www.CostaRicaTicas.com

if i were nixon i would just eliminate the discounted rooms and focus on service. when you deal with discount customers they are the worst kind.

or even better..

present it this way

$95 is our regular suite rate.. with this you get excellent service and attention... for $65 you get a room.

Boy this is the truth!!!

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"Run silent, run deep"
Spunk glazed Chicas are the building blocks of the universe!

Have stayed at the Amon my last 3 trips, spanning approx. 7 months.
Other than the sheet issue, and new information regarding only changing the sheets every three days (this does not make me happy, knowing who is probably staying in these rooms before me) Knowing this may effect my future stays, although is SL, Castilllo or other hotels in that area any different.

As far as the Nixon situation. In al of my stays ranging in arrival from 9 AM to 1 PM Nixon or Graham has been there on every occassion and I have see them both in the casino on several occassions throughout my stays. I have had a couple of very small issues, one time not having a Jr Suite (which was requested) on my return from the beach. As this was only for one night I did not find this to be a big deal.

If Nixon is not available in the Casino, the Hotel staff should have informed you that Graham or the other owner Udeff (sp)??? would be hapy to help you as they have me and my wingman.

I must admit that I do spend time in the casino as well, this could have an effect on my issues being resolved immediately.

The one time I did use room service, it took about 30 minutes for a sandwich for my novia, I thought this was reasonable for CR.

As far as the sheets, the short sheeting that Igualmente brings up is a VERY VALID POINT. I have mentioned on more than one occassion to the hotel management...Have you heard of fitted sheets........

I was assured (yeah right) that they are in the process of changing this (I flat out told the manager that is the reason I will probably be staying elsewhere next trip) Can't stand waking up with just mattress under me in the morning (gross)

I have been wanting to stay in Escazu next trip anyway...

OK, you guys hate the sheets and love the restaurant. We're talking
about the very attractive restaurant, that wraps around the corner,
where you can catch a little sun or shade, as you like, right?

If so, I have to report that the service I received there in the afternoon
last weekend was poor. I ordered a glass of chardonnay, and the
bartender brought me a red wine. When I told him politely that
chardonnay is a white wine, he got pissed at me. He ignored me
from then on, and I had to go to the bar for refills. The waiter was
clearly angry at him for talking with his family at the bar for an extended
period while customers waited for their drinks. I hate it when waitstaff
have little enmities among each other -- it always leads to poor service.

OK, I'm used to poor service at the Key Largo and the Del Rey, where
the barmaids and waitresses don't even look at you when you give
them a tip. I just don't tip any more, unless I get at least a look of
recognition. But at least at these places, you have the scenery.

Does all of San Jose have bad service? No, I remember good service
at all the following: News Cafe, Balcon de Europa, Restaurante Del Mar
(actually I am getting to really like this place with its colonial ceilings
and surfeit of waitstaff who seem to try very hard, at least),
Esquina de Beunos Aires, Machu Picchu, Sportsmen's Lodge, random
sodas, and even the little bars at Zona Blue and Bar Idem.

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Same river, new water

Although I have been in touch with the poster back channel he still took this public before a proper response could be forthcoming.

I will not get into the he said she said issues here, other than I stated 99% of our customers are very happy at the Amon. Nixon has from what I understand been extremely helpful to all our clients.

ANY HOTEL CAN HAVE CUSTOMER SERVICE ISSUES. I could go though countless hundreds of hotel bashing threads from the Presidente on down.

Blaming them on Nixon is rediculous. The Hotel is not owned by the Casino nor do they have any actual say over the day to day operations. They offer a 3rd party booking to entice persons to stay with the hope they will gamble. The rates for a STANDARD ROOM Are $70.00 taxes included with no "Chica fee" You quote that you were charged $90.00 and that you can get a guarantee via expedia or whatever agency you use. Note you had a Jr. Suite which is $90.00 the Expedia and 3rd party rates are for standard rooms. You are comparing apples to oranges.

Checking Expedia I see Standard room rate lowest possible $99.00 plus taxes plus guest fees Jr. Suite which you had $150.00 plus taxes & guest fees. If we are debate an issue bash a hotel, a sponsor etc, let us get the facts straight or anything else can not be accepted as fact.

