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First timer SJ: Castillo, La Amistad or Sportsman’s Lodge?
https://forum.costaricaticas.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=51320		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Cord [ Sun Nov 25, 2018 11:03 pm ]
Post subject:  First timer SJ: Castillo, La Amistad or Sportsman’s Lodge?
So for a first timer to San Jose what hotel out of the following three (Castillo, La Amistad or Sportsman’s Lodge) would you all recommend? They all sound like good spots to land and the all inclusive sounds nice but also walking out of your room to a bar with women is also nice.
Author:  Jay2ee [ Mon Nov 26, 2018 8:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First timer SJ: Castillo, La Amistad or Sportsman’s Lodg
Personally I like Sportsmens, due to the fact there are girls on site. They also have a great staff and good food.
Author:  bulldog10 [ Mon Nov 26, 2018 10:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First timer SJ: Castillo, La Amistad or Sportsman’s Lodg
There are big fans of each of the three. They are all well run. You will likely have a great experience at any of them. There are differences in the atmosphere or vibe just like there are between any three bars or restaurants. It comes down to what most critical to you and what fits your style.

Hard to tell from online reviews. You can’t move to a new city and tell what is going to be your favorite new bar by reading Yelp. You can definitely eliminate some and narrow it down with other people’s opinions, but ultimately you have to try in person.

Make your best guess and go for it. You will have a great time at any of them. While in SJ visit the others and find which one fits your style best. If you find one that is your style to hang out, but not the one you booked, they are all easy walking distance. It’s not worth agonizing over too much.

Next trip you can make an informed choice. Personally, I always stay at SL, that’s what fits my style, but would have no hesitation staying at the others if SL was fully booked. It’s a good problem, having to choose between three good choices.
Author:  Netgems [ Mon Nov 26, 2018 11:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First timer SJ: Castillo, La Amistad or Sportsman’s Lodg
Flip a coin, they all are great.

Then next two trips choose the one you didn't choose.

They are all close together, if you are willing to spend a little more, Castillo has these incredible rooms with big porches overlooking the zoo, Sportsman's is good if you want to snag a chica and don't want to go walking about, even a short walk, and Amistad has a cool old school Costa Rica atmosphere.

It's like saying should I get a Mercedes, BMW or Lexus, you won't be unhappy at any of them...

Now if you like to go slumming, there's always HDR or Morazon, lol... :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Author:  Jfoot [ Mon Nov 26, 2018 3:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First timer SJ: Castillo, La Amistad or Sportsman’s Lodg
In summary, LA and Castillo are super chill atmosphere compared to SL. SL has girls onsite.
I like to be away from the fray and the Castillo is plenty quiet. Stayed at SL 4 times and was great but between eating and drinking, my bar tabs were painful. $10 all inclusive at LA or Castillo works for me plus tips to the bartenders
Author:  Cord [ Mon Nov 26, 2018 4:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First timer SJ: Castillo, La Amistad or Sportsman’s Lodg
Thanks everyone for the input. Might have to go the “flip a coin” route! Then make sure I go back two more times to see the differences. :D
Author:  Jfoot [ Mon Nov 26, 2018 4:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First timer SJ: Castillo, La Amistad or Sportsman’s Lodg
You can’t go wrong, and all 3 places are within 2-3 min easy walks of each other. I often go from Castillo to Sportsmen for a coffee in the morning then to Amistad for lunch and pass back by SL to peek in for any mid day action and then back to Castillo to rest or meet a date.
Author:  MM3 [ Tue Nov 27, 2018 11:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First timer SJ: Castillo, La Amistad or Sportsman’s Lodg
All are, as said, very good.

I've stayed at the SL and it's really good. I used to stay semi-exclusively at the LA. I now stay at the Castillo.

It's all about 'fit'. I like the LA's bar. I like the penthouses. But the Castillo is better (overall) for me.

Tour each.
Author:  Elgatoinla [ Sat Dec 08, 2018 4:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First timer SJ: Castillo, La Amistad or Sportsman’s Lodg
If you are staying at SL can you wear shorts at the bar and restaurant?
Author:  Jfoot [ Sat Dec 08, 2018 4:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First timer SJ: Castillo, La Amistad or Sportsman’s Lodg
Yes, it is a laid back atmosphere, casual clothing is ok, cargo shorts and sandals with straps even better

Unless you are a chica, then you have to wear heels :D
Author:  Elgatoinla [ Sat Dec 08, 2018 4:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First timer SJ: Castillo, La Amistad or Sportsman’s Lodg
Jfoot wrote:
Yes, it is a laid back atmosphere, casual clothing is ok, cargo shorts and sandals with straps even better

Unless you are a chica, then you have to wear heels :D

thanks buddy
Author:  OneOfTheCrew [ Tue Dec 25, 2018 10:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First timer SJ: Castillo, La Amistad or Sportsman’s Lodg
Jfoot wrote:
In summary, LA and Castillo are super chill atmosphere compared to SL. SL has girls onsite.
I like to be away from the fray and the Castillo is plenty quiet. Stayed at SL 4 times and was great but between eating and drinking, my bar tabs were painful. $10 all inclusive at LA or Castillo works for me plus tips to the bartenders


I second Jfoot's thoughts. Castillo is super chill and the view from the upper rooms are really awesome. Also, it is very quiet if that is what you are looking for. I enjoy it because it doesn't have chicas on-site, but that's just me.
Author:  KyleB [ Thu Jan 10, 2019 11:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: First timer SJ: Castillo, La Amistad or Sportsman’s Lodg
Castillo has an all inclusive package for 10 dollars extra a day. That includes 3 meals from 8-8pm and drinks from 11-11pm. That's a real winner in my book. No girls on site but it's only a short cheap cab ride at night from the Del Rey and a short walk during the day. Zona is two blocks away and so is Sportsmen's. Lastly, it's quiet at night and you can really relax without the "hola, how are you" 100 times a day.

Ohhh, make sure you get WhatsApp for your phone. All the Ticas have it.
Author:  LAdiablo [ Thu Jan 10, 2019 12:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First timer SJ: Castillo, La Amistad or Sportsman’s Lodg
no ones going to mention the morning train at amistad? :P
penthouses are great but if you're not in reasonable shape its a lot of stairs
SL courtyard is sort of a right of passage for a new guy
Author:  KyleB [ Thu Jan 10, 2019 12:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: First timer SJ: Castillo, La Amistad or Sportsman’s Lodg
[quote="LAdiablo"]no ones going to mention the morning train at amistad? :P
penthouses are great but if you're not in reasonable shape its a lot of stairs
SL courtyard is sort of a right of passage for a new guy[/quote]


hell, i hear the train down at Castillo !! :cry:
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