www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Need a little help from the membership.

Both of these are sponsors (I know to contact Nixon at Amon) but I was just wondering how the CA rates vs. the Pres.

One thing..........forget about the Pres dress rules, and stuff like that. I am talking about how the rooms rate. I love the Pres jacuzzi suite, it is my favorite in CR.

Right now I have a room reserved at the Europa (not the Radisson) but have read quit a bit on the CA and am interested. The Pres is booked solid for the dates later in the spring I desire as is the Sportsman.

Also, at the Pres none of the single/double rooms have a bath tub, how about the CA?

I am assuming the CA has no chica fee, good prices, within a block or so from Zona Blue, and has air conditioning. There is a jacuzzi on the website that could make things romantic with a chica. Is there anything good or bad that I could forsee with the rooms?

Thanks in advance.

Dear John

The Clarion and the Presidente rate about the same in rooms. There are are some differences. The Presidente is all tile floors the Clarion is all carpeting. This may not sound like anything but it makes the Clarion's rooms very dark. This is not a big deal. The Pres is just a brighter atmosphere. The Clarion is set up exactly like any US hotel.

I have stayed at the Clarion 4 times in the last 5 months. I just found the jacuzzi last trip. It was not in service looked like it was being cleaned. I do not think the Clarion would want or let you have a mongering party in the public jacuzzi though.

They do allow our hobby. I have always been treated great but this is a business hotel too.

I have stayed in the standard room in both places. They are very similar, but I prefer the room at the Prez. The Amon Plaza room was bigger, but has the feel of any American hotel chain. That's something I'm not really looking for in America, much less CR.

The Presidente has raised rates for 2008. Here are the new rates for CRT:

CRT rates 2008 (only for CRT VIP members)
Standard room single or double $ 62+tax
Junior suite $ 91+tax
Spa room $98+tax
Grand spa suite $ 111+tax
Master suite $ 270+tax

Note about paying by credit card at Amon Plaza:

The standard rooms used to be $70 cash. Now it's $70 + tax (cash or credit), about $81-82. If you pay cash, you'll pay that amount. If you pay by credit card you pay an extra 10%. They will charge your card in Colones, at an exchange rate of 530, instead of about 505. $81 should be about 41,000¢. But at they charged my card, 43,150¢ per night. When my CC converted it back to dollars (using about 500), I ended up paying $87 (an extra $5-6/night). Not a biggie, but I hate getting taken for a fool! Plus, a 3% int'l transaction fee and it's almost $90.

So, bottom line is that the $70 room is almost $90 these days. I'm sure it applies to the higher priced rooms also. I know other places do this (charge you in colones), but they don't use a 530 exchange rate. And this all happened after the recent exchange rate change from 517 to 496, so the rate was 496 that day.

Presidente: The suites are a great value, excellent quality for the money. If you are comparing standard rooms, with the chica rules and fees, you might want to consider elsewhere. All in all the Presidente is a bit more upscale than in the Clarion.

Clarion: Its location in Barrio Amon is just superb. ZB (1 block) and NF (3 blocks) very close. Quite and safe area. Dunn Inn (across the street) has a great happy hour. Bars, shopping and restaurants in close walking distance. $0.80 cab ride from DR.

I would say that the biggest contrast is weather you want “heart of the city” location or a “quiet hideaway” type location.

I have not stayed at the Clarion Amon but I have stayed at ZB (just up the street - very quiet) and the Presidente. My biggest complaint about the Presidente was the street noise - especially the lottery sales people hollering in the morning.

I agree with this assessment. One other thing: Clarion is in the bottom of a hole. Everywhere you walk from there is uphill. It is not bad, but could be a factor if you have a problem with walking. Cabs are easy and cheap. JMHO.

_________________
"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

I think the chica fee is waived if booked through Nixon. Correct me if I am wrong. When I stayed there, I forgot to book through the casino. So, I paid a higher room rate and I think the guest fee was $20. Ouch, babe. But, I really like the place.

dapanz1

No if if booked through Nixon.