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Detailed Review of Hotel Castillo with Comments on Europa
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Author:  Don Giovanni [ Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:20 am ]
Post subject:  Detailed Review of Hotel Castillo with Comments on Europa
Detailed Review of Hotel Castillo with Comments on Hotel Europa

I recently spent 4 nights at Hotel Europa and 10 nights at Hotel Castillo in San Jose. I booked Europa only because I could not find another vacancy and was desperate.

My girlfriend called the night before I left, and told her to wait for me at Europa. I made it very clear to her: “No ropas atrevida o mucha pintura.” In other words, “Don’t look like a whore.” When I arrived at 10 PM Wednesday night, she was sitting near the desk looking like a normal respectable Tica and the desk treated her accordingly. They never asked her to show her cedula or sign-in for the entire 4 days.

Without devoting more than one paragraph to Europa, I’ll just say that this 95-year old hotel is overpriced at $70 per night. I had a large room, but the antiquated air conditioner could not cool it adequately on a warm afternoon. There was no internet. The TV only had basic cable, which disappointed my girlfriend. The only TV channel that interested me was CNN, but it did not come-in well enough to watch. After 3 nights, I noticed that I had small itchy red bumps on my legs from insect bites. These looked like what I think of as ‘chigger’ bites. I had about 15 bites in the area around my knees, but my girlfriend had no bites at all. I assumed these were xenophobic Tico bugs taking it out on the gringo, but my girlfriend insisted they were unbiased ‘sancudos’ who attacked only me because they just happened to prefer light meat over dark. Whatever they were, the problem ceased when I left Hotel Europa. I’ll have to be very desperate before I book that hotel again. I moved to Hotel Castillo the next day.

While Hotel Castillo is only 3 blocks from Parque Morazan, it seems miles away. The atmosphere is much more laid back and relaxing than downtown places like Hotel Morazan or Presidente. The staff is exceptionally friendly, down-to-earth, and anxious to help. Marta, Art, and Patricia are three I remember by name. Early one morning my cigarette lighter went kaput, so I walked to front desk and asked Marta for some matches. She jumped up and searched several rooms near the reception area, then ran outside and went upstairs and ran around the complex for more than 5 minutes before returning with a box of matches for me. I don’t recall a desk clerk ever making that kind of effort on my behalf. I later brought Marta some mangos I bought from a street vendor downtown.

I’ll say right up front, I think that with the CRT discount(s), Hotel Castillo is a good value. While my room was not luxurious by any means, it was clean and modern, and totally adequate for someone who is not used to living in luxury anyway. I stayed in Room #15 which is a kitchenette normally priced at $69. With the CRT-VIP discount of 25% and an extra 20% for paying 10 days in advance with travelers’ checks, I was paying $44 tax included.

The room was 22 by 12 feet including the space occupied by the kitchen area and bathroom. The bathroom was a little cramped at 4’ x 6 ½’, but it included a small toiletry cabinet, shower and a small bathtub. I consider a bathtub a luxury in CR. I guess so few Ticos have them that they don’t understand the concept because I’ve never been provided with a tub that included a stopper – and this was no exception. That’s why I always keep a universal stopper in my travel preparation kit (also good for icing-down beer in the sink). It was nice to have a relaxing bath when I wanted one.

The kitchen area included a 7-foot wide counter with a large sink with hot and cold water; plates, glasses, cups, saucers, silverware and drain board; coffee maker, microwave, toaster oven, and half-size refrigerator. It was everything you’d expect a kitchenette to be.

There were 2 beds that seemed small for the ‘queen size’ beds advertised on the CRT Sponsors page. I took out my tape measure, and found them to be 75 by 54 inches. Maybe queens are smaller in CR, but in the USA that is a ‘full size’ or ‘double bed.’ Queen size is 80” x 60”. I just happen to know that because I recently shopped for beds. Each bed had a bedside table, and also 2 reading lights mounted overhead on the wall.

Also included were a dining table with 2 chairs, large chest of drawers, 36-inch clothes rack, ceiling fan and a free safe. There was a new air conditioner that cooled the room well, but sometimes leaked water on the tile floor making it dangerously slippery. There was a new 26-inch TV with excellent reception, expanded cable service and a remote control which thrilled my girlfriend. Oh yes, the wireless internet access was very convenient.

There was a 5-foot wide picture window next to the front door. The door opened to the outdoors where there was a tile walkway, small garden area with banana and palmetto plants, and a covered bar and dining area with tables where the free breakfast was served. The free breakfast included hard-boiled eggs, gallo pinto, fruit, toast & jam, and coffee.

