www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Are chickas allowed into this hotel? If so, what are the chicka fees?? Has anyone stayed here recently. Please forward any info relating to this hotel that you feel may be relevant. I thank you all ahead of time for your replies. Cheers!

It's been a year and a half plus since I called the Europa home for my very first trip to SJ. It was generally run down then and remains so today as far as I know.

I now call Hotel Castillo home when I am in town.

Berk.....

A few call it their favorite because multiple guests are permitted in your room. It is a bit worn but are not we all.

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PacoLoco: "You pay for it one way or another."
Ace: "Rent everything, do not buy in Costa Rica"

I've made my corrections in parenthesis. Sorry if this was in part inaccurate.

At U.S.$72.00/night plus tax, the aging Hotel Europa is no bargain.

ADVANTAGES:(Paco Loco informs me below that the rate is $50.00 for a standard room, so maybe I was quoted the rate for a junior suite).


* Classic old school hotel. I would guess it was once considered elegant.

* No or low chica fees, although a bribe er, propina might be required
(No bribe/;propina/chica fee. As many as you want, as long as you want, as long as they don't trash the place or cause a disturbance for other guests...no fee).
* No upcharge for multiple chicas

* Central location

* Large rooms, well maintained despite the hotel's age.

* Short-time rooms available for 20K colones...expensive compared to the Morazan.
(Short time rooms are $25.00 for 2 hours, or CRC12,500colones, not $40.00 as stated in the original post).


DISADVANTAGES:

* Rack rates too high for quality/location of hotel.

* Bad neighborhood. While the hotel is centrally located (Av. 3 and c. Central), I wouldn't want to stroll the neighborhood alone, even in the daytime.

(Bilko says below that I'm wrong on this. Other CRT'ers have stated that this neighborhood blows).

* Name confusion. Unless you specify the old Europa downtown, the taxista will take you to the Radisson Europa near the airport.
(But ony if both you and the taxista are idiots).

As a last resort, if you need a room for a couple hours or a couple nights, this is an okay hotel, particularly if you need a place to stay while the Presidente or Sportsmen's clears a room for you. Not a first choice, IMHO.

(The above statement was me talking out of my ass. As I've never stayed there, I was only going on reports of other CRT guys and local friends who use the hotel for the occasional love-o-rama).


CRT'er Shamas seems to like it...maybe he'll comment.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

With all due respect, EC, I live a half a block from the hotel and there's no danger in the daytime except crazy drivers. Other than beggars, I've never had any problems at night either.

I wouldn't stay at the hotel myself, but not because of the neighborhood.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

I stayed at the Europa a couple times when nothing else was available and agree the neighborhood was fine and walkable during the day. It's only a few blocks from Morazan Park.
Not sure where you got the 72.00 rate EC- it's 50.00 single standard.
No chica fees at that time, (not sure about your "chickas" Kemmy) computer in lobby for guests, attached restaurant was OK and breakfast was included.
It's an old hotel, the rooms and furniture are dated, rooms near the street are noisy.
They have a pool but it's in between buildings and the sun only hits it midday, wasn't warm enough for me to jump in.
Comparable to the Morazan, older but cleaner IMO.
http://www.hoteleuropacr.com/

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Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

Bilko,

The opinion of the neighborhood's dangers comes from Tman, among others. I was nervous at night near the hotel myself, but you are probably right and it's undoubtedly okay.

Paco. The $72.00/night was quoted to me when a friend and I passed there looking for a ST room (which BTW is $25.00/2 hours at the Europa).

You're the link guy, Paco...maybe you could check, because I' certain that the rack rate of the Europa has been tossed around recently, and I'm sure that it was more than fifty bucks. Of course, I am often (usually) wrong.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Their site's not working this morning- (figures) but last night I looked and it says 50.00 for a standard room. Europa is owned by the same Corp. that owns the Morazan.

_________________

Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

Oh-kay then. Cheaper than I thought and in a neighborhood that Bilko says is safe. I hereby withdraw my ignorant statements. Thanks, Paco and el Bilko!

I might even stay there if other venues (SL/Pres/HDR are occupied.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Just checked the website $50 a night or you can have the Presidential Suite for $250 with free shoe shine and newspaper

Hank,

So you're telling me that the Europa's Presidential suite is more expensive (by $30.00) than the CRT VIP rate for the master suite at the Presidente? More expensive than the penthouse at the Sportsmen's Lodge!? Amazing.

How often do you suppose they rent the Presidential suite at that price? Ridiculous, even with shine and daily news.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.