www.CostaRicaTicas.com

This may piss some of the diehard SL fans off but these boards are meant to express ones opinion so here goes.

Stayed at SL little over a week ago (was my first time there) and spent a Thursday and Friday night there. Staying at Amon Plaza now and this is my 4th visit to Amon during the past year and a half.

This is not a knock on SL but strictly a matter of personal opinion and to each his own.

Distance to the action/gulch: The same for both so that's a draw.
Distance to key MP's: SL closer to NF and Amon a block from ZB. Call that also a draw.

Chica Fee's: none at either so that's a draw.
Wireless Internet: Available at both so that's a draw.

Here's where I think Amon trounces SL: I just booked a "Standard Deluxe Room" at Amon through Nixon at $80 per night. This is one BIG F*ckin room and a damn nice room at that. My room at SL was much smaller and as I recall it was $85 per night. The room was nice but not nearly as nice as the Amon rooms.

What really annoyed me about SL is that there is no minibar in the room and if you get back after midnight everything is essentially locked up and if you want a cold drink or something your are sh*t out of luck. The rooms at Amon have a fully stocked minibar and the restaurant downstairs is open till 2:00 in the a.m.

Amon actually has a small gym and jacuzzi for relaxing. I understand SL is popular because it's easy to meet girls in the bar but in my 2 days there I didn't really see that much there. The best looking girls by far were the girls that worked the reception desk and I guess they're for looking, not touching.

I think both hotels are fine hotels but I personally would give the edge to Amon based mainly on the amenities and comforts provided and you can't beat the pricing.

Im a true fan to the Presidente, and the only other hotel Ive stayed at was the SL.

In my opinion, the Presidete is a much better hotel. Better located, everything is basically outside your front entrance.

At the same time, the SL has its perks because the majority of people staying there are CRT. Its much easier meeting up with buddies there, or even total stranger. You wake up, walk over to the bar, meet some people and head out.

At the Presidente your odds of meeting a total stranger, or even finding a buddy there are slim to none. Everything is setup for hotel-like. Floor by floor. SL has more of that country inn, or bed and breakfast feel where everyone is connected.

If I had to choose, I would take the Presidente over SL for both price and location.

If it was the case a bunch of CRT guys were in town, for say Labor Day weekend, I would take the SL just so I could be centrally located with them.

I would also choose the Presidente over the SL, much better value for your money and more convenient. I also have met many CRT members there, plus other guys that I have done things with on trips.
In fact I am arriving for my next CR trip on March 14 for 16 nights at the Presidente.
The people at the SL are nice, but so are the people at the Presidente.
If the Presidente was full my next choice would be the Amon Plaza, going thru Nixon in the casino.

Presidente is better.
Location
Taxi's that use meters on the side of the hotel next to news cafe
Staff friendly and competent = to SL
Rooms priced better
Great breakfast included in the price
Anything you need, food, pharmacy etc.; one minute walk
BM/KL 2 blocks away
Lot's of 8's, 9's and 10's in the area, in fact I find 70% of my
chicas that I take to the room within 3 blocks of the hotel
Small refrig in room
This is just a few of the reasons

I have stayed at SL every trip so far, but I am staying at the Prez for Memorial Day weekend for 2 reasons. One, I want to check the place out so I have a frame of reference for comparison. But more importantly, the prices at SL are relatively high for CR. $79+taxes ($93) is the cheapest for a room in new wing room. I booked at the Prez in a single at $51+tax ($59). It won't be as big or fancy, but I don't spend much time in the room and I don't need to impress the chicas with my room. I'll save about $200 in 6 days, and I can think of a few better ways to spend it.

I love the SL and the thing that it offers over ALL other hotels is the feeling of camaraderie and the "Cheers"-type of place where everybody knows your name. On-site chicas, restaurant, and bar don't hurt either.

In the end, for purely financial reasons, I may not stay there any more.

