www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I like the change in polices letting people know about reservation issues at check-in. I agree that it would avoid many problems in the future. It gives us time to see the new room, and the time to make good decision. That is what makes this forum great. It gives us place to resolve issues like this, and make are trips to CR more enjoyable

Thou doest protest to much!

You lost nothing were provided a room, a party and an apology please remember this board is about chicas.

Guess you missed this statement Chief:



Yes chicas are a very important part of the board but some also find "Through out our site, you will find information on travel to from and around Costa Rica along with details on accommodations, dining, adventures and of course safety, security & travel tips." important.

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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

He has every right to protest. His privacy and his posessions in the safe were violated. I take a very hard line on people getting into this mans safe and moving his posessions. What if his passport was accidently lost? The hotel also put themselves in harms way where liability is concerned because they opened themselves up to doubt about if something got lost or not.

If I were manager/owner I would have just bit the bullett on the vacancy/non vacancy of the room. It would be a lesson learned to me (as the owner) instead of the customer. I would have considered the problems as my fault, not the customers fault, and left the customer alone.

Instead of a free drink, he should get a free night or two.

Sorry if I come off as a hard liner, but this is how I honestly feel.

As someone who has dealt with businesses down here for 7 years, I find it refreshing that Bill apologizes, makes no excuses, and will probably handle it differently in the future. Usual business down here is an argument and an excuse for everything.

Hey Bill, when are you going to set up the "Soapy" massage room?

you'd be the only place in CR offering this service.

just think, a nice relaxing, soapy massage.....ahhhhh

_________________
The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

I also feel I should chip in with a comment. Having made 8 trips tp C.R. since 2001, I have stayed at Corobici, Cariari, Presidente and SL. Last Feb, myself and a golfing friend had our first stay at SL, booked for 11 days in the new wing. Toward the end of my stay, after seeing a dentist refered by a friend of mine that lives in Valle Del Sol, I needed to extend my stay for 2 weeks. When I talked to Bill and Johanna, they immediatley tried to accomodate me to stay at SL. At first they thought they might have to make part of my stay at Castillo, but after shuffling around, they were able to keep me at SL. They moved me from room to room during that time, all the time moving my things while I was busy at the dentist,or playing golf. or other activities. I was informed every step of the way which room I was going to be moved to. I did put all my safe items into an envelope which they provided, sealed it, and Johanna signed the seal. They took care of every thing else. 2 nights they had me in the Pres. suite(old wing), and 1 night in the new master suite, (sweet!!)
The last 2 nights were in my favorite, El Rey. When they put me in the lower priced rooms, they charged me the lower price, and when in the higher priced rooms, the same I was paying for El Rey. Bill and his staff went out of there way to take care of my needs. I stayed there again in May, when I finished my dental work. Myself and two friends are booked into Jr. suites in Dec. I must agree that the safe items being moved, was a major mistake and Bill has appologized for that. The plusses far outweigh th minusses at the SL in my opinion. A mistake was made and I am sure this problem has ben corrected. Thanks for your time, Frank

Chit happens? What can you do? Suck it up and move on. What other hotel owners apologizes openly on this web site???

I cannot tell you how much I know Bill's apology is heartfelt and sincere! If he was aware of the move in the AM, he would have advised of the room change.

Bill is one the most hospitable and best hosts in San Jose! You know how many members can agree with this statement! You will find no better genuinie man who cares what his patrons think, but he still has a business to run and has to depend on not only his staff but his computer software.

Well, shit happens! Bill was even apologetic in the "invasion of private space thing".

How many of you run a business or can even fathom what it would be like to run a hotel, bar and restaurant? I can tell you from personal experience in all three and the travel business, no matter how smart you are, how good you are and no matter how hospitable you are: you are not going to please every mutherphucker there is........even is your sh*t is perfect!

Bill tries very hard to be perfect, but he realizes no one is, and is willing to admitt his mistakes, apologizes for them and always willing to accept constructive critcism.

Bill is a personal friend of mine and I was there as they were hanging the brass in the bar and the Stained glass in the courtyard pre opening. The SPORTSMENS LODGE is where I prefer to stay, but becuase of my business obligations, I must stay at other hotels. You cannot match the personal hosiptality that Bill provides...............I wish there was a SL in the US!

