www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Don't think this has ever been discussed here. The guy amazes me I'll see him walking around at 1AM then back in his chair at 7 next morning.

You gotta be a mean hombre to run that place if a committee or investor group tried it wouldn't last. My guess is $100-150K a year just to grease the govt wheels to keep DR running and open.

Funny story last trip a couple drunk gringos were sitting in John's chair goofing off and within 30 seconds a Delray SWAT team of security guys pulled them out they were really pissed about it lol!

Lets hope the Old Boy lives another 20 years....

My question is..........well not really a question per say just a thought. But wouldnt it be cool if we got some kind of discount for being a VIP CRT member? I mean if they would waive their $10 chica fee that would definitly help. I know personally that was the deal breaker for me. This is why i chose Presidente for my upcomming trip

_________________

Never happen...ever..ever.

dapanz1

_________________
Paradise= Sitting outside the Bodega in Panama City about 1 am. Drinking cool Balboas with cool friends and blazin' hot Colombianas. I want to be there..RIGHT NOW!

His main partner and general manager Greg Ruzicka would take over

Being a lawyer, he is more pernicious than Big John

He is always looking for ways to increase the profits

Cygnus

THIS WOULD NEVER EVER HAPPEN, unless the occupancy went so low they would have to. But, there are too many newbies coming down all the time and the place they hear about is the Del Rey-----so they stay there.

They make mucho dinero on the chica fee. I sat down with Greg one afternoon and discussed it. He wouldn't budge!

¡Tan, eso es la vida!

GG

Yep I heard 300 chica fees a day. next time you're checking a girl in at the back elevator look at that drawer it is jammed full of chica passports.

That is good information I didn't realize there was a younger partner guess no changes for at least 10 years.

Talk about dumb luck though if not for the internet and viagra hitting at the same time it would still be fishermen and surfers in the BM every night.

Not sure you can give all the credit to "dumb luck". Purchasing the ground under the "old" NY Bar and Happy Days and them closing them down played a large part of their success. I would call that good business not dumb luck.

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

Not too long ago Greg approached me and we had a beer together. He asked me about "all those different guys that I seem to hang with." I told him a little about CRT and how the members get discounts from OTHER hotels and other businesses. I said that since all our guys drink and chase chicas at the DR he should consider some kind of discount for our members. He laughed and said "we are trying to find a way to do LESS business"

Cool. What do you think he meant is it a tax angle or are they just too pressed to keep up with demand?

Why aren't there more Delray's in either CR or other countries where it's legal. I can't remember if it's also legal in Panama or Nicar'gua.

Interesting comment VB. Did Greg REALLY not know about CRT? Goal: I know its not legal in Nicaragua; can't say for Panama.

I have heard that there is bad blood between the owner of the Colonial and Big John. I've picked up tidbits over the last two years about this. Suppposedly they both try to thwart the other's ideas of land ownership, expansion, etc. And, sort of like opposing football coaches within a conference, can be prone to "tipping off" the authorities in a one-upmanship game as part of their competition. I can not confirm any of this to be true.

It IS interesting that the Colonial is building a large hotel next door. I agree wholeheartedly with previous posters that there is NO WAY the DR gets more competitive with US, until someone there gets more competitive with THEM. Its practically impossible to get a room at the DR without significant advance notice now. Frankly, I'm surprised that they have not gone up on the chica rates, at least to test the market. The DR deluxe room rate stayed at $85 for years; last time I checked it was $95. Few guests seem to have any idea that DR prices for such basic things as food, drinks and smokes are closer to USA cost than Costa Rica norms. I try to make it a point to "interview" a few unsuspecting bar lurkers on each visit to the Blue Marlin. Its amazing how many never leave the Del Rey during their time in San Jose.