www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I just spent 3 nights at the Hotel Amistad. The SPortsments Lodge was obviously sold out for Superbowl weekend...as was Castillo and the PResidente. So...I was able to sneak into the Amistad last minute by nabbing one of their newest rooms...#210. I was honored to be the first guest in the new room...and while there were still a few finishing touches to be completed (phone put in 2nd day and the security box wasnt functional yet)...it was definitely an impressive piece of refinishing work. Very quality hardwood floors laquered and shining in the light, great tilework in the bathroom...and probably the most quality posturepedic king size bed I have seen in Costa Rica along with quality linens. The bath had a big walk in shower with quality tile and glass door, two decent sized towels with washcloths also add a level of quality not seen in many downtown SJO hotels. Big sized flatscreen TV for the room with all the cable stations and a nice sized half refrig fill out the room nicely. Matt the new owner is cutting no corners and putting quality work into this rehab job. Room 210 is also strategically located in the back of the building off the street, so one gets less street noise back there.

I also was impressed with the service mentality from Matt down through his friendly desk staff. Carlos the night guy was always attentive and smiling...hard to find in Tico hospitality situations from my experience. The day guy (sorry forgot his name) was also quick to offer assistance for taxis or answer any questions you might have. The wireless internet worked well in my room...and they also had three workstations I saw upstairs though I didnt use one. The complimentary breakfast served buffet style was quite good...fresh scrambled eggs, a tasty spicy "gallo pinto", and hotcakes were served each morning. On the other side of the dining area was fresh fruit, juices, milk, hot coffee out of a big urn...never ran out...and cereal and toast to make in the toaster there. Well done.

The buildout isnt complete yet and they are still working on the general open area and some of the rooms in front I believe. So, there is still some construction noise during the day and the scent of fresh construction...but I slept very well and overall have a very favorable first impression of this old establisment with a whole new interior under new ownership and vision. Its nice to have another nice, reasonable hotel for us mongers in this same neighborhood of SPortsmens Lodge and El Castillo.

_________________
All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts...

Tman, what type of room is #210, a studio or large/deluxe? I'll be at the Amistad for eight nights of my upcoming trip, staying in a studio. I wonder if I'll get one of the new redone rooms.

The Amistad is becoming my favorite 2nd option when the Prez is full, construction or not; it's just that for me the pre-existing rooms left something to be desired, didn't make you feel like you'd want to be in them for very long. The new rooms sound very nice though. I'd rather stay at the Amistad than the SL, Castillo or even the Amon Plaza, discount or not (used to be a great discount, but it's less of one now).

Tom...210 and 209 are both deluxe rooms but not suites. I believe both with King beds...my friends were in 209. But that back side of the hotel makes sense to me. Enjoy your stay.

_________________
All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts...

I also had the opportunity to spend one night at La Amistad this past weekend. I stayed in one of their penthouse suites (Rm. 312) on Superbowl Sunday night. It was a big room, with nice bed, hot sauna, 2 large showers, huge closet, big flat-screen tv, safe, refrigerator, microwave, and a real nice wrap-around balcony overlooking the city.

I was very impressed with the room and the staff, and I concur with everything Tman said. There's still a little bit of construction that needs to be completed, but it's definitely a great choice. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. And the nicest thing..... it was about 1/3 the price of the SL penthouse (w/CRT discount).

Kudos to Matt and staff, and thanks to mi amigo El Silencioso for getting it set up for me!

Mucho Gusto

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

I just made a reservation here. The other 4 choices were booked solid. I am hoping there will be no problem with guests (chica fee). They were well aware of the CRT discount, so I am optimistic.

Don't worry about a chica fee! Matt is taking care of CRT'ers! Have a great time.

MG

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

So MG, Was the room $85/night? Any weekly rates?

I'm staying at the Clarion next week and the junior suites are up to $100. plus tax with the CRT discount...

Tony

There are different rates by quality of room, ranging from $60 to $100. During the construction Matt is offering a 15 to 25% discount based on length of stay. A week will certainly get you the 25% discount

Tony,
My bill was either $88 or $89 (total including tax + discount). Definitely worth it! And for longer stays, I'm sure Matt will accomodate you. Then again, if your reputation precedes you, you might be in trouble!

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

Thanks El S... That weekly rate is a great incentive for longer trips...



Hey MG...
Matt and I knocked back a few at the Sportsmens, he liked the Coca Cola and Imperials for me... Of course a little too early for the vodka... Your room sounds superb and for the price, very competitive...

As for my reputation, that's like calling the kettle negro... By the way, you still getting phone numbers from the Morazon Park "girlies"?

this hotel is going to be at the top of my list for a while, at least until i can't book a room there because its always full.
hopefully it forces other hotels to upgrade and repair broken jacuzzis etc. only drawback is stair climbing for some although i enjoy the view watching my tica climb up in front of me.

Discounts are off the Rates Below
No Guest Fees (Please one Guest at a time)!
Free use of the computer work stations & hard lined Internet!
Complimentary breakfast!
15% off the Daily listed rate below!
25% off the weekly listed rate below!
35% off the monthly listed rate below!

(Standard Room Rate) Queen Bed / Ceiling fan / all of the above listed amenities.
$50.00 Nightly

(Standard Large) Queen Bed / AC / All of the above listed amenities
$60.00

(Standard with Kitchen) Queen Bed / AC / all of the above listed amenities.
$70.00

(Penthouse Rooms) Queen or King Bed / AC / all of the above listed amenities.
$90.00

I also just got back and stayed in 312 for a couple nights. It's a very large room and like the others I have stayed in there they all have some quirks. The walk in closet is really just too big, outlets and towel holders are placed in odd places along with the shower faucet looking like it was an afterthought. I didn't get to try out the sauna or the second hot tub although they seemed to function. The balcony was great and the bed was very comfortable. The large flat screen was also a nice touch. I'll post pics of the room later. I like the upper suites because of the room and lack of noise, however the walk up can be tough sometimes. I was in 106 the first two nights and it was not as nice because of the lack of natural light and the construction noise heard in there. I still will stay there if the SL is booked due to the quality of the staff and the location. Also the price can't be beat for what you are getting. This makes my second time to stay at La Amistad and so far there have been no problems with bringing in the chicas and there definitely has been no charges for them either. Oh yeah, the best part is the discount. There is both a discount for CRT and for paying cash. I saved almost $100 that way.

_________________
Cien?? OK pero dos leches mi amiga

Sex for money doesn’t phuck a guy up, but love for money does.
I can't wait to go back and get phucked up again.

Second hot tub?? This is the first I've heard about them having a hot tub, and I've read the posts and checked out the website. Details, please?

_________________

Just posted some pics of 312 at Amistad. am sure Admin1 willl have them up shortly.

Yes there are 2 jacuzzi's in the Master Penthouse on the 4th floor (312, yes it is one level above the third floor) , 1 (smaller) in the bathroom and a second enclosed jacuzzi/shower in the living room corner with a nice view of the city. There is also a dry sauna in this room, unoperable at this time but soon to be working.

Don't believe the web site as of now, It is in process of being updated by the new owner.