My dos colones.....
It doesn't matter where you stay in SJO. There are so many great places, along with a lot of not-so-good places to stay. And this board gives all of us the information necessary to make our choices. But, IMHO, I like that "Cheers" type of atmosphere, along with the camaraderie with the other brethren.

Getting laid in CR is not a challenge, but we can only do that so many times per day (except Xman, that ph*cking machine ). What about afterwards? What do you do when you're "re-charging" ? Yeah, yeah, yeah.....I know there's other sh*t to do, but (during my 'down' time) I thoroughly enjoy meeting old CRT friends, or meeting new members for the 1st time. To me, that's what it's all about. And that's my biggest reason for choosing the SL over other hotels.

Does it cost a little more ? Relatively speaking....probably. But we all have a different perception of value .

Pura Vida Gentlemen,
Mikey-B

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Just to add to the mix, I stayed with a buddy at Hotel Castillo last week. I've also stayed at the SL.

We shared a deluxe room with a kitchenette. The room and grounds were clean. The waitress in the indoor/outdoor bar was very nice. The breakfast in the morning was okay, but we seemed to end up at the News Cafe' anyway. Wireless internet worked fine. No chica fees, but they do check/copy their documentos. The location is a couple of blocks past NF.

So far, it does not have quite the atmosphere as SL. This is likely due to a wider mix of clientele. Our discounted price makes it a strong contender for future trips for me, anyway.

BTW, the security guard at SL will get you water/sodas after hours from the cooler.

_________________
SlickWings


Seems like I spend half my life drinking, gambling, and mongering. The other half... I waste.

The selection of the "perfect hotel" is like the selection of the "perfect chica".

Everyone has their own criteria to judge what is of importance, what is would be nice to have, what I can take or leave and what is the price.

A case of YMMV or one size does not fit all.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Let me chime in my two cents worth and Bill is in the same position that I am with everyone and thats "customer service" and thats what we are selling! I just want to put this out to all: If You have a bad chica with an attitude either at my place or Bill's, you know who you can complain to. All Nixon does is run the Casino if I remember right? I dont think he will go the distance for you?

I had a problem there once where I cancelled one room with the front desk two days prior to arrival and Nixon still wanted to charged me because I didnt cancel with him. It was my first time staying there and actually I thought their rooms were very old and not as modern as the new ones at the SL.

Bill and I both are trying to give not only the CRT members but all customers a so called "Controlled Enviroment".

Nixon is the Casino man who helps get a discount at the hotel we all know that so why put the knock on him for that?



That may be a legitimate complaint. Not knowing how the cancellation policy is worded can not comment on its validity.

Did you get it resolved?

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I am not knocking Nixon in regards to the hotel but when the twoidentities dont communicate they try to charge you double that is all I was saying.

All three are very good hotels (SL, Pres. and Amon). The problem that I have encountered recently is that SL and Pres. are usually booked and now Castillo is following suit. Amon Plaza is usually available and Nixon is also great.

Included breakfast at Amon blows away the included breakfast at SL and rivals that served at the Pres. Also, open air patio for breakfast at Amon is good, if you lean the right way you can see Zona Blue and prepare for the afternoon activities. It still does not match the rail at the News Cafe but it is a close second.

I think the rooms at Amon are more than decent but it is true that they do not measure up to the NEW wing at the SL. They do measure up to the old wing at the SL lodge but the SL rooms have more "character". Remember Amon Plaza is a Clarion and the rooms are all similar hotel style rooms. The showers in the new wing at the SL are very good while some in the old wing are so-so. Amon showers are very good.

Pres. and Amon have decent cancellation policies (48 hours notice prior to your arrival date and no charge. Pres will even send you a confirmation of your cancellation via E-Mail). I'm not sure about the cancellation policy at the SL but from what I remember it is not as liberal as the Pres. and Amon. This is important to me and probably to others who never know what may pop up at work or in life that may alter a trip.

Does anyone know the SL's cancelation policy?

I cancelled rooms 36 hours or so before I landed and had no charges?

You can cancel up to 72 hours (3 days) prior to your arrival without being charged.