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El Ciego
PostPosted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:52 pm 
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Before I complain about the choo-choo, let me say that Hotel La Amistad is still one of the best options for travelers to San Jose. And hey, the train is no fault of the hotel.

The commuter train to Heredia recently began service, starting at before 6:00 a.m. on weekdays, later on weekends. Sadl, the train passes within a few yards of the hotel, and the noise is well, impressive. Blaring warning horns and a rumble which can be felt in nearly every room of the hotel will awaken/disturb even the deepest sleepers. This is in no way the fault of the hotel, and Matt has told me that every noise abatement strategy is being explored. I wish him luck.

Rooms: I had Room #211, a king bed room. This is a nice room with virtually no view, a decent bathroom and TV, better lighting than I've previously experienced at the Amistad and plenty of storage space. Here's my one bitch about the room: Why the hell aren't there any shelves or even robe hooks in the bathroom? There is not enough horizontal space to lay a tube of toothpaste near the sink. :mad: This needs to be addressed, as does the lack of night tables/bedside tables/nightstands in the hotel.

Bar/Restaurant: Asta' and company have done a brilliant job here. While quite expensive, the meals prepared and served here are world-class. The ambience is rich and comfortable, and Asta' (along with assistant Gretel) are excellent hostesses.

I didn't mind the train so much, having grown up near a rail yard, and the lack of shelf-storage space in the bathroom is a minor complaint. Overall, the staff and rooms at La Amistad get high marks. This is an excellent option for discreet mongers and for other non-hobbyist travelers as well. :D

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Last edited by El Ciego on Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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HikerTom
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:45 pm 
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El C, was there something wrong with the roof that made the rain a problem, or was that just an error in the title? :wink: :wink: :twisted: :lol:
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CRGolfer
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 3:11 pm 
The problem is two fold.... the Bus drivers and Ticos in general are freaking IDIOTS when it comes to that train.

Some of you locals who live in San Jose can help me out on the number of times but I believe it is twice in the month or two months that the train as been in service that accidents have occurred.

These accidents were the fault of bus drives parking on the track while waiting on traffic in front of them to move.

There are no gates at train crossings and they get that whistle blowing often, long, and loud trying to sing like Loudicris: "Get the F out of my way!"
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Bktuna
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 3:29 pm 
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There are no lights or barriers for the train. I take the bus back to Los Yoses. There is a turn in the road where the train runs down the middle of the main San Pedro road. Two nights ago a motorcycle turned over on the tracks causing two buses to not clear the tracks wiht the train coming. The train was going slow enought o stop but it was a three ring circus.

Muy Tico

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El Ciego
PostPosted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:02 pm 
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HikerTom wrote:
El C, was there something wrong with the roof that made the rain a problem, or was that just an error in the title? :wink: :wink: :twisted: :lol:


Title has been changed; thanks for noting my typographical error. :wink:

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LAdiablo
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 1:16 am 
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i have been awake and seen the early morning C*ck sucker with the horn and he is smiling. believe it. :twisted:
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JazzboCR
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:30 am 
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I'll have to tell some of my buds at work about this place--Finally, a place that caters to them. The USPS is the world's largerst employer of the deaf/ hearing-impaired. They'll be thrilled, no doubt. Are some of the staff trained in ASL (American Sign Language)?--it is not at all spoken English translated into a hand language but a different language, a different mode of thought entirely.

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AngryPirate
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 11:20 pm 
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The train phucking suuuucks. It's my only bitch about the hotel, but it is a big, big problem. You must be a deep sleeper, because the first train blows through well before 6:00 a.m., LOL!

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Hank
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:47 am 
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Stayed in rm#211 and never heard the train, but I 'm a sound sleeper and my house is 1 block from the train tracks where about 40 trains pass each day.
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El Ciego
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:50 am 
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Hank wrote:
Stayed in rm#211 and never heard the train, but I 'm a sound sleeper and my house is 1 block from the train tracks where about 40 trains pass each day.
Hank, I too was in #211, and yes, I heard the damn train every freakin' morning. :mad: Earplugs were of no help.

Understand, I grew up within a block of a busy train yard, and I enjoy the sounds of trains...generally speaking. Sadly, the train confronted me while I was a guest at La Amistad.

