www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Have you ever imagined being the only guy in a sorority house (and not the snooty sorority, but the kind of slutty sorority featured in those B-movies)? Well that's what I felt like after spending a few nights at the new Hotel ZB. Eddie was gracious enough to let me check out the place before its official opening and all I can say is I cannot wait to get back. My only concern is that there may be "no room at the Inn" after word gets out about how great this place is. Simply put, it's the ultimate in fine "hobbying" destinations (IMHO).

With all the new competition for upscale accommodations in San Jose; Hotel ZB can certainly hold its own. While each room is a little bit different, each has a king-sized American bed (easily the most comfortable I have experienced in SJ); dry sauna, steam room; an awesome entertainment system (CD/DVD with multiple speakers); large Sony WEGA TV's; water cooler; modern and stylish furniture and fixtures; and access to some of the finest chicas right down the stairs.

Eddie and his staff - especially George, the night security man - did every thing to ensure I had what I needed. While some may relish the "hunt" of the DR and KL, I greatly valued the security and controlled environment of Hotel ZB. All the girls were sexy, had great attitudes performed with gusto; I never experienced a bad session. Moreover, I never felt unsecured with the girls in the room or felt I had to watch out for my belongings. This "piece of mind" allowed me to focus on the fun and went a long way toward having many great sessions.

Someone suggested that Hotel ZB should leave Viagra on your pillow instead of mints or chocolate – it's that kind of place. I've been to Thailand, German FKK clubs, Prague, Amsterdam and other well- known hobbyist destinations and I've never experienced a weekend like the one at Hotel ZB.

BTW, cost of the room was $195/night (about $220 after taxes) which included breakfast (at the Amon Plaza one block away – great buffet with made to order eggs), airport pickup and $20 per chica for an hour session in your room. In short Hotel ZB = the true "pura vida" experience.


Lance

Wow sounds like a hotel, after looking at the price for a second I could have sworn I was at the MGM Grand, now a 3rd world country that requires a taxi to move 10 feet at night

I feel for the tico's if they have to work 3 months just to stay in hotel ZB for a night

Jmacaula


I felt the same way at first but after I stayed i realized it was actually a great value.

I mean the first day there I did 2 double girl sessions with some great talent.$40 ..

also a great perk was the damn convenience.. something I didn´t appreciate at first.. but from my suite i called the front desk and would ask is paola was available .. yes.. please send her right up.. thank you very much.

one of the other guests and his wingman in one fell swoop had 6 girls go upstairs for a roustabout..

It is such a different kind of unique experience..

to the guys that love to go out and party and hunt for the talent.. this may bore you.. but for me it is a no brainer.. last night i stayed I had to leave early morning to panama.. pamela gave me a wake up call

I never did get to try out the free buffet breakfast... lance how is that there

just my 2 cents

ticofrankie

Frankie:

The breakfast at the Amon ranks with the Presidente's spread. Lots of fresh fruit, chief making omlets with all the fixins, good coffee and great banana bread. They also have pancakes, cereal, yougurt and granola. The only weakness is the stale Danish.

Jmacaula and others:

I guess Hotel ZB may not appeal to the budget minded hobbyist. I'm lucky (or not) to have no spouse (or ex-spouse) or K*ds. On vacation my comfort and time are more valuable to me than $$. Also, I think its a matter of perspective given that I live in a city where beer is $8-$10, hotel rooms go for @ $250 and a 2-some would run at least $500 (and would probably not be as fun). Given that a decent room at the Presidente runs @ $60/night and you roll the dice with a DR girl for $70-$100, I think that the Hotel ZB offers a great value.

As far as Ticos, I'm convinced they all think that all Gringos are rich. Just my .02 colones.

Lance

The rooms do look good, dont get me wrong. Definitly one of the better looking accomidations I have seen in SJO. I just dont like how things have changed so fast. Not even a year ago, 95% of the hotels we stayed at were in the 40-70$ range, but in that short year few still allow us to bring "guests", so our accomidation choices have become more difficult. With that being said, IMHO its like the hotels catering to us are trying to take advantage of the situation.

First SL. I love staying here, and theirs days I wont even leave the hotel, but I mean it started off as a dead beat hotel basically, and without CRT I am convinced it would be nothing. Now that things have been established, you have random tourish groups coming in, and everyone is in the know about it, prices seemed to have raised. Mind you, it is still definitly affordable, I think they have rooms for like 50$ a night or so, but it just feels like in order to get what was once standard, your paying 70-90$ or whatever.