Just a note
I Doubt very much Nixon is going to leave the Casino to check on the delivery of your Sandwhich.... or check on the short sheet issue anytime soon.

I will continue to work behind the scenes to deal with the issue you stated privately.

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Thank you for supporting CRT!

This is perhaps my favorite hotel to stay in. I've had great luck wiht it in the past. Love the little bar and resturaunt an dit is close to my favorite place in the world ZB

Iggy I thought you dumped the Spratt? (Glad you didn't as I love to read your posts about her, that time of the month, huh Ig?)

Nixon was very helpful the one time I dealt with him but I also never got to meet him in person.
I think you have it backwards here- What makes no sense to me is the conflict- what difference should it make if you book through him or not in regards to customer service? The front desk (and all other employees) should not treat you any differently or ignore any issues by telling you to take it up with Nixon, after all you're still a paying guest in THEIR hotel and they should do their job to make your stay more enjoyable regardless of where or how you book a room. Nixon's job (I believe) is to manage the casino, not the hotel so the service issues with the rooms aren't likely his responsibility.
But alas, we are in a place where logic and customer service aren't always reality.

Now Iggy, from now on you keep track of the Spratt's cycle and avoid her that week every month, (do I have to teach you novia-guys everything?)

I have to say I’ve stayed at the Amon Plaza booking through the Casino at least ½ dozen times this past year and ½. I’ve never had a problem securing my room. I always paid in cash and but one time where I received an above average exchange rate but it was not charged as a cash advance. When I inquired they indicated that since they were getting the rooms at very close what they were giving them to us at they could not afford the Credomatic charges of over 7% or they would actually be at a loss for the rooms so their exchange was what it was. I’ve spoken with them on many occasions and believe me they are doing us a favor. About 1 out of 10 CRT guys actually gamble according to my conversations so but still go out of their way to be helpful take and deal with all types of problems I sure this group or any group will provide. Since then though I have and will always pay by cash as it was like 545 to 1 plus the foreign transaction fee last time I stayed there.

The Hotel is exactly as it appears, with the linens, although yes I’ve experience the short sheet I have always thought the place was BETTER THAN adequate and the Casino staff more then helpful if asked. I will say I have never ever been told it mattered how I booked the room, once I was a hotel guest then the Mgt of the hotel picked up all the customer service responsibilities. Have I had 100% perfect stays of course not this is Costa Rica not the 4 seasons, but I will say that if I had a complaint it was dealt with in a courteous timely manner. I never once was told see Nixon that’s up surd. What would the Casino staff have to do with your rooms service, or room by the street.

Based on the level of emotion you have shown in typing your post If can be so bold to make a suggestion sometimes it is how you approach a negative situation is the key. I’m sure you have heard you get more flies with honey, well, if you bitched and moaned your entire stay to anyone who would listen, if I owned a hotel I would probably ask you to leave.

Bottom line the Amon has always been a fine alternative for me when my hotel of choice was booked. Also upon check out I always received a receipt from the front desk with the Clarion letterhead, so if Choice Hotels offers some sort of 1st free guarantee why would you not approach them to express your unsatisfactory stay. Just my opinion but I think your directing your dissatisfaction to the wrong people.

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The Boss of All Bosses!!! Hey I'm a drunk alcoholics go to meetings!

The rate at the casino for withdrawal (from debit card) now is 570 for non-gamblers and 540 for gamblers. Neither of which is very appealing.

I still dont like the sheets and want 4000 thread count.... but Admin is right, non of this is the fault of Nixon, since nixon runs a separate administration at the casino he actually pays the clarion 70dollars after you pay him 70 dollars. So he makes no profit on that and the hotel actually has gained a customer that they would not have otherwise had meaning they profit the 70 bucks minus the cost of maintaining your room (they give your the room on 'availiability' meaning if they werenot able to sell out all the other rooms above 70 then you got it.) So in a nutshell it is not nixon who is responsible it is the hotel whom you must direct concerns to they are the ones that profited by you being there, nixon only profits from the casino.
Other than that the hotel is nice, its just clean crisp sheets that dont short sheet are verg high on my list of priorities.

