www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Been in costa rica several times but never stayed at Castillo. Looking at the new section on the site. Can someone give me a heads up

Yeah, it is okay, but just okay. It is noisy as the street noise flows into the rooms relatively easily as does the early morning light. The furniture is sparce and the buffet breakfast is lite on substance, I went there one morning and all there were was a bunch of hard bioled eggs and they were out of everything else. Sonny's place is next door and it as lame as lame can be. The place is however, reasonably priced and there is no chica fee.

To me a much better alternative is either the Presidente or the Sportman's Lodge.

I don't know about the new wing but noise was an issue when I stayed in the original wing of SL. People complain about noise at the Pres also. The Pres has a great price on a basic room for us VIPs, right? I just don't want to stay in that area although some people swear by it. Is the breakfast buffet included in the VIP prices at the Pres? The reason I like the Castillo is that it puts me right in the action at a lower cost. But yeah, the breakfast is usually just enough to get you through til lunch. I can walk around the corner to SL anytime or get to the Gulch, New Fantasy or Zona Blue easily. It's very clean too and chicas like it. Nowadays I take ear plugs and one of those eye cover things so I can sleep when I want.

I had a better experience than Timbones. The furnishings are somewhat sparse but sufficient. And, as I noted in another review, the beds will slide around on the tiled floor during recreational activities. I also do not like the keyed safe - I would much rather have a combination. And yes, the walls are thin and you can hear the goings on next door at times.

But I did not notice any traffic sounds at all, nor was the morning light a problem. Maybe the older rooms, which are closer to the road, suffer from those problems but mine did not. Also, maybe TimBones got down to breakfast at the wrong time but there was always plenty of rice and beans, fresh fruit, toast, hard boiled eggs, coffee and juice when I was there. Not the hot buffet they serve at Amon Plaza, but a satisfying Desayuno Tipico nonetheless.

There have also been some favorable comments recently about Sonny's new management and menu, though I have not been there myself. Nor have I stayed at Presidente. But the rooms are at least $25 less per night than those at The Sportsman's Lodge, where noise can also be a factor at times. My companions liked the place as well, calling it "muy tranquillo y privado." (Very calm and private.) I will be splitting my time between SL and Castillo on my visit in early November and will be able to offer a direct comparison then. But in the meantime I will respectfully offer a different opinion than that of TimBones and call it a worthy, economical alternative.

As someone else once posted, the breakfast at the Hotel Castillo is not the "Denny's Grand Slam," but it is adequate. TimBones may have gotten there late or whatever. The breakfast consists of hard boiled eggs, gallo pinto, several types of fresh fruit, toast, fruit juice and coffee.

The rooms also are adequate and sufficient. They have a great staff throughout and the there is no chica fee. It is also very reasonably priced.

Zebra

With cash and the CRT discount a basic room cost me 34 bucks total for 7 nights 3 weeks ago. I liked the place. It will be my hotel from now on.

Berk....

I'd rather subtract take the difference and buy sessions at the MPs. That works for me.

:

And perhaps you have some alterior motive for being so easily impressed? I guess we will never know.

I said the place was adequate; as oppsed to being excellent, fantastic or a host of other superlatives. Perhaps I should have added YMMV.

What is the Junior Suite like and does it have electronic safe

Hankkh,

As far as I know, the safes are the "key type" throughout the hotel. The safes are bolted to the floor.

Zebra

the keys are very small and can be hidden anywhere in your room. combination is easier but keyed safe works just fine.

Yes, the keys are small and easy to hide and you don't have to worry about that problem of "someone placing oil on the digital keypad and playing 'gymnastics' with the numbers to open the safe."

Zebra

Gracias, muy amable, I think I will try the castillo. I will be there nov.17th - 25th traveling solo looking for a wingman

Chimbo,

I will be at Castillo nov 16th - 26th for my second trip. Be glad to have a beer and check out some places. Maybe Ticafan will join us, he really knows his way around SJ. What do you say Ticafan?

Kamala, Sounds great Lets hook up for a beer. I am new to this site but have visted the promise land for many years.