Next, Hotel M or whatever. I dont know much about this but checked out the website when it was posted. Yes it sounds all nice and fancy, but 175-250$ or something? It could have everything imaginable, but I dont get who its attracting. I know some guys dont give a shit about what they spend when they go away, hell I love blowing money where others cant, but what really justifys spending 250$ a night on a room when you can get one only a few notches lower for 50-60$? Maybe they have tennis courts or something, but Im sure it doesnt cost 150$ to play tennis in CR. See what Im saying?

Then you have ZB. I personally have never enjoyed the place but I know everyone has their tastes, and alot of you enjoy it so I wont be to critical. The rooms are amazing looking, and the idea of having a bunch of working girls right below you is one to be imagined, but is it really worth it? Your in a crappy part of town, full of trannys at night, plus Morazon park to cross if you decide to walk it at night ( bad idea ). Im not sure how easy it is to get a taxi there. The building itself is nothing to spectacular, so for eye candy or curb appeal its definitly lacking. Obviously it has its benefits and is attracting the guy that doesnt like the BM, or doesnt want to move to much, or simply doesnt want to deal with the hustle and bustle of negotiating. Maybe Im missing something. How is it any different then staying at the DR and having girls below you?



Its just weird seeing a country so undeveloped as CR charge 200$+ a night for hotels when I can go to Vegas or any other classy city and stay in a very respectable hotel for that much? Like I said, none of these hotels are the MGM, so why should their prices be the same?

From a business perspective it might make sense to up the market a bit, attract a different crowd and all that. But dont you think it will have a negative pull on the girls. When they see guys dishing out 300$ for hotel rooms, how can you complain about 100$ for a hot colombian?


None of this stuff is to be taken as insult. Like I said, everyone has their tastes and limitations. Some guys care where they spend money, others dont. Some want to live in total luxury in a class of their own, some say "a bed is a bed".

Can you bring some Blue Marlin, Key Largo talent back with you, or is it just the ZB girls?

Lance,

Thanks for the review. It's amazing to see how far ZB has come in just a year... I mean, it was only a year and a month ago (4th of July Weekend) that Eddie threw the inauguration party of the Cigar Bar. This location is going places, and its due to lots of hard work and dedication by the staff here. KUDOS to ZB, you keep making one of our favorite watering holes and hobby spots better and better all the time!

Notwithstanding some of Jmac's points (and I admittedly agree with one or two of them), one must realize that with the half-off pricing of the chicas at ZB while being a guest at the hotel, the room practically pays for itself for those with rock-star libidos. Imagine if I had done my "23 kittens in 5 days" debacle which I did back in July of last year strictly out of ZB Hotel as a guest, then I would have saved approximately $460 dollars just on the kittens, thus practically having the discounts pay for the room itself!!

Of course, Eddie would have probably feared me as a guest way back then, the way a restaurant owner fears the hungry obese man on prime-rib buffet night...

I think that prices on the newer places such as ZB hotel and Hotel M are obviously priced higher, but the ammenities and perks are there, so you are getting what you pay for (I can't speak personally of the M, as I've never been there, but I have a REALLY CLOSE source who tells me the place is gorgeous...). It's not for everyone, and that's ok. It's nice to have choices, however. I personally couldn't afford a night at the top-of-the-line room in the M by myself, but there are those of us who CAN afford it and would prefer that kind of accomodation. Now it's available to them, and that is COOL.

Again, great job to ZB. I hope the good reviews keep comin'!

Ruffnutz

_________________
EVERYONE'S A ROCK STAR IN C.R.!!
"Just when I thought I was out... They pull me back in." -- Ruffnutz on trying to quit CRT

Jmacaula

probably the biggest difference between the DR is "unlimted sessions at $20"

i have stayed at the del rey the room costs anywhere from $60-$70.. then you have to negotiate the ladies downstairs.. i dunno.. what say you.. $60 to $100.. then you have to also pay the chica fee.. what is that nowadays $20.. so to me..

if your a little bit of a horn dog.

. I valued cost average the rooms.. hotel ZB is a no brainer.. but if you just want to sleep... and watch HBO.. then this isn't the place for you..

no imagine someone like ruffnutz. or some of the other sexy bitches.. staying there.. the managment would run to hills when the boys are in town.. it's like my local "all you can eat sushi" the faces on those poor asian owners when they see me ..

it's like.. oooohh nooooooooo... its the hand roll king

Ticofrankie,

If you're talking about this past Saturday, it was 7 not 6...


In my opinion, ZB ROCKS! If you want more, look for my review which I'm putting up tonight...

I have to stay that I used to be the type of guy that was always looking for the discount hotel while on vacation, yet staying at the 4 star places while on buisness travel. I finally reached the decision that there are times, like when you are on vacation, that is okay to splurge. Anyway, my next trip to CR, will be there, Hotel M, or in one of Bill's better rooms.