www.CostaRicaTicas.com

YO Lodgers:

As some of you know, I have been an avid supporter of the Presidente for years. Many fond memories, crazy times and respect for the staff. Times are a changing and it seems that I just do not feel as welcome there anymore.

Two ladies that I've know for years and have enjoyed their professional service immensely are no longer there.....Maria and Wendy. They were let go earlier this year. These two ladies were the glue that held things together between us gringos and the upper floor. They will be missed.

Also, I have always been treated well by Daniel who runs the hotel but his demeanor was not friendly this last trip. Didn't even come up and shake my hand. I don't have a clue as to why. Earlier I had asked the desk clerks to have my frig fixed or replaced since it hardly cooled and after nothing was done....I ran into Daniel and mentioned it to him. Nada.

I was disappointed with the food in the cafe and a bit shocked by the large price increase.....especially for lesser food quality and menu selections. They still need a good restaurant manager and someone who knows how to cook eggs.

Only knew one of the waitresses and she is still a sweetie. The bar staff has changed but were courteous except for one asshole that I have wanted to knock the shit out of for the last couple of years. He even glared at me several times this trip when I grabbed a couple of napkins.

Now they are closing for three months to continue remodeling. Good.

Perhaps the hotel has outgrown me or visa-versa. Maybe I expect too much after almost a decade of giving them most of my business, referring many patrons and my personal written praise in several venues.

As for the dress code....I could give a shit. Ain't no chica going up the elevator with my ugly ass anyway.

I shall miss my home away from home. It's unsettling but life goes on.

They are simply striving for a future with non mongering cliental, but doing so in slow motion.

_________________
Providing humanitarian assistance to self employed chicas, one cash grant at a time.

The Presidente was always my hotel for years, but it changing. The hotel is very nice now and I personally see no need for more improvements. The last rail construction they had added very little. I had one meal there on my last trip and it was very good. Main problem is the dress code.

Full of wankers these day's circus..you've outgrown it,so have i....

Inquiring minds want to know why you don't frequent your own hotel. Alergic to moldy cardboard?

_________________
My life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming...." MAN....WHAT A RIDE!!!!"

I used to stay at the Presidente but found this hotel a much better option with more amenities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

YO GM:

We were cited to close down operations due to not having handicap access. Also, the constant bad weather hammered our occupancy rate. My "crack" staff is working on it.

I would say they are intent on driving away all their business if they cannot provide suitable accomidations and decent service.

why pay their rates for substandard conditions and service?

yes, dress code issues aside, they are not worth the money.

and if you take into account their dress code issues, they are certainly not worth the money.

besides, with all the choices in San Jose from the larger hotels to all the smaller places, why stay at the Presidente.

taxis are cheap in San Jose, if you want to frequent the gulch, it is easy enough to retire with the little darling of your choice to a myraid of other hotels/bread and breakfasts/furnished apartments/etc....

anyway, I would say the Presidente is on a downard slope when even their long, long time regulars are ready to bail.

_________________
The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

They were sold out all of last week so they have no concern to bend in any way

It seems very apparent that the Presidente has made the decision to end it's monger friendly environment. Rather then just flat out say we do not want your business they are just making conditions difficult. Apparently they have confidence that they no longer financially need to cater to the single gentleman pursuing the pleasures of San Jose.

Like everything in life when a door closes there is opportunity for someone else to open another door. However it also appears that the anti sex tourism push is indeed getting stronger.

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

I've seen this shit happen all over Europe (not necessarily mongering) over the past 20 years or so. First they want your business, cater to it, have success with it and then decide that they can do better without you and maybe they can but often times, they fall flat on their face and never ever get the business back

That's why, I agree wholeheartedly with Irish Drifter when he says there is an opportunity for someone else here now. I wonder who will step up to the plate? Our pastime is an annual event. Who cares whether its green season or not? We're there 365 days a year and we spend big when compared to other travelers!

_________________
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" - Maybe Shakespeare was a CRT member?

Others have stepped up to the plate.....names like Hotel Amistad and Hotel Freebird come to mind. Others will follow. Capitalism at work.

They have been "sold out" for months due to the next phase of remodeling which will close between 50% and 90% of the hotel (depending who you talk to. ) A friend recently booked a suite no problem for Halloween week though. I have heard there is an anti-monger influence among the ownership and it does seem we are being tolerated less with more ecotourists and employees giving us the stink-eye. Also a change may be coming at the end of the year along with the 15% rate increase. Whatever happens they have pulled off a delicate balancing act the past few years catering to both types of tourists but the day they push us out completely will definitly be a risk that will no doubt cost them- at first anyway...

_________________

Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

Just look at signals the ownership have given us. Dress code for the chicas, continuing CRT discount but asking Admin to remove their name as a sponsor, less then cordial reception shown Circus.

When you see mongers parading around the entrance carrying signs that say "THE END IS NEAR" they are not referring to judgment day.

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

The El Presidente has left no doubt in my mind……..they do not want my business. I bring a large group (+/- 12) in January and smaller groups (+/-6) 2 to 3 other times a year. I had always booked our group at the presidente. We have never been a rowdy bunch or caused one minute of trouble there. Not once have we had a chica declined due to attire and have never acted like ugly Americans. We tip appropriately and treat everyone there with courtesy and respect.

I book all my hotel reservations through my good friend and driver Mauricio. When I tried to book through Mauricio for this month’s trip and confirm our January reservations, we were told that the El Presidente no longer wants our business. Period.

This made me angry and sad. I have had great luck there and zero problems. But, it appears that it is ended. I do plan to stop by there and talk to management none the less as they had accepted my reservations for January 2009 last February. Now they are throwing us out without cause…..other than the suspicion that we are rowdy mongers.

I would love to put my group up at the SL, but we are too large of a group to secure reservations for everyone.

_________________
Cigar smoking doesn’t reduce us, it elevates us; It makes us more content to be alone, or it helps us to enjoy our companions. It encourages us to dwell on the simple moments and celebrate the sublime.
_______________________________________
Hung like Einstein and smart as a mule.
_______________________________________
You're not drunk if you can lay on the floor without holding on.