Next time (if there is a next time) , ask them for Nixon's cell. He has always been available to me and I've never had a problem when staying there. If you are a gambler, he WILL leave the casino to check on the sheets for you but 5,000 colones hardly qualifies you as a serious gambler. You need to gamble $300.00 dollars a day or more.
LVSteve

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Just an old horney, fat gambler.

My Son & I stayed @ Amon for 4 nightd over Super Bowl weekend & throughly enjoyed the stay. We did not meet Nixon but were introduced to Graham who handled our stay . We had one small problem with my sons room which was fixed by the front desk almost immediatley. We requested Jr. Suites on the backside of the hotel & they readily assigned us those type of rooms.

We did meet 2 guys making their 12 trip to CR in the bar who had never heard of CRT & they were paying $140 per night for the same type rooms we had .

I would definatly stay there again. BTW our sheets fit.

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its the land of hoodoo , voodoo & all kinds of wierd shit.

First let me state that it was Providian ( My CC) who Phucked up on the cash advance that was placed on my card instead of just a credit charge. No explanation as to why, that they where sorry for the inconvenience.

Also I have to agree. I liked the restaurant, and the underling staff was great, (but not all the staff) I just did not hit it off with the front desk staff. But enough of the bitch!!!!

OH Phuck Me...The Spratt...now there a story to tell. I should have stayed out of the HDR, but nope...There she was and she slides right into place. Like a good pair of ASA shoes. But a day and a half later... She leaking all over the place. So what do I do ...I'm sneaking out to ZB's. I felt like an M-man..... I gave her five bills for five days…..Boy did she start bitching….Then she tells me that she can make ten thousand dollars a month…In Jaco the gringo's pay a cein un hora.....

Holy shit, she does better then me… So I ASK…why all the wu’s

She gives me Total silence……

Oh she great company ,tracks through jungle, goes fishing but you know I have come to believe that when you fall for a Dominican they are shorta like getting chewing gum stuck on the sole of your shoes...Once there, it’s hard to get rid of it… :lol::twisted:

I need something ...well like the little spinner that was working in ZB's ..she let me kow that she'd been woring two whole weeks and was new to the buz. "Kat.something "

. You know from what I'm reading, I’m beginning to think it was just a bad trip…. I thought "What a little gem of a hotel for the location, ( ZB – NF) NO BUMS nor Shoe Shine boys and one hell of a nice bellhop. There where some good parts, you have already read the bad so let's move on…......


Iggy…

Just stayed there from 2/2 thru 2/7. I've also had the same problem with posting a cash advance to a credit card instead of a credit transaction. I have learned to pay cash up front to avoid these fee's. Also, stay above the second floor or you will hear the casino all night. my only problem on my last trip was the maids knocking on the damn door at 8:30 a.m. to clean the room. I ask 3 times for a door sign do not disturb but never did get one. Nixon has always been helpful with me. Just email him and he usually replies within 12 hours, or hit the casino after 1 p.m.

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"You can only keep a secret between two people if the other one is dead." Ben Franklin

.

I agree, if you are using your CC for cash advances instead of carring cash, this is verys disheartening

.

Seems noise is a problem in all the Hotels, but at Amon Plaza my ears plugs did not work.. The damn taxi’s kept blowing their horns or the Phucking mufflers


This is a real shock because I paid her to clean the room at 9:30 and it was never cleaned until after 1:30 pm both days.

I feel that Amon Plaza needs to make some changes.

1) Clean sheets everyday..

2) A discount packet upon check-in outlining said discounts for CRT members

3) No cash advances on CC. ( even if they are removed later)

4) More then a $100.00 per day when cashing travelers checks

5) Prompt room Service…30-35 minutes for sandwiches

6) “The Choice Hotels 100% guarantee” A free night when not satisfied with service /room

7) Someone onsite to handle any and all problem...Pronto

Is that to much to ask for, especially when you could be a possible returning customer....

PS: I did not find $90.00 a night to be a discount. $29.99 a night, now there is a discount.

Iggy...