There was more food available at Hotel Castillo from Sonny’s Sports Bar & Restaurant. The bar inside was small and dark, and did not appeal to me all. The restaurant dining area was much more attractive with 4 tables on a covered patio. I did not eat in the restaurant, but ordered room service from them several times. The 14” pizza cost $8 and was overdosed with dried spice (parsley or oregano, maybe both) which gave it an unexpected flavor. It was palatable, but I wouldn’t order it again. The pork chop dinner ($7) included 2 small chops with fries and salad. It was very good, but not enough food for me. One night, my GF and I had 2 cheese burgers ($4 each) sent to the room. The meat was burnt like charcoal on the outside and red in the middle. I should have sent them back, but didn’t. Maybe the cook called in sick and they were just having a bad night. The next day I reviewed their menu and realized they had overcharged me $2 for the burnt burgers. That was the last time I did business with Sonny’s.

As long as I’m mentioning food, there are several good places to eat within easy walking distance. La Criollita is a good inexpensive Tico place 2 blocks from HC at Avenida 7, Calle 9. The highly rated Café Mundo (A9, C15) is 2 ½ blocks up the hill from HC. Sportsman’s Lodge (C13, A9-11), one block up the hill and around the corner, has good Tex-Mex. The popular JR’s House of Ribs (A11) is about 4 blocks away – next to the zoo. All of these have been reviewed on the CRT restaurant forum, so I will not go into detail.

Back to Hotel Castillo, there were a few of little things that bothered me about my room. The main thing was the fact that there was no inside security lock on the entrance door – no chain, no sliding bolt, nothing. The door was secured only by a standard household door-knob lock that any knowledgeable thief could slip with a credit card or butter knife. It bothered my girlfriend to know that the maids could barge in at any time (they didn’t). It bothered me when I took a shower to know that someone could sneak in without me hearing. I had to lock down my valuables to have peace-of-mind when I took a shower. The other thing was that the curtains on the picture window tended to unexpectedly open a few inches – especially when the ceiling fan or air conditioner was running. It really didn’t bother me, but my girlfriend was afraid someone would peek-in and get a free show. I guess she thought “No pay, no play.” I finally secured the curtains with a couple of safety pins I keep in my travel prep kit. Oh yes, noise can be a problem at HC too. On 3 occasions, I was awakened in the early morning hours by neighbors coming in late and banging around.

I almost forgot to add that laundry service at HC is a real plus. The maids wash clothes on their own time to make extra money. One morning, I gave the maid a week’s worth of clothes – at least 2 wash loads. She returned about 3 hours later with all my pants and shirts on hangers, and my socks and underwear neatly folded and bagged. She said the charge was $8. I was so pleased with the service that I gave her $10.

Overall, I recommend Hotel Castillo and I will probably try to book there my next trip. I think it is a good value with the CRT discount. I enjoyed having easy access to the Gulch without being right in the middle of the downtown commotion.

I hope this helps somebody.

Don Giovanni
Author:  Witling [ Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:53 am ]
Post subject: 
Excellent report. Loads of information and should be very easy to access using the SEARCH.

Although you had some issues I can see where they could be overlooked for that price. Too bad the food service isn't better, that's a nice perk to have in any hotel.

Thanks for taking the time to write this up.

Wit
Author:  Zebra [ Thu Jun 08, 2006 1:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
Don,

Very nice and accurate report on the Castillo. I stayed in #15 last summer. As for the maids possibly coming into the room.....when I was at the Castillo last Jan/Feb, they had started using those "DO NOT DISTURB" signs to hang on the outside door handle.....perhaps yours was missing. Regardless, with or without the sign, I never had a problem with the maids coming in. Yes, all the people you mentioned are great people to work with. The Castillo is a good value. :)

Zebra
Author:  BlueDevil [ Thu Jun 08, 2006 6:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Hotel Castillo
DG,

An excellent review on Hotel Castillo, indeed! The type of information you provided is exactly what others need to hear.

I stayed at the Castillo 3 times since February and share your sentiments about this hotel...it is excellent value and the HC crew is superb.

I do have one criticism which I did not notice on my first trip when I stayed in Room #10 at the top of the steps. I believe the issue of noise was discussed in a previous thread on the HC. Earlier this week, I stayed in Room #7, one of the rooms on the second floor in the older section of the hotel. I could clearly hear people speaking in normal tones through paper thin walls. Nevertheless, I plan on booking again at the Castillo.

And since you mentioned the quality of food (or lack thereof) at Sonny's Bar and Grille...I suffered through my first and last meal at this place. I ordered the Meatloaf sandwich, and it was atrocious! The "sandwich" consisted of a single meatball, sliced into circles, and slapped between a round roll. However, as you pointed out, there are many other fine eating establishments nearby where one can enjoy delicious food. :P
Author:  Torker [ Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
I liked Castillo too for all the reasons mentioined. But for those who are sensitive to noise coming from adjoining rooms, like for daytime naps, etc, just be forewarned.
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