www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Employees don't know a lot but I do know they closed the poker room last night for remodeling. Also the casino, but I don't think that matters to many people.

More and better girls in the lobby bar now, at least this weekend.

is this the new name of the Hotel? any idea where the Poker games moved to?

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its easier to fool people than to convince them they have been fooled- mark twain

The games are gone for now, not moved anywhere. The guy who runs the games is leaving CR for a vacation back home to the UK. So no poker at the Taormina for the time being.

Have you heard when the restaurant might open (are you there now)??

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There's a prettier girl every day...

No one there seemed to know

I was told the restaurant is going to be taken over by the guy who runs the rib joint down towards SL. Do they still have the chicas and on premise rooms at the place in the morning?.......Taormina is an Italian hotel chain.

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I am NOT a Cien Boy!!

My friend is on the ground. I sent him on a scouting mission to Mona Lisa. He mentioned the name change too.

Staff wouldn't show him a room and didn't know when the renovations would be complete. He was asking for me because I was considering booking the hotel early June. I'm not concerned if the casino part is closed. But I would like the restaurant to be open & independents to be roaming around the premise. He said there was one independent girl there at noon today. Today they were laying tile in what I assume is the poker room. The girl working the counter was completely void of helpful information. She mentioned the rooms may be $75+ in June.

In order of importance to me is #1 - no construction noise in the room, #2 - girls on site, and #3 - restaurant / bar open.

Does anyone have further information?

Max........

With your 3 priorities, stay somewhere else........ maybe Zona 2, or SL, or HDR.

I'm coming at the end of the month and was planning to give ML a try for a couple of days…getting kind of discouraged by all I'm hearing. Does anyone have an opinion about Dunn Inn. Don't hear much talk about it. Any idea on parking for rental car during stay at ML or Dunn?

Max--considering your priorities..Rac's advise is good.

Bandon--Dunn Inn is real nice with quality rooms (although some don't have AC). Really liked their restaurant (had several meals there last week--all good). No girls on site. Dunn Inn and ML both have their own (secured) parking...

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There's a prettier girl every day...

Thanks Tellen…might give both a shot for a couple of nights.

Thank you for your suggestions. I was trying to figure out if ML is a major construction zone or if it's worth a stay.

I don't care for the rooms at HDR not to mention the "elevator fee". If I intended to pay guest fees, I'd probably stay at the Presidente.

SL padded the bill every time I've visited. Without going into too much detail, they double charged for items (drinks, meals) where I paid cash at purchase. About 4 years ago they started adding S.I. 10% (service fee - tip) to the bill. So if I tip a bartender cash during service yet charged the meals / drinks to my room, I still get the additional 10% tip added to my room charge for meals / drinks at checkout.

The bartenders have regularly been in cahoots with the girls running up drinks on my tab. Plus, last month my $36 guest house room (tax included) was better than the $109 + 13% tax junior suite I've stayed in 4 times at SL. All in, why pay 400% more for a room of equal quality? Chilimike was there when a girl I didn't even know charged a $110 bottle of Hennessy to my room when I agreed to buy her "a drink". Chilimike was charged for things he didn't buy (right in front of me) during our meal with two girls.

This trip, I was considering the Mona Lisa. I like trying new places. The only reason I was considering Mona Lisa over guest houses is their guest friendly policy. It doesn't hurt they have girls and a restaurant. But I've had no trouble smuggling girls into various guest houses in San Jose since they generally only have one sleepy staff member working after 8-9:00 pm.

Can't speak to the rest of your post but the service fee is a law in Costa Rica and must be collected by the business even if you tip more than that in cash on the table. That is why tipping is completely unnecessary in Costa Rica unless you feel you got better than 10% service, which is unfortunately rare.

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

Maxbass, just be aware that in Costa Rica the 10% service fee is mandatory, it is basically a service tax, also known as propina. It will always be added to your tab, regardless of any additional cash tip you might want to pass on to your server.

So, regardless of how good or poor the service you received is, you get charged a 10% tip...if it wasn't mandatory most if not all ticos would probably never tip! Not a tipping culture in CR.

I appreciate the info. I will say that despite about 75% of restaurants charging the 10% fee, 25% did not. I pay close attention because I do not want to be the cheap Gringo who didn't pay a tip. Nor do I care to be the stupid Gringo who just paid 10% mandatory tip + 13 VAT + 15% Gringo tip.

As for Sportsmen's, I've been to 34 countries and understand the games various establishments play. Despite Chilimike & I objecting in person to Bill how the bartenders tried to rip us off, he sided with his bartenders versus his experienced well traveled customers. So for me, I will never stay at SL again. Management made their choice siding with scam artist bartenders vs loyal customers, now they get to reap the result of taking the wrong side. Penny smart, pound foolish.

I've seen these games played across the globe. I tend to be rather spicy went it comes to protecting myself & my brothers from being taken advantage of because many consider us the stupid Gringos or stupid Farangs. Not on my watch.

In Santa Cruz, Grecia, Motenzuma, Jesus, Puntarenas and Tamarindo I did have many restaurants who did not charge the 10% service fee. I closely pay attention to every receipt because I don't want the poor bartender, waitress, or waiter to get stiffed if their establishment doesn't charge the 10% fee. And in my experience last month having visited 12 cities in Costa Rica, at least 20% do not charge this as a mandatory fee (at least not on the receipt).

I hope more CRT members raise their antennas. I find it startling that people continually recommend places that abuse their customers. Places who charge 4 times the going rate at establishments of equal quality & amenities.

Whatever your choices, don't be the stupid Gringo who pays $140 for a $40 room. Don't pay a Tica $100 when you could pay $60. Don't pay $12 for a $3 meal. Use your head (the one above your shoulders).