I know I wrote the subject line to include mention of the train, but for me a much larger problem is the lack of shelves/hooks in the bathroom. I would bitch about the lack of nightstands as well, except that the dresser is close enough to the bed to use as a night table. No, for me the single biggest problem was the lack of horizontal spaces in the bathroom for my shaving gear, toothbrush and paste, Listerine etc. It really sucks, and IMHO there's little excuse for the lack of this small amenity. :evil: How much is a goddam robe hook and a single small shelf over the towel bar to the left of the sink? C'mon. It's ridiculous.

There is so much to like about Hotel la Amistad, but between the train, lack of nightstands and lack of storage space in the bath... I'm afraid I've stayed my last time at Hotel la Amistad. :( Too bad, because I love everything else about this fine hotel. :cry:

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Cujo's
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 5:15 pm 
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Buttpirate told me he was in mid stroke when it went off just about scaring the shit out of him. Needless to say he finally got a room at SL a few days before he left..

I stopped into LA this trip a few times and saw Asta, she sure is missed, but I'm glad she's doing well. 8)

Cujo

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Hank
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 10:52 pm 
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El C, I would have liked to have had more counter space in the bathroom. Also a love seat would have been nice in that room.
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Admin 1
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:47 am 
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Location: San Jose, Costa Rica & The U.S.A.
Direct response from the Management of La Amistad!


Quote:
HOTEL LA AMISTAD, THE TRAIN & TRAFFIC

The train and its inherent noise is a problem that we are working to address. It is a new commuter train that started transporting passengers a few weeks ago. Since then the train has derailed twice, there have been numerous incidents with passenger cars and buses and neighborhood protests on the tracks have stopped the train. There was even a derailment on the inauguration run with the President of Costa Rica aboard! Because of this, the train operators are extremely cautious with the warning horns and are at times excessive. For whatever reason, there are no crossing barriers or warning lights. Worse is that at one of the two intersections near the hotel there is not even a stop sign! Another problem is the success of the train. It is running 90 minutes earlier in the morning and two hours later in the evening to accommodate passenger demand.

Compounding the problem is that a major traffic route into the central business district is under construction. Traffic is being re-routed around the construction zone and is passing directly in front of the hotel. They are currently half way completed with this two month project.

As a visitor to Costa Rica it probably does appear that nothing can be done but it is no different than the States or other countries. Hotel La Amistad is a successful business with 18 years experience in Costa Rica. The success is based on the ability to provide a quality product and service to satisfy customer needs. Professionals with legal, architectural and engineering expertise have been hired to work with the various government agencies, the legal system and neighborhood groups. It is going to take time but the process has been initiated. A lawsuit has been filed to address the safety and noise issues, we have a meeting next week with the president of the Costa Rica Railroad Institute and our architect and engineer are determining soundproofing options.

Whenever guests have a problem with a room we do our best to change or upgrade them. Unfortunately, during U.S. holidays the hotel and others around us are usually full and it is difficult to find alternative rooms.

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El Ciego
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:14 am 
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Thanks Admin for passing along the"official" response.

The problem with reviews like this one is that (and I should know better) people concentrate on the negatives rather than the positive comments made in the review.

Before we get too carried away re: the train, note that I had (and have) many good things to say about Hotel la Amistad.

Among the real pluses:

* responsive, friendly, professional staff

* Excellent bar/restaurant

* Excellent location convenient to a pharmacy/clinic, other hotels, parks, many fine restaurants and only a 750 CRC ride to the Gulch.

* Great beds!

* Plenty of hot water

* Best "included-with-room" breakfast of all the hotels where I've stayed

* Beautiful, recently remodeled property.

Yes, the train is noisy and inconvenient. That being said, Hotel la Amistad is still a wonderful choice, with discounts available for longer stays etc. Good amenities, good location, terrific staff. :)

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Fiedler
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 10:58 pm 
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If I may speak ?

The train is what it is.....
Embrace the train, It is Part of your Visit.

If you read the CR papers you hear Gringa types bitching about whatever,
My BMW got dust on it, pot holes, traffic, or those poor monkeys
" when I was in Detroit I never had to hear those horrid
trains......" and so on.

In General Too much belly aching from some people.

2 years ago I was staying at the Scotland Apartments, Yes the train
ran there too,

I embraced the train concept, I took as many pics as possible.
all part of the CR experience, YES, I like trains.
For me the photos and the experience all became part of a positive CR experience.

If you don't like the train noise perhaps you should be some were
else ?

Fiedler
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