hell, I could have had brought back a new chica and no one at the hotel would have known about it. Maybe someone was drifting about and I just returned at the wrong minute, I don't know. Didn't want to call for anyone or make noise since there are several rooms in the immediate area of the office and lobby. Just mentioning this for those who like late-night takeout, you could be on your own with your chica. I imagine it's like the SL after the bar closes, unless the SL still has someone available to register chicas.