www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I've read very little about the rooms and service at the Del Ray, only that it is the place a newbie should go to. I have a reservation in July and I'm wondering about airconditioning, cleanliness etc. I am no that hard to please as I always choose the less expensive 3 star hotels when traveling internationally. Just wondering what to expect. Also, is shorts, ttes etc, appropriate wear when mongering in CR?

No AC - just ceiling fans and windows you can open. Kind of sparse furnishings but adequate. Dress is VERY casual. T's, shorts and flip flops are more than acceptable.
Hope this answers your question.
LVSteve

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Just an old horney, fat gambler.

LV...

No AC ??..........When I stayed at the Del Rey several years ago, my room along the front street did have AC that worked well.

Julio...I was happy with my room at the Del Rey several years ago. It was fairly up to date and clean. Also had a digital, in- room safe that worked real slick. LV is right about dress.......but please be aware of the "Ugly American look" and keep it sensible.

Zebra

Thanks to both of you for the response. The DR's website claims there is AC. Because there appears to be a difference of opinion if there is AC or not, will someone else please weight in to the post. By the way, I requested a standard room. Does that make a difference with A/C? If so, I will upgrade. I can't stand to sleep in excessive heat, let alone have sex.

Stayed quite a few times at the Del Rey. The rooms do have A/C, electronic digital safes and ceiling fans. Some of the standard queen rooms don't have windows to the street. Those rooms have windows that overlook the hallway so don't expect much sunlight (those are the lowest priced rooms somewhere in the range of $59-61 per night If you want to put on a show, leave the curtain open a bit).
The standard king and above level rooms have actual windows that look out to the real world and sunlight is possible. I never had a problem with either type of room but if you pay a few bucks extra (of course) you get a better room. My buddy claims he's seen roaches and refuses to stay there but he also purchases medication from the farmecias that might impair his judgment.

Julio,

I think "excessive heat" will be less of a problem than the noise throughout the hotel. The AC provides a good source of "white noise" to cover it up.

Zebra

I much prefer the interior rooms at the Del Rey. The rooms with a view of the Key Largo have waaaaaayyyyy too much noise. No possibility of sleep unless you have earplugs and/or medication!! Also, the casino noise can be pretty bad unless you are at least on the 4th floor. The rooms do have a/c and electronic safes. All have a mini bar. Service and security, IMHO are pretty damn good.

dapanz1

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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!

the rooms have air conditioning but they are very load. i have had 2 rooms there and both were dirty. in 1 room the tv didn't work. in the other the remote control didn't. the towel rack came of the wall when i grabed a towel. the alarm clock didn't work and i didn't recieve any messages and i know i had several calls.
the maids are nice and will leave extra towels.
the convenience of the location is the big advantage.

Thanks again to all for the info. I guess as a newbie I will keep my reservation at the DR and experience it for myself. What the H, who needs sleep antway. Thanks again and if any of my fellow CRTers will be in CR between July 13-18, I'll be the old fat guy, popping Cialis while looking lost when checking out the chicas at the DR. Be sure to say hello.

I stayed at the Del Rey a couple weeks ago. I was a newbie then. If you expect a 4 or 5 star hotel you will be disappointed. If you go with low expections you will enjoy it more. The rooms do have air, I left mine on all the time and liked it cool. The girls thought it was too cold and wanted to turn it off.

Like in most areas of San Jose the resturants, casino, lobby, and bars are not air conditioned. They reley on ceiling fans and the winds to keep the place cool. At first it was rather humid but cumfortable.

The hotel is rated at 2-3 stars and that is what you should expect. I did find an occasional bug in the bathroom, but nothing more then I have seen in Flordia, California, Arizona, Mexico, and other areas of the world. May 2-3 of them in a weeks time.

The benefits of staying there out weigh anything else. I would wake up at 8 am take a shower then go have coffee with the ladies in the lobby area. At that time a day you find the ones that are welcoming the sun from being there all night, or the ones that came in there fresh from taking there K*ds to school. It is much more relaxed then in the evening.

Then around 7pm I would try to take a nap knowing that at 10pm the Blue Marlin would be hopping with fine young ladies. Then after a roll in the hay or going to one of the clubs. Then around 4 am if you get restless you can go down and find still alot of ladies. Most are getting tired and want a place to sleep for several hours and take a shower. You can often take your pick and have them spend the night.

With the action at your door step your prepared for a great vacation. Have fun.

Insects in hotel rooms seem to "pretty much go with the territory." I think I have seen insects of one variety or another in most every hotel I've stayed in Costa Rica. At hotels in "the bush," I assume it can be blamed on the rain forest, jungle like surroundings; in San Jose....well....the "San Jose" surroundings. I've often seen roaches scurrying along the sidewalks as I walk along. The natives seem to take it all in stride.

Zebra

Remember Costa Rica is "sub tropical". The translation of that is "Insect Utopia" . The roaches you encounter here most frequently are what we referred to in South Florida as Palmetto Bugs. They live outside but due come inside occasionally. They are members of the roach family and are about 2" long. Just squish them with your foot.

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

ID,

I know the kind you're referring to. Actually saw one go under my hotel room door and into my room. Another one made his way to my open suitcase on the floor and became trapped, unable to climb out.......really grossed me out.

Zebra

That description could fit any one of about 45 - 50 guys at any one time, day or night, rain or shine, around the bar.

Delawareguy, I was glad to see your reply about there being 45-50 old fat guys popping cialis. I guess I will just blend in and enjoy the moment. Damn, I hope that Cialis reallly does last 36 hours, at my age it takesd all most that long to get it up!