www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I've been to this celebration several times in Alajuela and there were more Ticos then Gringos in my estimation.

A friend of mines wrote them a email asking why the fee, this is the reply back:


Thank you for contacting the Holiday Inn San José Aurola regarding your future visit to San Jose and staying at Holiday Inn San Jose Aurola. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to bring this matter to my attention.



There is a hotel local policy for your own security that state about unregistered guests or visitors. They are not allowed to stay at the rooms with our guest without a previous registration. If you, as our guest decides to invite second or third person after the original check in time, must pay for an unscheduled guest fee of $70 plus taxes. In order to avoid similar situations, we recommend you to provide at check in time, the first name and last name of the second persons that will be arriving later. In this case, we would kindly add the second person’s name to the reservation as your accompany.



Our Hotel joins the efforts of National Authorities in order to avoid the development of activities that involve the prostitution and commercial sexual exploitation of Ch*ldren and minors within the Hotel´s facilities. That’s why this local policy has been content at our property.



It is our goal to consistently provide superior service and accommodations and your comments are very important to us. The feedback we receive from our valued guests, like you, enables us to target problem areas and take the necessary actions to ensure similar situations can be avoided in the future.



Once again, we appreciate you taking the time to share your comments with us. We know you have many choices when it comes to lodging and we hope you will continue to choose Holiday Inn San José Aurola for your future travel needs.





Sincerely,







.

Well, there you go..........

At least you rec'd an answer and <their> explanation ( their reason is BS BTW - and to bring into the subject of minors is beyond the pale, as is security - they don't want whores in their hotel - which is their right - its your right to stay elsewhere. If anyone "buys" their nonsense explanation, I want to sell you a really nice bridge located in Brooklyn

Another once popular place, The Presidente, BS'd people for a long time before coming clean on their policy (basically no guests)

I stand by my comments made earlier in this thread - DON'T GIVE YOUR MONEY TO JUDGEMENTAL PLACES THAT REALLY DON'T WANT YOU THERE

Ah yes presidente I stayed there when I first
visited Costa Rica many years ago, I still
have my News Cafe hat, was shocked to hear
they changed there policies

I'd hold on to that, maybe even protect it--a serious collectible someday...and no, I ain't jokin.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

The strongest "Huzzah! I can see one minor reason for registering and paying at the the Other Hotels...because you are being reimbursed and/or need a "proper" address fro meetings or mail. Stay there if you want to but also book a cheap room at the Hemingway or the Vesuvio (both CRT Sponsors I believe) for all the fun stuff--a pied-a-terre, sort of. This message aimed at a small tier of travelers, I know.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Yes it's BS, I stayed at the holiday inn in
Thailand and never paid any fees they took
the ladies ID and gave it back when she came
back down " after" they called me asking is
everything ok before they have the ID back.

Franchised Hotels have to report back to the franchisee. They get fined for complaints. Choice hotels charges $500 per complaint after 2 in any given month (whether valid or not). Holiday inn is trying to protect its name. Like all franchises, some follow the rules more than others. Holiday Inn San Jose almost lost their franchise a couple of years back due to repair issues. The owners invested almost $3 million dollars to keep it and do not want to lose it. When you have a franchise, you are at the mercy of the franchisee. It is what it is.

The owners of the property is 3 sons and a nephew of the builder of the building. I had a meeting with one of them and he was very cordial and nice. He actually came to see me in my cigar room.
They have a management agreement with a large hotel management company that has many flags (hotel brands), including 3 in CR. http://driftwoodhospitality.com/our-hotels/
On this particular property, Holiday Inn is the franchisor and Driftwood is the franchisee. Driftwood has to answer to their own executives, Holiday Inn the Franchisor,and the building owners.
Their big business is tours with tour buses that are full.
They have little interest in mongers, discount rooms (except volume tour groups) and discount beverages. That is their business model. Nothing against my CRT brothers.

Funny thing: 1st time in CR, I was one of those tour folks (CaravanTours) and they put us up at the Holiday Inn. The first day, I wanted to get a haircut so asked the doorman. He strolled me over to a hairdresser/barbershop, and after having qualified me a single male traveler, said special favors awaited me if I wanted to undulge. I most certainly did, so my first CR shot of leg was a quickie upstairs from a beautician--fine young filly and I was pleased. I forget the price (it was in 2004) but all I met at the hotel were wondering how I got so happy so quickly--from just a haircut? Not a peep from me but the memory sure lingered. Hell of an intro...

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Dead link dude...dead

I remember when the Chica fee was twenty five at hi. Many moons ago.