_________________
GG
"Last time I said no......I misunderstood the question!"

Thank's to all that voiced their opionions. Without opinions, we would all be staying at the Best Western

I have travelled to many places around the World and have had good and bad experiences with flying, dining, and Hotels. When you travel you have to anticipate that things may go wrong,, and they certainly do. Thats why I bring bandaids, extra underwear, and plenty of money

In additon to my experience at the SL, after commuting to the airport early the next morning my flight was cancelled! I actually made it all the way to the gate and then they announced the flight was cancelled. We had to go back thru baggage claim, thru customs, back across the road, back up the stairs and wait in line all over again just to get Hotel and Food vouchers. I missed a day of work, had to spend the night at the Best Western by the Airport, got food vouchers for Denny's, and spent extra money paying for extended parking, boarding my dog, and missing three very important meetings. AA gave me a free roundtrip ticket but trust me, not worth the aggravation and lost time (something very difficult to replace).

Guess what? I had a great time in CR and will return! After two divorces, 4 K*ds, babysitting 35 salespeople and 900 customers in a crazy Real Estate market, this was nothing!!! Hanging in the Del Rey watching a parade fo beauties, chilling at Zona Blue, and partying at the Anniv. Party all made it ok!

As for the SL situation, Bill, with a few exceptions, did the best he could.
I run a large Homebuilding operation and deal with just about every issue known to the business world. I deal with the customers and go forward.
The invnasion of my privacy was a big deal to me!

I understand the various problems Self Propietors face and respect the fact that he runs it as well as he does. There was obviously a communication error with the staff and both Johanna and Bill both worked hard to rectify the situation after they realized the error. I do plan on having that drink with Bill sometime soon and feel quite confident that his staff will have better communicaton in the future. Hopefully Johanna will join us The Hotel staff was great during my entire stay,, from the Security staff to the bartenders. I surely drank my fare share of Crown Royal that evening. None of those test tube drinks for me!


I hope this never happens to anyone again but guess what??? Shit happens,, Don't let it ruin your experience! Life is too short. I have high expectations but realize that even the Rocket Scientists screw up... just ask NASA!

I look forward to many return visits and reunions with a number of people that I have met over the past year.

Pura Vida !

Wow what a time of my life did I have in the SL, Ill never forget it.
Bill, Karina and father Bill was nothing but first class along with the excellent staff. I don't know how many bottles of Crown we drank or how many days I stayed but it was all first class and memorable.

I was to busy having a great time to worry about what room I would wake up in but it seems they always accomdated me in any way they could ( thanks for the use of your room a few times Bill) now that is class when a guy gives up his own private room.

Coming off a no booze no women 18 month work schedule, I appreciate
everything they done for many customers there. They built a atmosphere where you can meet some of the best people/mongers
in the world and truly be enjoyable day after day.

Most were made to feel like family with a no crap, no trouble establishment. That my friends means alot when compared to a place you just feel like another paying guest. The whole staff and especially Bill would go out of his way to make you feel important when possible.

From Maids, Kitchen staff to security all had the customers best interest
in mind. I hope you did have time to loosen up and let your hair down a bit. You could of had a wonderful time with the many frequent
visitors who live and work in CR.

Hotel California comes to mind.

When I get a day off work next July or August I know where I will be heading, home sweet home and a family to be proud of, every single one of them.

Jimmy I think I may of left a bottle behind so have one for me.
I'll make up for it when I return in about 10 months. Sorry can't make it
Jan or Feb, contract extended, I could use the spare cash anyways before my retirement, soon to be.

On a scale of 1 to 5 i'll give it a 10.

Truly a great big thanks to them all. ( I hope this is the Sh*t faced smile)

just to throw my .02 i have no doubt that bill has gone out of his way to do whatever he can to make it up to u on the bad deal that happen...
all i can say is ive stayed at sportsman 5 different times and like most people on here i cant say enough postives things about it...
ive been in the suite and the new wing and the older rooms and every single time i had just a great stay.... more than anything was how the whole staff treated me and my friends that i brought with me to cr for first time and to my guest that i brought to the lodge.....spent alot of time talking to bill all of his staff and thats what i miss about cr more than anything along with all the great guys from crt ..
dont think ill be back in cr anytime soon and thats just because
i found LOS....3RD trip in 85 days....
but if i ever get back to cr sportsman is first on my list of places to stay i could not think of staying anywhere else in cr.....
keep up good work bill.......

Re: I personally removed and sealed his items from the safe myself... However I do get the point that this is a breach of personal space for some people.

Sorry but its not about "some people's idea of personal space" - the whole idea of a room safe is that it is secure, not subject to the whims and vageries of the hotel staff.