www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I recently stayed at the sportsmans for 5 nights. I noticed there was a mini bar in the room. I made sure to take all the items out of the mini bar and lock them in my suitcase before entertaining. actually I did this before I went out at night. after any guests left I replaced all the items the next morning. the Sl also provides an itemized statement each day of what is being charged to you. the last night I was there (sat may 26th) I did the same thing. I did bring a guest back but everything was locked in my suitcase. impossible for anyone to take anything out of the refrig except cokes or beer. I checked out at 8:30 pm and went on the sexy bitches tour. then picked up a friend at the del ray brought her back and she stayed till about 1 or 2. all the items were locked in my suitcase. I replaced the items after she left. I checked my credit card today and noticed $37.74 in additional charges. according to the SL, items were missing from the mini bar. now the question is? how did that happen if I locked them up every time guest was going to be present. (always locked the items up before I went out in the evening). I also made an inventory at 4 am before I left for the airport and everything was there. nothing missing. gave my room key to the security guard as I was told to do by the front desk. The $37.74 is no big deal but what is the use of precautions and bookeeping if something is going to be added to your bill anyway. not very happy about this. I love staying at the sportsman's and probably will do so again. but short of asking them to remove all the mini bar items or put a lock on my fridge how do I prevent this. as I said I did a bookeeping at 4am before I left for the airport and nothing was missing. (very sober at that point).

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You can' t be a real country unless you have beer and an airline - its helps if you have some kind of football team, or nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer - Frank Zappa

possibly they checked the inventory of the mini bar while you were out of the room and the stuff was in your suitcase?

As a caveat I will say that 2 bottles of water were added onto my bill there, but I wasn't going to kick up a bunch of shit over $4.

I recently had the same kind of problem there. I moved into a room had no guest and the next day I notices $18 charge for 2 Bailys. I told them I just moved in the room had no guest, dont drink bailys. SL credited me back that day.

I would like the mini bar to be optional also

they made a big issue of not letting me check out until 9pm. I wanted to check out earlier (5 pm) and the desk clerk kept saying that I might charge something at the bar or use my mini bar. I told her that I was paying cash at the bar for anything and that I did not plan to use the mini bar. I made a complete accounting of the mini bar at 4am before I left for the airport and absolutely nothing was missing. the mini bar was crammed full. you could not put anything else in there.

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You can' t be a real country unless you have beer and an airline - its helps if you have some kind of football team, or nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer - Frank Zappa

I have to agree about the mini bar its a pain in the ass. My last trip I told the chicas if I caught them taking something without asking they would get a spanking. Found one that was game cost me 41 bucks.

They keep those log sheets with the rest of your paperwork. They always have. If you doubt a charge, they should always have a printed or written copy in your folder at checkout, should you contest any charge. This can be verified by Bill and his staff as well. I have done this a few times myself to verify charges.
I have never had an issue with the mini-bar as I also hide it until I check out. Next time have them show you the tab sheets for the mini-bar, otherwise there is no proof for either party of the charge and it should be removed.

With the Presidente now putting in mini-bars I'm worried about the same things happening, it's enough trouble keeping all my own stuff locked up and out of sight without having to worry about chicas grabbing drinks & food or being charged by "mistake". Not sure if they'll take it out but when I check in I'm requesting NO mini-bar items por favor.

these hotels can take there mini bars and shove them up there ass its a rip off when i have stayed at the dr i told them to keep the key. this is another reason why i love Casa V no mini bar, plus i can email Tony with a list and it is there when i check in

I have concluded my mistake was checking out at 4am to catch a 7am flight that has been delayed 4-5 hours every time I try to catch it. next time I will simply check out at 9-10 am in the morning. at that time I will request that someone go over the contents of the mini bar with me and verify that nothing is missing. basically 1) either the girl took something
(which is impossible since everything was locked up and I checked the mini bar before I left) 2) the security guard I left my key with raided it or 3) the maid cleaned out my fridge. really I am thinking the best thing is to stay at the hotel castillo and pay cash. that way they can't charge your credit card.

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You can' t be a real country unless you have beer and an airline - its helps if you have some kind of football team, or nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer - Frank Zappa

Even if your flight is delayed 4 hrs. you can't show up at 9 or 10 for your 7 AM flight can you? At least here in the states you have to check in at least 1 hr. before scheduled departure.

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

what I meant was I am gonna take a later flight next time . it will put me back in jackson or memphis later but if its gonna be delayed every time any way, then I might as well. i guess they have a flight around noon or so.

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You can' t be a real country unless you have beer and an airline - its helps if you have some kind of football team, or nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer - Frank Zappa

After I returmed home from my 4 night stay at the Sportman's Lodge, I found I was charged 5 nights instead of four. I sent an e-mail to true sportman explaining the situation. She explained that I was confused and I was only charged for 4 nights at $88 and recieved the CRT discount. I wrote back and said my room was $79 before the discount and I WAS CHARGED FOR 5 NIGHTS. This time the e-mail said I was correct and that I would be given a $83 credit towards my next stay or they would send me a money gram. I told them to send me a money gram but I have yet to recieve it. It's been about 3 weeks and have yet to recieve anything. That being said, It was my first time to stay at the SL and I thought the place was great. The king size bed was better than the Prez. I stayed in El Dorado. They had a nice bar and It felt kinda like a home. Not a bad walk to the DR and great location to Cafe Mundo, New Fantasy, Zona Blue and JR ribs.

Here's a thought. Next time have them remove all items from the mini bar. Nothing to check, therefore nothing to be charged for.

Berk.....

P.S. Castillo doesn't have mini bars. the only think to drink in my room is letche and that for the chicas only!

This is matt from hotel amistad. I know Bill at the sl. Great guy. discuss your concerns with him and i am sure he will make you whole. As an owner i know the headaches that go with keeping things straight. We really do try to give everyone the best service possible. Mistakes happen and we try to correct them as quick as possible. Mini bars can be a problem with the chicas, we will all agree on that!! Looking for a condom at 2am is even a bigger problem. Not saying what you said didnt happen - just a different point of view . Again Bill is very fair and has a great place.

Matt

Just curious, why would a hotel (or anyone) go through this trouble instead of simply putting a credit back to your CC?