www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Yes, $100 for 5 years makes more sense. Thanks for that info.

Wow $544, hope I can get that price in August.

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Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

I just became a VIP Member!! Whooopeeee!

Sorry, but another question... Is the standard room ok or is the Queen size deluxe ( I think it's called ) worth the upgrade? I'm getting ready to reserve the room. I don't have to have the very best...ha... But comfortable is nice.. Oh, and should I request a certain location, etc. within the hotel?

Thanks, guys!!

Welcome aboard... remember, the chat function is there and I'm usually on during work in case you have questions. Was SL full? Trust, you'd like SL the best prolly...

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"Pain is the fuel that fans the flames of my pyre. A battle plan is only as good as the general carrying it out on the field. This is my war son, and I have the biggest bombs and the smallest conscience"...

Some of the questions to ask:

1. Smoking or non-smoking ?
2. Which floor ?
3. Back or front ?
4. Windows - are there any ?
5. Discount for weekly stay ?
6. Discount or no tax added for payment in cash ?

La Amistad has the best free breakfast but a couple of trains go by in the morning around 6 to 7 A.M. with loud whistles. No big deal to me.
Dunn Inn has newer rooms and could be quieter at the back.
All these hotels have safes in the room.
Especially if you are not going to do lots of entertainment in your room the most economical should do - for me at least.

_________________
Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

Which hotel are you booking... Dunn Inn, Castillo or Amistad?

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Blue Devil

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

Sorry... I'm booking the Dunn Inn. I think the Deluxe is $10 more??

Sorry, I can't help with that one (never stayed at DI). Why not make use of the Dunn Inn's toll free # 800.545.4801 and talk to Boyd?

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Blue Devil

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

Well, I did email him and he just mentioned the rooms are larger, etc. I was just hoping some of you had stayed there and could shed some light on the difference.

I stayed at Dunn Inn in room #4 which was $60/night so I think it was Deluxe, it was a corner room on the first floor and very large and airy with windows on 2 sides, no A/C but did not even need the fan.
I like the place and the little traffic noise in that front room did not bother me. The bath room/shower is a bit compact but the room is spacious. I like the bar and the staff and food. Free breakfast is adequate and few eco-tourists around so makes for a pleasant atmosphere. The casino may be open when you get there and may make it better.
Boyd is very helpful.
Good choise of hotel.
I did not see the standard rooms to make a comparison. Sorry.

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Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

The standard rooms are smaller, but totally fine
The deluxe rooms are all abit different
I have slayed in both many times
Stay in a standard for your first few days to save some coin, then move into a larger for the last few days with the money you saved
As for the Deluxe #3 is a Dump
With that said, I also suggest a call to Boyd to Iron out the details
On thing that I like about the Dunn Inn is the mini bar is well stocked, not a rip off, and has a lock on it

All of the hotels you mention are fine and Jazz gave you a nice differentiation between them. I have stayed at the Castillo 2-3 times and like the rooms, but hate (and I mean hate) the sucky restaurant including and in particular their super lame continental breakfast, which to me seems like management wants to give you motivation to order a "off the menu" breakfast.

I would book the Dunn Inn, if construction is complete, if not have them book you in a quiet area. for the following reasons:
1) The staff is particularly well managed and as responsive as you would expect at a good hotel in the states. The maids, the front desk staff, the restaurant employees, even Boyd(J/K) provide excellent service.
2) The continental breakfast is actually pretty good and you can augment it with off the menu items
3) The Happy Hour is every day and I believe it if from 4-6 or 7 (2X1)
4) The superior rooms have flat screen TVs.

I have not stayed at the Amistad, but will try it for a few days next trip down.

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“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” And we are the guys that keep them in Eggs & Grits

From my reading of the board, the Castillo seems to be a more of a "rustic" place, with lots of variability in the quality of the rooms and few few modern amenities; some of the rooms apparently meet today's standards, but the whole place really needs a total renovation like that which the Amistad and Dunn Inn have done. I stayed at the Dunn Inn in March, and the new rooms there have to be the best value in their price range. Awesome high-quality beds, 32" flat-screen TV's, modern remote-control AC and bathroom fixtures, and a lock on the mini-bar/fridge. I was in a standad room (#21) and it had a small desk and a huge mirror on one wall. The CRT rate was $50 a night, tax included--what a deal! I only went to HLH for my fun so the smaller size was fine for me, no need to pay more.

Thanks, again guys!! I hope Ive also helped some others with the comparison here.

I've decided to book the Queen size Deluxe room from Feb. 9 and checking out Feb 16 ( 7 nights). Boyd quoted $60 after CRT discount and taxes. Perhaps it's a waste spending
$10 more than the standard room. I'm not sure. I suppose it depends on the Deluxe room quality, as apparently the rooms are all different. Maybe I can change to a standard room if I
discover upon arrival it's overkill. I guess I'd rather spend $10 more at the outset with no prior experiencing the rooms than be wishing for 7 days that I'd booked a larger room!
I'll report back and no doubt be in touch on this board. You've all been sooooo helpful, and I appreciate it.
Please let me know of you are there during my stay and leers tip a few and have some fun with the ticas!!

R

The Dunn Inn's standard rooms have a full-size bed, while the deluxe ones have a queen bed. The larger bed might be worth it if you plan on bringing chicas to your room; for me, the standard was fine since I didn't bring in chicas, I only went to HLH (I'm not kidding! ), so I was happy to save $10.

There's also two "wings" in the DI: The older section and what appears to be a new second section. The room I was in, #21, was in the new section. All the rooms in the hotel have been renovated, but there might be some differences depending on what section you're in.

I hear ya. It's one of those things where in retrospect I may have wished I'd gotten the standard room... or maybe not. I guess if I do find chicas I want to bring back, I may be glad I got a larger room. If I knew for sure, it'd be cool to save the $70 for the 7 nights. Heck, maybe if I get there and it's not so full that I can't change, I may still have the opportunity to change to a standard room after I spend a night or more in the Queen Deluxe.

It's hard making decisions when you haven't seen the room. Fortunately, it's a minor thing even if I have a little regret I didn't book the standard and I coulda used the $70 for chic fees!!

Thanks!!