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My first trip to San Jose is upcoming. I found through Expedia, I could book my flight with my stay at Hotel Morazan, together. And save some $$ by doing so.

I found reviews of Hotel Morazan on several web sites, including Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com. Most reviews were of a similar opinion. That Hotel Morazan was nothing fancy, but fairly clean, friendly staff, a little loud until 2am from the casino, and occasionally did not have hot water. But overall worth the moeny. Oh, and one reviewer (possibly from a female travelor), made comment that the hotel was frequented by prostitutes. (I laughed and thought to myself, "Sounds good")

But, now I'm seeing a couple of recent posts on here stating that if you are arriving late in the evening, Hotel Morazan may have give away your room?

I won't be arriving to the hotel until maybe 11pm or so. But, my room is already paid for through Expedia. Surely they will be holding my room for me, won't they?

I would really appreciate opinions from others who have stayed at Hotel Morazan in the past couple of years. Particularly if you have had good, or even adequate, experiences staying there.

Thanks!

I have stayed there a few times over the years. My last Morazan post was very critical. The location is very good-especially for the nite-life. As far as them holding your room--if they are busy or almost full you can probably expect the worst room they have. My opinion---the 2 best standard rooms are #410 and #415. When you check in, ask for these rooms for future nights if they are not available at check-in. Have a great time.

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There's a prettier girl every day...

One of the biggest knocks on them is reservations. Do asearch for "Morazon reservations". It has been well documented for years that they seem to "lose" a lot of reservations. They are very similar to the hookers in that a bird in the hand is worth more than 2 in the bush. They will take a walk-up with cash in hand over a reservation who may/may not show up. Yes, this is especially true if you are checking in later in the day.

Thanks for the advice, gents. This is such a great forum! Mongers are just the nicest fella's on earth!

I have stayed there twice and while I had a great time on my trip there were issues with the hotel. I got there at 11pm and they gave my room away 501 and gave me 502 which has a smaller bed and no balcony. Most likely your TV remote won't work, the water may go out and the elevator goes out for an hour or so a day. I would not eat at the resturant but no worry there are plenty of places nearby. Be sure to ask for a key to the safe. You will love the location.

Great info, Hank. Thanks so much for taking the time. I'm mostly concerned that I won't have a room at all upon arrival. So any room will do. At least for my first night. Being without water is a concern though. I guess I'll just hope that this won't happen. And if it does happen, hopefully it will be for only a short period of time. Not concerned about the elevator. I tend to take the stairs most of the time anyway. I'm a bit of a fitness guru. But, I am anxious to enjoy the location! Thanks again!

They sent me to HOTEL EUROPA so I could shower and shave.

Not necessarily. Over Halloween they did not honor my Expedia reservation. They said they were full and would happily move me to their sister property, Hotel Europa. I declined. I called Expedia and suggested they put me up in another hotel in the area that was over twice the rate I had prepaid. They agreed. I would advise to document everything, as I had a followup issue with Expedia that took awhile to straighten out through online chats and phone calls. Ask Expedia for an email verification of the solution you've agreed to assist with any communication problems you may have if you have to followup with them.

Hotel Morazan said I should have booked through them to guarantee the room and suggested I do that in the future. However, the reports you've read are true about them giving away reservations and most of those were made directly with the hotel. I would rather book through Expedia if they continue to have the same level of customer service that they provided me. Of course YMMV. And don't be shy in suggesting the solution that meets your needs.

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Sex with Gringas in the U.S. is like modern art. Most of it is pretty bad, and the good stuff is out of your price range.

Thanks for the reply, Senordos. Good info! I figured surely I couldn't be the ONLY guy taking advantage of the savings through Expedia, booking hotel and air together. And Morazan is the only hotel in the Gulch in which Expedia was offering to book at. (At least the only "girl friendly" hotel, that is.) Also, I would guess that if Morazan continues giving away rooms of customers booked via Expedia, then Expedia will discontinue offering bookings at Morazan through their site.

The Morazan is a viable option after the Sportsman's Lodge, Hotel Freebird, HLH, & Amitsad.

My experience of the Morazon is seedy casino full of Nice Asian people chain smoking.

The 'bellboy' Ricky is a will steer you in the wrong direction to get a commission.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

My first trip to San Jose was Holloween 2011 with a couple CR veterans who had booked at the Del Rey which was full, as was every other gultch hotel. They recommended the Morazan and I booked with them but upon arrival I was informed that they were full and their reservation line should have been closed. Me and another guy were sent to a "sister" hotel, the Royal Dutch about 6 to 10 blocks away. Despite the mix up, I had a great time and will definitely make another run to Costa Rica, but I personally will never book with the Morazan again.

Icantstaway---is correct. While you are out and about in C. R. during the day-- stop in at the these other hotels and ask to see rooms for future visits. If Ricky Ricardo and his crew of idiots don't stick it to you-- you"ll have great time. The location for nite life is really good. My new top 5 in order are. 1. Sportsman Lodge 2. Dunn Inn 3. La Amistad 4. Hotel Little Havana 5. Castillo. Everyone has their own opinion on this subject.

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There's a prettier girl every day...

I've stayed out of the "Morazon" threads thus far - as its my go hotel in CR, I personally hope less will discover it and fewer still will stay there.

If you want to be - for whatever reason(s) on that side/part of town - you can't beat the location, and frankly, you can't beat the price - I pay $52/night with the safe.

Never a problem with the reservation, but I know the day guy at the front desk, and before that when Jose Troyer was the manager dealt directly with him - I call directly and get a confirm number - you also - especially if you are going to be getting in late, can call the day before and reconfirm your room - sure, if they give it away, its a hassle and they should honor a reservation, but its frankly not something I want to Phuck with at 9, 10 11, 12 PM vs making a confirming call the day before.

Is the casino smoky - yep - But on the 3rd floor where I normally stay, I don't find it so at all (but then I'm a cigar guy and smoke bothers me much less than the average person )

Yes, during one of probably 10++ visits the elevator was broken - so what - it was fixed and believe me, a lot of the lard asses there benefited from going up a flight of stairs Seriously, was not a big deal and I remember it broken 24 or 48 hours.

Ah, "Ricky Ricardo" - not his real name BTW - I don't see why he engenders such vehement hate among the brotherhood; basically, as someone who spent 35 years in sales, and feel you could categorize many Costa Ricans as "laid back" (still love 'em but the truth is the truth) I find his "moxie" a little refreshing - for christ sakes, if he bothers you, just say No Thanks and you really have to have very little to do with him.

A couple of weeks ago, he asked me twice if I needed him to get me a cab to the airport the day I was leaving - then he called me in my room to triple check - big phucking deal - sure, he was very likely making something off the cab, and you might think he would get the point the 2nd time, but again so what.

If he really bothers you, i wonder what happens when something important does.

Thanks for all the replys, fellas. I've been checking my post here daily and taking in all the information. It's very much appreciated. Like I said, this will be my first trip to San Jose. And I'm really looking forward to it!

Not to be repetitive, but I would call the Sportsman's Lodge every morning up to the last day to check for cancellations.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.