After reading of the new dress code at the Presidente it was with some hesitation that I booked a room there for ten days in June. I had enjoyed staying at the Prez several years ago but had no experience with the hotel since they remodeled and added the Sports Bar.
Frankly, I was impressed and really enjoyed my stay. The combination of comfort, location and price is still hard to beat as far as I’m concerned. The CRT VIP price for my standard room was $51 plus tax. Pretty cheap when they throw in the generous free breakfast (with the best view of passing panocha in SJ), charge no chica fees and just provide overall outstanding service.
I liked being able to get a bite to eat very late in the Sports Bar, the wireless internet worked perfectly in my room and the staff was polite and helpful. It was nice to have a small fridge in the room and the new safe was large enough to hold my laptop as well as my other valuables. When I checked in at 11pm both the desk clerk and the bellboy advised me to be careful walking to and from the Del Rey. I was and had no problems.
I had requested a QUIET room and they accommodated me. Number 506 was towards the rear of the hotel, away from the elevators and off the street. The large, opaque windows opened on a big air shaft instead of on the street which helped keep the noise down. I was actually able to sleep…all night…every night I was there. And without earplugs. A first for me in any Central American hotel.
The only downside to being on the airshaft was that pleasant food smells wafted up all day from the kitchen directly below and made me hungry all the damn time. Between that and the birra I managed to put on three pounds in a week. One small complaint that I did make to the management was that the very loud fan in the bathroom was on the same switch as the light. You could not turn on the light without the fan and it was LOUD. They need to install a separate swith for the fan. The new air conditioners, however, are whisper quiet. Very nice.
But other little services impressed me a lot. The staff at the front desk made copies of my passport, entry stamp, etc. for me at no charge. It was nice to be able to pay the airport departure tax at the desk in the lobby rather than hassling with it at 5AM at the airport. The maids were careful to make up my room when I wasn’t there and each night turned down the bed and left a couple of chocolates on the nightstand. Just little things that you don’t often get in moderate priced hotels, particularly in Central America.
As I prefer chicas that dress fairly well I was not bothered by the new dress code. I took several up and had no problems. The limit of only one chica at a time in the room has never bothered me. If I want to do doubles or triples I’d rather do so in an MP where I don’t have to worry about my stuff being stolen. It’s hard enough to keep an eye on one at a time.
I’ve never stayed at the Sportsman’s Lodge although I have stopped by for drinks a few times. The SL certainly seems a lot more club-like and has that “where everybody knows your name feeling†that a lot of guys seem to enjoy. Bill, the owner, seems like a really nice and helpful guy and the whole atmosphere is a lot more laid back than the Del Rey, for sure. I would think the SL would be a particularly good place for newbies on their first trip as they would find plenty of guys to hang with and less pressure from pushy chicas.
For my purposes, though, I think I’ll stick with the Prez when I want to stay in central San José. Unless, of course, they decide to ban chicas altogether which I suppose is a possibility
If that should happen I guess it will be time to make a new plan.
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There ain't no romance without finance. ¡Se trata de la PLATA! (It's all about the MONEY!)
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This just goes along with what many here have said- some of the employees are not too bright or fair when it comes to the dress policy. Bet the mgmnt. is loving this publicity in the paper. 
:mrgreen::mrgreen:... That the same that I pay the Spratt..
